Premium Members Haris Pallas Posted August 18, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hallo everyone, I know that this may sound silly but I would like to know...what exactly the Decimator does that makes it so unique? I'm reading it a lot on the Forum but from their site I didn't get a clear conclusion.I know that it is a downconverter/upconverter but I'm quite confused...! For example: I own a Steadicam SK2 with the basic single action arm and a bigger double action arm that was modified to fit the SK2 vest and with this configuration I can use from DSLR up to RED and some film cameras.As you might know my top stage has only a BNC video in and a 12V power out plugs. In what way a Decimator can help me improve my signal/picture or the one that I'm sending to the directors monitor?? Thank you in advance! - Haris - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted August 19, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 The Decimator is not truly unique, but it is a solid little downconverter at a reasonable price. When it first emerged a few years ago, the industry standard downconverters were at or over $1000 and few individual operators owned them. The original Decimator debuted at $435 (has since been raised to $495) which made it attractive to own. The 2nd generation version added HDMI output which is not generally a big Steadicam requirement, but it does allow for the use of low cost monitoring solutions on or off the rig (I have supplied my guest room 42" LCD as a client monitor with a Decimator2 converting the HD-SDI feed to HDMI; paid off the purchase price of the TV in two weeks!). Also the latest firmware includes scaling, audio metering and framelines/center marker options. Again, not all features may be Steadicam-related and some are just on the HDMI output, but still handy. For your purposes, any HD camera that doesn't include a built-in downconverter will require a Decimator or something like it to deliver an image to your monitor and any outboard SD monitor. My advice is to get it with a p-tap cable so you can power from the camera battery when in use, plus you may want to get a cable made from your top stage to either female p-tap or the 4-way p-tap splitter box (or wire one in directly to the sled). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Pedro Guimaraes SOC Posted August 19, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 Abel cine in LA sells the p-tap cable. http://www.abelcine.com/store/P-Tap-to-RedByte-Powercable-for-Decimator/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted August 19, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 As do I, although I sell Terry West's version which uses a much more "Steadicam-esque" cable--more slender and flexible than the zipcord used in with the stock cable that Abel and others sell. However, it costs twice as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Haris Pallas Posted August 19, 2011 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 Thank you Charls and Pedro, Much clearer now...! - Haris - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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