Todd Fry
Forum Replies Created
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James-
Don’t know if it’s good, bad, or indifferent to the health of the P2 Store’s hard drive, but I recently did several full day shoots with it on my belt, constantly moving over rough terrain, walking and even running at times, only stopping to get a shot or exchange cards (sometimes not even then). The only thing I noticed was that it took a bit longer than usual to dump the card- the motion error light was on quite a bit (as expected)- but it would eventually complete the transfer (non-verify mode) and give me the green thumbs up. It maybe took twice as long to transfer- not really sure but it was never an issue. When I transfered the footage onto my array and then imported into Final Cut– it was all there. Every clip, no errors. Shooting 720p24N on three 4GB cards.
I’ve read lots of posts about how this thing needs to be on a flat, level surface with no movement in order to work properly- but after my experience on this project, I feel very comfortable using it on any run-and-gun style shoots. Great piece of equipment.
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Larry-
The Porta-Brace CS-DV4U, in my opinion, is just about perfect for the HVX. Camera fits very well with an ME66 attached, enough room leftover for 5 batteries, 2 wireless mics,P2 cards, P2 Store etc, etc, (including emergency “my luggage went to China” change of clothes) and will fit perfectly in the overhead compartment based on the size of my Porta-brace 600A carry-on (CO-AB- the DV4U is slightly smaller). I think there’s also enough room for a mattebox, but you should check the measure just to be sure. Looking at it in front of me, I would think there is. As always with Porta-brace, construction is top notch as well.
Todd
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That’s true when you plug a video source directly into the Dell via the on-board connectors (component, composite, S-vid) You need to use the AJA HDP or Blackmagic SDI-HD to DVI converter, then the video looks really good, even in a side by side comparison with my Sony CRT. The internal processors and scalers in the Dell are terrible. Color is very good, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’d color correct on it- still use the CRT for that, but I still keep the Dell up for reference, and it is VERY close.
Todd
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Hi David-
Yeah, I’m familiar with the limitations of the DVCPROHD codec. I’ve usually been able to compensate by switching to -3 and black balancing more often on the Varicam. Good lighting helps. Bigger CCD’s don’t hurt.
I think I accidentally answered my own question on a previous post- the 1080 footage looks cleaner simply because the “lower” resolution of 1080 is masking the noise. Upon closer inspection, it’s still there, it’s just “smoothed out” somewhat by the resolution blocking.
Funny thing is- when I sit back and actually WATCH what I’ve shot, I don’t even notice any of this. This camera really is amazing, and will cut VERY well with the Varicam. After the rather steep learning curve is accomplished on this thing (and it will be steep, even for the best DP’s), I think it’s really going to blow people away with what it can do. I’m blown away already, and I just got it.
Todd
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Yes. straight out of the camera, component into the Dell. Same thing. I’ve also viewed it on my 15″ 1.67Mhz powerbook off the P2 card. Same thing.
Don’t misunderstand me, this camera looks fantastic despite the noise. I’m absolutely sure that no one will notice it outside the people who have it pointed out to them, and a few saavy tech evauationl engineers. It’s not something that would disqualify it for delivery like tape hits or hot video or such- it’s just a characteristic of the video.
I’m just curious as to why the 1080 footage has so much less noise than the 720 footage, even though there’s (to my eyes) less resolution in 1080.
Todd
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Shooting with Cine-V and viewing on a Dell 2405 via DecklinkHD and AJA HDP, non-scaled.
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That’s a REALLY good idea, Noah- I just don’t know if I got the guts to do it- lot of money to find out whether I got a knack for electronics.
Anybody have a recomendation of someone that would be able to do it?
Todd
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Yeah, i know about that and the other one- PortaStore or something, but I really like the idea of recording to the P2 cards in Native mode (20 min per 8gig card @ 720p24) and then dumping them to the P2 Store as they fill up- That way I’m not tethered to anything, and no more crap on the camera (two lectrosionics receivers already), and anyway I’m a little concerned about how noisy the FS-100 will be- I worked on a shoot recently with the FS-4, and during an interview it sounded like my G5 on a hot day when the fans kick in. Really unacceptable especially since the HVX will be practically silent when recording to P2. A 96GB Porta Store (or larger) just seems like the best workflow for me right now with the kind of shooting I do- plus it will still be usefull as extra field storage after the 16 and 32GB P2 cards come out. The 60GB works fine, I guess. I just wanted a little more. But I guess we always just want a little more, right?
Todd