CitiDISK HD has started shipping

I believe the over/under crank features of the hvx are only available in the 720pn modes. So redundant frames are not shot in that mode. However, none of these hdd recorders that use firewire to capture can currently capture pn (native) frame recording modes that are used to over/under crank. The only hdd recording option to get the pn modes will be the upcoming cineporter which uses the p2 slot instead of firewire. I can't speak for the nle's ability or inability to capture these modes.
 
Ramjet1979 said:
I believe the over/under crank features of the hvx are only available in the 720pn modes.
Click to expand...
Not true, they're available in all 720p modes.
So redundant frames are not shot in that mode.
Click to expand...
Redundant frames are not stored in PN mode, that's true, and they are stored in the other modes, but can be stripped out in post.
 
ahh. learn something everyday here. I thought you were able to shoot variable frame rates in pn mode only. Not true though huh? Thanks

Sorry for the mis information

Jason
 
Quoted from Barry on the other Citidisk thread:

"The camera doesn't send any file format out the firewire port (during live streaming); it's an A/VC video data stream. It's up to the capture device to assign a file format.

DVCPRO-HD is supported in Quicktime by Apple and Avid, and in AVI format by Raylight and EDIUS."

Many people have been very adamant about recording and working only in the MXF format.
If you are editing in the above mentioned apps, why would it be important to stay in MXF?

Is there a quality shift when recording directly to Quicktime or AVI?

Or is it just sort of fear of the unkown that causes people to insist that the camera must recorded MXF?
 
There is no quality shift. MXF files are a SMPTE-codified standard that have been embraced by a lot of the big players (like Avid, Thomson Grass Valley, Panasonic, etc) and are expected to be far more standardized and durable than the current crop of file formats (quicktime here, AVI there, oh wait is it AVI Type I or AVI Type II, and quicktime only plays DV100 on the Mac but not on the PC, unless maybe you include the Avid downloaded codec, but even then it doesn't work unless you're running in Avid, etc). MXF is a multiple-manufacturer effort to get away from a proprietary format and make a once-and-for-all universal file interchange format.
 
thanks barry, but will there be a way to do PN through the fire wire? I was under the assumption this wasnt possible. I would like my frames already gone, and not have to do the frame rate conversion in post.
 
As of right now no video data is transmitted out the HVX's firewire port.

If they someday in the future decide to enable that or overcome whatever technical reason exists as to why it's not already enabled, then maybe it will become possible.

But right now it's simply not possible. There's no data on the port.
 
I am trying to decide between the Firestore F-100 and the 100GB CitiDisk. Has anyone used the CitDisk? Obviously the Firestore has been more written about it but the CitiDisk is significantly cheaper. Any input would be great.
 
Yes, I have the 100 gig Citidisk, but it's not quite ready for prime time.

The only format in HD that works for me is QT mov files, that I can only see in Edius 4 on my PC.

I could live with that, but the unit has a terrible habit of stopping record mode
every 12 to 22 minutes. As though the hard disk was doing thermal re-calibration. It then writes a 0 byte file and stops. So you have to manually push the record button on the Citidisk to start.

BTW: the camera start/stop switch does not control the Citidisk, you have to start it yourself.

But, I am an early adoptor and have the usual problems. However, Citidisk is very good a coming out with firmware updates and I am sure the aforementioned problems will be addressed and fixed.
 
Thanks Old Man. I want to buy the CitiDisk but there is so little I can find on the web about it. I can live with those problems you have mentioned. Seems like the Firestore is not without its own problems either. I might just go with the CitiDisk until the Cineporter comes out in 2009.
 
Citidisk 120 - my first report

Citidisk 120 - my first report

Hello all,

Michael Schoenfeld here,

My Citidisk HD came on Tuesday of this week - I have been testing a little each day, with the hope that I could possibly use it for a "long form" interview of a senatorial candidate I was scheduled to produce today. Drum roll please.................

it works perfectly.

(More than I can say for the abismal manual though).

The caveats for my use are listed below:

(I need to preface that I bought it specifically for uses like this - long form documentary capture - I also own three 8 gig cards and can natively over and undercrank to my heart's delight for quick playback, but as we all know, the cards currently out are just not "there" space -wise for long form stuff):

I use a Mac for editing - .mov files are fine - no issues here.

