F3: Help needed RBG 444 Slog with Gemini not able to record 444 with 59.94

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

Well-known member
Hello guys

I need help from more experienced and long time users of Sony F3. I bought 3 monts ago a Sony F3 and bought also the RGB01 upgrade for 1400 euros. I also bought an Gemini 444.
Problem is i dont manage to make the Gemini/F3 to record 59.94p in 444 format. No matter what settings i tried i dont manage. I also followed this very explanatory settings

https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/142/879888

but at the end instead of showing me 444 59.94p it shows 422 59.94 . Whats the trick ? The camera does not allow 59.94p when in RGB444 Slog mode ?

Thanks guys
 
The RBG 4:4:4 is only available up to 29.97p on the Sony PMW-F3 with CBK-RGB01 upgrade key. And to do so it either operates on one 3G cable, or two dual link cables. To do 60p it would have to be a quad-link output, or two 3G outputs, but the F3 doesn't offer that.

So, with the F3 you can record RGB 444 up to 29.97p, and for high speed shots revert to 1080p59.94.

To do 1080p59.94 444 your would need a different camera. The Sony F23 could do it. The Sony F35 will do 50p RGB 444 (10 bit or 12bit).

Also, reading directly from the Gemini product page, it only records 444 up to 30p, so you would need a different recorder as well.
 
Thanks

Gemini CAN RECORD 60p but only in the 422 format ( tried it myself ), can also do Arriraw 60p. The person who put the settings in the link above says the settings are given from Convergent Design

Viddovation said:
The RBG 4:4:4 is only available up to 29.97p on the Sony PMW-F3 with CBK-RGB01 upgrade key. And to do so it either operates on one 3G cable, or two dual link cables. To do 60p it would have to be a quad-link output, or two 3G outputs, but the F3 doesn't offer that.

So, with the F3 you can record RGB 444 up to 29.97p, and for high speed shots revert to 1080p59.94.

To do 1080p59.94 444 your would need a different camera. The Sony F23 could do it. The Sony F35 will do 50p RGB 444 (10 bit or 12bit).

Also, reading directly from the Gemini product page, it only records 444 up to 30p, so you would need a different recorder as well.
Click to expand...
 
Cristian Mihai said:
Thanks

Gemini CAN RECORD 60p but only in the 422 format ( tried it myself ), can also do Arriraw 60p. The person who put the settings in the link above says the settings are given from Convergent Design
Click to expand...

As I said, the Gemini can only record 444 up to 30p. The OP is already aware that the Gemini can record 422 at 60p.

Mind you, I just read that linked post, and the first confusion would be that the product is referred to as the "Gemini 4:4:4" repeatedly, in a such a way that one might think the recording would be 444. That said, I just read this bit:

Dan Keaton said:
Note: the F3 outputs 1080p60, via the A & B HD-SDI ports in 4:2:2 YPbPr mode
not RGB 4:4:4.

The Gemini 4:4:4 converts this to RGB 4:4:4 for recording
into the industry standard DPX file format
which requires it to be in RGB and 4:4:4.

This is a very sophisticated 4:2:2 to 4:4:4 conversion.
Click to expand...

Which, okay, great. But it's a cheat. You're essentially interpolating color data that doesn't exist in the signal being fed.
 
If it makes you feel any better, the F3's sensor isn't high-res enough to offer true 4:4:4 anyway, so you're not losing out on too much colour information anyway.
 
I was asked to comment on this thread. My only comment is that the answers given here by others are correct.

The F3 does not output 1080p60 in 4:4:4. It does do 4:4:4 up to 30p.

The Gemini 4:4:4 is capable of recording 1080p30 4:4:4.

The Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ can record 1080p60 4:4:4 in 10-bit or 12-bit. Note that the F3 is not capable of outputting this level of signal. (It is 10-bit only and 30p max in 4:4:4.)

Hope this clarifies things for you.
 
I think upcoming Blackmagic Video Assist will be perfect recorder for F3.. maybe we should ask BMD for vertical mirror mode, for using it with mirror hood like SmallHD's sidefinder ;)
 
Can the F3 output 60p through a single canle? If not, then you would need a recorder with dual sdi-inputs right? I dont this the video assist can has that which means it will only take 10bit 422 up to 30p from the F3.
 
stokstad said:
Can the F3 output 60p through a single canle? If not, then you would need a recorder with dual sdi-inputs right? I dont this the video assist can has that which means it will only take 10bit 422 up to 30p from the F3.
Click to expand...

The F3 is cablable of using the SDI A spigot in 3G mode to so, generally a 3G capable recorder will work with the F3 using just one cable.
 
Best you check the specs on the BMD Video Assist before getting too excited about its uses. Like all BMD products, it's functions are narrowly defined by the manufacturer and then it performs said functions at an admirably low cost. But it is rare for BMD to expand upon the functionality of the product once set. Not a criticism, more an identification of a business model.
 
May I ask you where you managed to buy the RGB01 upgrade ? I am located in EU and I cant find a reseller who still sale the upgrade. Thanks

PS Please answer back to my email "info@filmacreation.com" Thank you.
 
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