What type of camera?

[JohnD]

I am associated with a small local theatre which has a TV used as a display screen in the foyer, and a camera covering the stage which enables the staff and latecomers to watch the show.

The picture on the TV is awful, poor quality and looks as if it is viewed through a comb.

I have been told that this is because the camera installed is an old security camera, or possible a webcam (but it looks bigger than a webcam). There is a co-ax between the camera and the display

- what sort of camera would be correct for this usage?

- what should it cost?

 

[sparkymarka]

just a co ax ? where is it powered from ? post a picture

 

[EightyTwo]

Does the co-ax connect to the aerial connector on the TV or is using a BNC connector into a composite video input? If it uses the aerial socket, there must be a UHF modulator somewhere and it might be tuned to an inappropriate channel (getting interference from something?).

Modern camcorders give great pictures in the dark of a theatre, are pretty inexpensive and can provide a video output for a SCART lead. This might be a cheaper option than a high class CCTV camera, especially if you can mount it the right distance away... It's also easier to try out 'cos most people have got one.