External trigger options

Spark Series
1

External trigger options

would like to check what (if there are) are the options for an external trigger (such as the phantom pickle) available on the market to be connected to the Spark

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I’m curious about the same. Are there any ways currently to trigger the camera remotely without touching it?

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I am currently using the Mutiny Power IO for Spark and that gives me a 3 pin Fischer port that I am plugging in the Tilta M MK2 motors or hand unit into via the Tilta 7 pin to 3 pin cable. This 3 pin port also worked when we did the demo in NYC with the Bolt on-board trigger system.

It has been very reliable so far. ( make sure you enable the R/S feature in the GPIO menu of your spark otherwise it wont work. 

I purchased a Octomas Red EXT to Spark EXT cable adapter thinking I could just plug my Red EXT RS trigger able into that but no such luck. Octomas is saying that EXT adapter only works with their expansion port system, (really stupid) 

Until they open up the Web portal, there is currently no way to remotely change settings on the camera. However it appears that is coming soon, as I have be able to turn on my wifi in the camera and get a ip address but no Wed Portal is open yet. 

Un-tested option, however I have the new Bitbox usb-C radios on order and hopefully the sparks usb-C is ethernet enabled as I have been told it is. since then I will have a long range radio for making changes via there Web portal or the app soon. - bitbox mini-c Deposit – bit part

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I’m still waiting for my camera to arrive, but upon the arrival I’ll be shooting scientific experiment with it where I need to not touch the camera to trigger recording - so looking for cheap and simple remote trigger option. Could be simple cable -  I just need to avoid any vibrations to the camera.
Probably mobile app still does not exist?

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The 3 pin Fischer port is available on the camera body itself, without the need of the mutiny expansion correct?

I’m going to use the trigger I usually use with the flex, I had one that was modified from original BNC to 3 pin Fischer, it works also on my Arris, so I expect it to work also with the Spark. did you tried the camera port?

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No the body is very similar to RED cameras as it has a 9 pin EXT port only and no IO breakout, this is what the Mutiny Power IO box or the Octamas IO accomplishes.

Pixboom just as other camera companies do it this way to keep the size of the camera down. As you add ports the size grows lol …

Important thing to keep in mind… The 9 pin EXT port on the spark may look the same as the RED 9 pin EXT … IT IS NOT, the pin out is not the same.

R/S Options: 

  • Mutiny Power IO with the 3 pin Fischer (Tested with many 3 pin trigger systems)

  • Octamas  IO (Not tested)

  • Mutiny R/S Button, They have created the tiny R/S button that connects to the Fischer 3 pin on the power IO or Now can connect directly to the Sparks EXT port and can be extended a few hundred feet with a simple 3.5mm cable - BOLT-ON R/S Button FOR PIXBOOM SPARK - MUTINY

  • Wait for : Tilta or other brands will likely come out with an official Spark 9 pin ext to 7 pin RS cable but we have to wait for third party brands for that. Tilta has this cable for the RED Komodo, but it’s the wrong pin out design for the spark… That cable is for use with the Tilta M focus hand units.  (I have contacted Tilta and they said they would look into adding this cable to the line up)

  • Wait for : The web portal to be open, (I do not know their time line however, I would venture to guess this is sooner then later)

  • Make your own : Ask young for the pin outs for the R/S function, I believe the EXT port is diagramed in the manual for the spark, If the RS function is similar to RED then it is a simple contact closure. (Only do this if you have advanced knowledge and skills in making cables as you can damage your camera doing this without knowing the correct pin-out and voltages at play.) 

  • DIY hack for a button press, I use this crazy device to press the button on my AC power bank since it’s in another room as the power I use from it. It has a little self powered motors that moves a plastic finger to press a button on / off - In theory it would work on the sparks record button… USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. - Switchbot Smart Switch Button Pusher (Bluetooth) – Fingerbot for Rocker Switch/One-Way Buttons, App Timer Control, No Wiring, Optional Hub Required for Voice/Remote, White: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

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