Ultimate Kona 3 System

[Walter Biscardi]

We had that exact set up in one of our suites, but unfortunately had to return the Ciprico in three weeks. It had a failure and then the replacement drive also had a failure. I know it was a fluke deal as Ciprico / Huge makes reliable equipment, it just happened at the wrong time with a major deadline so we returned it.

My only other thought is go with Sony HDV instead of JVC. Better reliability and from what I’ve seen side by side, the Sony looks better. That will also keep you in 1080i all the way around. Not that it matters since the Kona 3 cross converts for you, but personally I avoid JVC at all costs.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

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

[Bob Zelin]

Hi Dax –
this is an excellent system. Don’t forget, you will need house reference from your station as well. The JVC does work, but Sony will soon release the HVR-1500 HDV VTR, which will have HD-SDI outputs on it, as well as RS422 control. The JVC has analog component HD outputs, and you will need either an AJA HD10AVA to convert the analog HD CAV signal to HD-SDI to get it into your Kona 3, or you will need the new Convergent Design HD-Connect-MI, to convert the HDMI port to HD-SDI. For monitoring, I recommend the Panasonic BT-LH2600W or BT-LH1700.

If you buy your system from Virtual Media in Orlando, I can build the system for you. We did many systems in Tampa, including Brighthouse Networks.

The ATTO FC42ES works fine in the MAC Pro. I am sorry that Walter had problems with his HUGE array, but as I am sure he experienced, HUGE support is excellent, and is quick to replace anything defective.

In my opinion, since you are used to working with pro gear, try to avoid firewire input – you will be much happier with HD-SDI and RS422 control, which is why I am not objecting to the JVC-BRHD50 (with RS422 control), or waiting for the new HVR-1500 – OR just getting the necessary converters, available from AJA.

bob Zelin

[David Issko]

Dax,

Great question as I am going in a similar direction with HDCAM and HDV shortly.

Thanks to Walter and Bob for their feedback. I agree with both Walter and Bob with the Sony HDV. I am looking to HDCAM with HDV support/backup and I too am waiting and looking forward to the HVR-1500.

Just yesterday I was thinking how exciting it will be to have HDSDI instead of firewire.

Walter and Bob, do you both recommend a 4gbit Fibre Channel setup over say a properly optioned Caldigit type 3gb SATA RAID?

All the best with your set up Dax.

Thanks again
David Issko

[Mark Maness]

Hey Dax,

I agree with all of the above. I have your system already and have been using it. Now, I am using the TerraBlock as compared to the Cipirco system but they are essentially the same with minor differences.

Let me just say, I agree totally with Walter on the HDV discussion. I have seen the JVC and Sony side by side and JVC’s picture has lower resolution because the lens is rather inferior. In order for the JVC to compare, you’ll need the better lens which is another $10K to add to it. Besides, you are also comparing 720 to 1080 which there is a difference in the fine areas of the picture. Now, if you plan to shoot 24p… The JVC with the better lens will work fine. But give Sony a real close look. Sony is coming out with the HVR-V1U which is the newer smaller 24p version of the HVR-Z1U. Full 1080p24 is awesome to consider for around $5k.

_______________________________

Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com

[Walter Biscardi]

[David Issko] “Walter and Bob, do you both recommend a 4gbit Fibre Channel setup over say a properly optioned Caldigit type 3gb SATA RAID?”

No opinion on the CalDigit setup though I am testing one of their regular SATA arrays right now for a Creative Cow review. I am going to compare their Fibre Channel solution vs. a Facilis solution.

Nothing beats 4gig Fibre channel. I was getting almost 500mb/s performance when the Ciprico array was here.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

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

[Bob Zelin]

to answer DAvid’s question, I am a big fan of SATA arrays. I am awaiting my Cal Digit eval unit, but I have been successfully been using Sonnet SATA arrays with great success. My most recent install was at Adrenaline Films, where we put two Sonnet 500P chassis on one Sonnet X4P in an “old” dual 2.7 gig MAC G5 and a Kona 2, and we got 450 MB/sec from AJA Kona system test. This is 10 drives stripped RAID 0. The entire cost is under $6000 for 5 Terabytes of storage. Since 220mb/sec is enough for 10 bit uncompressed HD, 450mb/sec is MORE than enough for uncompressed HD. At this price point, it’s hard to ignore.

I await my Cal Digit.

Bob Zelin

[Daxbedell]

I figured we would input video from firewire with the RS422 for control. Is that not possible? Also, in considering having to mix footage from our HDCAM with the JVC 720p, I know the Kona 3 will cross convert for me but is it possible to capture HDV footage from firewire into the uncompressed codec? Or would I have to capture the HDV footage via firewire and then capture the HD-SDI into the HDV codec to work on the same timeline?

Dax Bedell
WEDU-TV Tampa, FL

[Walter Biscardi]

[DaxBedell] “Kona 3 will cross convert for me but is it possible to capture HDV footage from firewire into the uncompressed codec?”

No. You need to feed the HDV deck to your Kona card to do uncompressed.

[DaxBedell] “Or would I have to capture the HDV footage via firewire and then capture the HD-SDI into the HDV codec to work on the same timeline?”

I don’t think you can capture HD-SDI to HDV via the Kona. DVCPro HD yes, but I believe the Kona only offers HDV Playback. I just looked at my Kona 3 Easy Setups and the only HDV options there are for playback and Edit to Tape. All Capture is via Firewire HDV only.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

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

[Daxbedell]

On page 27 and 28 of the Kona 3 manual it says “KONA 3 can capture uncompressed from any SD-SDI or HD-SDI input directly to HDV media.” Does that not mean what I think it means?

Dax Bedell
WEDU-TV Tampa, FL

[Bob Zelin]

Dax –
no offense here, but FORGET HDV, and the HDV Codec. You will want to output from your Sony HVRM-25U or JVC BR-HD50 from the analog component outputs (analog HD) rignt into your Kona LHe card, OR – get an AJA HD10AVA to convert the analog HD signal from these VTRs into an HD-SDI signal, so you can go directly into a Kona 3. You DO NOT want to input an HDV signal. You will capture with either the DVCProHD Codec, or uncompressed 8 or 10 bit HD-SDI. Everything will work great, and you will treat this like the HI END system that you are building, and everything will work great. Your HUGE drive array will handle all of this very nicely.

bob Zelin