[Mark Walleman]

We have 3 HPX-370 cameras. I like them “in general” due to their price point. Likewise, that’s also the main negative aspect of these cameras.

The age-old quote: “You get what you pay for”. An $8,000 camera will not work like a $30,000 camera. Period.

Everyone here is correct. Yes… These cameras have significant limitations. Obviously, using these cameras in SD is pointless. They look awesome in HD. However:

They will NOT work well with extreme lighting conditions.
They will NOT work well with a bright background and a dark focus point.

They WILL work great with controlled lighting conditions.
They WILL work great with a bright focus point and a darker background.

This camera is nothing more than the HPX-250 guts with a 1/3″ lens mount, in a ENG sized camera shell. Same software. Same image sensor. Same $5 downconverter for the composite output. Nothing more.

We use these for news and switched shows, and they work great… As long as we take these cameras’ limitations into consideration.

We purchased these when they first came out. I knew exactly what we were buying. I knew the limitations. How? … The specs told me everything I needed to know.

Did you really think that these cameras were going to look like a 2/3″ camera? At the price you paid for these? On top of that, these have what I’d call a “cheap” CMOS image sensor. Panasonic compensates for this with software – Which makes it look great – Again… For the price.

Have high-end clients? Got hired for a high-end show? … Use high-end cameras. I’m sorry guys… You can’t sell a $8,000 camera for a $30,000 camera show. If you could… Why make $30,000 cameras at all?

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

Most HD-SDI to HDMI converters “like” 1080i or 720p as the input format. Some I’ve used will accept SD-SDI, but for some reason the output is double-letterboxed. Some converters also have limited frame-rate compatibility. I’d recommend setting the camera to either 1080i or 720p @ 59.94.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

I’d start by giving this a quick read (if you haven’t already): ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/business/provideo/manuals/AV-HS400AN_oi.pdf

I have the HS410. Panasonic just sent out version 2.0 software for mine, but it looks like the 400A is up to version 3.0. Using the manual, you can determine what version you have (pg98).

Download it here: https://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/support/software.asp

There, you’ll find the firmware and instructions for installing it.

If you still can’t get it to behave, I’d recommend performing an “initialization” (pg99 of the manual) to completely reset the switcher to its factory settings.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

Seen a few guys using this one: https://www.litepanels.com/language/pages/micro.php
https://www.markertek.com/Lighting-Background-Effects/On-Camera-Lighting/Litepanels/LP-MICROPRO.xhtml?LPAN-MICROPRO

They seem to really like them.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

We used a Hyperdeck for a couple of weeks… And promptly returned it. It’s not worth what you pay for it. I’ll have to be hard-pressed into touching another one.

I’ve also used the Ki-Pros. While I have had issues with the earlier versions, the newer models seem to work well. AJA has awesome customer service.

As for the Pix240… That one gets my vote. I know NFL Network crews who are using these. As well as a couple post facilities. It’s operated rather flawlessly in the dozens of times that I’ve used it.
Sound Devices are quite proactive in their software testing… BEFORE selling their products. Customer service is great as well.

Personally, I’m waiting on the Pix260 to be released (youthfully giggling). I’ll be purchasing 4 of them.

I was planning on filling up a couple racks with blackmagic hyperdeck studios… Then a good friend slapped me. “Friends don’t let friends buy hyperdecks” he said.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

There’s a couple ways you can go about this. One way has already been explained. The other is more of a a-la-carte method, but works with both the BM camera converter and other fiber converters.

It’s built around this: https://www.studio-tech.com/product_m5132.html . This is a drop-in module (no exterior case) that is a POWERED 4 to 2-wire converter. It can power up to x3 RTS beltpacks and it works great!

There’s also a box from Telecast that is a solely RTS over fiber solution: https://www.telecast-fiber.com/TR6442i-CommLink . Also works great! And is far easier obviously.

To Use with the BM Camera Converter with the Studio Tech interface: You only get 1 channel of RTS because the BM has only one intercom channel. You can add a second channel by adding parts of the next method. The next method also works with standard fiber to SDI converters.

You can accomplish this buy utilizing throwdown SDI to analog audio embedders and de-embedders.

(2) strands of fiber. (If you have a Tac-4, then you’re double covered)
(2) BM Optical to SDI Converters. (Bi-directional)
(2) BM SDI to Analog Audio De-Embedders.
(2) BM Analog Audio to SDI Embedders.
(2) Studio Tech 5132’s

Camera side:
Camera HD/SD-SDI -> Audio Embedder -> SDI to Optical Out.
Studio Tech 4-wire Ch-1 Out to Audio Embedder Ch-3 In. 4-wire Ch-2 Out to Audio Embedder Ch-4 In. Camera SDI embedded audio passes on Ch 1 and 2. (dip-switches on the embedder)
Optical In to SDI -> Audio De-Embedder.
Audio De-Embedder Ch-3 Out to Studio Tech 4-wire Ch-1 In. Audio De-Embedder Ch-4 Out to Studio Tech 4-wire Ch-2 In. (You can use channels 1 and 2 on the return path if desired.

For the truck side, just reverse the signal flow using the opposite setup.

However… For the price of putting all of this together… You might as well just purchase the: https://www.telecast-fiber.com/TR6442i-CommLink

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

https://www.productionhub.com/directory/listings.aspx?cat_id=485&state_id=3157&country_id=1

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

You want “Tactical Fiber” my friend! Single-Mode.

I’ve used it for years. Specifically, if you’re going to use it regularly, I’d recommend a “Tac-4″ (What I use). This has 4 separate strands of fiber optic cable, bundled in a about 1/4” cable.

Termination is usually in “ST” connectors. But you can have it terminated with any type of optical connector that will work for you.

Depending on where you’re located. There’s a company near Chicago that bundles a Tac-4, with copper audio lines for powered intercom and IFB. https://www.josephelectronics.com/index.html

I’ve also purchased tactical fiber from: https://www.telecast-fiber.com/, and https://www.fisblue.com/.

I’d certainly recommend the “clear-curve” or otherwise called “bend-optimized” fiber optic cable. It’s much more resilient to bends and kinks.

The BlackMagic Optical-SDI converter boxes work well for about $450 per end. Come to think of it, I’ve used every version of SDI to Optical converter out there. Most do pretty much the same thing. Obviously, the Rattler or Bullet converters will usually run around $1k per end.

I’ve sent 1080i through over 6 miles of tactical fiber before. Depending on the send/receive unit, you can send a signal up to 20+ miles. So yes… 250ft, 500ft, 1000ft cable runs are a breeze.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

Whenever I’m working a NFL/ESPN gig, the truck stays in the same format all day (NFL=1080i@59.94, ESPN=720p@59.94).

I’m not mixing formats. If I record 5 clips in 720, I can only play the most recently recorded clip. Hitting either |< or >| only skips sections or beginning/end of the current clip.

I’ve attempted button combinations like holding “stop and |<“, and every other button combination to no avail.

It does not allow you to skip to other clips. Period.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

I have. I’ve sent two emails and have not received a single response.

I’d absolutely love to talk to them! We really love this unit and honestly want to purchase more! We just need it to work as advertised.

Learning about the lack of timecode support was a huge disappointment.

My personal email: mdwalleman@gmail.com
My company email: mark@relayhouse.com

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.