External recorder questions

[offbeatbryce]

Hello,

I have been researching a few things about External video Recorders but can't find the answers to the following.

1. Can an External video Recorder record in 4k with a camera that doesn't support 4k recording internally?

2. How does audio work in terms of using the XLR audio inputs on the camera? Can those internal XLR inputs be passed into the External Recorder or would I have to have an additional External Audio Recorder?

3. Even if I can't record 4k but can record 1080 p is it a compressed signal or is it uncompressed with an External Video Recorder?

I have the Canon XA25 and Canon XA10.

 

[Imamacuser]

Most 1080P cameras only output 1080P 4:2:2 8-bit through the HDMI port. Some cameras, like the Sony A7s, shoot HD but output 4K through the HDMI port. Some cameras, like the Panasonic GH4, output 10-bit through the HDMi port. HDMI & HD-SDI carry both audio and video signals.

 

[Barry_Green]

1. Can an External video Recorder record in 4k with a camera that doesn't support 4k recording internally?

An external recorder can only record what the camera outputs. If the camera can't output 4K, then the recorder can't record 4K. It's possible that there may be some cameras that can output 4K but not record it.

2. How does audio work in terms of using the XLR audio inputs on the camera? Can those internal XLR inputs be passed into the External Recorder or would I have to have an additional External Audio Recorder?

Both SDI and HDMI connections are capable of transporting embedded audio so, as long as your camera is embedding the XLR audio into the SDI/HDMI outputs, the external recorder would record it.

3. Even if I can't record 4k but can record 1080 p is it a compressed signal or is it uncompressed with an External Video Recorder?

Depends on the recorder. Generally the signal from the camera is uncompressed, and the external recorder will use its own compression to store the footage. Usually that's ProRes or DNxHD. There is, however, the Black Magic Shuttle, which can record uncompressed if that's what you want.