Monitor and video assist system for a film set

Abstract

A monitor, when used to remotely interact with a plurality of video feeds on a film set, comprising a screen for displaying a selected one of the plurality of video feeds from respective cameras deployed on the film set, and a controller that is configured to remotely control which of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

Description

MONITOR AND VIDEO ASSIST SYSTEM FOR A FILM SETTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitor for a film set, e.g. to a monitor that is used to remotely interact with video feeds on a film set and to a video assist system and method comprising said monitor.BACKGROUND

[0002] In film making, it is typical for several cameras to be used to capture a scene from multiple angles. During production, on-set monitors allow key film crew to watch a live feed of what each camera operator is seeing, and to review the work that is being created. The area of the set where such review takes place is referred to as a "video village", and generally comprises a monitor or series of monitors that allows the film crew to see approximately the same view as a camera operator, and thus ensure that film is being shot and framed as desired from a distance.

[0003] As the complexity of film production increases, so too have the requirements of the video village. For example, while early video villages typically featured a single monitor that was hooked up to a single film camera, modern video villages incorporate dedicated "video assist" equipment including, but not limited to, monitors, recorders, video transmitters, video switchers, IT and RF equipment, with a maze of video cables connecting everything together. Notably, modern video assist equipment not only needs to provide strong signal reception and video feed distribution, but now must allow key film crew to interact directly with the feed to change the state of feed (e.g. toggle between live and playback), perform rough edits, and implement visual effects previsualization on set.

[0004] Given the sheer number of video feeds connected to the monitors, and crew interactions therewith required, it is common for a dedicated team of video assist technicians to control what is shown on the monitor screens, with the director and / or other crew cuing said video operator to make the inputs to the system. This is usually done verbally over a radio call or visually with hand gestures. Whilst a modern necessity, the reliance on a team of video assist technicians brings its own challenges, including crowding of the video village, increased costs of film making, and a disconnect between the monitor viewer and what is being filmed.

[0005] More recently, solutions have been developed to allow the viewer to switch inputs on the monitor themselves, without having to verbally ask the video operator to change the camera feed and / or change the state of the feed. Existing solutions, however, rely on running multiplefeeds to the monitor and switching inputs on the monitor itself, which may be impractical, labour intensive, and taxing on battery draw in at least some situations. Whilst wireless transmitters and receivers may go some way eliminating the problems associated with cabling, susceptibilities to signal interruptions and an inherent requirement of regular battery changes mean that wired setups have remain the favoured solution by professional film makers.

[0006] The present invention was conceived with the above shortcomings in mind, and aims to provide the public with a useful alternative to existing film systems and methods.SUMMARY

[0007] In a first aspect, the invention provides a monitor, when used to remotely interact with video feeds on a film set, comprising a screen for displaying a selected one of a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras deployed on the film set, and a controller that is configured to remotely control which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

[0008] The controller may be located substantially proximate to or forms part of the screen. In particular, the controller may be provided as an onboard controller that, together with the screen, is provided within a housing of the monitor.

[0009] In some embodiments, the controller may comprise a selector that is operable by a viewer of the monitor, with the selector being configured to set the selected video feed. The controller may comprise an actuator that is operable by a viewer of the monitor, with the actuator being configured to change a playback state of the selected video feed. The actuator or a further actuator may be configured to mark or otherwise label a playback location of the selected video feed.

[0010] In a second aspect, the invention provides a video assist system, comprising a monitor as described herein, a hub arranged to receive the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras, and a communication channel extending from the hub to the input for selectably controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to the monitor.

[0011] The communication channel may be a video cable that is physically connected to the hub and to the monitor, with the selected video feed being transmitted along the video cable.

[0012] Alternatively, the communication channel may be a radio channel, with the selected video feed being wirelessly transmitted from the hub to the monitor.

[0013] In some embodiments, the hub may comprise a video switcher, with the communication channel extending from the video switcher to the monitor. The hub may further comprise a host computer that is connected to the video switcher, with the controller communicating with the video switcher via the host computer to remotely control which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

[0014] The controller may communicate with the hub via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or similar wireless radio-based communication protocol. For example, the wireless radio-based communication protocol may be selected from a ground comprising one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or similar.

