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GH4 on Pilot SD Rig? HDMI - Composite?


Bo Hallen

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Has anyone operated with or own a GH4?

 

I am considering purchasing Pilot SD system. I am unsure how to connect GH4 to monitor?

 

I know, all the typical dslr headaches, lol.

 

 

I am brand new to this forum but am serious about operating.

 

Should I buy SD rig and use an HD monitor? Then buy an hdmi - sdi converter box?

 

Can you connect sdi in (BNC) to composite?

 

Also, the GH4 camera has NTSC, PAL, and a 24 Hz "Cinema" frequency, through which is the only frequency capable of Cinematic 4K. According to the gh4 manual, when system frequency is set to 24 Hz (which mine is all the time) playback on a composite monitor is impossible?

 

I would love to be informed about how to properly connect a DSLR to a SD monitor or HD monitor

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...You could also add a DECIMATOR2 to convert in RCA. This way you can use a Pilot SD.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1091828-REG/decimator_dd_dec_2_3g_hd_sd_sdi_to_hdmi_with.html

So will have GH4/HDMI --(ATOMOS H2S)--> SDI --(DECIMATOR2)--> RCA/PILOT.

Of course you can find similar products from other brands, just mentioning those I know.

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The Pilot doesn't have power on the top stage so using a Decimator will be a pain (that's why I oriented you toward the Atmos H2S vs another converter since it can be battery powered)

I'm not sure it's that easy as swapping the monitor to make the sled HD, Besides, most High Brightness HD monitors are over $1K already so you would break even as buying the HD right away. (see my HD monitor list I made a while ago, prices may have changed since. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aln7iPn_kB2sdHowWElqVk1HWlRkdjgxcjJKN01XRGc&usp=sharing )

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Actually the Pilot has power on the top stage, but you should order a custom cable from Media Black Out like I did : Pilot stage to D-Tap, then D-Tap to Decimator2. http://mediablackout.net/product-category/cables/

Otherwise, I am with Victor, you'd better go to a Pilot HD : nowadays, there are not so many cameras using RCA Output, and you'll get a better monitor (7" instead of 5.8" for Pilot SD)

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Sorry to not having posted some pics as promised - will do so tonight (hopefully).

The adapter from HDMI to Composite that I use is cheap and works quite good.

I wanted to try it in 4K/HD24p mode first before posting something as I have not yet used the setup in that mode (I mostly use QuadHD/HD 25p).

 

The adapter has some quirks in QuadHD mode (framerate in monitor seems like half) since a GH4 firmware update (but I can't recall exactly which one), normal HD (25,30,50,60p/i) is perfect and pretty much without any delay with the adapter.

 

This is the product link to german amazon, should be available around the world:

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00OMZD4LQ

 

Best thing is that the adapter is fed from the cams HDMI output; it does shorten the battery life a bit, but not substantial. It's so light I taped it to a 15mm rod system thingy.

 

All the best, Frank

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Just had time for taking a pic and a quick run through the system frequencies: NTSC/Base 60 and PAL/Base 50 work flawless with this converter, Cinema/Base 24 is converted, but with many artifacts and stuttering. Also there's a then noticeable delay. Not nice at all. Might work in a pinch as a fallback if you have no alternatives, but not for normal use.
Also (as I wrote before), QuadHD/25p is barely usable as well (framerate/choppy look). Funny thing, as QuadHD/30p looks smooth to me.
Cheers, Frank

 

post-11910-0-89516800-1431104801_thumb.jpg

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Now this is not a setup that is going to work for all, and if pretty pricey if you dont make use of the bits as part of a larger pool..

 

Anyway I just got this to 'boot'

 

-GH4 and yegh box (powered up the post)

-SDI into post

-SDI out of post into Decimator 2

-Decimator 2 into Transvideo monitor.

 

Now I need to evaluate if it is flyable!

 

gh4_sc_.jpg

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