EX-1 Users, advice on differences?

[puredrifting]

Hi all:

I have been shooting with the HVX-200 since it came out and have shot thousands of cards worth of material. I have it down pretty well.

I have been hired to be a technical producer for a four camera EX-1 iso shoot of a live panel discussion for a famous sci-fi series. We will roll four EX-1s, probably for quite a few hours. Not sure yet how many SxS cards we will have but at least 2-3 per camera and hopefully 4 per camera.

1. Coming from dealing with HVX/P2, is the process of dumping files similar?
2. Any "gotchas" or weird issues I need to be concerned about? (like lastclip.txt with P2)
3. As far as the camera, I will be borrowing one tomorrow to shoot for a few days so I can become familiar with the menu structure, gammas, frame rates, etc. Once again, coming from an HVX-200/Varicam/HDX-900/XL-H1/Varicam BG, any special issues or things I should be concerned about? I have read all of Adam Wilt's articles and it seems fairly straightforward.
4. I will probably be a camera operator as well as be in charge of media management. I have done this for years with P2 so I know it can be done but I want to make sure that there aren't a lot of surprises.
5. If I have FCP 6.01 on my MBP, will I need any special codecs or plug-ins to work with XDCAM EX footage? What about my MBP, will I need any special drivers to be able to dump SxS cards? If so, do you have a link or does the camera come with the software?
6. Is there anything P2CMS or P2 Log Pro that will quickly playback SxS card material for verification or do I have keep FCP loaded up and booted for the shoot?

Any advice expecially from HVX to EX-1 users would be appreciated. This project is for broadcast so I need to be totally confident and up to speed.

Thanks for your advice!

Dan

[doondoon]

Hi all:

I have been shooting with the HVX-200 since it came out and have shot thousands of cards worth of material. I have it down pretty well.

I have been hired to be a technical producer for a four camera EX-1 iso shoot of a live panel discussion for a famous sci-fi series. We will roll four EX-1s, probably for quite a few hours. Not sure yet how many SxS cards we will have but at least 2-3 per camera and hopefully 4 per camera.

1. Coming from dealing with HVX/P2, is the process of dumping files similar?
2. Any "gotchas" or weird issues I need to be concerned about? (like lastclip.txt with P2)
3. As far as the camera, I will be borrowing one tomorrow to shoot for a few days so I can become familiar with the menu structure, gammas, frame rates, etc. Once again, coming from an HVX-200/Varicam/HDX-900/XL-H1/Varicam BG, any special issues or things I should be concerned about? I have read all of Adam Wilt's articles and it seems fairly straightforward.
4. I will probably be a camera operator as well as be in charge of media management. I have done this for years with P2 so I know it can be done but I want to make sure that there aren't a lot of surprises.
5. If I have FCP 6.01 on my MBP, will I need any special codecs or plug-ins to work with XDCAM EX footage? What about my MBP, will I need any special drivers to be able to dump SxS cards? If so, do you have a link or does the camera come with the software?
6. Is there anything P2CMS or P2 Log Pro that will quickly playback SxS card material for verification or do I have keep FCP loaded up and booted for the shoot?

Any advice expecially from HVX to EX-1 users would be appreciated. This project is for broadcast so I need to be totally confident and up to speed.

Thanks for your advice!

Dan


1. Very similar. There is just one file though. SXS card goes into express card slot & then drag the file to your drive. I was getting about 5 minute transfer times on a full 16GB card. it's fast.

2. I haven't run into any gotchas yet.

3. The file structure is similar to an F900. The coloring of the camera "PP" or " Picture Profile" is very extensive... much more than I expected. You can really paint the image. I was able to sit down for a couple hours and learn the menus.

4. same workflow as P2.

5. There is software that comes with the camera. XDCAM Transfer. It's straight forward. You simply chose where your file is stored and XDCAM Transfer gives you access to all the clips for viewing and exporting.

6. XDCAM Transfer allows for quick playback to ensure that the card was successfully offloaded.

7. Back and forth from HVX to XDCAM is an easy hop.

[da//media]

remember you will need to update your FCP to 6.0.2 or you will not be able to work with the XD cam footage..

Matt
da//