[0015] In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set using a monitor as described herein, including: receiving the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras with a hub; selectably transmitting the plurality of video feeds to the monitor along a communication channel that extends from the hub to the input; and remotely controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted along the communication channel to the monitor with the controller.

[0016] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set, including the steps of: displaying a selected one of a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras on a film set with a screen of a monitor that is also disposed on the film set; and remotely setting which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor with a controller thereof.

[0017] The method may include: providing the controller together with the monitor as an integrated unit.

[0018] In some embodiments, controlling the plurality of video feeds may include setting the selected video feed by operating a selector of the controller.

[0019] The method may include: changing a playback state of the selected video feed by operating an actuator of the controller. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include marking or otherwise labelling a playback location of the selected video feed by operating the or a further actuator of the controller.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method may include: receiving the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras with a hub; and transmitting the selected video feed from the hub to the monitor via a communication channel.

[0021] Transmitting the selected video feed may include passing the selected video feed along a video cable that extends from the hub to the monitor.

[0022] Also described herein is a video assist system for remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set, comprising a monitor for displaying a selected video feed, a hub arranged to receive a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras deployed on the film set, and a communication channel extending between the hub and the monitor, wherein a controller of the monitor is configured to remotely control which of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted by the hub to the monitor along the communication channel.

[0023] Also described herein is a method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set, including the steps of: receiving a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras deployed on the film site with a hub on the film site; transmitting a selected video feed along a communication channel from the hub to a monitor; and remotely controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted along the communication channel to the monitor with a controller of the monitor.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a video assist system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a monitor for interacting with video feeds on a film set, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a monitor for interacting with video feeds on a film set, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;Figure 4 is a perspective view of an adjudication unit for use with a video assist system, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; andFigure 5 is a schematic representation illustrating a method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0027] In general terms, the video assist system 10 shown in the Figures comprises a monitor 12 for use on a film set 14. The monitor 12 includes a screen 16 and a controller 18. The screen 16 is configured to display a selected one of a plurality of video feeds 20 that are captured by cameras 22, disposed on the film set 14. In particular, the plurality of video feeds 20 is received by a hub 24, with the hub 24 transmitting the selected video feed or feeds 20 to an input 26 of the monitor 12 via a communication channel 28. Notably, the controller 18 is directly operable by a viewer of the monitor 12 and configured to allow the viewer to set which one of the video feeds 20 is transmitted to the monitor 12 for display on the screen 16 thereof. It is understood that the viewer of the monitor 12 is a person standing or sitting in front of the monitor 12, generally within an arm's length thereof. For example, the viewer may be any one of a director, cinematographer, producer or other member of the film crew.

[0028] The video assist system 10 allows for video feed switching to occur remote from the monitor 12, such that only one of the video feeds 20 needs to be transmitted via the communication channel 28. This arrangement may provide significant workability improvements over existing video assist systems where video switching occurs on-monitor, thus requiring simultaneously suppling multiple video feeds to the monitor. Further, with the feed switching being controlled by "on-board' controller 18, the viewer is provided with an enhanced ability to interact with the video feeds 20 on the film set, substantially obviating the need to manually cue a dedicated video technician to make changes to the feed shown on the screen 16. This ability to set the selected video feed 20 from the controller 18 contributes to more efficient running of the film set 14 whilst allowing the viewer or viewers (nominally being key film crew such as the film director) to interact with the video feeds 20 without breaking their train of thought.

[0029] It is understood that the controller 18 may be an "on-board" controller in the sense that it is located in or mounted upon a housing 30 of the monitor 12. In other embodiments, thecontroller 18 may be provided separate of the housing 30, but be located substantially proximate the screen 16 - within easy reach of a viewer thereof to allow the viewer to operate the controller 18. Further, it is understood that the controller 18 need not be electronically connected to the screen 16 or other internal components of monitor 12. Rather, the controller 18 is in electronic communication with the hub 24. In such manner, the controller 18 may be provided as a "retrofit" type product that may be mounted to an existing monitor 12, including monitors that are used for colour critical work. In such manner, the controller 18 may integrate with a user’s existing hardware and not otherwise affect the production pipeline. This being said, the controller 18 may, for example, be electrically connected to monitor 12 to source power therefrom. With respect to the embodiments shown, the controller 18 is of a comparatively simple design so as to maximise handleability and minimise power draw requirements.

[0030] The controller 18 includes a selector 32. The selector 32 is operable by the viewer and configured to set the selected video feed. For example, with particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , it can be seen that the film set 14 includes three cameras 22, with each camera providing a respective video feed 20 to the hub 24. In such embodiment, the selector 32 may be configured to toggle between the respective video feeds 20 in a sequential manner. It is understood however, that the selector 32 may perform in several other ways, such as, for example, being configured such that different trigger types or inputs of the selector 32 are associated with respective video feeds - i.e. a short press being associated with a first video feed and a long press being associated with a second video feed. It is also contemplated that the selector 32 may comprise a plurality of discrete human input devices (such as, for example, push buttons) with each HID being associated with a respective video feed 20. Such an embodiment may be particularly useful on film sets 14 having higher numbers of video feeds 20. Alternatively, the selector 32 may comprise a rotary switch that is moveable between a plurality of positions, with each position being associated with a respective video feed 20. Further still, it is contemplated that two or more video feeds 20 may be displayed together on screen 16, with said feeds 20 each being transmitted, simultaneously along communication channel 28 at a reduced resolution or data rate. It is understood that, in such embodiment, the selector 32 may be used to set the "split feed" as the selected feed 20.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1 , the controller 18 may include at least one actuator 34. The or each actuator 34 is operable by the viewer and configured to change a playback state of the selected video feed 20. For example, the actuator 34 may toggle the selected video feed as displayed on the screen 16 between a "live" state and a recorded, playback state. Accordingly, it is understood that the selected video feed 20 that is transmitted to the monitor 12 by hub 24 is not limited to "live" video feeds captured by cameras 22, with hub 24 also being configured toroute playback vision to the monitor 12, with the playback vision comprising feeds 20 that were previously captured by said cameras 22. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator 34 may change the playback state of the video feed 20 in other ways, such as, for example, changing the speed of playback or moving the playback location. The actuator 34 may also be used to mark or otherwise label a playback location in the selected video feed 20, such that the currently displayed frame or playback location as shown on the monitor 12 can be easily identified and returned to at a later time. The marked playback location may be referred to as a "reference clip". Further, the actuator 34 may trigger playback of the previously marked reference clip to ensure and / or maintain continuity between clips that may be filmed at different times or non-sequentially - for example ensuring continuity between a wide shot that may be captured earlier in a film day and a close up that is filmed later in the day. Whilst described herein separately, it is understood that the actuator 34 and selector 32 may be provided as a single actuator. In addition, it is also contemplated that the actuator 34 and / or selector 32 may be context sensitive, with a function thereof changing depending on a current operating state of the monitor 12.

[0032] Moving now to hub 24. The hub 24 comprises a video switcher 38. The video switcher 38 is arranged to receive the respective video feeds 20 of the plurality of cameras 22. Typically, the switcher 38 may be located proximate or at least close to the set where the filmed action is being captured. The video switcher 38 is located remote of the monitor 12. What is meant by this is that the hub 24 and / or video switcher 38 is not located in the direct proximity of the monitor 12 or, put more simply, is separate from the monitor 12. Separation of the controller 18 from the hub 24 may provide several advantages. For example, because all of the switching and processing of the video feeds 20 is happening in one location (i.e. at the hub 24), a video operator is able to maintain a close eye on all of the streams 20 simultaneously, from one central location, which is not possible with existing setups where each monitoring location is responsible for their own processing and switching. The video switcher 38 is operably connected to the monitor 12 via the communication channel 28 that extends between the hub 24 and the monitor 12. In particular, the video switcher 38 is configured to transmit the selected video feed 20 along the communication channel 28 to an input 26 of the monitor 12.

