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kona 2 problem capturing and outputing
I’m experiencing problems with our brand new Kona 2. We are unable to capture clean video and can not monitor or output clean video. The picture is very noisy and at times looks as if I’m experiencing double vision. We are running a
G5 2.5dp with 3g ram, OS 10.4.2 , FCP 5, Kbox and 2TB promax sata e raid. We have a DSR 1800 deck hooked up via SDI with embedded audio selected. The card did not work right out of the box. I figured I had a set something up incorrectly then without doing anything it began working. I was able to capture material and monitor picture via component analog. The system seemed to be working fine for about 3 hours and then while trying to capture additional material the picture went bad and so did the component analog output. Any material captured while the card worked seemed to be fine(if viewing on the canvas), but any signal being monitored via the SD SDI connection or component analog output was no good. ( I have not verified if the HD SDI portion of the card works as I am waiting for the equipment to arrive)
I contacted support and they responded promptly. I made sure everything was set up according to the email I received.( current driver 1.1.2, setup control panel per support, used easy setup and even wiped the FCP pref and cache files) None of these things has corrected the problem. I even went so far as to wipe the boot drive clean and did a complete reinstall. The problem still exists and support has not responded to my new emails. I plan on calling support by phone, but thought posting the problem might yield some different suggestions. Thanks in advance!Robert
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6 Replies
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Definitely call them direct so you can work with them in real-time instead of via email.
I could be something as simple as your cables are not seated correctly on the card. Shut down the Mac, disconnect the cables from the K2 card and reconnect them.
Other than that, you should definitely talk to tech support on the phone and see if they can get you up and running in a hurry. On occassion there can be a bad board and if that’s the case, they will replace it promptly.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.comNow in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com
Now editing “Good Eats” in HD for the Food Network
“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Robert,
A couple of things come to mind.
Check the connections. It seems odd that the card just started and stopped working.
Are you using the KBOX in this setup? If so try the other cables and bypass the KBOX, this will narrow things down a bit.
The last thing that comes to mind is heat. This can be a killer. The AJA boards have proven to run very well even when heat is present, but it’s worth a check. I know other cards(not AJA)have had this issue and don’t fair as well. *Heat can cause warping which can account for components to just stop working or to be intermittent.
Good luck,
Ramona -
Robert –
please tell us how you are monitoring the signal. Are you using a HD-SDI to DVI converter, are you using a hi quality monitor like a Sony PVM-20L5/1, or are you using a consumer TV monitor? It doesn’t mean that you don’t have a bad card, but it’s pretty unlikely. AJA will be happy to send you another card, but lets see if it’s something silly.I have been in situations where I am told that the video looks like crap – I get there, and people have a good monitor, like the Sony PVM-20L5/1, with a set of looping cables (unterminating the output of the monitor), lying behind the monitor. I ask why there are cables looping out of the monitor, not going anywhere, and I am told that they are there in case they have to plug in a VHS machine to make a dub. I am not saying you are going this, but these are the details you need to know when finding out about a problem like yours.
Bob Zelin
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Hey Bob,
This is why you make the big bucks….
Take it easy,
Ramona -
Robert,
First and foremost what type of bnc cables are you using?
Are they rated to pass HDSDI or standard def sdi signals. Example include Belden 1855A, 1505A, 1694 all are capable of passing HDSDI and SD SDI as well as analog composite or component video.
Please verify the signal path is not the problem first by inputting either a signal generator or tape playback from tape to the monitor. Test both the analog and SDI outputs.
Also remount the multipin cable connectors on the Kbox to verify connections are still active.
In the world of SDI signals can be fine up to a point and then you will see what is called the “cliff effect” breakup or no signal at all. The cliff effect is when you have too many digital errors and the signal cannot pass thru.
Tony Salgado
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Thanks for your input! Support suspects its a problem with the board.
Robert
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