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INPUT SOLUTIONS
For the Next Generation of Cameras
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ProMax is proud to offer its first video on the array of input devices that are out on the market to day. We talk about how they work to help you to decide which device might work best for your workflow. Check it out and let us know what you think!
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As video production moves into HDV and HD formats, new devices and workflows are evolving to keep up with this demand. The process by which high definition footage is input into a Non-Linear Editor (NLE) for editing purposes is varied, yet easier than ever.
For the past several years, videotape has been the least expensive and most reliable method of recording and archiving video for most production workflows. However, there has recently been a shift away from conventional tape based recording to other types of recording devices such as traditional hard drives, optical disks, and solid-state memory. Even so, videotape isn't disappearing anytime soon. In fact, many new cameras coming on the market still rely on videotape, at least as an option.
After video is shot using a tapeless method, the first step is to export the data to a computer system. The number and types of outputs from these cameras make the methods of input to the NLE more varied than standard definition methods. There are three ways of getting the footage into an NLE: Filed-Based Recording Devices, Transfer Input Devices and Direct Input Devices. These three methods do not rely on the traditional tape based methods that were so common with older cameras.
First up are “File-Based Input Devices”, also known as DTE (Direct-to-Edit) devices, which are digital recorders receiving a direct signal from the camera producing a working file for immediate access from a compatible NLE (Non-Linear Editor). These devices include Focus Enhancement’s FS-4 drives, the new MCE Quickstream DV/HDV DTE, JVC and Canon’s DTEs and Sony’s DR60 hard disk recorder. In most cases, these devices attach to a tape-based camera, which allows for a tape to be recorded simultaneously as backup, particularly handy for those a bit gunshy about leaving behind the tape they've relied on for not only recording, but for backup and archive as well.
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Focus
FS-4ProHD
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Sony
HVR-DR60
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MCE
QuickStream
DV/HDV
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Focus Enhancement’s FS-4 family consists of portable drive systems that connect to a camera's FireWire port. With recording times as long as 10 hours, the FS-4 family of drives has quickly found a niche in very long recording situations or where physically changing tape was not an option.
The MCE Quickstream DV/HDV is a small yet rugged product housed in a metal case. It eliminates the setup steps, recognizes the DV as well as the HDV stream automatically, and mounts conveniently to the shoe mount or between the camera and the tripod. This DTE comes in either an 80 or 120GB unit capable of storing up to 9 hours of DV or HDV footage on the 120GB unit and up to 6 hours on the 80GB unit. These systems break the price barrier costing below $1000.
Another file based input device is the Sony HVR-DR60 hard disk recording unit which streamlines the DV/DVCAM and HDV workflow from acquisition to editing and archiving. Features such as the built-in shock absorbers, a 3G sensor and a 14-second buffered memory work together to ensure uninterrupted recording. The DR60 has a recording time of up to four and a half hours. In DV/DVCAM mode, the files are “AVI” formatted files. In HDV mode, they are “M2T” formatted files. These files can subsequently be imported directly into Adobe Premiere. Another user-friendly feature is the built-in LCD monitor, which allows review of recorded files on the drive. Designed primarily for Sony's HVR-V1U camera, the DR60 is also compatible with other Sony cameras that have a FireWire output. Keep in mind that these devices are hard drives and like any hard drive they are prone to failure. We highly recommend backing up to tape while recording whenever possible, thus protecting yourself against the inherent risk of disk drive failure.
The demands on video producers to provide same day edits have increased in recent years. Recording onto the DTE has become an essential element in those time critical situations. Simple FireWire connections from the camera to the computer transform the DTE from a recording device to a source drive for immediate editing. The DTE systems have also proven to be a reliable and versatile recording medium for both Macintosh and PC editing systems because of the ability to record in a variety of DV and HDV modes.
The second way of getting footage into a computer for editing is by using File Transfer Input Devices which take files recorded on the various temporary file-based mediums and facilitates their transfer to an NLE or other larger temporary bit bucket to free up the removable media for additional immediate use. These devices include Sony's XDCAM HD optical disc decks, Nexto’s CF Ultra, the DuelAdapter, and Sony’s SBAC-US10 USB Reader/Writer. The built-in ExpressCard reader on many newer computers can also be used with Sony's new SxS Memory Cards.
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Sony
XDCAM-HD
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Nexto
ND-2525
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Duel Systems
DuelAdapter
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Sony
SBAC-US10
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We will begin with Sony's XDCAM HD format. It is special in that it offers the only professional-level optical disc-based recording system. The unique advantage with the optical discs is that they are practical for use as an archiving medium due to their relatively low cost. This means that they can be used in a fashion similar to traditional tape, but with all the advantages of a high-speed file-based transfer interface. There are several decks that can read the discs including the PDW-F75, PDW-F30 and PDW-U1. These decks also offer various connectivity such as HD-SDI, SD-SDI, component, composite, FireWire, digital audio and XLR audio.
Next up is the Nexto CF Ultra ND-2525. This portable, battery-powered CF card reader works with compact flash cards. With data transfer rates of over 1GB per minute, it quickly downloads the data on the cards onto an standard hard drive housed within the unit, allowing the cards to be safely erased and immediately reused. An important feature with this device is that the data is verified before erasing the card mitigating concerns over loss of data in the transfer process. These files are then later transferred via FireWire or USB 2.0 to an NLE with storage suitable for editing. There are several cameras that will record to the CF cards, including the groundbreaking 4K-resolution RED One Digital Cinema camera which relies solely on tapeless acquisition. The latest HDV cameras from Sony, the HVR-Z7U and the HVR-S270U, provide dual recording onto both CF cards and traditional DV tapes.
Several Panasonic cameras such as the popular HVX200 use Panasonic's proprietary P2 memory card. The P2 media is a PCMCIA card providing for simple plug-and-play functionality with computers equipped with a PCMCIA card slot. But since the release of the popular and faster ExpressCard/34 slot, an adapter was required to use the P2 cards with the latest laptops. Enter the DuelAdapter, an Express/34 card-based adapter which is designed to allow the connection of PCMCIA cards to the latest generation of notebook computers. The DuelAdapter allows full use of the ExpressCard/34's high-speed transfer rate. Simply place the P2 card into a DuelAdapter and data is transferred through the ExpressCard/34 slot onto the computer.
Lastly, the Sony SBAC-US10 SxS Memory Card USB Reader/Writer is another device considered a file transfer input device. This device accommodates a new generation of media being used by Sony’s XDCAM EX1, the SxS Memory Card. The SxS Memory Card is an Expresscard/34 compatible solid-state memory card that currently comes in 8GB and 16GB capacities, providing up to 50 minutes of full HD recording. Data from the SxS card is transferred from the SBAC-US10 reader to the computer via USB 2.0 connection. Of course, if the computer system has an ExpressCard/34 slot, the SxS Memory Card can be placed directly into the computer, providing significantly faster transfer rates.
The last type of equipment used to input footage into a computer for editing is called a “Direct Conversion Input Device”. This type of device accepts video signals or video data through a variety of analog and digital connections for capture into an NLE. These devices also simulaneously convert the data to a file format well-suited for an efficient, high-quality, and low bandwidth editing. AJA’s Io HD and MOTU’s V3HD are two popular direct conversion input devices that offer their own unique advantages.
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AJA Io HD
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MOTU V3HD
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AJA's Io HD converts audio and video data to Apple's ProRes 422 codecs in real time. This feature makes the Io HD a perfect companion to Final Cut Pro editing systems. Inputs on the Io HD include: SDI and HD-SDI, component, composite, S-video, HDMI video, AES audio, RCA audio and XLR audio. The Io HD connects to a Macintosh computer's FireWire 800 port. Video converted into ProRes 422 is ready to edit in Apple’s Final Cut Pro natively.
The MOTU V3HD turns a Macintosh or PC computer into a powerful video ingest and output workstation equipped with all the video and audio IO (Input and Output) needed. All that is needed is one simple FireWire connection to use this device. The V3HD include SDI and HD-SDI, component, composite, S-video, FireWire 400 and 800, AES audio, XLR audio and ADAT optical audio in and out. The V3HD encodes video into the DVCProHD format and outputs through FireWire 400 or 800, for Macintosh or PC computers. The DVCPRO video codecs can be edited in Apple’s Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere. Both the Io HD and the V3HD can be used to convert the video out to either a standard definition or high definition NTSC monitor.
Whatever your high definition medium is, ProMax has the solution for you with a variety of input devices designed and tested to provide flawless transfer of your video and audio data.
What's your take on the current crop of Input Devices and tapeless workflows? Let us know what you think!
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