[0033] The controller 18 is wirelessly connected to the video switcher 38 via wireless connection 39, permitting the viewer to set which video feed is transmitted to the input 26. The controller 18 communicates with the hub 24 via Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi. With respect to the embodiment shown in the Figures, the wireless connection 39 may include commands sent from the controller 18 to the hub 24 that use one or more of the following protocols: Netcat, T elnet and UDP. It is understood, however, that other forms of wireless communication including other radiobased communication protocols can also be used. With particular reference to the embodimentshown, the hub 24 also comprises a host 40, nominally in the form of a host computer such as a portable laptop computer. The host 40 is used to control the video switcher 38, serving as an intermediary between the controller 18 of the monitor 12 and the video switcher 38. Accordingly, it is understood that that, in this embodiment, the controller 18 of monitor 12 indirectly communicates with the video switcher 38, via host 40. For example, the controller 18 may provide a signal that triggers or otherwise launches an associated script to be run on host 40, with the script resulting in interaction with the video feed 20 that is currently being displayed on screen 16 - such as enabling or disabling compositing of a selected portion of the video feed 20 on host 40. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the video switcher 38 and host 40 may be provided in a singular device, such that the controller 18 of monitor 12 communicates directly with the switcher 38.

[0034] The communication channel 28 may be provided by a video cable that is physically connected to the hub 24 and to the monitor 12, extending therebetween. In such an embodiment, it is understood that the selected video feed 20 is transmitted along the video cable 28 to the input 26 of the monitor 12. In particular, it is therefore understood that the video cable may be a singular video cable, obviating the need for discrete cables to be separately run between the hub 24 and the monitor 12 for each video feed 20 - rather, each of the video feeds 20 may be selectably (i.e. individually) transmitted along the video cable, depending on which one of said plurality of video feeds 20 is set by the viewer via controller 18. It is also contemplated that the communication channel 28 may be provided in the form of a radio channel, such that the selected video feed may be wirelessly transmitted from the hub 24 to the monitor 12.

[0035] The video feed 20 is transmitted from hub 24 to the monitor 12 at a broadcast grade to suit production requirements. What is meant by this is that the selected video feed 20 is transmitted at a resolution, bitrate and codec dependent on the equipment that is being used on set and what the viewer wants to see on monitor 12. With respect to the embodiment shown in the Figures, the selected video feed 20 is preferably transmitted at an HD or 4K resolution with a data rate of at least 1 .485 Gbit / s with support for a HDR colour space. It is understood, however, that channel 28 is not limited to a particular frame rate or resolution, and may also be configured to handle transmission of lower resolution video feeds (for example SD) and data rates (for example 270 Mbit / s) and at higher resolution video feeds (for example 12K) and data rates (for example 2.970 Gbit / s) and support other colour spaces. Put differently, the frame rate and resolution can be set in accordance with what is supported by the existing hardware onset and / or minimum production requirements, for example to provide a 4K resolution. Preferably, the video cable 28 is adapted to perform at a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) standard. For example, the video cable 28 may operate in accordance with any one of the SDI, HD-SDI, Dual Link HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI standards. It is also contemplated that video cable 28 may operate at an HDMI standard. Accordingly, the selected video feed 20 may be transmitted to the monitor 12 as an uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signal, optionally with embedded audio and time codes. Trials by the applicant have demonstrated that the transmission of the video feed 20 along a physical video cable 28 to provide improved fidelity and reduced latency when compared with existing systems that may utilise Wi-Fi or other wireless transmission means.

[0036] An exemplary embodiment of monitor 12 is shown in Figure 2. With particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the monitor 12 includes an "on-board" controller in the sense that it is mounted upon housing 30. The controller 18 of monitor 12 includes an array of push buttons 36. At least one of the push buttons 36 is configured to perform as a selector 32. It is understood, however, that the controller 18 may include other human input devices / arrangements (HI Ds). At least one of the push buttons 36 may function as an actuator 34 - with short presses triggering switching between video feeds 20 and long presses toggling the state of the selected video feed 20 that is transmitted to the monitor 12 and received by the input 26 thereof.

[0037] It is understood that, with the controller 18 remotely controlling or otherwise selecting which of the plurality of the quality video feeds 20 is transmitted to and received by the input 26 of the monitor 12, the need to run several, physical (video) cables between the hub 24 and monitor 12, which cables carrying respective ones of the plurality of respective video feeds 20, is substantially obviated. Trials by the applicant have demonstrated such arrangement to be particularly advantageous when compared with existing video-assist type products, whereby because such products only permit selection of which feed is displayed on the monitor 12, it is inherently necessary for each video feed 20 to be transmitted to the monitor 12 simultaneously, thereby requiring provision of separate video cables to carry each respective video feed 20 in order to maintain sufficient quality of feed. Further, because it is no longer necessary for the monitor 12 to have a dedicated input 26 for each video feed 20, the number of cameras that can be operably connected to the monitor 12 is not limited by the number of inputs 26 - an inherent limitation of existing systems.

