sumix SMX-12A2C fullHD 60p

Ha! I did this kind of thing before with a usb2.0 camera and it was a waste of money. BUT! I have a good feeling about this camera and company though! 12-bit 1080/24p @ 75/MBps here I come!.... I guess I am going to need a new computer and raid set-up. ouch. dont tell my wife yet.
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Hey hunter, when you get your camera head, would you mind doing the beta testing for any camera software that I might program? (that I may produce, depending on how much spare time I have)
 
hey Anhar,
i would really apreciate it if u program a software for that camera!
i would also pay for it! or beta test it...
but i need to see some more previews before ill buy the sumix.
 
Anhar-

Sure thing! I allready know there will be issues with the current software, it isnt really made for a cinematographer, its made for industrial applications. A siliconDVR type interface would rock for this camera (big buttons for touch screen lcd). Top features for new software would be...

1. Metadata with timecode

2. Exposure conversion for shutter angles isntead of miliseconds(like 180degree shutter at 24p = 1/48sec= 20.8333333 milliseconds

3. Some fast high-quality debayering for avi creation

4. This camera really needs new software to operate on a RTOS because the framerate will vary 2-3% (so sumix tells me) because it runs through windowsXP which isnt a RTOS...

I will let you guys know when I recive the camera (hopefully in the next month or so)

Glad to be a camera guniea pig,

-hunter
 
Yes the Interface is going to be very important indeed, so feedback is totally critical in that regard.

If you could post a screenshot of that SiliconDVR app, I may be able to program it to be very close.

I was looking at some of the program sample, seems fairly straighforward, though I really will not know untill I get stuck in.

As for the debayering, this may need to be done offline so to speak, I doubt that I could write a complete debayering code from scratch.

I read the PDFs but it doesn't mention anything about what format the video stream is saved as,

I think you can even get the non decimated (10 bit) monochrome images straight from the cam head and then of course do what ever processing you want after wards.

My initial idea for the work flow might go something like this:

Capture and control (Gamma, Brightness, Contrast, Gain, etc) in real time (with preview, I think the API lets you do this).

Then you "Develop" your raw files ala Film style.

I have never heard of RTOS, I'm guessing it stands for Real Time operating system, but I assumed the clock frequency runs inside the camera head, and not from the PC? I assumed that the PC merely selected the frequency, (which reminds me, the API lets you change that too, which affects framefrate, how about smooth overcranking and undercranking!!)

Anyways, I must stress that I can not gurantee anything (I am currently doing my masters :) ), but I most certainly will attempt it. I think the biggest limitation will be the API, simply put I will not be able to anything that is not in the API.

Also if anyone does buy the camera I think they include the full SDKs, if I could have access to the SDKs (not sure about copy rights, unless you "hire" me as your "virtual Program developer" , of course my virtual fee would be $Free :) )

hope to hear from you guys

Anhar
 
have u already seen those videos of the si2k app?

http://www.siliconimaging.com/DigitalCinema/Tutorials/SiliconDVR_Overview.html

(i liked the hotspot regions inside the preview picture, i think this
is a comfortable handling)

other features i would suggest:

1.) a mode that shows when pixels have 0 luminance they are black,
when they clip they are red.

2.) a mode that shows when pixels are in focus they are shown in red,
other pixels out of focus in a other neutral color.

3.) a zoom function

4.) a full screen preview mode

5.) guides for different aspect ratios (eg cinema scope,...)

6.) set white / set black point with help of a spot meter

7.) a color correction lookuptable, that creates non-destructive color meta data.
and an on/off toggle for those settings, that u can switch between
the raw file and the look u created.


i study media design, i could help u with the design of the different menus,
i could send u the photoshop files, if this would help u a little bit.
for this i need sum scribbles how the app is supposed to look like and
what functions itll have.
 
Yes. I meant real-time operating system. The camera is not synced from the camera head, it comes through the processing on the computer so frame rates like 23.98 are currently not possible. The silicon2k must have some sort of sync in the camera head.
 
hmm, your probably right,

I remember part of the code in one of the API examples I was looking at yesterday, they actually "set" the frequency from the code, so I can't see why you would not be able to set it to get the exact frame rate (so long as the cam head supports it), but after settting the freq, I'm not entirly sure how you would get the PC controlling the clock cycles.

Of course if the Sumix guys have advised on using a RTOS, they should know :)

The only other way I can think that you may get sync issues is if during actual stream recording you get stream drop outs, maybe thats where sync issues may come in..

Anyways its all theory, the actual practical is what I'm interested in :)
 
Ok, the Initial GUI is being developed, this is just the GUI, no working engines yet:

The Splash Screen:

Splash_HDX_beta_screenshot.jpg


The Main Application:

HDV_mainScreen_beta.jpg
 
Slight Update:

* Hard Drive Meter and HD space information now working
* Safe Frame Guides working, you can toggle on/ off

Next things to do:

* Add WAV (uncompressed recording capabilities) with compression settings

Screen Shot Progress:


HDX_prg1.jpg


I'll update whenever any new progress is made. I found some code that allows AVI capture (from any video card installed on your machine, I'm thinking a HDX lite version could be useful, for anyone who just wants to connect to a regular SD camera and record)
 
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UPDATE:

* Direct Sound Recording (PC microphone input) is working, need to add user sound settings.

BUT the VU sound meter is not working, not sure why, spent a few hours trying to get it too work, but no success, I'm sure its possible though.

Next Things to do:

* Boring File Structure stuff

IMPORTANT Phase:
* Camera detection and infomation Dump
* Camera Connection
* Video Recording
* Camera Functions

The Important Phase, is when I'm going to code "blind" as in can't really test it because I don't have a camera ! so thats when the beta will be sent out, so people can connect and test it on there cameras.

I'm going to email the SUMIX guys, to make sure I'm using the right ActiveX component, it seems to be for that its for the SUMIX 150.
 
in the february we plane to make a short documentaly video. and i planed to purchase the sumix camera because our budget is very small. if it will be done we can be tested this gui vith hardware.
but on the dvinfo forum one of creators of sumix told that the sensor with 2/3" format will be only available end of 2008.is it truth or i read something wrong? ....because english is not my native language
 
As far as I understand it, there is two versions:

(1) SUMIX 12A12M (this one is Monochrome, Black and White video)

(2) SUMIX 12A12C (this one is Colour video)

and according to the SUMIX website:

http://www.sumix.com/products/cameras/smx-12a2m/smx-12a2c.html

It is specified as 2/3" Image sensor, now for sales availablity you need to call them and ask, I assume it is already available for sale since I have not seen any mention of any release date.

Please do not think that I will have a working application, I may have one but this is NOT guranteeded, please have alternative arrangements set out.
 
Well as for my end:

Untill I can get a hold of the API SDK and ActiveX for this camera I can not finnish the application, if you want to disscuss this issue then PM me.
 
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