Recording a LCD TV image with a video camera

[jrmallory]

This is all quite new to me so my apologies for any dumb questions.

I'm creating a training course and would like to shoot some pieces where I'm standing in front of a LCD TV. The screen would have photos that I'd reference periodically. The concept would be similar to an instructor standing in front of a whiteboard and periodically jotting stuff down or referencing a diagram. I don't plan on showing any videos on the TV, just still photos.


Here's my question. What kind of video camera would I need to avoid interference with the TV? From what I've researched so far, it seems that LCD TVs avoid the refresh problems of old CRT TVs. Also, will a video camera with a CMOS sensor work better or worse than a CCD?


Thanks for any input!

[aedipuss]

it's normally done by using a blue screen where the tv images will be added later in post. if you really need the tv there then find one with a matte screen. type of camera won't matter.

[jrmallory]

Yeah, our post production is extremely limited in resources, so I was hoping to pull it off with the actual image on the screen. We'll see, it might look pretty hokey. Thanks for the tip on the matte screen, I hand't thought of the glare issue.

[smrpix]

It's not really that hard. Make sure the lighting is balanced both in intensity and color (LCDs tend to be blue, incandescent lights tend to be orange.) Watch carefully for rolling scanlines or bars from the screen, it can be subtle, and adjust your camera's shutter speed until they disappear.

[Noahtuck]

Watch carefully for rolling scanlines or bars from the screen,

I have never seen such a thing when recording LCD TV's or monitors, only CRT tv's, which he is not talking about.

and adjust your camera's shutter speed until they disappear.

Ummm... Otay......

From what I've researched so far, it seems that LCD TVs avoid the refresh problems of old CRT TVs

Yep!!

I frequently (a few times a month at least) record video playing on a 32" lcd and have never had a problem as long as the room was well lit.
I do it to demonstrate different video game systems working with different software.

And I use a cheap Flip video camera that records in HD and they look damn good.

[smrpix]

From what I've researched so far, it seems that LCD TVs avoid the refresh problems of old CRT TVs

It can be subtle, but don't ignore the possibility. (Shot with Sony CX260 and Vizio 46" LCD -- no special "tricks")

rollbars.mp4

[jrmallory]

Cool. Thanks for the tips. I'll give it a whirl and report back.