[0038] In some embodiments, the video assist system 10 may also provide a local recording functionality. An example of such embodiment is shown in Figure 3. In particular, the system 10 may include a “on-board” recorder 42 that is located in or mounted upon the housing 30 of the monitor 12. In other embodiments, the recorder 42 may be provided separate of the housing 30, but be located substantially proximate the screen 16 - within easy reach of a viewer thereof to allow the viewer to operate the controller 18. It is understood that, where the recorder 42 ismounted onto and / or integrated within the housing 30 of the monitor 12, said components form a combined monitor unit that can be stowed in working configuration (in which all power and video connections are preconnected) and traveled as one unit, saving valuable setup time on set.

[0039] The recorder 12 is configured to record the selected video stream 20 of the monitor 12. It is thought that such functionality may be particularly useful on the film set 14, for example, whereby, for example, a camera operator may wish to review their camera movement discreetly without the need to ask the director or other film crew member for global playback, as this would result in broadcast of the feed to all monitors 12 on the set 14. The recorder 42 is in operable communication with the controller 18, with said controller 18 being configured to interact with the recorder 42 to initiate or otherwise control actions such as recording, and stopping of the recorder 42. It is contemplated that recorded footage my be played back on the monitor 12. As shown, the recorder 42 is provided separately from the controller 18 however it is also contemplated that the recorder 42 may form part of the controller 18.

[0040] Turning now to Figure 4. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the video assist system 10 may include adjudication unit 44. The adjudication unit 44 is preferably standalone in the sense that it is housed and / or located in separately from the monitor 12 and / or host 40. The adjudication unit 44 includes a controller that is in communication with the host 40 and is operable to mark a selected recorded take as approved or declined. The controller may, for example, be a microcontroller or similar. Optionally, an indication of the decision made via the adjudication unit 44 may be returned to the monitor 12 and / or to portable communication devices to crew members on the film set 12. The indication may include timestamp details of the clip that was approved.

[0041] With reference to the embodiment shown, the adjudication unit 44 is allows decision makers on set (i.e. directors, producers and / or clients) to approve or decline or otherwise adjudicate a take by pressing dedicated approve and decline buttons 46, 48. The buttons 46, 48 are provided in the form of hemispherical knobs and colour coded for ease of reference. The size and shape of the buttons 46, 48 provide tactile feedback to the user, such that the decision makers need not redirect their vision away from the set. In particular, as shown the buttons 46, 48 are oversized in the sense that the button may conform to the palm of the user’s hand. The adjudication unit 44 may also a plurality of programmable action buttons 50. The buttons 50 may function similar to the push buttons 36 of the controller 18. The buttons 50 may be associated with various crew actions as appropriate for the location on the film set 12 within which the adjudication unit 44 is found. As shown, one of the buttons 50 is equipped with an indicator relating to a function of the assigned action (in this case to request delivery of a beverage to the locationof the unit 44). It is understood that that the indicator may be changed out or otherwise adapted depending on the assigned function. Alternatively, the indicator may simply assign a number or letter to the respective buttons 50, irrespective of associated action.

[0042] A method 100 of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set will now be described with reference to Figure 5. It is understood that such method involves the use of a video assist system 10 and / or at least monitor 12 as previously described herein.

[0043] In a receiving step 1 10, the plurality of video feeds 20 are received by the hub 24. In particular, the video feeds 20 are fed to the video switcher 38 from the respective cameras 22 deployed on film set 14. The video feeds 20 may, for example, be fed to the hub 24 by way of physical cable connections or be wirelessly communicated to the hub 24.

[0044] In a following setting step 120, the on-board controller 18 of monitor 12 is operated by a viewer thereof to remotely set which one of the plurality of video feeds 20 is to be transmitted to the monitor 12 by hub 24. During this step, the viewer may, for example, operate selector 32 to indicate a desired video feed 20, or may, alternatively, toggle between available feeds 20. Notably, the controller 18 is wirelessly connected to the hub 24, such that the actual switching of the video feed takes place off monitor, obviating the need for each of the respective video feeds 20 to be transmitted to and received by the monitor 12 itself.

