aj-hd 1400 downconvert

[Russell Lasson]

[kimmiemate] “Has anyone here downconverted through firewire from a aj-hd 1400 to a Sony DSR-40? I can’t seem to make it work and am wondering if it’s even possible. What other DVCAM decks have people been using to make downconverted dubs via firewire? “

The Panasonic decks don’t support downconverting over firewire. Firewire is like a data dump. It just exports the data on the tape in the native codec.

-Russ

[Chris Bierlein]

This is incorrect. The Panasonic 1200 and 1400 decks do downconvert through the firewire, to either DV50 or DV. I use this to digitize DVCPRO HD into FCP in DV mode regularly with my 1200 deck. I also use this to record DVD “dailies” of HD material onto my DVD recorder with Firewire input. You need to be sure the menu settings on the 1400 are correct for downconversion. Under the DIF series of menus (800’s I think), you can select which format to downconvert to.

Chris B.

[Russell Lasson]

Thanks for the correction. I’ve never heard of being able to do that.

-Russ

[Kimberlee Mctaggart]

I can downconvert to FCPro as well, but as soon as I hook up my deck I get E-92. Has anyone been able to downconvert to a deck via firewire without getting E-92? If so, what deck?
Kim

[Dale West]

Kim,
Not to sound like a hump but I’ve found the Operating Instructions to be a valuable tool. I spent hours flipping through the menus and at last I downloaded the manual and the clouds parted and the birds sang and I was able to get where I needed to be without much trouble. I carry them in my van as well as keep one near my rack in the shop. The 1400 p/e manual is only 68 pages and it is so handy to have. Try this link. http://www.retrevo.com/s/Panasonic-AJ-HD1400P

best of luck

dw

[Kimberlee Mctaggart]

Thank you DW,

I have practically memorized that manual! First I had a loose firewire board, which had me trying every menu configuration before I ruled it a board problem. Secondly I discovered that you can downconvert via firewire to FCPro wQuite easily but it will not work in Avid express Pro. (at least not to DV, I have not tested DV50). Now I am trying to get it to dub to a DSR-40. At one point I had a strobing picture, audio and no TC, but now all I get is E-92. My question is – has anyone had it successfully downconverting to a DSR-40?

Kim

[Evan Mcintosh]

I have a DSR-70 and there definitely is some magic for getting it to read the downconverted signal from the 1400. I haven’t noted the exact settings, but in addition to all the obvious menu items on your 1400, try turning DIF SPEED to S100 and set a custom DIF OUT CH (and possibly DIF CONFIG). Within a few minutes I usually figure it out. When I have a second to figure them out again, I’ll post the exact settings.

The DSR-70 is picky (won’t read FW video from FCP or Avid), but the nice thing is that when the 1400’s firewire downconvert is working it sends video, audio, and tc down the same pipe.

Evan
McIntosh Productions LLC
Atlanta, GA
HDX900 owner/operator

[Kimberlee Mctaggart]

Thanks Evan!

I’d greatly appreciate it if you would post the exact settings when you get a chance.

Kim

[Evan Mcintosh]

Starting from factory defaults:

880 DIF SPEED S100
894 HD -> DIF OUT DV
883 DIF OUT CH 63

Evan McIntosh
McIntosh Productions LLC
Atlanta, GA
HDX900 owner/operator

[Peter Von puttkamer]

RE: the AJHD 1400 deck; I’m trying to output some SD DVPRO50 timelines(Sequences) off
my FCP onto the 1400 deck; it appears that pansonic does not support recording of the
DVpro50 format now. Is this correct? Any solutions?

Thanks