External recorders for the AF100 any info please :)

Sorry the firmware is 4.11. Any one experienced those problems? My timecode is set to panasonic non drop frame (im shooting 25fps progressive) sound ok?:S
 
So, with regards to the nanoflash recording 8bit signal only.

the AF100A outputs an expanded 8bit signal essentially making it 10 bit ( am i right so far?). But since it's not really true 10 bit, how does this affect recording on the nanoflash? Does it still record the additional information or does it toss it out and crushes the signal back to 8 bit?
 
Tokpaler said:
So, with regards to the nanoflash recording 8bit signal only.

the AF100A outputs an expanded 8bit signal essentially making it 10 bit ( am i right so far?). But since it's not really true 10 bit, how does this affect recording on the nanoflash? Does it still record the additional information or does it toss it out and crushes the signal back to 8 bit?
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I would guess the latter, it can't record higher than its own spec.
 
The Nanoflash is an 8-bit recorder, so yes, the 10-bit data would be truncated down to 8. I can't say definitively because I haven't tried it, but my educated guess is that a Nanoflash user would see no difference in recording an AF100 or AF100A signal.
 
My Pix 240 is pretty awesome. Quality build, real buttons, multiple formats and the audio quality is far above the rest. Unfortunately I have to sell it because I'm retiring. Sound Devices makes superb products IMO.
 
Figured I'd chip in with some recent experience.

I just wrapped a 3-day, relatively low-budget broadcast shoot using the AF100 and a Ninja 2 with the Connect S-H converter. Not certain it's the ideal solution, probably would have preferred the Samurai Blade if it had been available yet, and the Sound Devices units were both well out of my price range. I'm paranoid and like a monitor on my recording device, which ruled out the NanoFlash and Hyperdeck.

The point of going with the Ninja-2 was that it will work with my other cameras, and I've already used it twice to record the HD signal from surgical microscope cameras.

The Atomos Connect SDI-HDMI converter will pass through timecode and S/S flags through its HDMI output... heck, that was the only reason I bought it. It fits in one of the Ninja's NPF battery slots, and allows a second NPF battery to piggyback upon it... so while it's one more cumbersome bit of frooferdoo, it's less frooferdoofery than it could be. The combined unit ran all day each day on two NPF750-like ~4000mAh batteries. I mounted it on my siderod-mounted shoulder puck to yield a fairly darned well-balanced, compact, easy-to-shoot rig.

IMO, SDI is a must for any recorder with the AF100, just so you can get matching timecode for redundant dual recording and stop/start.

I wish the monitor was better than it is. As it is, with no calibration, it's only really good for framing, maybe for focus if you use the peaking function. It makes the images look so soft, mushy, washed-out, and god-awful that I couldn't stand looking at it all day. Better than some on-camera LCD's, but not better than the AF100's.

Video quality in PR422 was markedly better. Again, this wasn't a high end shoot, and very fluid, so most of my lighting involved asking a PA to hold a bounce or silk... a grading test on a bit of less-than-ideal footage (not that there are many... noooooo...) showed the unit's value.
 
Hey McBob, just a comment on you needing a screen for the recorder (which ruled out the Hyperdeck and Nano). I cant speak for Nano owners but I output from the AF100 to the Hyperdeck via SDI (usually 24psf) i use the loop through feature on the Hyperdeck to convert the SDI to HDMI for my DP4-EVF. Now, the HDMI DP4 only works if the Hyperdeck is seeing the SDI feed coming from the AF100 and with the chunky record button glowing red when you press the AF100 record button and an image on my DP4 and the directors monitor I feel completely at ease that the recorder is working, I may be a little simple here but surely the all in one devices essentially are doing the same thing? The only difference is that the Hyperdeck requires less power to run and has the 1 hour backup battery?

The only other device I have is either the cheap switronix battery for the Hyperdeck when running the DP4 and AF100 on tgeir own batteries or a larger V-Mount when powering everything (AF100, DP4 and Hyperdeck), usually on short film shoots
 
XSV, makes perfect sense except I don't use an EVF. I even rented one for the shoot (Zacuto) thinking it'd improve my life, and ditched it after the first half day - focused fine with the hooded LCD, and it was a lot easier to switch to a quick floor or overhead shot.

It was also nice using the Ninja as a standalone unit in an OR. I just clamped it to an overhead scope stand, ran a single cable, and setup was done. Certainly could have rigged something with a HDS/DP4/batt solution, but easy was nice.

I'm not pretending that for exclusive AF100 use Ninja2+S2H was an ultraperfect solution - lots of wires to tie back and bulky - but it was within my budget and good enough. In a perfect world, I would have gotten an early copy of the Samurai Blade... or, heck, shot the whole thing on my swanky new PMW-300 or HPX-600 or C300 without any external bother. But oh well.

Congrats on coming to a decision, EndCredits, may it serve you mightily
 
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mcbob said:
XSV, makes perfect sense except I don't use an EVF. I even rented one for the shoot (Zacuto) thinking it'd improve my life, and ditched it after the first half day - focused fine with the hooded LCD, and it was a lot easier to switch to a quick floor or overhead shot.

It was also nice using the Ninja as a standalone unit in an OR. I just clamped it to an overhead scope stand, ran a single cable, and setup was done. Certainly could have rigged something with a HDS/DP4/batt solution, but easy was nice.

I'm not pretending that for exclusive AF100 use Ninja2+S2H was an ultraperfect solution - lots of wires to tie back and bulky - but it was within my budget and good enough. In a perfect world, I would have gotten an early copy of the Samurai Blade... or, heck, shot the whole thing on my swanky new PMW-300 or HPX-600 or C300 without any external bother. But oh well.

Congrats on coming to a decision, EndCredits, may it serve you mightily
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horses for courses eh?

With you on the EVF, I use the DP4 without the EVF loupe more often than with it and i am not blown away by the DP4, next monitoring purchase will be higher res and known for colour accuracy. Im not overwhelmed by the colour on the DP4! That's the beauty with a recorder like the Hyperdeck, I'm free to pick the monitor and the cost of the screen is not attached to the recorder.

What monitor are you going for End Credits, any suggestions?
 
I have a dp6 that I use most of the time. I find the on board lcd not that bad any more, must have gotten used to it some how :)
When we shoot in studios we use a big 17" Panasonic monitor and I have to say I find it very relaxing having such a clear and accurate image to look at as you work.
 
Gotta say the Hyperdeck shuttle is a breeze to use. I for some reason was not sure it would roll on the stop start of the camera but does happily. Also getting the settings and drive sorted was super quick. Finally pulling the media from the drive is so simple and fast, magic :)

I bought the Tilta holder off ebay which is great. It now sit in a small pelican case with my dp6.
All up I spent about $920
Hyperdeck $350
Tilta power/holder $340
Cables $30
Drives x 2 $400

Thanks for all the input guys.
 
EndCredits said:
Gotta say the Hyperdeck shuttle is a breeze to use. I for some reason was not sure it would roll on the stop start of the camera but does happily. Also getting the settings and drive sorted was super quick. Finally pulling the media from the drive is so simple and fast, magic :)

I bought the Tilta holder off ebay which is great. It now sit in a small pelican case with my dp6.
All up I spent about $920
Hyperdeck $350
Tilta power/holder $340
Cables $30
Drives x 2 $400

Thanks for all the input guys.
Click to expand...

thats great man! Would you mind putting a pic up of your rig? I need a better mounting option for my hyperdeck, would be interesting to see the Tilta unit in action
 
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