[0045] In a transmitting step 130, the selected one of the plurality of video feeds 20 is transmitted, by the hub 24, to the monitor 12 along communication channel 28. Preferably, this step involves physically passing the selected video feed 20 along a video cable extending between the hub 24 and the input 26 of monitor 12, with the physical cable providing a more stable connection than wireless alternatives that may also be suitable for carrying or otherwise communicating a higher bit rate / quality feed to the monitor 12.

[0046] In a following displaying step 140, the selected video feed 20 is received by the input 26, and visually displayed to the viewer on screen 16 of the monitor 12. It is understood that this enables the viewer or viewers of the monitor 12 (nominally key film crew such as the director and or a producer and or a cinematographer) to view what an operator of the camera 22 that is supplying or otherwise capturing the selected video feed 20 is seeing.

[0047] In an interacting step 150, the viewer or viewers of monitor 12 are permitted or otherwise provided with an opportunity to further interact with the selected video feed 20 that is currently being displayed on the screen 16. For example, the viewer may toggle or otherwise change a playback state of the video feed by operating actuator 34 and / or may mark or otherwiselabel a current playback location of the selected video feed 20 by operating the or a further actuator 34. For example, repeated operation of actuator 34 may result in marking of "in" and "out" points that indicate a captured portion on a timeline of the video feed 20.EXAMPLES

[0048] Example embodiments of the present invention as described herein are defined in the following examples.

[0049] 1 . A monitor, when used to remotely interact with video feeds on a film set, comprising a screen for displaying a selected one of a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras deployed on the film set, and a controller that is configured to remotely control which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

[0050] 2. A monitor according to example 1 , wherein the controller is located substantially proximate to or forms part of the screen.

[0051] 3. A monitor according to example 1 or example 2, wherein the controller is provided as an onboard controller that, together with the screen, is provided within a housing of the monitor.

[0052] 4. A monitor according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the controller comprises a selector that is operable by a viewer of the monitor, with the selector being configured to set the selected video feed.

[0053] 5. A monitor according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the controller comprises an actuator that is operable by a viewer of the monitor, with the actuator being configured to change a playback state of the selected video feed.

[0054] 6. A monitor according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the actuator or a further actuator is configured to mark or otherwise label a playback location of the selected video feed.

[0055] 7. A monitor according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a recorder that is configured to record the selected one of the video streams that is displayed on the monitor.

[0056] 8. A video assist system, comprising the monitor of any one of the preceding examples, a hub that is separate from the monitor and arranged to receive the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras, and a communication channel extending from the hub to theinput for selectably controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to the monitor.

[0057] 9. A video assist system according to example 8, wherein the hub comprises a video switcher, with the communication channel extending from the video switcher to the monitor.

[0058] 10. A video assist system according to example 8 or example 9, wherein the hub further includes a host computer that is connected to the video switcher, with the controller communicating with the video switcher via the host computer, to remotely control which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

[0059] 11 . A video assist system according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the communication channel is provided by a video cable that is physically connected to the hub and to the monitor, with the selected video feed being transmitted along the video cable.

[0060] 12. A video assist system according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the communication channel is a radio channel, with the selected video feed being wirelessly transmitted from the hub to the monitor.

[0061] 13. A video assist system according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the controller communicates with the hub via a wireless radio-based communication protocol.

[0062] 14. A video assist system according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising recorder configured to record the selected video stream of the monitor.

[0063] 15. A video assist system according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising an adjudication unit configured to prove means for decision makers on set to approve or decline a take by pressing a dedicated approve and / or decline buttons.

[0064] 16. A method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set using the monitor of any one of the foregoing examples, including: receiving the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras with a hub; selectably transmitting the plurality of video feeds to the monitor along a communication channel that extends from the hub to the input; and remotely controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted along the communication channel to the monitor with the controller.

[0065] 17. A method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set, including: displaying a selected one of a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras on a film set with a screen of a monitor that is also disposed on the film set; and remotely setting which one of theplurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor with a controller thereof.

[0066] 18. A method according to any one of the preceding examples, including: providing the controller together with the monitor as an integrated unit.

[0067] 19. A method according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein controlling the plurality of video feeds includes setting the selected video feed by operating a selector of the controller.

