Experience with external recorders?

Are there any video examples that demonstrate the difference an external recorder makes compared to recording to the camera? And when the AF100 software upgrade permits 1080p/60, will there be a big disadvantage in the BM hyperdeck not having that capability?
 
I have been using the Sound Devices Pix 240 and it is a gem. The SDI input alone is worth the extra $. What most people don't talk about is the superior audio recording capability in addition to the Pro-Res 10 bit flavors. I mount it to my CPM Sidewinder rig during production shoots and when we're running and gunning, my soundman has it in his pouch. I had to dial in an audio offset because of the video delay between the lens and what is being recorded on the CF card. I think it was 130ns. Real easy to do. BTW, mine is for rent to anyone who can prove insurance. Killer weekly deal!
Mark
 
jmarkham said:
HDMI is a millstone as far as I'm concerned... that's why we didn't get a Ninja .. you're spending
a lot of money to externally record an image that looks markedly worse than what the AF100
SDHC cards can record internally. So what's the point?

For a 5DMKII .. sure .. but not the AF100.
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I would say exactly the opposite. Using a Ninja with s 5DMII is very problematic because Canon DSLRs do not have a clean HDMI output.
But the AF100 has a clean HDMI output so the Ninja works fine. No millstone. The image from the Ninja is just as good as the image you get with the Samurai, and you get 422 color space and ProRes codec (i.e. better for grading etc than the AVCHD footage recorded internally).

As Barry pointed out, SDI (Samurai) has advantages over HDMI (Ninja), but better image quality is not one of them.
Then again, if you intend to use the recorder occasionally also with a DSLR (for instance with a Nikon or a Panasonic GH2, rather than Canon), HDMI connection in the recorder is needed.

The Ninja does not do the pulldown removal, but in PAL countries (25p) it is not needed.
 
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Is the black magic hyperdeck actually any good though? It's so cheap compared to the others! Surely the image it gets and codec is inferior to the others!?
 
It's safe to say they all record excellent video. It's all the other stuff that really separates them.
 
Hmm cool, in that case I may opt for the shuttle for the meantime untill I garner enough money for either the pix 240 (which i like the idea of getting really good sound too) or the samurai. As I'm guessing the shuttle doesn't record the af100s variable frame rates, can i record to both the af100s SD cards and the shuttle at the same time? Would there probably be a noticeable difference in cuts if it went from one shot with the 4:2:2 codec of the shuttle to another slow motion shot recorded internally? Bucknfl, what's your experience with the shuttle as you recommended it, any issues or problems? Thanks again
 
I've had no problems with recording to the SDHC cards, but I've got a funder who has requested 4:2:2 (I'm pretty sure he doesn't know what that means, but as I said in another thread, lots of people seem to be reading these forums). I've read through this thread, and there have been excellent suggestions and answers, but I'm still a little confused...

Since I shoot 24p exclusively, and since I usually hand-hold using a Z-Finder, I obviously need a recorder that is light, rugged, supports 24fps, records both to cards and the recorder, and has an "on" light in the finder to let me know I'm recording. It would also be nice if I could power it with a D-Tap from an Anton Bauer.

I like the looks of the BM for camera mounting, and it's ability to change out SSDs - but apparently it lacks some of these features - so evidently the best bet for me is the Samurai (the Pix 240 is appealing, but looks bulky, awkward and potentially a problem for mounting).

Am I correct in this choice, or should I consider another?
 
Mac said:
Since I shoot 24p exclusively, and since I usually hand-hold using a Z-Finder, I obviously need a recorder that is light, rugged, supports 24fps, records both to cards and the recorder, and has an "on" light in the finder to let me know I'm recording. It would also be nice if I could power it with a D-Tap from an Anton Bauer.
Click to expand...

The nanoFLASH is compact, lightweight, rugged, & can be powered off the AF100's battery. But you need specific batteries which have a power tap.
 
Bern Caughey said:
The nanoFLASH is compact, lightweight, rugged, & can be powered off the AF100's battery. But you need specific batteries which have a power tap.
Click to expand...

Yep, agreed, it's tiny, lightweight, and rugged, and one of the best things is that you can get this battery and power both units off the same battery for nearly hassle-free working...
 
OKCPicker said:
I have been using the Sound Devices Pix 240 and it is a gem. The SDI input alone is worth the extra $. What most people don't talk about is the superior audio recording capability in addition to the Pro-Res 10 bit flavors.
Mark
Click to expand...

I LOVE my PIX240. I use it with my AF100 and my F3.
 
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