Neil Innes

Our club intends to update the audio/video equipment.
We are considering a projector but not suer how to keep the light level low enough for a clear image, while providing enough light for the demonstrator.
We also are looking at hearing loops but unsure about how these can be integrated with a sound system, and if both can be operated from a single microphone.
And, overhead cameras. How are these supported?
I would be interested in anyone's experience of any of this stuff.

john lucas

Put the screen for the projector off to the left of the turner and then use smaller spot lights on the lathe to illuminate the work and instructor. This way you can keep the room lights dim. It's also handy if you can get the screen in such a position that the instructor can see it, this really helps when they are trying to hold a tool up for detail shots of the grind or if he's turning and gets a shoulder in the way of the camera etc.
Overhead cameras can be supported by a simply light weight boom arm. Just rig up a lightstand with a lightweight piece of aluminum tubing and some sort of adaptor for the camera. The lathe at our club is permanently mounted so we simply dropped a rod from the ceiling and put the camera on that. I think the ideal situation is 3 cameras. 2 mini cams and regular recording cam with zoom. One mini cam over the lathe to see how the tools cuts on the outside of bowls or spindles. One mini cam looking back toward the demonstrator for sort of an overall shot of what he's doing. The cam corder is then used for all other detail or overall shots and ideally can be easily moved to capture the right details.
That's rougly how it was done at the AAW symposium and it worked pretty well.