HD SDI out on the 500.

[eclaire]

I've never owned an HD camera or any other camera with SDI output. My only knowledge of the interface standard is that it is supposedly a serial digital output protocol. Can someone clarify for me what the nature of the SDI output is as implemented on the HPX-500? Specifically:

(1) At what point in the acquisition process is the bitstream diverted to the SDI out port . . . right after the A/D conversion off the sensor, after the A/D conversion and further in camera processing but before compression, after all in camera manipulation, including compression? Is the sampling frequency identical to the 4:2:2 of the DVC PRO HD format? Just wondering if this output gives you the essential equivalent of an andromeda for the HPX 500, or at least a 4:2:2 version of it.

(2) What type of hard-drive or non-tape based recording devices/media interface directly with HD SDI signals?

[Barry_Green]

It is after all manipulation, but before compression. It's the final, finished footage; the same signal that gets sent to the monitor through the component out jacks (but it's a direct digital feed, whereas the component jacks have undergone a digital-to-analg conversion).

Yes it's 4:2:2, like the DVCPRO-HD format. However, because it's uncompressed, there's more color in the HD-SDI signal. The HD-SDI is sending out a full 1920x1080 or 1280x720, @ 4:2:2, so there's a full 960x1080 of chroma (or 640x720 of chroma).

Will it equate to an Andromeda? Not exactly, but yes it's much closer. Andromeda takes the CCD feed before any processing, the HD-SDI takes it after processing. So Andromeda doesn't use cinegamma or the color matrix or scene file settings, you have to do all that in the Andromeda's SculptorHD software etc.

HD-SDI is normally used to interface to professional HD tape decks or HD monitors. It's also used as a feed for a switcher, and capture cards like the Kona or Decklink can capture from an HD-SDI feed. The Wafian hard disk recorder also takes HD-SDI, IINM.

[eclaire]

Thanks, Barry, for that very informative reply.

[BarryV]

eclaire, thanks for asking that question - and thanks to Barry for answering. I was looking for just that info.
I'm in the process of outfitting a new studio (rebuilding one that was flooded in Katrina) and plan to use 4 HPX500's. We do mostly local talk shows with typical sets as well as some green screen work. We will be using Panasonic RC10G RCU's in the control room and a Ross Synergy100MD HD switcher. HD-SDI transport from the camera to the RCU will be via Telecast Copperhead fiber system with the power option going thru their hybrid fiber cable. This takes HD-SDI from the camera and sends to the switcher (router) plus CCU control, comms, return and tally. My engineer is working on the return and tally issue, since it seems a little klugey with the HPX500. Our record deck will be a Panasonic AJ-HD1400 and we're leaving space to bring in an HDCAM deck or whatever a client might request. Next year I'm hoping to add a disc recorder of some sort.
If anyone has any advice, I'm sure open to ideas. It seems like a good way to go for real HD on a budget, but if anyone sees a flaw in the plan please chime in.

Thanks
Barry

Forgot to add that since we're using these for a studio/flypack config - we'll be swimming in P2 cards for our HVX200 packages. ;-)

[eclaire]

BarryV, my belated condolences to you on the loss of your studio in Katrina. I hope you didn't have to suffer the even greater loss of your home. As a Pensacola-area resident, I've' lived through my share of bad hurricanes, most recently Ivan and Dennis.

I'm just over 4 hours from N.O. and always looking to make contacts for interesting work. So if you ever need an extra camera operator (or editor or compositor) for a short term project, give me a shout.:)

[BarryV]

eclaire, thanks for the kind words - same to ya. Let's hope we don't see any hurricanes like those again in our lifetime. Nice to meet another close neighbor, I'll keep you in mind. We were fortunate that our company has very good insurance and I had a very detailed inventory of our studio. The solid inventory made a much easier time with the insurance adjuster - just a reminder for everyone to keep theirs up to date. It's been a long wait for me to get to get the studio back in shape, but we've had other priorities - like restoring cable service to our customers so we can keep getting a paycheck. ;-)
Barry

[tajyes]

I don't know if this was covered in another thread. I want to purchase the HPX500 camera, but I want to output the video in SDI to an SDI switcher.
I would like to know if I can output SDI video(SDI out) using SDI cable without ever using a P2 card. I have no interest in recording on the P2 card. I would like to use the HPX500 as studio cameras that use SDI out straight to an SDI switcher.

Is it possible to output sdi video without ever purchasing a P2 card?

[mikkowilson]

Yes. The HD-SDI output is just like any other video output on the camera.. it outputs whatever is on the viewfinder/LCD, regardless of camera mode or media status.

- Mikko

[tajyes]

Thanks for the info Mikko. This helps me out a lot.

[smelni]

you can turn the display off on the sdi out but still have it on in the lcd and viewfinder

[tajyes]

Smelni, Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[joe 1008]

Just a speculative look into the future: When will Moore´s law permit a kind of HD SDI version of the Firestore or something similar? Imagine the possibilities: In a couple of years the 500 could still be an actual camera that way...

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Andromeda takes the CCD feed before any processing, the HD-SDI takes it after processing. So Andromeda doesn't use cinegamma or the color matrix or scene fi

I didn't know that. So all of the great features about the dvx100b like cinegamma settings won't be captured. You have to add them in post. How does the Sculpture hd software compare with the Panasonic's internal cingamma function? Forgive me Barry, but I am just trying to rap my mind around the whole concept. Does that mean also that you won't be recording in true 24p mode either, and that you'll also have to convert to 24p in post?

Sorry if these questions sound extremely freshman, but I am with the concept of Andromeda.

:dankk2: