Just Received my Atomos Samurai

This is great news, I didn't realise the Samurai could be triggered by the camera's record button. Can I just double check this is the case?

Yes this works perfectly. It took a little time to find a tiny touch-screen button to activate it but it works. You also have to select HD-SDI as your time-code source from a menu that includes free-run, record-run, etc. It slaves great. I'm using a Western Digital 500gb Black Cavier drive. One thing to remember when "ejecting" the drive caddy (it's more pulling out), is to press the caddy release button on the opposite side of the caddy. Took me ages to find that.
 
And can you clarify - is it accepting the PMW-F3 record flag, or does it require you to use REC RUN timecode?

I'll have to test that. Do mean if the Samurai starts recording when you play back EX material in the F3 while connected to the Samurai? Like the Nano does.
 
I'd take a look and see if the threads were not clean cut in the inserts.

It's not entirely uncommon in metal working to have threads that need to be "chased" with a tap or bolt to remove cut metal leftovers from the original thread cutting.

In other words, if the threads LOOK the right size to the eye, slowly thread a 1/4-20 to the stopping point (assuming it can be even started), back it off, and then thread it some more (even if there's resistance), back it off, and repeat. If it's badly cut threads, this method will 'chase' them.

(apologies if this is just common sense in your experience and you're saying the threads aren't even close)

Thanks Nate, I'll give it a try, but I think the thread is too different. A friend is going to try the unit over the weekend (with S-log) and he will be better at trying that than me. I am concerned though that it has this issue straight out of the box. Cheers, Peter
 
Do you have a choice re starting from the Samurai or auto run on timecode?
My concern was I had a bunch of false start & stops recently with a keypro armed from TC over SDI.
 
I'll have to test that. Do mean if the Samurai starts recording when you play back EX material in the F3 while connected to the Samurai? Like the Nano does.

There's an option in the PMW-F3 menus to send out a record trigger flag over SDI. It's completely different than the REC RUN method. The REC RUN method doesn't require the camera to do anything special, it just requires an external recorder that notices when timecode starts and stops.

The trigger method in theory is better, but the way Sony implemented it isn't supported by any of the current recorders that i'm aware of.
 
is it power efficient as they claim? also have you tried recording to dnxhd 220x 10 bit? any issues with the image quality?
 
is it power efficient as they claim? also have you tried recording to dnxhd 220x 10 bit? any issues with the image quality?

It doesn't do DNX. I believe that is coming later. It seems very power efficient with the supplied batteries. They don't add much bulk to the unit.
 
Only reply from Atomos was "looking into it" or similar last week. Dealer reply was that some units have the metric threads but not all, and the metric Samurais will be replaced by Atomos (I don't know when). In the meantime, a DOP friend is testing the unit with S-log and is doing a green screen shoot with it tomorrow. He has modified a Noga arm for the time being.
 
Received my Samuarai this morning (bought from Production Gear in London, they always offer a great service - just ask for Simon). Which setting would you suggest I use (I don't have S-log) - ProRes 422 - PreRes LT - PreRes HQ? Do you think ProRes 422 would be the best balance between quality and storage? Can I confirm the 422 option would be 10bit? Thanks in advance, Sparky
 
Received my Samuarai this morning (bought from Production Gear in London, they always offer a great service - just ask for Simon). Which setting would you suggest I use (I don't have S-log) - ProRes 422 - PreRes LT - PreRes HQ? Do you think ProRes 422 would be the best balance between quality and storage? Can I confirm the 422 option would be 10bit? Thanks in advance, Sparky

sorry, I just read this thread..
 
Received my Samuarai this morning (bought from Production Gear in London, they always offer a great service - just ask for Simon). Which setting would you suggest I use (I don't have S-log) - ProRes 422 - PreRes LT - PreRes HQ? Do you think ProRes 422 would be the best balance between quality and storage? Can I confirm the 422 option would be 10bit? Thanks in advance, Sparky

Sparky:
Any problems with your 1/4 screw?
 
Just received my Samurai unit,

Arm screws into the mount only about 2mm then becomes tight and starts to thread out the mount.

I think I have the same issue, M6 threaded
 
Contact your sales guy. I had my M6 thread replaced and the unit flashed to new firmware yesterday at the Melbourne service centre. Not sure what is changed in the new firmware, but the 50i reset issue is fixed. When the Samurai was recording in 1080 25P mode, then a clip was played back, it defaulted to 50i when recording started again. This is fixed. I think Atomos are really on top of getting the unit running smooth with regular firmware updates. All these devices have gone through the same growing pains, but the M6 thread one was a bit unfortunate.
 
Just received my Samurai unit,

Arm screws into the mount only about 2mm then becomes tight and starts to thread out the mount.

I think I have the same issue, M6 threaded


If you have a Manfrotto quick release plate with a removable 1/4" screw, get a 6mm screw from a hardware shop and use this temporarily.
 
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