Clipper video DA problem?

[Robert Starling SOC]

I have a new Clipper 2; about five-six weeks since I purchased it.

 

About three weeks ago I noticed my LCD monitor dimmed whenever I plugged in my Archos AV500 into the BNC video out on the bottom of the sled; the same as it does when I plug it into the back of the LCD. A quick call to Tiffen and they came back later that day with something about the Archos unit either terminating or not terminating the video connection properly??? The dimming is considerable, not just barely visible... I would say 30-40% dimmer. The Archos seems to record the signal at the proper level / brightness.

 

Tonight I connected one of our Sony 8" 8042Q field monitors to the same BNC port on the bottom left front of the sled and it does the same thing, dimming the LCD on the sled. I've tried different cables as well.

 

Prior to testing with the Sony field monitor Chris Konash and I discussed the issue via email and he suggested it could be a DA problem.

 

Before I call Tiffen on Monday morning do any of you have any ideas or experience with this?

 

Thanks!

[charlesneufeld]

Hi Robert,

 

30-40% is far too much for even a termination issue.

 

If the clipper does have a DA, I'd get it checked out, it is NOT right. Many rigs don't even have a DA in them and will only suffer from a slight reduction in brightness. I compensate with the brightness knob on my PRO when I have the Archos/Video TX/etc all hooked up. :P

 

Basically, it should be completely transparent with a functioning DA, as we all know.

 

Hmmmm. Actually, now that I think of it, it sounds like you may be loading the output side of the DA?? That is if the clipper does have discrete video input/outputs... Just a thought.

 

~C

[Robert Starling SOC]

If the clipper does have a DA, I'd get it checked out, it is NOT right. Many rigs don't even have a DA in them and will only suffer from a slight reduction in brightness. I compensate with the brightness knob on my PRO when I have the Archos/Video TX/etc all hooked up.

 

Hmmmm. Actually, now that I think of it, it sounds like you may be loading the output side of the DA?? That is if the clipper does have discrete video input/outputs... Just a thought.

 

Thank you Charles, I'm already at full brightness on the monitor. It's not like the LCD goes almost black but it definitely is a marked effect on the brightness and contrast, not slight IMHO. Regarding the inputs and outputs on the sled itself they're vaguely marked at best and there is very little in the manual that is of use. None of the photos of the I/Os and sled match the actual sled I/Os. My understanding from the first conversation I had with Tiffen was that the unit has a built-in DA but they were busy that day cranking out the first Ultra for shipment.

 

Best regards,

[charlesneufeld]

Ya Robert, the more I think about it, the more I believe you are hooking up into the output. Of coarse I could be horribly wrong, but if you are double terminating the output at 75ohms each that would load the output driver with 32.5ish ohms. Thus reducing the signal voltage from the DA. However, this shouldn't NORMALLY be a problem with a good DA, unless there is a problem with the chip itself.

 

If you have access to a meter, pin out the signal to the Monitor to the connector that you are using, and check the resistance to determine if it is the same line. With a DA there should be no continuity between the Input/output.

 

OK I'm wiped, so if this makes no sense I can clarify later...

 

~C

[Robert Starling SOC]

OK I'm wiped, so if this makes no sense I can clarify later...

 

Thanks again for trying to help Charles. I finally got through to someone at Tiffen today, Rob Orf who explained that the new Clipper sled does not have a DA; the DA is built into the FL generator in the monitor and only works on the FL video out from the monitor thus you get framelines along with it. The rest of the sled does not have a DA. Apparently the older Clippers with the FL knobs built into the sled/electronics housing had a DA.

 

Rob also says there is a connector inside the electronics housing that will accept a DA. Hopefully I can find out which one. Otherwise, I'm going the route Eric Fletcher wrote about the PRO DA mod.

 

Thanks a million!

[Steve Fracol SOC]

I thought the Clipper had an RCA video output on the bottom. I might be wrong. Sorry if you already tried this but....If it has a DA built in then that should be the place to get video from for an on board record. I think looping from the monitor will cause you problems because if I remember correctly that output is also an input (either or not able to use both at the same time). But my guess is that your monitor is getting its video from a multipin Hirose with power also. To loop out of the monitor will create the termination issue that your facing.

 

I hate to assume that you did not try just the RCA connector output direct to your record device...? If you have not tried that give it a whirl. Most consumer/prosumer record devices do not allow a place to terminate or they auto terminate.

 

At any rate I hope this helps. Good luck!

 

 

Best,

 

Steve Fracol, SOC

[Daniel Linden]

Thats right Steve.

 

You have to use the RCA Out/Input, and then there is a switch so you can watch what you have record on your Archos on the monitor.

 

I have a Clipper 2 too and I use a DV-camera to record, works great.

 

 

 

/Daniel

[Chris Konash]

Daniel,

 

That's funny, I also have a clipper 2 and have a BNC connector at the bottom which does video In/Out, but there is no switch, it auto switches when I'm recording or playing the footage.

 

Chris Konash

[Daniel Linden]

Wow, Hi-tech

 

/Daniel :rolleyes: