[Tom Klein]

Hi Patrick,
Check to make sure your camera SDI output is set right (try the signal output on some other gear), then Check the setting of the AJA to make sure you got the dip switches right, sound a bit suss,
I use the cheaper AJA as i only use it for field and monitoring in the studio. all my P2 cards is injested via FCP and drag n drop into a HDD.
tom K

[Tom Klein]

Hi Patrick,

I had the SDI “onboard” card installed when I bought the SPX800 , it was very cheap, from memory about $850 AUD, that is CHEAP. I had this done because of my NEWS commitments, it’s brilliant to feed SDI out from remote field links and quality is just as good.
to get Y/C I bought a AJA convertor (D4E) it is great when having to output Y/C to a monitor or to my DSR11 out in the field.
It has SDI in and Y/C out, was about $400 AUD.
Nothing is “Dirt Cheap” when your messing about with Broadcast cameras, The initial outlay of these early P2 cams is amazing it does cost you to get the “extras”, But hey, it’s much much cheaper overall than buying Sony gear. (Been there done that have a storage room full of redundant sony stuff).
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Hi Patrick,

I have now had the SPX800 for nearly two years, lots of my news vision and some production is played out here in Australia on all networks. Our National Broadcaster ABC TV has also been using a simmilar model camera the SPX900, (only difference is the Filter wheel is twin set up).
All vision is shot in Standard def PAL 720×575 16:9 usually DVCPro50, all that vision is up converted and played out at HD with no complaints I’ve heard of.
I have as yet not been asked for HD and don’t want to “re-build” my complete kit to satisfy a market that is Minimal at this point in time.
No I have’t seen any issues you ask about, all is good when shooting DVCPro50
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Hi Niklas,

No, I have not. mainly because on my camera I have to Change output setting in the set-up menu, I prefer to leave well alone when things are working OK. My camera’s rear output is set to the SDI card, that’s because I do lots of NEWS feeds from it.
I use the USB2 from camera (side port) to front USB input of Macpro (OS10.5.4 & FCP 6.0.4) and Log and transfer direct to FCP. as I said at about 4Times realtime. ages ago I tried opening the P2 card and copy/paste the contents files into a raided HDD set, but I found that was much slower than Log n transfer.
for me this works OK. You must use what works best for you, there is no “Best solution for all”, everyone has varying cameras/edit platforms/needs/workflow ect.
Test your set-up and once you’ve decided your good to go, then that’s the solution for you.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Hello Niklas,
I have a Dual 1.25 Mirror door, This was my solution-
https://www.olinevideo.com.au/page9.htm
there’s a thread attached you may be interested in..
I also use a Early 2008 Macpro 3ghz as my main edit platform, my preferred method to offload From my SPX800 camera is by USB, it’s about 4x’s realtime. that being said, I have a colleague who uses Firewire to offload with his HPX502 and he’s happy with that.
Everyone uses what works best for them, use that as your guide.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Hello Lon,

have you tested your set-up yet.?.
Interesting if you are on OS 10.5 leopard on a Macpro ?, or just on the older mac with Tiger ?.
Good luck, please post back results and OS/Mac set-up.

Cheers
Tom k
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Sorry Dan,
having been to the south island for holidays many times, I know what rivalry is between us mainlanders and our kiwi cousins, Both Our cultures go back thru many events, and our friendlyness towards each other will survive many Jibes.
I know if there was an event happening somwhere, having a Kiwi on my team would be a bonus.
I currently work with some that have come across the water and I can say they are Top guys, with a great sense of humour.

Cheers from the bush
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Hello Dan,
You may have been out with the sheep too long.?. Drop in to Dubsat’s NZ office or simply call them they can walk you thru the process of converting your TVC to MPEG with multiplexed audio and sending the resulting clip to them via a simple FTP program on your computer , it’s a very simple process.
Firstly make contact, they will give you a log-in and password to their server,
you encode your clip to MPEG
you send it via FTP, (there are free FTP programs, or I use “Transmit” on my Mac it’s $30) my 30sec clips take about 12mins to up-load, that will vary on your net speed.
then you make the booking via their web site.

it’s very simple and is only $30, when you compare that to a Digibeta or DVCPRO50 dub plust the VTR costs and postage to the Ad agency, $30 is very cheap, and the quality is very good. Plus you can have it on air with in an hour if you need to…

If you still can’t understand the process, talk to a video colleague in your region who does use Dubsat I’m sure he will walk you thru it.

https://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/s397/dubsat/
https://www.dubsat.com.au/DubSatOnline/sites/dsonline/content/default.shtml

Cheers from across the ditch
Tom k
olinevideo.com.au

[Tom Klein]

Don’t you just love Warranty/repairs, they can give you or destroy your faith in your product supplier / maker, or make you think seriously about another Product/supplier for the next purchase.

With over 25 years in this industry I usually find repairs/warranty fixes means that the Item is just about ready for the redundant shelf. I recently had my latest (just 12 month old) tripod head blow out the Tilt grease, it took 4 weeks to get the authorized service agent to affect a repair of two small seals.(yes,he had them in stock). Go figure.
It only took a few days to buy it in the first instance..I’m Not amused.
PS, it was not a Panasonic.

Cheers
Tom K

[Tom Klein]

Hi Guys

Can I chime in here, the Amtron reader works great I have one in My old G4 PCI under Tiger, But it is left behind by the later PCIe slots.
If Amtron updated this Reader to work in the newer Macpro’s running Leopard they could not keep up the demand I’m sure, Just see how many posts are out there for an affordable 1 or 2 slot solution.
I’m Sure The Panasonic 5 card reader is very well built and their future 5 card reader with PCIe interface will also be a great , But, I’m also sure it will be out of the price range of many P2 users. So, Panasonic have created a huge demand for Old PCMCIA slotted lappies, good on “em”.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au