Best downconverter for master + red one (and good (read cheap) FF for newbie)

[Sami Harjunen]

Hi all!

 

Just bought my first rig, Steadicam Master Film, and im planning to start flying my schools Red One with it.

 

To start this, I think I need a downconverter to get video signal thru sled (sled has SD wiring) so which one should I get? Would be nice if it has HDMI (or mini-hdmi) input for DSLR flying and should be able to take power from sled.

 

Also, im interested to start saving money for a cheap Follow Focus, do you have any ideas that what FF should I start to seek and save money for?

 

Thanks already for any advices and help,

 

Sami

[Evrim KAYA]

Hello Sami,

 

Congratulations on your first rig and welcome to the community!

 

There are two leading down-converter manufacturers. One is Decimator2 manufactured by Decimator Design. It’s a very reliable unit, very wide voltage range as well as an additional HDMI output with scaling capabilities. The only downside is although the unit is guaranteed for 36 mouths, if anything goes wrong the turn-around time could be a little long. This is the one I own.

The other one is Blackmagic design’s down-converter. This unit also is highly acclaimed but if you go and buy a second hand one; be sure to check that it’s the new version. Old versions input voltage range is very narrow and the unit has tendencies to be burn if unregulated power is fed. There is also a version of it in a tougher casing which translates into additional weight.

Both DCs are priced very closely.

 

The best value for your money will be a used Analog Bartech unit. They are pretty much bullet proof and Jim is excellent in taking care of his customers. But be careful of the motor accompanying the BFD. M-One –which is a great and powerful motor- is de facto no longer supported by its manufacturer Loom works. So your motor won’t be repaired if anything goes wrong until Loom Works gets its head back in the game or someone else starts servicing these motors. So it might be a better idea to buy a Heden motor BFD set.

 

Fly safe.

[Sami Harjunen]

Thanks Evrim, I start to look for Decimator2

[Evrim KAYA]

you're welcome! You did understood that the HDMI port on the decimator is output only right? That means you won't be able to feed the HDMI signal from DSLRs to it. you'll have to convert it first to HD-SDI.

[Jameson Johnson]

Check out the offerings from AJA also. I use these on a regular basis and they work great.

 

http://www.aja.com/en/category/mini-converters/

[Sami Harjunen]

Evrim, is there any downconverters with HDMI input? Would be easier to have anything in one good converter.

[Evrim KAYA]

Well, there are some HDMI to Composite converters in the market. Most (if not all) of them are consumer/prosumer grade, indoor use products. I don’t have a personal knowledge about a pro grade HDMI>Composite converter adequate for steadicam use.

 

This one seems to be the best one available: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/651382-REG/Gefen_GTV_HDMI_2_COMPSVIDS_GTV_HDMI_2_COMPSVIDS_GefenTV_HDMI_to.html But I’m not vouching for it, as I didn’t use it personally.

[Evrim KAYA]

Decimator2 manufactured by Decimator Design. It’s a very reliable unit, very wide voltage range as well as an additional HDMI output with scaling capabilities. The only downside is although the unit is guaranteed for 36 mouths, if anything goes wrong the turn-around time could be a little long.

 

it took me over a month to get a replacement unit from the US/EU distributor Symbiosis. But they assured me that the delay was a fluke due to stock shortage And normally they would have sent it much sooner. They seemed sincere and replied every e-mail i sent within the day. so even though i received my replacement unit a lot later than i anticipated i believed them that this situation was temporary and they will stand behind their product.