A friend of mine has 2 XH A1s but would like to trade them for 2 G1s. He does a lot of 2 camera dance shows. He wants to film via SDI, would he need to use the genlock inputs to use SDI or is the SDI used for timecode only. Thanks in advance it's time for bed I hope someone will have an answer by the morning.

Yours Sophie

Sorry but I'm having a hard time understanding your post... what exactly do you mean when you say "film by SDI?" Do you mean, record from the SDI output? The single most common way to record from the SDI output is to use a High Definition VTR (in other words, an HD deck, usually HDCAM or DVCPRO HD format). An HD deck is a very expensive item to purchase, but rental rates can be reasonable depending on the particular geographical location.

In a multi-camera shoot, GenLock input provides field-accurate synchronization of the clocks in the camcorders for the primary purpose of broadcasting or recording a live switch between those camcorders. Standard Definition video requires a simple blackburst generator for GenLock, but High Definition video requires a tri-level sync generator such as an Astro Systems SL-7036, which costs about $4500.

TimeCode is indeed output over SDI on the XH G1, but SDI on this camcorder also carries uncompressed video as well as audio. SDI output is most commonly used for monitoring the video signal with a broadcast quality HDTV monitor. Hope this helps,

"A friend of mine has 2 XH A1s but would like to trade them for 2 G1s."

Inform us when this deal goes through. I have some 3/4" U-Matic gear that I would like to trade for 2 G1's as well.

I have more info, He wants to use the Panasonic AV HS300G switcher with 2 SDI cameras (XH G1s) using this SDI ready mixer will he still need to use the genlock feature in SD mode or will he get away with SDI cable only. Thanks in advance, time for bed, hope to get a reply by the morning.

Yours Sophie

The specs on that switcher says it has a built in frame synchronizer, so you should be able to get away without using genlock. But, be warned, I have used some panasonic switchers in the past with built in frame sync's and when cutting from one source to another, on the same bus (either A or B, or PGM/PST) there is a glitch while the frame sync locks onto the new source. The solution is to always put the other source onto the other bus and the cut between the buses. This is annoying but necessary. The HS300G might be better by having a frame sync for every input in which case you wouldn't have this problem, but I wouldn't put money on it..

Panasonic's product page for the AV HS300G switcher (appx. $8,000):

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=104037&catGroupId=14632&surfModel=AV-HS300G

In addition to Brian's advice, I would recommend renting a tri-level sync generator to provide GenLock for both cameras.