Xena LH output

[Tim Kolb]

Hi Jerry,

All the LH outputs are available with Prospect. You have an output dialogue very similar to the dialogue you would use with the card itself where you can specify what is coming out of where…analog component can be downconverted NTSC, NTSC-J, HD, etc…SDI can be SDI or HDSDI…

TimK,

Kolb Productions,
Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net

[Jerry]

Hi Tim,
Let me make sure I understand the flow. I use the Xena LH analog outputs to the breakout box and then can connect that to the component-in on my LCD or plasma. At the same time I have video overlay in Premiere with the Cineform 10bit settings. I guess that will work the same with the AJA settings as well.
I was looking at the Quadro FX 4500 for the video card. I know that works great with the Adobe Production bundle.
With the Apple setup, you can use the IO converter. Is there something like that for Windows?

I’m still trying to decide which way to go on the next system. The Prospect AJA solution is very viable.
I’m just dreading going back to Premiere full time. I like FCP very much and have that on the table as well. If Canopus could get their $#@#$$ together with some HD-SD/SDI and analog HD offerings, at a reasonable market price, that would also be on the table. I could even over look some of the shortcomings of Edius 4. That I must admit is a pipedream. So, I will be asking more questions over the next couple of months while I wait for motherboard chipset and cpu changes to settle down. Once that happens, It’s all or nothing. So in advance, thank you.

Jerry Hatfield
Six Gill DV
Orlando, Florida

[Tim Kolb]

The Io is SD only…Convergent Design’s SD Connect is a pretty tight approximation of the Io on the Windows side…(It works with Mac too…FW device)

As far as FCP and PPro is concerned…the more experience I have with both, the more alike they seem to me…

With CineForm/LH, you would see the overlay in the editing interface, but the full screen output can be sent to one place only. In the case of a Quadro 4500 that could take the overlay directly from the software, this would instead be sent out the XENA card. In my case, I convert the HDSDI out so I can still use the large panel for this.

TimK,

Kolb Productions,
Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net

[Jerry]

In my case, I convert the HDSDI out so I can still use the large panel for this.
What are you using to convert the HDSDI for output?

So, I set up with the 4500 get my editing application overlay and then output through the Xena
HD analog or HD SDI output to the breakout box and then to the monitor. The output path
has to be setup in order to do this . I hope that is right. I was looking at the drawing from the manual.
With the 4500 and the Xena I could run dual dvi monitors with overlay on the application and output to
monitor through the Xena. Or, is there something else that I would need to purchase in order to accomplish this.
At NAB, you had mentioned an issue with the drivers for the nvidia. Has that been resolved or have you
come up with a work around?

Jerry Hatfield
Six Gill DV
Orlando, Florida

[Tim Kolb]

I’m using an AJA HDP for conversion, but I have a switch on the way so I can move back and forth as I’d like to maintian the capability to look at uncropped 2K and that would need to happen through the 4500 card…the CineForm/AJA output is center cropped for 2K.

Overall though, yes the 4500 is a very good card for UI and for Open GL acceleration. My After Effects work previews much faster and Magic Bullet for Editors is also accelerated.

I can’t recall what issue I may have mentioned with the drivers for the card… I know I was trying to get some things optimized as running a four head system with two Quadro cards (AND a Xena) still isn’t well-traveled ground. I got some help from PNY and am still experimenting with some things. I have no runnability issues with the 4500 at this point.

TimK,

Kolb Productions,
Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net

[Jerry]

Tim,
I was looking at the Convergent HD-Connect LE.
If I use the device to bring in HDV footage what, in your opinion would give the best to worst
quality.

HD-Connect firewire to HD-SDI in on the XENA
HD-Connect analog to HD-SDI in on the XENA
XENA LH analog input on card
HDV camcorder direct to capture through firewire

I guess the big question I am asking, will using the Xena card and the HD-Connect LE
produce any noticeable improvements to the footage on capture.

Jerry Hatfield
Six Gill DV
Orlando, Florida

[Tim Kolb]

[Jerry Hatfield] “HD-Connect firewire to HD-SDI in on the XENA

This would be a high quality route to go…you would either end up in a rather large file format, or you could use Prospect HD to do the capture through the HDSDI to CFHD.

HD-Connect analog to HD-SDI in on the XENA

The HD Connect LE only converts from FW…so you can convert FW>HDSDI/SDI or FW>component analog. The good thing about the HDC LE is that you can use an NLE with HDSDI I/O and RS422 deck control to control an HDV camera.

XENA LH analog input on card

This would certainly work as well…again, going to an uncompressed format or CFHD.

HDV camcorder direct to capture through firewire”

If you had a Ppro system with Prospect, this would probably be the simplest as PPro can easily capture to HDV native or CineForm Aspect or Prospect. HD Link can do some very cool things on ingest of HDV like change framerates and flip the image for those who are using the Red Rock Micro adapter. The downside to this method is that you need to capture the footage in large chunks…TC based deck control like the HD Connect LE (or PPro’s capture module) has isn’t part of HD Link (CineForm).

Best to worst? Tough one…they all have and lack different things…if you have a ton of space and don’t mind bring the big files in, the CineForm Prospect HD-HD Link method is probably the simplest. If frame accurate capture or re-capture is more the workflow you’re looking for, I’d say the HD Connect LE is a good investment. There is another Convergent Design box coming that does not have analog out but has the FW>HDSDI for a bit less money if that matters…

I’ve done some of all these…and it kind of comes down to convenience and whether or not you believe you see some “softening” of the harsh edges in digital footage by going through an analog stage…I’ve seen some footage where I like the results of coming through analog and I’ve seen some where I can’t see much of a difference.

TimK,

Kolb Productions,
Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net

[Jerry]

There is another Convergent Design box coming that does not have analog out but has the FW>HDSDI for a bit less money if that matters…

If I go the Xena LH, the 1394 to SDI box would not repeat functions. I believe this would be a more realistic choice for me at this time. If I can save some money, that would be great.

I should have mentioned that all of those connections would be handled by the Prospect codec. You can figure that will be the case in future posts as well. Sorry, for ommiting that.

I just want to try to get the most out of the camera as I possibly can. I believe at times, depending
on what was shot, an analog capture could possibly provide smoothing for some of the digital ‘harshness.’
That is one of the reasons I am interested in the LH. I realize that I could just go with the firewire and capture straight through to PPro. The purpose of this new system is to have the SDI options available to me for larger projects.
I’ll keep my eye out for the new box from convergent. By the time I’m through with this, I’ll owe you dinner at NAB next year.

Thanks again!!

Jerry Hatfield
Six Gill DV
Orlando, Florida

[Tim Kolb]

[Jerry Hatfield] “By the time I’m through with this, I’ll owe you dinner at NAB next year.”

Yeah, well….keep in mind I am expressing opinion on most of these things. I would really like it if there were some other respondents in this thread, possibly with differing points of view just for objectivity purposes…

You’re certainly welcome to my opinion…and I’m always looking for a complimentary $9.00 hot dog at the LVCC…

TimK,

Kolb Productions,
Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net

[Jerry]

I’m always looking for a complimentary $9.00 hot dog at the LVCC…

WOW, they reduced the price!

Jerry Hatfield
Six Gill DV
Orlando, Florida