Varicam 3700 firmware for 4:4:4 on P2HD?

[Noah Kadner]

Nope but it sounds exciting if proven true… 🙂

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Learn DSLR Cinematography.

[Jeff Regan]

While P2 cards have plenty of throughput to handle the data rate needed for 4:4:4, the 3700 processor would not be up to the task, according to what we were told at Varicamp last fall.

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

[Noah Kadner]

I wouldn’t completely rule it out just based on that- not one they’re hacking the lowly GF1 to do 35 Mbit/1080p. Anything’s possible in software.

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Learn DSLR Cinematography.

[Jeff Regan]

Noah,

I’m not sure this is a software issue. It could be a hardware issue due to processor/power consumption/heat limitations, similar to the camera not being able to shoot any frame rates over 1080/30p.

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

[Gary Snyder]

Happy 4th to everyone.

We have multiple 3700’s and have always hoped for an on-board
solution for 4:4:4 recording. This would require the use of the
Panasonic AVC-ULTRA codec that seems to be stalled for some reason.
And we were told it will not be possible to upgrade the 3700 to
handle this. (I suspect it would be a 4700…. IMHO! )

We are using the 3700 for green screen – due to it’s 4:4:4 capability. For the last six months we have been working with Cinedeck and are now dealers for this product. It provides on-board recoding of 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 using the Cineform codec at various bit rates, including a special Cineform Key-Scan codec – optimized for effects work. Price is a fraction of other options such as the Codex digital or OB-1.

AVID-HD DNX to be incorporated very soon.. as well as 3-D capability.

The recorder is also very close to becoming ARRI-RAW certified.

The recorder also functions as a viewfinder, with a ZOOM feature
that is great for checking back-focus. Record media is SSD drives.

Check out the deck at https://www.cinedeck.com or contact GaryS@clarkmedia.com to find out more. We will have multiple units
in our rental inventory.

Gary….

Gary C. Snyder
President / Engineer
Clark Media
610-694-9800
HD rentals in New York and Philadelphia
Panasonic, Sony and Arri Alexa