Cinetronic: the Elephant in the room - updated discussion

[William Demeritt]

From the Cinetronic forum:

 

 

This firmware adds a factory reset option at startup. To perform a factor reset, hold the left button down, and power on the monitor. Keep the left button pressed through the whole boot process until the image comes up. (about 2-3 seconds after the Cinetronic Logo)

[Mike Germond SOC]

I'm qualified to comment on this thread now that I am a Cinetronic owner and have completed a few professional jobs with it.

 

Chris was nothing but quick and accommodating in my experience. It is the same experience I had with him a year ago when I was buying a simple monitor rod mount. I don't think I ever waited more than 48hrs for a response, and he was helpful with my stupid questions. I also purchased on the basis that I had a deadline for a big gig and he went out of his way to deliver on time.

 

As for the monitor and level sensor, both performed admirably. I haven't had the SDI issues yet because I've been working with broadcast cameras, but my hope is that my Hyperdeck will provide a solution when the next Alexa job comes around. I love the level and was able to dial it into a feel that I'm used to. Frame lines and Tally work beautifully. I couldn't be happier with the money I spent on this beautiful and reliable piece of kit!

 

No elephant in my room...

Thanks Chris!

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

There is No issue with the Alexa as the monitor output is user selectable to progressive frame setting.

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

I was just texting Chris because he is going to help me set up a bootable Windows drive for my Mac. I ended up making fun of him because his response time was always less than 20 seconds, "Geez and some people complain," I wrote. When I thought about this seriously, I realized that he has NEVER ONCE left me hanging. His communication with me has been excellent. There has been a lot of talk about Cinetronic on this Forum lately, and I'm not saying that other people's view points are not valid as I can only speak for myself. Yes, I want the psf issue to be resolved without having to use an external box and I'm sure it will be in time (along with the SDI loop through). I'm also eager to get my level working which is a subset of the larger issue I have of not being able to update the firmware myself yet (because I need Windows - an issue Chris has been very helpful with). In short though, in the field, my monitor has worked. I turn it on, I shoot, I turn it off and go home. I can see the image in any lighting situation. Nuff said.

 

Thanks for listening.

[Rich Cottrell]

Has the issue with rain triggering the menu buttons ever been resolved?

[Mike Germond SOC]

I also want to know if PsF formats will ever be supported. There hasn't been a firmware update since 2/9/14!

[Lawrence Karman]

I also want to know if PsF formats will ever be supported. There hasn't been a firmware update since 2/9/14!

 

In a recent communication with Chris he said "soon". I'll leave it to him to fill in the specifics.

[William Demeritt]

Has the issue with rain triggering the menu buttons ever been resolved?

 

I don't believe so. I think Chris is addressing the PsF issue first, but the false input on buttons could be fixed by adding a "screen lock" which requires holding brightness up and down together for 3 seconds before you can control the menu. Something like that.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

I've suggested that a year and a half ago...

[Afton Grant]

I'm not so sure that would work. You can't use the very buttons that are experiencing the issues with raindrops to solve the issues with raindrops. What if a couple raindrops fall on the lockout buttons and unlock it? What if there is water on the other buttons, making unlocking or locking impossible? A separate, tactile, hardware switch (like the one on the SmallHD) is the only foolproof lock/unlock solution.

[William Demeritt]

Afton: I agree, that would have been the solution if this were still a design phase. However, as a software solution that doesn't require a massive recall, this should work well. Depends on the nature of the touch keys: if they're simply capacitive, then they might read a droplet sitting on the button as persistent input. Of course, a potential solution to this: apply a later of Rain-X on your monitor keys and water droplets won't sit there unless you're perfectly tabled and motionless.

 

I agree, a switch would work great. However, as a software solution, pressing two buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds works better than the nothing Gen 2 owners have now.