Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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[Drew Kimball] “but we might be waiting on Sony for an updated driver… “
Sure sounds like a driver conflict all right. So far, anything new and improved from Sony usually surfaces on their Canadian web site first so keep your eyes and browser pointed here:
https://www.sony.ca/xdcamex/support.htm
– Don
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[wil drake] “What are the problems…or extra steps invloved in using the EX-1’s format of Long GOP?”
This is a great question. There is no real or fundamental difference in shooting with an EX compared to any other camera. This particular long GOP recording format employs a variable bit rate as opposed to HDV long GOP which is recorded at a fixed bit rate. With the EX this means that areas of fast motion within a given frame of video will have more bits assigned to it, whereas HDV will not.
Problems with EX shooting arise when the operator doesn’t set the camera up properly for the type of subject matter they want to shoot, just like any other professional camera. For example, if you’re shooting a bunch of snow skiers racing by, you don’t shoot with a setting of 1080p 24 and a shutter speed of 1/30th sec. It will look awful with lots of motion blur and CMOS picture skew. If you used something like a Sony F900 studio camera the picture would look just as bad with those same settings, albeit without the picture skew. Fast action requires faster shutter speeds, regardless of the camera used.
A lot of folks are making the jump from prosumer cameras to the EX, which takes more setup and shooting knowledge to achieve the look they want, but the benefits are definitely worth it. The EX can be a great “run and gun” type camera if you set it up to shoot that way. But if you quickly zoom in tight on your subject instead of just moving physically closer, your DOF goes very shallow. Don’t expect the EX to do your job for you and keep your subject in perfect focus. You have to know what you’re doing and I’m still learning.
– Don
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The track forward tool. Hit the “T” key 4 times. Your cursor will turn in to a double arrow pointing to the right. Everything to the right of where you click in the timeline will become highlighted. Click and drag to the right and everything will move right.
– Don
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Hi Wil,
Welcome to Creative Cow. Your question regarding the choice of the Sony EX series cameras or the Panasonic HVX cameras has been the subject of much debate recently here at the COW. Here’s just one of them:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/193/872155#872210
Just a few suggestions: if weight is a big consideration the new HVX 170 is probably the lightest. It has the same size imagers as the 200 but with new and improved signal processing. If you have your heart set on interchangeable lenses then the only choice on your list is the EX3. If you really want to know which camera will suit you best then you need to rent each one you’re considering and try before you buy.
– Don
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[marx franzen] “When i downconvert using that link, do i have do shoot using HQ or SP footage?”
iLink is for SQ/HDV mode only. Since the EX doesn’t support direct (log and) capture via iLink to a computer NLE you would have to set your editor to “non-controllable device” in your NLE’s preferences in order to make it work. The EX doesn’t support its HQ mode via iLink at all.
The EX series cameras support transferring clips shot in all modes via USB or removing the SxS Pro card from the camera and inserting it into a laptop’s Express 34 slot or an Express card reader connected to a computer and transferring that way.
– Don
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Hi Steve,
Cameras like the PD170 use the LANC protocol for their remote controllers whereas the EX series cameras do not. Even if you were able to marry an EX lens controller cable to your existing LANC piece there wouldn’t be proper communication.
Probably the least expensive controller for the stock EX lens is the Libec ZC-9EX and can be viewed here:
Click on “Other Accessory” on the lower right side of the web page. The Libec piece has record start/stop, zoom and last clip review functions.
– Don
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Marc,
I have a couple of K-Tek mic isolators that I’m happy with. An isolator is a good idea because even though noise from a tape transport is a thing of the past with the EX series cameras there’s still motor zoom noise and general noise from operating the camera that gets transmitted to the mic without having a good isolator. The K-Tek piece also gets the mic up nice and high for use with fuzzy wind screens.
You’ll need these two pieces that utilize the stock mic location:
https://www.ktekbooms.com/products.php?id=47
https://www.ktekbooms.com/products.php?id=81
– Don
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[Michael Palmer] “BTW Don did you get my email today?”
I don’t remember seeing one from you, Michael. Let me check my other machine that has backup email.
– Don
Update: Found your email, Michael.
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[Michael Y Wong] “Are there perhaps any Quicktime file recovery programs that would recognize the XDCAM EX codec and perhaps salvage these data files? “
Michael,
After our phone conversation earlier today I kept thinking more and more that it might not be a file corruption issue but more like a hard drive directory issue or maybe even a bad pointer that tells your Mac what type of file it is. Can you try something for me? Highlight one of the files and do the “Get Info” Cmd- I command and see what kind of file your Mac thinks it is. Down at the bottom of the Get Info window you can choose different applications with which to open the file. Choose Quicktime Player and if it’s not listed there you can navigate to the QT app and choose it.
If the Get Info window didn’t show the corrupt video file as a QT file to begin with perhaps changing to QT might do the trick. If it works and the corrupt clip icon changes to the QT icon you should be able to now double-click the clip and have it open in QT Player. This is provided the Mac you’re trying this out on has these programs with these minimum program versions:
QT Player Pro v.7.3.1
Final Cut Pro v. 6.0.2
Mac OS v.10.4.11NOTE: for this to work in QT Player you must have already imported the native MP4 files and converted them to MOV format using Sony’s Transfer Tool app.
If this fix turns into no joy try DiskWarrior to rebuild the directory on your problem drive before you resort to some sort of expensive file recovery program:
– Don
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No word yet on the Fuji 8x WA lens. If you need something right now there’s this one from Fujinon that will fit the EX3 with the supplied 1/2″ adapter. Cost is around $13,000.00 USD and has a 13x zoom.
https://www.fujinon.com/Broadcast/Product.aspx?cat=27&id=181
The Sony 0.08 WA adapter will fit on to the stock EX3 lens and the price is around $450.00 ( I think).
Schneider/Century Optics is scheduled to re-release their 0.75 zoom-through WA adapter around mid November.
– Don