Genesis with Fiber

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

 

I just wanted to publicly commend Chris Konash from Panavision NY for his work on the fiber system that we are using on "Mercy". This is an absolute life savor for this kind of work. The entire package is weighing in less then an XL, very close to the weight on an Arri LT. The thin yellow fiber jumper is soft, flexible and durable. I have used his system with both Genesis and F35 and I love it. It has made a miserable setup in to a very manageable Steadicam camera. I would absolutely insist on this setup for Steadicam with these cameras. Thanks Chris for building these little boxes, genius!

 

JM

[Rob Vuona SOC]

 

I just wanted to publicly commend Chris Konash from Panavision NY for his work on the fiber system that we are using on "Mercy". This is an absolute life savor for this kind of work. The entire package is weighing in less then an XL, very close to the weight on an Arri LT. The thin yellow fiber jumper is soft, flexible and durable. I have used his system with both Genesis and F35 and I love it. It has made a miserable setup in to a very manageable Steadicam camera. I would absolutely insist on this setup for Steadicam with these cameras. Thanks Chris for building these little boxes, genius!

 

JM

 

If Yoda says its the way to go , we will follow . . . .LOL . . .

 

Thanks for posting Jeff, I need to talk to you about the Stanton control now

 

and

 

using my new clubs with you when you are out in Cali again

[RonBaldwin]

Hi Jeff, long time. Say Hi to Adam Kane for me.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

We are using the Sony Fiber system with the F23 on Dexter and Love it. It's not quite the Telecast Coperhead but it's sufficiently close

[Charles Papert]

It would be great if we could have some sort of comparison of weight and capability of the various fiber systems out there (by capability I mean how many channels available, paint control, downconverted return etc). It would be hard to do an objective comparison of the actual fiber hose of course. Maybe we have to do a "Great Fiber Shootout"...!

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

It would be great if we could have some sort of comparison of weight and capability of the various fiber systems out there (by capability I mean how many channels available, paint control, downconverted return etc). It would be hard to do an objective comparison of the actual fiber hose of course. Maybe we have to do a "Great Fiber Shootout"...!

 

The Sony system is multimode (ie can do power) has full 4:4:4 capability, Full camera control (Bi-directional), return video and capacity for 8 channels of audio. It can pretty much do everything. I prefer the telecast system since it has a MUCH more flexible fiber, I'm not saying that the steadicam jumper isn't flexible just not as flexible

[Chris Konash]

Thank you for your kind words Jeff. I remember from the beginning of your days on this show you wanted a solution and I am glad I could create this for you.

 

Some specs on the system.

 

It is a multi-mode system like the Sony. Multi-mode vs. Single-mode has to do with the speed & distance of data transmission, and how it travels down the fiber. The system transmits dual link 4:4:4 HD-SDI according to the SMPTE 492 standard. There is no return video because I didn't feel it was necessary. They system also does full bi-directional paint control of the cameras like the Sony system. Powering the camera wasn't a concern of mine because once the recorder is removed, powering the camera isn't a huge issue. So my system does not power the camera, and neither does the Sony system.

 

One down side of the system Jeff is using compared to the Sony system is it will not do off speed recording down the fiber. The Sony system encodes the frame rate meta data and transmits it to the deck to be interpreted, I did not do this. On the rare occasion off speed recording is necessary Jeff must put some type of recorder on the camera whether it be an SRW1 or a Panavision SSR. One other difference is Jeff's system does not dock to the camera where a VTR would, I did not do this so the system could be used on multiple cameras and in both 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 conditions. This is why you see dual link SDI lines from the camera's interface box to the fiber transmitter.

 

One downside to the Sony system is it is very expensive, around $20,000. The system Jeff is using was is owned by Panavision NY and has an undisclosed price but you can bet it's WAY less than the Sony system. Also a Steadicam fiber jumper on the Sony system are around $1000 each where on Jeff's system they are exactly $10, and I believe after months of shooting on Mercy Jeff still haven't broken one jumper.

 

Eric, I would bet money on the fact that the jumpers Jeff is using are more flexible than the Sony or the Telecast ones you mentioned, maybe Jeff can comment.

 

There are only three of these systems in existence, 2 are on Mercy and one is used for Steadicam shots on The Good Wife with Sandy Hays operating. Maybe he can share a story or two. The original prototype system I put on a feature film over the summer with Jim McConkey operating and I think he said he was happy with it.

 

Thanks,