[0068] 20. A method according to any one of the preceding examples, including: changing a playback state of the selected video feed by operating an actuator of the controller.

[0069] 21 . A method according to any one of the preceding examples, including: marking or otherwise labelling a playback location of the selected video feed by operating the actuator or a further actuator of the controller.

[0070] 22. A method according to any one of the preceding examples, including: receiving the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras with a hub; and transmitting the selected video feed from the hub to the monitor via a communication channel.

[0071] 23. A method according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein transmitting the selected video feed includes passing the selected video feed along a video cable that extends from the hub to the monitor.

[0072] Summarily, it is understood that embodiments of the monitor and video assist system comprising said monitor as described herein may provide several advantages and improvements over traditional, existing video assist systems, and allow for improved methods of film making and remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set. For example, at least some embodiments of the video assist system described herein allow for locally controlled off-monitor video feed switching, provides significant workability improvements over existing video assist systems where video switching occurs on monitor, and more traditional film making techniques that require manual cueing of dedicated video technician. For example, by proving a monitor-based controller that can control or otherwise select which video feed is transmitted to and received by the monitor, the invention may mitigate the need for several, separate, video cables to be run a video hub and the monitor, as is typical on a professional film set. Further, each embodiment of the invention described herein may contribute to a more efficient running of the film set to which the inventionis installed or otherwise performed, providing an improved means for the viewer or viewers of the monitor to interact with video feeds without breaking their train of thought.

[0073] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

[0074] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’, and variations such as ‘comprises’ and ‘comprising’, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.LEGEND

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A monitor, when used to remotely interact with video feeds on a film set, comprising a screen for displaying a selected one of a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras deployed on the film set, and a controller that is configured to remotely control which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

2. The monitor of claim 1 , wherein the controller is located substantially proximate to or forms part of the screen.

3. The monitor of claim 2, wherein the controller is provided as an onboard controller that, together with the screen, is provided within a housing of the monitor.

4. The monitor of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller comprises a selector that is operable by a viewer of the monitor, with the selector being configured to set the selected video feed.

5. The monitor of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller comprises an actuator that is operable by a viewer of the monitor, with the actuator being configured to change a playback state of the selected video feed.

6. The monitor of claim 5, wherein the actuator or a further actuator is configured to mark or otherwise label a playback location of the selected video feed.

7. A video assist system, comprising the monitor of any one of claims 1 to 6, a hub arranged to receive the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras, and a communication channel extending from the hub to the input for selectably controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to the monitor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the hub comprises a video switcher, with the communication channel extending from the video switcher to the monitor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the hub further includes a host computer that is connected to the video switcher, with the controller communicating with the video switcher via the host computer, to remotely control which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor.

10. The system of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the communication channel is provided by a video cable that is physically connected to the hub and to the monitor, with the selected video feed being transmitted along the video cable.1 1. The system of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the communication channel is a radio channel, with the selected video feed being wirelessly transmitted from the hub to the monitor.

12. The system of any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the controller communicates with the hub via a wireless radio-based communication protocol.

13. A method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set using the monitor of any one of claims 1 to 6, including: receiving the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras with a hub; selectably transmitting the plurality of video feeds to the monitor along a communication channel that extends from the hub to the input; and remotely controlling which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted along the communication channel to the monitor with the controller.

14. A method of remotely interacting with video feeds on a film set, including: displaying a selected one of a plurality of video feeds from respective cameras on a film set with a screen of a monitor that is also disposed on the film set; and remotely setting which one of the plurality of video feeds is transmitted to and received by an input of the monitor with a controller thereof.

15. The method of claim 14, including: providing the controller together with the monitor as an integrated unit.

16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein controlling the plurality of video feeds includes setting the selected video feed by operating a selector of the controller.

17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, including: changing a playback state of the selected video feed by operating an actuator of the controller.

18. The method of claim 17, including:marking or otherwise labelling a playback location of the selected video feed by operating the actuator or a further actuator of the controller.

19. The method of anyone of claims 14 to 18, including: receiving the plurality of video feeds from the respective cameras with a hub; and transmitting the selected video feed from the hub to the monitor via a communication channel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the selected video feed includes passing the selected video feed along a video cable that extends from the hub to the monitor.

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