New Varicam ‘H’ owner, Settings questions

[Chris Tompkins]

That camera only has SDI out.

Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC

[Tim Roane]

Hello Tim,
A bit like a mirror-universe sci-fi sorta deal, as my name is also Tim, and I am about to purchase a HDC27H also.
I don’t have any specific questions, and I very new poster here on the Cow, although I have been reading avidly for some years.
Are you using an external recorder like KiPro mini or perhaps a NanoFlash ?
Please check out this little beauty, as it will allow the Varicam to “play” well with any other situation/cameras.
All the options of the over sized,high priced KiPro (original deck), yet without the size and yet with a decent rez monitor.
Not to mention Sound Devices being in my humble opinion, an absolute leader in quality and durability.
Their audio gear is doubtless the preferred option for most pro soundies, if not all.
Thus the preamps will make the device a powerful audio recorder to boot!

Unit is called the Pix240.
I won’t bother with a link, as I am sure u can operate a search browser!
Please share any info about your recent purchase, I am keen to know how you feel etc.

Many thanks from DownUnder.
Cheers
Tim R (soon to be fellow Varicam owner)

[Ernie Santella]

I’ve been using a NANO Flash since they came out. Works great-best investment I’ve made! I’ve extended the life of my Panny camera.

Ernie Santella
Santella Productions Inc.
http://www.santellaproductions.com

[Patrick Forestell]

You guys give me encouragment; I am looking for a H version and would have no use for the VTR section. I have seen several for sale with dead pixels at 9db and higher. Unless I am wrong, a new “H” CCD is close to $700. I have taken a SPX800 apart and the CCD on it is within a cube like housing. There is a low hours H version on Ebay for $8500 but no takers yet. I was looking for more like $5k.

Patrick

[Tim Polster]

So far I really like the image but have yet to really dial it in until I get a way to send signal to my component monitor. I am looking at a Blackmagic Intensity for this.

As far as detail in Film or Video mode, I have approached the two as separate animals. The video side still has a bit more detail but I have adjusted the film side to a nice image so far. The film side is better at handling highlights anf the general look is more cinematic. I have found the second level detail adjustment to be very useful. It gives a lot of definition without edge fringing which allows one to back off on the overall detail level.

I am using this with a NanoFlash. If there was an easy way to disable the tape mechanism to save power consumption I would do it as I will never use the tape drive.

This camera has a lot more detail than the HPX-500 I am coming from.

[Patrick Forestell]

Just bought a H model and found this BBC Varicam settings article:
https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/site/hd_panasonic_hdc27f.pdf

My JVCHD200 fires the external FireStore even though there is no tape; why can’t the Varicam do the same ?

Patrick

[Jeff Regan]

I don’t believe the Varicam 27H has a Firewire output, which a FireStore FS-100 requires.

Regarding an HPX500 vs. any Varicam or native 720P 2/3″ Panasonic camera, the difference in highlight handling is not subtle. Not just more latitude, but the superior processor found in the 27H, HDX900, HPX2000/2700/3700 makes for a much more film like over exposure.

The HPX500 suffers from the same chroma clipping as the Panasonic palmcorders. Hard to match the current 32-bit processors found in the P2 Varicams.

Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com

[Bruce Greene]

For the best quality with the H shoot in the FimRec mode.

The knee function must be turned on, but you don’t adjust it. Instead one adjusts the dynamic range of the camera using the”dynamic level” menu item.

200% is a little bit lower in contrast than standard video and 500% is extremely low contrast. Use the lowest setting that will capture your scene.

I usually keep the color space at Rec709 and turn off the color correction and matrix.

I also use the white balance pre sets for tungsten and daylight, avoiding the orange filters in the wheel.

If you started from the factory default menu, set the master detail to minus 4 and you’re good to go!

Varicam/Steadicam Owner
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.brucealangreene.com

[Tim Polster]

Thank for your input. I will give those settings a try.

[Patrick Forestell]

I just got my “H” off Ebay for $5k.

Question: What is the best tape ? Anyone know if the tape transport need rep[air (heads. etc) can one just remove it and send the VTR section for repair minus the Varicam body ? I am used to working on the P2 SPX800 internals but the Varicam lacks the easy processing card set up. The H instead has motherboards that are not that easy to remove (but doable) the SPX800 by contrast has several processing cards which are easy to remove, as easy as removing a P2 card.

Anyone have a SDI HD capturae card they could suggest I buy ?

Would like to stay with 720p editing wise.

Thanks,

Patrick