External (portable) recorder for EX3

N

Nick Navaro

Well-known member
Hello

I've done a search but not quite found what I'm looking for. I was waiting for the HD-SDI Ninja (Samurai) to come out, but Atomos now says late summer/autumn(fall). I need something now.

Would prefer 10 bit - but is it that much better than 8 bit?

Ki pro mini I like the sound of, but you need one of those Anton Bauer batteries, which I really don't want.

Convergent flash recorder is only 8-bit right?

Any other options?

What do people have? And any good advice you can give me?

I edit with FCP.

Thanks

Nick
 
If I had to have something NOW I would get the Nano Flash. It sucks up a lot less power than the Ki Pro Mini, is smaller and no 8-bit isn't too much of a difference. The Nanoflash ends up costing less because in order to record to the higher bitrates of the Ki you need the expensive high speed memory cards. And again the power considerations. Nanoflash also lets you record over/uhdercranked footage to the higher bitrates that it offers. And it is proven to be rugged in the field as it's been out for a while now. Quality-wise they are equal.

Personally I will wait for the Samurai because 10-bit capability is a better sell to producers and it uses every ounce of signal from my EX1. Plus ProRes edits better with FCP with the future possibility of a DNx codec for Avid systems. That and SSD drives still have more recording time than CF cards and they are equal in price or cheaper. And I am not on a time crunch to get something better than XDCam EX. If a TV network commissioned me and required a certain format quality better than XDCam EX I would without a doubt go with the Nano.
 
Very helpful. If I bought a Nano-flash for say 6 months- do you think I could shift it for a Samurai later? That may be an option.

And while you're here and you know your stuff - I'm shooting a music video on an EX3. Recommend any lens or stick with kit? Any tips at all for music vid? It's my first one with this cam...
 
Many other cameras, in fact most other than the three Sony's, can't even output 10bit, so the Nano isn't going away. For something like the AF100 its a perfect match.

And I do use my Nano with an EX1.
 
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Nick Navaro said:
Very helpful. If I bought a Nano-flash for say 6 months- do you think I could shift it for a Samurai later? That may be an option.

And while you're here and you know your stuff - I'm shooting a music video on an EX3. Recommend any lens or stick with kit? Any tips at all for music vid? It's my first one with this cam...
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Well in the end you may/probably will just keep the Nano. I don't see it losing it's value too much. Plus it's HDMI+HD-SDI, not just HD-SDI like the Samurai. And it records 24-bit audio as opposed to the 16-bit the Samurai does.

I can't help you there music videos aren't my thing. I think a lot of people use a 35mm adaptor like the RedRock Micro for those types of shoots. Stock lens is nice.
 
Very helpful again. What's the best way of powering the Nano? Lighter the better. And what bracket is available to attach to EX3??
 
Duke M. said:
Many other cameras, in fact most other than the three Sony's, can't even output 10bit, so the Nano isn't going away. For something like the AF100 its a perfect match.

And I do use my Nano with an EX1.
Click to expand...

Don't forget that it's actually advantagous to record in 10-bit even with an 8-bit source. It won't improve your source footage but all subsequent processing will be at 10 bit so you'll have those extra levels for subtle grading etc.

Dave Shapton
Atomos
 
David Shapton said:
Don't forget that it's actually advantagous to record in 10-bit even with an 8-bit source. It won't improve your source footage but all subsequent processing will be at 10 bit so you'll have those extra levels for subtle grading etc.

Dave Shapton
Atomos
Click to expand...

Dave, your guys at BVE London in Feb, said the HD-SDI Ninja (now called Samurai) was due for release in April. I put a big order of varied equipment in with my dealer and the money for that particular product is still sitting there. Very disappointed your guys gave misinformation. I understand big projects take time and goal posts get moved, but from April to end of summer/autumn is ridiculous. I was counting on that. It scuppered my plans. Now on the hunt for something else.
 
Right now, as I understand it, the only two low price recorders really available are the Nanoflash and the Ki Pro Mini. The Ki Pro Mini is 10 bit and the Nano is only 8 bit.

Other than that the Nano has many more features (time code trigger is my favorite) and uses a LOT less power. It also produces not only MOV files, but also MXF files for editors other than FCP. The Ki Pro Mini doesn't do that. The Nano can do up to 280 Mbps and I-frame.

This is the type of battery to use (there are other brands) with a D-tap to the Nano.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655645-REG/Switronix_EX_L96_EX_L96_14_4v_96W_Lithium_Ion.html

Depending on how much you shoot during the day the battery will run from 5 hours to all day. Amazingly adding the Nano doesn't seem decrease the battery life a noticeable amount when running them together as compared to running just the camera.

Also, the Nano support has been fantastic. They have constantly given away firmware that has added many, many new features and speed.
 
Well there's the FFV SideKick HD. And I think Sound Devices has one coming out too. The FFV is cheaper than the Nano but more expensive and comes with less stuff than the Samurai.
 
Most of the recorders have been announced, but aren't available yet.

Gemini
Hyperdeck shuttle
Sound Devices
Ninja
Samuri

With the problems in Japan I think it is safe to say the probability of delays in production is high. No ones fault, Japan has other things to worry about.

That leaves the Nano and the KPM that you can actually buy and maybe the only ones until Fall or next year.
 
Atomos Ninja is released, but perhaps quantities may be low. B&H has it listed as "Ships in 7 to 14 days, not a regularly stocked item"
 
Viddovation said:
Atomos Ninja is released, but perhaps quantities may be low. B&H has it listed as "Ships in 7 to 14 days, not a regularly stocked item"
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If you shop around, you can find them. We need to make a lot more, though, to keep up with the demand.

Samurai is still scheduled for late summer: no firm release date yet. (The Northern Hemisphere summer! We have to clarify that because we're an Australian company!)

Dave Shapton
Atomos
 
Thanks David. The Samurai is one of the recorders I'm considering. I think it might be great paired with a Hyperdeck shuttle for effects shots where uncompressed has an advantage.
 
David Shapton said:
If you shop around, you can find them. We need to make a lot more, though, to keep up with the demand.

Samurai is still scheduled for late summer: no firm release date yet. (The Northern Hemisphere summer! We have to clarify that because we're an Australian company!)

Dave Shapton
Atomos
Click to expand...

I'm glad demand is good, Dave. With all your company is offering in the Ninja/Samurai package and keeping up with third-party forums I wish the best of success to Atomos!
 
I'm definately going to get the Hyperdeck shuttle, because it's the first affordable HD-SDI recorder. I can't wait to see the results on my projection screen.
 
basspig said:
I'm definately going to get the Hyperdeck shuttle, because it's the first affordable HD-SDI recorder. I can't wait to see the results on my projection screen.
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There's a lot of hidden costs with the Hyperdeck. It may be the cheapest but I am worried about the cost of the hard drives. Apparently some of the solid state drives have issues sustaining the write speeds required of HD uncompressed video. So I'm going to wait on the verdict for hard drive recommendations/user reviews before making any decisions on any of these new tools.
 
Not any different than the 'hidden' costs of the SxS cards we now use on our XDCams.. which, if you've looked at pricing lately, have nearly DOUBLED in price since the Japan earthquake.
I reckon the company has a good handle on which SSD drives work and which don't and the unit will probably come with a list of recommended compatible drives. The drives are not that expensive.. actually, cheaper than the 8GB SxS card.
 
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