EX1: No feedbacks. What’s going on?

[Craig Seeman]

In the COW Blogs. Hmm, maybe COW should link the relevant blogs to the relevant lists

https://blogs.creativecow.net/node/333

https://blogs.creativecow.net/node/331

https://blogs.creativecow.net/node/332

https://blogs.creativecow.net/node/334

[Don Greening]

[Rafael Amador] “Please, share a little:-) “

Ask and ye shall receive 😉

I was going to start a new thread but after seeing your pleading, Raf, I’ll just add to this one.

This is for those who want to learn more about transferring media files directly from the SxS Pro memory card into their Macbook Pro using the Express 34 slot.

Once you have the XDCAM EX Clip Browser software, the XDCAM Transfer software and the FAM driver installed an your Macbook Pro just insert the card and it shows up on the desktop right away. Here’s my situation: At the moment I don’t have FCP 6.0.2 installed on my laptop yet, only on my Mac Pro desktop machine. I’m still using FCP 5.1.4 on the Macbook Pro. So…..I can see and play back the video using the clip browser software but the video “images” are missing when I use the XDCAM transfer software. The clips are there and can certainly be transferred using the transfer software but the “images” are missing in the viewer window. Strange that one of the Sony programs can show the actual footage but the other one can’t. And once the files are transferred Quicktime won’t show the video because the XDCAM codec is missing. Just remember that if you have FCP 6.0.2 on your laptop my problems (at the moment) won’t be your problems. BTW, I do have OS v.10.4.11 and QT v. 7.3.1 on my laptop so make sure you have these software updates on your machine as well.

Once the files were transferred to the laptop I wanted to reformat the SxS Pro memory card using the laptop. The card shows up in Disk Utility just fine and tells me the card is formatted in “MS-DOS File System (FAT32)”. So from the drop down menu I chose to reformat the card using “MS-DOS File System”. It completes the reformat and I put the card back in the EX1 but the camera didn’t like the formatting and told me to reformat the card. Obviously Disk Utility is not formatting the card in FAT32 or it’s in a FAT32 flavor that the camera doesn’t like. So that worked well. Not.

Anyway, the workaround is to transfer the files using the Sony transfer software then select all the clips on the card and choose DELETE. The transfer software will ask for confirmation and then it will delete all the clips off the card. Once the card is back in the camera it shows there’s nothing on it. So, I guess as long as you can fill up the card again with clips what does it matter if the card is actually reformatted or just emptied instead.

Make sure the write-protect switch on the card is pushed to the off position or you won’t be able to delete anything off the card using your laptop. And before you pull the card out of the Express 34 slot you should highlight the card icon and choose EJECT (Apple-E) or you’ll get a warning dialogue that says you were really stupid and that you should eject the SxS Pro memory card properly.

– Don

[Craig Seeman]

Although I won’t have the camera until tomorrow (FINALLY) I understand there’s a KEY difference between format and delete. You can store your settings on the card. If you format you’ll lose those. If you’re doing a mutli-cam shoot you can copy those settings to other EX1 cameras.

Now I wonder about copying those settings to one’s desktop (or whatever) so that you can have a collection of them and load in the ones as needed.

[Don Greening]

[Craig Seeman] “If you format you’ll lose those.”

As long as the camera will fully over-write the deleted files I’m going to always do a delete instead of a reformat.

When you get your camera tomorrow there’s one thing I know you won’t like. The hand grip is so far away from the centre of gravity that it’s virually impossible to hold it with just your right hand and keep it level. For its size it’s a heavy little beast. But that’s okay. I’m still keeping it 🙂

I also ordered the W/A adapter when I ordered the camera and the adapter is still on back order.

– Don

[Will Schmidt]

I’ve had my EX1 for about a week, and am very pleased. IMHO a high quality feature rich camera at a reasonable price. Hope it proves to be as robust as other Sony Cameras I’ve used over the years.

Relieved to report the camera doesn’t exhibit the vignetting problems mentioned by other early purchasers.

Solid construction puts it on the slightly heavy side however I actually like that since it forces you to hold the thing properly.

Rotating grip, forward placement of the LCD (similar to the Z1),lens controls well positioned on the side and underneath all combine for a nicely designed package for hand held shots.

Beautifully sharp LCD with expanded focus viewing is great.

Manual focus and professional iris control, very nice!

Menu selector drum on back is too small and fiddly, the toggle selector on top is much better.

Camera/off/Media switch although recessed for protection is also a bit fiddly.

14x lens is quite short but I guess that’s part of the compromise for overall size and 1/2″ chips, so I can’t
quibble.

Auto focus is a bit slow and easily confused, solid manual focus overrides that issue for me.

Would have been nice to see a momentary auto iris switch.

That’s about it

Cheers,
Will

[Don Greening]

[Will Schmidt] “Menu selector drum on back is too small and fiddly, the toggle selector on top is much better. “

Couldn’t agree more. I tried using it once and have used the joystick on top ever since. Perhaps if the drum wheel had a thin rubber covering on it or something….

[Will Schmidt] “Camera/off/Media switch although recessed for protection is also a bit fiddly.”

Also agree. I guess the trade off here is that you don’t don’t want something that is easily activated by mistake. Maybe more rubber or anything that has more friction.

BTW, welcome to Creative COW and thanks for the feedback, Will.

– Don

[Steve Wargo]

Ours will arrive from BandPro on Wednesday afternoon. We are getting only the basic kit to begin with and have a big wish list and second camera already on order.

Our first test will be to put it next to the F-900 and check for color match, sensitivity, overall picture differences.

And then, we’ll dive into the whole clip transfer thing. We don’t have Final Cut (not quite Pro) 6 on either the laptop or the MacPro. I guess it’s time.

Imagine, a camera that actually records an HD format the we can use and sell today. And, it has sound built right in, with dials to control the levels. The coolest part is that when it’s delivered, the viewfinder and LCD panel will actually be functional. My crew is upset that two cards will hold 140 minutes of footage. Here they thought that they would be getting a smoke break every 4 minutes And, for $17,500, I can almost buy three of them (with batteries, lenses, LCDs, viewfinders and a handle to hold the thing.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!

Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
Sony EX-1 on the way.

[Don Greening]

[Steve Wargo] “Sorry, I couldn’t resist”

“Resistance is futile” anyway.

What you’ll really find amazing is that you can use the flip-out screen for critical focus. Sure, sure, guffaw away, but wait until you try it and then see if you’re still laughing ;0

– Don

[Rafael Amador]

Dear friends,
Thanks a lot. Those are the kind of post I like to have for breakfast:-)
BTW, what about prices?
I’ve got a “Bundle offer’ including;
– The camera (off course).
– A Petrol bag.
– Azden Shot gun Mic.
– 1 Extra 8Gb Express card.
– Two years Mack warranty.
Total; 7.010 US$.
How are those prices compared with the USA and canada?
rafael

PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE

[Steve Connor]

The screen is great, the pictures are great – simply best camera for the price EVER!