Cinetronic: the Elephant in the room - updated discussion

[William Demeritt]

I have a Hyperdeck Shuttle that will cross convert an HD-SDI signal to an HDMI signal, but regardless you shouldn't NEED a workaround with a professional monitor

 

IB

 

I wholeheartedly agree. Just putting that out there for people who might have a Decimator 2 lying around and are wishing their Cinetronic 2 could show them HD with PsF only cameras. Nobody wants a workaround, they want a solution. However, in the mean time... there's a workaround.

[Tammy Jones]

Has anyone else had trouble getting an image from either composite out and/or SDI out?

[Alan Rencher]

The one time I used a gen 2, I wasn't able to get a signal out of the HD-SDI loop through.

[Brian Freesh]

Interesting on both counts. I've only attempted to use the HD-SDI loop through twice, both times I had suspect signal issues but never really tested to see if the source was the cinetronic. However, both times the issues went away when I changed the signal path (making Gen2 the last in the chain). I was able to get a signal both times, it just wasn't always stable. I though perhaps it was the BNCs, but now I want to do some testing. I wonder if it's possible that the signal is being weakened on it's way to the loop through? I don't want to speculate too much but definitely want to do some tests now so if there is an issue it can be confirmed.

[Tuomas Viitakoski]

I tested HD-SDI from Alexa, RED Epic and PAL composite from Digital Betacam and 5DMk2 but the loopthrough worked only with RED Epic 1080 24p (but the signal wasn't strong enough to pull it to a field monitor with 10m / 32ft BNC cable).
Sent email to Chris asking if I happened to have a faulty monitor and he answered that these issues will be corrected in the future FW.
Using firmware 8-23-13.

[Tammy Jones]

Thanks for these posts. I went to Clairmont today to test both comp and sdi out with an Epic and various monitors and could not get it to work on SDI at all. It work on composite but the signal was wonky. The SDI worked on set in the past but very sketchy. On the last shoot, the DP blamed the monitor, and I refused to believe I had yet another issue with it. But, alas, I will accept fault next time... and wait for the firmware upgrade.

[Mike McGowan SOC]

Not sure what firmware version I have but I ordered my gen 2 about 3 weeks ago and it arrived on set last Thursday. We are shooting Epic and I plugged it in and it worked straight away. For the purpose of testing how well it works and how much battery juice it requires I pretty much just leave the monitor on the whole time the camera is on the sled.

In the very short time I've had it, I've had zero issues with it. Chris was very good at returning my emails (practically instantly) and they delivered within a few days of when I expected it (the level sensor is apparently a few days behind). I had it out in a light sprinkle and nothing bad happened. Using their bracket and yoke, low mode is really fast. View ability is very good. It's very light (practically too light) compared to my 8.4" Bowland. I will say that it is not any brighter than my Bowland nor is the view angle any better. And the Bowland (while heavier and more power hungry) has a much bigger screen.

My plan for the moment is to finish this Epic show (Dec 22nd) on the Cinetronic. My January 7th pilot is Alexa so I'll give it a try on that. If everything is still good I'll sell my two Bolands (1 gen 1 and 1 gen 2) and get a second Cinetronic as a back up. I'm not sure if they fixed the compatibility issue you were all talking about or if I'm just using a camera that doesn't have the issue. So it's a very limited review (more of a first impression). But my first impression is very good.

More to follow.

[Brian Freesh]

I'm not sure if they fixed the compatibility issue you were all talking about or if I'm just using a camera that doesn't have the issue.

 

The latter, it's not fixed. I think it's on their to-do list though. When you use the Alexa: If you don't get an image at first, go into the menu and change the monitor output from PSF to P. If you ever use an F5, F55, F65, or F800 (F3 maybe too?) on 90% of the settings, you'll need to convert the signal before getting an image.

[Brad Olander]

The Sony F3 does have the needed output options in the "Video Set" menu:

 

 

[Mitch Mommaerts]

Hi Mike, so I don't foolishly blow a gasket, how did you get your monitor so fast? Did you get a new or refurbished one?

 

Glad you enjoy the monitor.

 

 

[Sean Jensen]

Hmmm. I ordered and paid for my monitor in May and still don't have it.

[Mike McGowan SOC]

Yes, they told me I would have to wait a few weeks to get mine. I explained I had a movie I was starting and that my existing monitor was having some issues and that I was in some what desperate need of my monitor right away. I know they have their big batch of them coming in the next few days but had one or two 'emergency' monitors set aside. I guess I was able to convince them I was worthy of the emergency. I'm having to wait for my level sensor like every body else.

[Mitch Mommaerts]

Thanks for sharing that info Mike. Good luck with the rest of your shoots.

[Adi Visser SOC SASO]

I received my level sensor eventually and after the latest firmware update it all works nicely.I am happy now especially that I have everything that I paid for months ago..The monitor is the best I have seen.The AR coating is great and viewing angle is good.It certainly is not the elephant in the room for me at present ,I have not had PSF issues but have not shot in that domain so hopefully those issues will be sorted soon.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

FYI, New firmware available.