I may in the future use the Citidisk for "after the capture" frame rate conversion stuff, but I bought it for long form capture at 30p or 24p (720). As stated, the P2 cards are for commercial "short take" work - no surprises here either.

LCD screens with instant feedback are very nice, but the Citidisk HD has performed "as expected" today without any hitches. 10-20 minute takes without any hitches - again - no surprises.

BTW, I might add, I have a background of 20 years in the music field.

How could that matter you ask?

Any of you ever heard ot Roland keyboards? Great products - LOUSY manuals.

They have been unseated as the purveyor of the most "cryptic manuals imported into in the US market" - never thought I'd see that day, but Shining Tech is the new and undisputed champ. Does their horrible manual mean that their product is a dog?

Doesn't seem so.

Not as far as I can tell w/ the HVX (in 720 mode, for the Mac editor).

I don't record to the "manual". I record to the device - and that seems to work fine.

But stay tuned - I'll report back next week after more testing. All technical gizmos can and usually do show their dark side to me within a short while - but hey, the edges are there to be found, and better that you find them without a client in the room - that's no surprise either.

And another thing - if poorly executed switches-lights-etc, and their feedback to the user, and "logical rational placement of buttons" were deal breakers for us here, none of us would have purchased the HVX - Hello? menu selection and system navigation buttons anyone? We all know that could have been done better but it must not be "a deal breaker" for most of us - wasn't for me - I just pretend I'm programming a Roland Synth when I'm setting up a new scene file!

All the best, and happy digitizing,

Michael Schoenfeld

View my newest portfolio offerings at:

www.michaelschoenfeld.com
 
BTW - Citidisk HD addendum

BTW - Citidisk HD addendum

I got my unit from Dave @ ProMedia in Tenn. - great guy - he sold me one of my two HVX's.

And, 48 gigs of interview transfered flawlessly to the laptop and to the studio workstation (via firewire) in about 15 minutes - now "that's" cool.

All the best,

Michael Schoenfeld


View my newest portfolio offerings at:

www.michaelschoenfeld.com
 
I think that's the first actual field report from someone with a Citidisk HD, and so far, the product seems to be off to a running start.

Congrats!
 
Thanks so much for the feedback. I just bought one today and should have some more news to report next week.
 
just remember....

just remember....

Schoenfeld here,

I am only saying (so far) that it works for me in a limitied specific, application - so far.............I am not endorsing it for "field war coorespondent journalism" - or weddings (ugh - you people really earn your money!) - I woulkd treat it like any portable laptop hard drive - with delicay please.

But yes, it does work.

All the best,

Michael Schoenfeld


View my newest portfolio offerings at:

www.michaelschoenfeld.com
 
Mlsphoto,
I agree 200 percent on Roland manuals. I have been a loyal fan of rolands for years because of their expansion models and the classical srx expansion boards. But the manuals were created by aboriginal tribesmen after attending an english as a third language course. Sorry for using up forum space but your post triggered some bad memories.
 
I think you're right Misphoto, I have had 5 external firewire drives crap out on me and I am sure the CitiDisk won't be any more rugged. I just have felt pretty hampered on shoots with just my 4GB P2 cards so I had to brake down and get a Citidisk.
 
Hard drive reliability

Hard drive reliability

Ian,

Michael Schoenfeld here,

I have had "ZERO" firwire hard drives crap out on me.........luck? I think not.

I'm just waiting for my number to come up

I'd love to know how you find your Citidisk.

(Does it bother anyone that the company shares a name with one of the scariest movies of all time?)

"Heere's Johnny"...........


Michael Schoenfeld
 
Hi Michael,

i am not sure, but i couldnt see from your report if you recorded files, lnoger then 12-20 minutes?
I read somewhere that this limitation was overcome by a firmwareupdate, but quoting "old man" this seems to be different!??

I am kind of sceptical that there is no one from citidisk here on the forum: come on guys, if you wanna make money, answer the questions and make us feel confident, otherwise you wont make it in the market against firstore and cineporter....would like 2 get a citidisk for my interviews, but not before doing mxf....and some more reports!!
 
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