Capturing D2 video in PP CS6

[Andrew Rendell]

I’ve still got my early Aja IO box – it accepts analogue video + xlr audio and connects to the computer by firewire.

BTW, does anyone know (remember) how fussy the DVR-10 is with regard to reference signal?

[Michael Cohn]

Thanks very much for your technical expertise and advice, Jan. As it turns out the AJA unit you mentioned above does support D2 parallel to D1/D2 Serial (SDI) and I’m in the process of securing one for that purpose.

Given that the Sony DVR 10 D2 recorder has 4 channels of digital audio out (XLR), and since the AJA converter will allow me to output SDI, do you have any suggestions on a capture card/device which will accommodate both SDI and digital audio inputs? Most of the current Decklink, Matrox models are quite pricey but I’ve seen legacy models which by description appear to do everything I need. I’m using Windows 7 Pro 64bit and Adobe Premiere Pro CS6, along with G Raid 8 TB drives, so storage and speed are no concern. I hope to find a capture card which I can install (with compatible software/drivers) but it’s difficult to get detailed information on the older model cards because few if any retailers offer them. I’d be grateful for any advice. Thanks again.

[Larry Asbell]

Once again, being behind the technological curve is going to get you a great piece of gear for peanuts.

The AJA Kona 3 was for years the top card from the top maker. Here it is with a the “Buy it Now” price” of 10% of it’s original MSRP. It was replaced by the Kona 3G which added nothing that you need.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AJA-Xena-2ke-Kona3-OEM-PCI-EXPRESS-HD-SDI-Video-Capture-Card-FREE-Shipping-/140917658799?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item20cf58d4af

[Michael Cohn]

Thanks very much, Larry. The card looks great but after reading the system requirements it seems uncertain whether it will work with Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. I’ve contacted AJA tech support and put the question to them directly and will post again when I have their reply.

Thanks again for your advice and support.

[Larry Brewer]

I have accomplished this task with the use of two converters. First I used a Sony DFX-2100 data rate converter to convert the composite parallel to a component parallel signal. Then a component parallel to serial 4:2:2 converter. This worked very well. I used this system to copy 1″ tape played on an Ampex VPR-6 with Zeus video processor, to DVCam.

[Michael Cohn]

Thx for the information Larry. I just purchased an AJA CP10S Parallel to Serial converter which converts the parallel output signal from the Sony DVR 10 to serial so I can then send SD/SDI straight to a capture card.

[Larry Brewer]

Have you tried that device yet? I wasn’t sure that it did the composite to component conversion. Parallel to serial yes, but serial composite is my understanding. My orig configuration of equipment is long gone and I considered picking up the AJA VIDEO C10PS but couldn’t determine if it would actually do the job. I found this pdf and still not sure it settles the question.

https://catalog.avisystems.com/avcat/images/documents/dataSheet/C10SP%20%26%20C10PS_Datasheet.pdf

[Michael Cohn]

I contacted AJA tech support about the unit and they assured me it converted from D2 parallel to D1/D2 serial, so though I have yet to test it I fully expect it to work. I should be receiving the unit within a few days and as soon as I confirm it works I will gladly follow up with a post.

Thanks again for your information.

[Larry Brewer]

I really hope you are correct on this one. While I have made this conversion in the past, none of the gear is available to me today. I was exploring this problem when I stumbled onto this thread. While the C10PS can output either D1 or D2 serial digital, and even do an 8bit to 10bit conversion, I believe there may be a problem “cross converting” D2 composite to D1 component. This is mentioned in the pdf I downloaded…

C10PS
Parallel Input 27mhz, 14.3mhz, or 17.7mhz parallel digital
Serial Output 270mb, 143mb, or 177mb serial digital, separately
buffered (follows input)

It’s the “follows input” that causes me concern. I will be buying my own C10PS either way. If it works by itself, great! If not, I’ll keep looking for a Sony DFX-2100 Converter to add to the front end. Please let me know how this plays out and I’ll report my progress likewise.

[Larry Brewer]

Looking to capture some D2 to hard drive. Can I ask how your AJA C10PS converter worked for you?