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HD and All that Jazz


JakePollock

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Curious if any of you have flown the Panasonic Varicam with the Ultrabrite HD LCD monitor? I don't know if the monitor has different input options, but I've been told from the rental houses that there will be compatibility issues with this setup.

 

Somehow, the Sony 900 uses a different method for video out and that the monitor is setup to work with the Sony only.

 

What's up? Is this just a bunch of b.s. from competing rental houses? (the rental house with the Ultra is in bed with a rental house that only carries Sonys) As far as I know, nobody in Taiwan has flown the Panasonic on the Ultra, so I'm not sure if anyone here knows what they're talking about. Would appreciate any input in the matter.

 

Thanks,

 

Jake Pollock

Taipei, Taiwan

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Jake,

 

The Sony 900 natively outputs an analog HD component signal (three BNC cables). As of now this is the only form of HD the Ultrabrite accepts. The Panasonic Varicam outputs a SDI signal (serial digital interface - not to be confused with standard definition, in this case). This is an elegant single BNC solution, but the Ultrabrite can not read it.

 

In addition to small onboard downconverters (what I require to shoot HD, as I'm using a TB-6 monitor), I believe you can get a small onboard SDI to analog converter (I know you can get analog to SDI converters for the Sony). Anyway, you will need this if you wish to read the Panasonic HD signal on the Ultrabrite.

 

Good luck.

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The Panasonic Varicam uses HD-SDI output and the Sony uses three cable HD component output (YsubRsubB). Converter boxes are available to switch either.

Don't forget that the 900 also outputs HD-SDI through the 901 box or the Everetz Downconverter and also the new Miranda.

 

One of the better solutions if the village HAS to have a HD monitor and the DIT wants Camera Control is the Telecast Copperhead Fiber optic system which will also be able to send both Downconverted video from the DIT rack and a Return Video feed. I did the Testing for Telecast on the Copperhead system and it is the ONLY way to fly with cables for HD. The Mil-spec Fiber is only 1/8" Dia and VERY Flexiable. You honestly don't care that your flying it. (As long as you have a top notch cable puller)

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Thanks for all the input my brothers in arms!

 

As to Efletcher's response, I've gotta say "village" isn't a word I've heard since I moved out to Taiwan two years ago; yes, we've got HD and all sorts of expensive toys, but we don't have any on-set engineers/techs to monkey around with the video. Plus side: nobody getting in your hair about all that technical hoo-hah. Down side: nobody to back you up with all the bells and whistles HD can supposedly offer.

 

My original inquiry is in regards to a low-budget feature that I'll be dp'ing/operating. Since all the gear is rented, I'll have to get with the rental house and make sure they can supply an onboard downconverter (and not some monstrous behemouth that requires wall power!)

 

On the offhand chance that a new downconverter will be required, which would you guys recommend?

 

Thanks again,

 

Jake Pollock

Taipei, Taiwan

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