Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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I might have a work around but first I should relate the story about why I think this might work. I was one of the first to get my KiPro Mini and at that time one of the recommended CF cards was the Lexar 600x professional UDMA 32G card. That card is no longer on the list for the following reason which I discovered. If the card was already inserted in one of the KiPro Mini’s card slots and then the device was started, the Mini would show recording taking place, the card capacity would show less and less available space, the clip names would progress each time the record button was pressed etc. In short everything looked normal until the time came to transfer the media. There was nothing on the card of any description.
However, if the device was started up and then the Lexar card inserted all clips would be there afterwards.
My point: try starting up the camera without your SDHC cards inserted and then plug them in. Who knows, that may solve the issue.– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
Michael, the big news about this camera, other than its small form factor is that it shoots MPEG2 4:2:2 @50 Mbits per second. This makes it broadcast legal and even the F3 doesn’t do that without an outboard recorder like the Nano Flash. The other thing I really like is it records 4 channels of audio @ 24 bit 48k. Now you can have a stereo mic for ambient and 2 channels for radio mics. With all that gear attached you wouldn’t be able to see the camera anymore.
The low light might be comparable to the other EX cameras with its one CMOS sensor because it’s just a bit larger than one of the EX1R’s 1/2 inch imagers. Low light performance will depend on many other factors such as lens diameter etc, but It’s probably going to be close to its bigger brethren. There’s lots of data on line about the PMW100 but I just haven’t had the time to look around. Coming at the end of May, I think.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
Michael, can you please post your query in a new thread so folks can see it more easily? TIA And besides, highjacking another thread usually results in a visit by the ‘netiquette’ fairy and the strong possibility of being carried off against your will to her castle for a drinking and debauchery session that sometimes lasts for days.
And you wouldn’t want that, I’m sure. But take heart in the fact that this beautiful nymph only drinks on 2 occasions: when she’s alone or with somebody.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
[Ajit Patel] “Has anyone heard if Sony plans to release a refresh-software,hardware or both- of its ex1r/ex3 cameras at this NAB or should I just go ahead and buy one? “
Firmware version-up changes for these 2 cameras is ongoing. If Sony plans to bring out improved models they’re not saying and those who do know are probably bound by an NDA.
Your decision to upgrade the the EX line should be based on a few criteria:
1) By purchasing now will I be better able to serve my clients?
2) Will my increased revenue be able to absorb the cost in a timely fashion?
3) Can I afford the various associated costs such as batteries, recording media etc?Keep in mind that you’re also buying into a different workflow which may include software purchases. If anything I think that if there are any discontinued cameras on the horizon it would probably be the EX3 before the EX1R. I don’t know if Sony is replacing their outboard recorder but if they do it will most likely be solid state.
FYI Sony will be introducing a new XDCAM EX that is smaller than the EX1R. I can’t seem to find the article I got this from but I did read it somewhere.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
[Frank Dimmock] “I’m of the opinion I can resolve the problem with a better motor/gearbox, maybe using an R/C servo or similar?”
My opinion differs slightly. Since this is an ‘economy’ lens manufactured by Fujinon It may be logical to assume that the tolerances and/or clearances are somewhat more loose than a more expensive lens. If that’s the case then no amount of fiddling with it will work. My assumption is based on the fact that if you’re trying to do a crawl with a speed of less than ten increments then Sony considers that acceptable and will not consider fixing it. If, on the other hand, you’re still seeing a problem with a setting of more than ten you’re completely within your right to ask for a warranty repair or replacement.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
The reason the MPEG 2 option in FCP didn’t work is because it’s a generic version of MPEG 2 that’s only for the consumer cameras that use it. XDCAM EX cameras use the propriety EX codec which is another type wrapper for MPEG 2.
MPEG 2 is a long GOP lossy codec but if you’re just doing straight cuts and minimal colour correction then editing with an XDCAM EX timeline will be fine. It’s when you start doing heavy CC you should be using an “I” frame codec such as Pro Res.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
[shur harewood] “Method 1 use log and transfer you can use the Canon, AVHD or P2 options to transcode to the Pre Res available in the drop down options in the window.”
Yes, that’s correct, however there’s no way to convert XDCAM EX files to Pro Res within FCP’s Log and Transfer window with the Sony plug-in. That’s a shame because FCP L&T plug-in
will do Pro Res for consumer cameras but not XDCAM.[shur harewood] “Method 2 Using XDcam clip browser you can batch export out to RAW DV and select 4:3 squeeze.”
Also correct. I have XDCAM Browser 2.1 already but you can only convert to standard def. using 4:3 squeeze. What I want is a way to convert XDCAM EX files to Pro Res proxy, which is the same physical frame size as the original so that graphics, titling, images etc. don’t have to be re-done when recapturing at full resolution.
Which is what I think the O.P. was asking about. Well actually. he was just asking about proxies and didn’t say anything about wanting original clip dimensions. So I guess you basically answered his question if he’s satisfied with importing SD DVCAM files @ 4:3 squeeze.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
Hi Shur,
I have the Log and Transfer plug-in but in the drop down menu there’s no format import choice other than XDCAM EX, unlike the other formats such as AVCHD where you can import with any flavour of Pro Res except 4:4:4. If I could ingest as Pro Res this would save considerable time when doing proxies.
There’s an option to convert to MPEG 2 standard def. for “consumer” cameras. Surely you’re not referring to that. are you?
What am I missing?
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
Sadly, I’ve never found a way to convert XDCAM EX media to another format such as Pro Res when the clips are being imported. Sony’s Log and Transfer only allows FCP to “see” the media and is basically just another way to get the clips in to FCP. Log and Transfer can convert to other formats such as AVCHD and Panasonic P2 during the import process.
If you want to work with proxy files then I suggest getting Compressor to convert your XDCAM files to Pro Res (proxy) instead of other formats. The reason is that the Pro Res version will always be at the same dimensions as the full res. versions so you can add graphics and pictures etc. without having to redo everything when it’s time to recapture at full res. I can’t vouch for other formats doing the same when creating proxies.
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
Hi Nick,
Thanks for calling 🙂 You might get an answer here in the XDCAM EX Forum but there is actually a forum specifically for XDCAM HD disc-based cameras. You will probably get faster and more educated answer there. Don’t be thrown off by the F900 reference in the link below:
https://forums.creativecow.net/sonyF900
Cheers,
– Don
Don Greening
A Vancouver Video Production Company
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com