Kona3 720p60

[Walter Biscardi]

You change the frame rates in FCP using the Audio / Video Controls, not in the Kona Control Panel.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Gary Adcock]

[AthenRoss] “We’ve been experiencing some sync issues with the different speeds (48fps, 49fps, 47fps) and so the DP changed the output signal from 59.94 to 60 (720p60) to try that as well.”

That was an INCREDIBLY BAD IDEA!!!
you have now changed your camera so it will only record as 720p50. (there is no 60-fps in that timebase setting)

IF you are talking audio SYNC– Yes that would be correct because the audio needs to be captured separately when using offspeed capture.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Chicago, IL

[Athenross]

Forgive me, Gary, but I am a little confused by what you said about there being no 60fps in the timebase.

[Gary Adcock]

[AthenRoss] “Forgive me, Gary, but I am a little confused by what you said about there being no 60fps in the timebase.”

let me rephrase this a little less franticly.

Yes the US version of the camera can record 60 fps when the camera is set to 60hrz,

Changing the timebase on the camera from 59.94 to 60hrz will cause post issues similar to bouncing back and forth between nondrop and drop frame time.
You will also have issues with audio drift when dubbing or down-converting to ntsc.

Traditionally Varicams are only set to 60hrz when you do not have to master back to NTSC or need to shoot at the .0 (zero) timebase when matching to film or shooting for 25fps delivery in PAL.
The only place I recommend the 60hrz timebase is at NASA so that it can match up directly with film shot @ 24.0 in other angles or locations.

For Video only production you should always stay at 59.94 hrz.

This is not a workflow I would ever recommend to any potential Varicam User.

IT is a very bad habit to try and modify the camera’s primary base operating parameter to adjust for a sync issue that could have been resolved by adjusting the scan speed or shutter angle. What happens when the camera op forgets to reset the camera and goes on another shoot? that post job is now screwed up too.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Chicago, IL

[Athenross]

Thank you Gary, that makes more sense. So the only time to use 60 is for a film out? Is that what I am hearing?

Do you know why the Kona card wouldn’t allow 720p60? There was no option in FCP for “AJA KONA3 DVCPROHD 720P60” or anything of that sort. However, the card DID recognize the 720p60 signal, but I was unable to select it. Was it protecting me from myself? I am just wondering in case I ever DID need a 720p60 edit and I can’t for some reason. I downloaded the latest drivers when I got the card (about two weeks ago).

I now understand why I (or rather the DP/CamOP) shouldn’t switch to 60, but I am still confused as to why the card will not allow the footage to be brought in.

Thanks!
~Athen

[Tony]

Gary wrote:

What happens when the camera op forgets to reset the camera and goes on another shoot?

One critical item which always gets checked out when I prep a varicam is verifying where the vtr hz setting is currently at.

Any experienced and qualified DIT or video engineer will double and even triple check this each and every time when shooting with the Varicam.

You can’t even trust the rental facility all the time to QC the vtr hz setting as an incorrect setting can even slip by them sometimes.

In the end assume nothing is set right and find the faults before the shoot occurs.

In my opinion the success of a shoot is dependent on a proper prep in advance.

Tony Salgado

[Gary Adcock]

[Athenross] “So the only time to use 60 is for a film out? Is that what I am hearing?”
that is one option,

[Athenross] “Do you know why the Kona card wouldn’t allow 720p60? There was no option in FCP for “AJA KONA3 DVCPROHD 720P60″ or anything of that sort. However, the card DID recognize the 720p60 signal, but I was unable to select it. Was it protecting me from myself?”

pretty much…
you could have captured the 60 hrz content with a deck switched to the correct timebase for the tape 60hrz.

the reality is that this is so seldom used in the varicam world that there was not a need to add this as easy set up. – I have worked with varicam footage for over 4 years and have only worked with content at 60hrz when the footage needs to be mastered for a 720p25 timebase.

there are now easy sets up for 720p25 and 720p50 materials with the Kona 3.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Chicago, IL