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Help with Varicam
All,
Sorry If I’m repeating earlier posts, but I’m trying to sort out a problem with a Varicam that a colleague is using.
We are shooting sports iso’s on the Varicam. The tape gets played back on a AJHD12000A and then gets run through the frame rate converter. This is because we are working in PAL and need SD digibeta copies to feed OB trucks & linear suites.
Now the big problem is that the frame rate converter only outputs sd in composite, which means the output to the digi looks terrible, in my opinion, I’ve seen better DV. We are monitoring sdi on a grade1 here.
What we would really like is a SD 25fps PAL anamorphic dub of the varicam tape that has remained in the digital domain throughout. Due to time constraints we cannot run it through a NLE. Somebody suggested pumping the frame rate converter HD SDI into a snell & wilcox downconverter, would this work?
Any help appreciated as the downconverted HD is getting a bit of a bad name, indeed NBC gave it the elbow on this OB for exactly the above reasons
Peter
In Paris editing The French Open for ESPN
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10 Replies
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We often do 25p (PAL) transfers to Digital Betacam using our FRC with the SD-SDI output. Fantastic results so far… We always set the FRC to output 1080/25p.
25p transfers to 50i (the native Digi Beta format) in interlace speak, so I can’t understand why you are having issues if you set the FRC correctly.
The transfers we’ve done look sensational.
Rgd’s
Andrew
Broadcam Pty Ltd –
HD & SD Broadcast Equipment Hire, Sydney, Australia.
http://www.broadcam.com.au -
We can only get composite out of the FRC. What is your signal path from the FRC to the digi SDI input?
Peter
In Paris editing The French Open for ESPN
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FRC HDSDI to AJa down convertor HD SDI to SDI or Component
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Peter
Our FRC has HD-SDI & SD-SDI outputs, as well as the composite output. We always use the SD-SDI output straight to Digi Beta, I would of thought going through another device would add more confusion to the process… but I’d be happy to be corrected on this if someone knows better.
I guess our FRC is fully optioned with every in/out option available, my theory is to always buy something once, I hate going back to the seller to install an option that I should of got in the first place, and you always have more ‘buying power’ at the beginning of the equipment purchasing process.
Rgd’s
Andrew
Broadcam Pty Ltd –
HD & SD Broadcast Equipment Hire, Sydney, Australia.
http://www.broadcam.com.au -
Ah, maybe the FRC here hasn’t got the SDI option. The connectors on the back are
HD SDI in
HD SDI through
HD SDI out
SD out (composite) ugh!Maybe there is a way to route the HD SDI back through the deck to down convert?
It is a real shame having to resort to composite.Thanks for all the help
Peter
In Paris editing The French Open for ESPN
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Hi Peter,
Sounds like your FRC is missing the SD-SDI option.
So, you need to output HD-SDI then downconvert.
What gear do you have onsite that can downconvert?
If you have FCP with a DeckLink HD or Kona 2 you could go into Log/Capture with the cards downconveter switched on and record EtoE staight from the downconverted SD-SDI.
Jonathan
Jonathan Smiles
Managing Director/CEO
Digital Safari Ltd
UK – Specialist Reseller
dCinema – HD – SD
https://www.digitalsafari.co.uk -
Jonathan,
Well Sunday is the last day of the tennis here in Paris, but the Varicam & FRC will be in Wimbledon for 2 weeks in 2 weeks!
I will ask the cameraman to chase up the sd sdi option on the FRC. I don’t know if it is hired or his own though. The manual hasn’t got the sdi output on the converter either.
Sadly no FCP here, maybe next year 🙂
Thanks for the info
Peter
In Paris editing The French Open for ESPN
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Once again the AJA box would work for what you need I have the same FRC with no SD SDI out on it so I use the AJA box to downconvert to SD SDI.
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Peter et al:
The AJ-FRC27 Frame rate Converter comes with HD SDI OPs and a composite PAL /NTSC ouput as standard.
After receiving numerous requests for a high quality (SD) SDI OP, we designed a new option card for the FRC. This new SD downconverter is a very high quality downconverter with full 10 bit 4:2:2 SDI output.
The model number for this accessory is the AJ-YA27. Please consult your local Panasonic sales people for details of availablity, pricing, installation etc.Hope it helps clear up the confusion.
Cheers!
Steve Mahrer (Panasonic Broadcast US)
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Steve,
That is great news, will certainly make the job I’m doing easier.
But for the moment, could the FRC be sent back into the deck and the deck does the downconvert to SDI in EtoE?
Thanks again
Peter
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