We currently use Fat 32 because it's the most compatible file system of all. The 4Gh chunks are not an issue because you can import whole folders and the chunks are laid out contiguously as if they were one clip. There's also a big advantage: if - for any reason - a recording stops (because of physical impact, or whatever) the MOST you're going to lose is 4GB - and not a whole hour-long clip.

We can do other file systems. It's just a firmware upgrade, but we'll stay with Fat 32 for now. We've had enough user feedback to know now that it's not a bit issue.

Dave Shapton
Atomos

Was hoping that BlackMagic would put up the manual for the shuttle today... didn't happen... but looking a the specs and looking at the input/outputs it looks like your going to need an extra card in your computer if your going to use the shuttle for off loading the files... it has a usb, but that looks to be for control/firmware upgrades... so the only other outputs are the HDMI and SDI ports... for HDMI I'm thinking you'll need the intensity pro card...??

Hi Ray,

You don't need to. The SSDs are HFS+ formatted and mount on your desktop just like a Mac volume. The files are standard Quicktime files you can simply drag and drop off the SSDs, or play them directly.

The name of the device is very revealing. It is conceived more as a portable deck than a field recorder.

It can't control the camera, it is limited by its internal rechargeable battery (this could turn into major problem during a long shooting), it doesn't have readout screen, no latch for the SSD or mount options to be attached to a camera. Its more an expensive SSD deck, companion to a laptop, than a cheap field recorder. I think BM lost an opportunity to create a really breakthrough product with an amazing price, simply by positioning this product in the wrong segment.
I just hope to reconsider it soon, even if that means a price hike, because the idea of uncompressed field recording is ideal for a number of jobs, especially for budget feature films.

My guess is that we will see a "Deluxe" version in the near future.

As the unit is able to be powered by a 12V transformer - wondering if external batteries would be an option - given the limitation of the internal battery.

Hi Kristian,
thanks for the tips.
Which is exactly the voltage range the shuttle will tolerate?
It needs 12V regulated or it's a friendly 11-16V or 5-16V?
Is the corsair force ssd ok? It 220MB/sec+ in read and writing! ;)
Which solution you adopted for mounting it on camera or rods? Has it 1/4 20 or 3/8 16 holes for mounting?
Or you will sell it with a bracket?
Have you some pics of the shuttle mounted to share? ;)
Thanks!
T.

hi all,

I was just reading up on the BlackMagic Hyperdeck recorder. I have the Sony FX-7 Video camera. I wonder if it will work with this camera? There are a few things I don't understand about what the info/says about this device. They talk about that this unit can use "low cost" SSDs? I was not familuar with low cost SSDs. I thought that all SSDs were expensive. I have read that Seagate is making a Hybrid SSD 500GB for about $130-150 USD. Would this work and if yes this is not to expensive.

Also, what exactly is the point for using compressed video like on a P2 card? I can just use my DV tapes if I want compressed video. Are P2 card less compressed than on my DV tapes? I would think the purpose of a device like this is to get away from compressed video and not to have to import the footage into my computer, of course.

I just wondered how this product and the Nija are able to record uncompressed HD on a single HDD? The Ninja is supposed to be able to use standard low cost 7200 RPM drives. When I need at least 5-7 7200RPM disk RAID to capture uncompressed HD to my computer. I am missing something i am sure. Because if someone has found a way to capture uncompressed HD on a single drive why cant they apply this technology to a computer?

John Gerard
I looked at this device at NAB this week and it is impressive. It will not work with any of the Canon HD-DSLR's because of the lack of a clean signal coming out via HDMI. I believe that it could be used on the Panasonic GH2. I see the real market for the Hyperdrive being Sony EX1's and EX3's or other smaller chip cameras that have SDI out.

Impressive device.

Hi John,

If you're shooting with an FX-7 (as I am myself), then you're probably not doing the kind of work that really warrants uncompressed video, like national broadcast TV spots. I have no experience yet with the HyperDeck Shuttle, but have used the Ninja on a few jobs and it works well with the HDMI out of HDV cameras, and eliminates the compression blocks seen in HDV footage.

To clarify, the Ninja does NOT record uncompressed video - it records to the Apple ProRes codec in your choice of LT, 422, or HQ quality modes. It's probably confusing because Ninja says it "records the uncompressed signal out of your camera", meaning the HDMI coming out of the camera is an uncompressed signal. ProRes is however compressed, though it is said to be "visually lossless".

I've shot stage events with the Ninja running several hours and used an inexpensive 500GB laptop drive ($79) and it performed perfectly. The Shuttle is obviously not meant for long-form recording of this type, really comparing apples and oranges. A 7200rpm laptop drive in the Ninja has no trouble capturing a single stream of ProRes.

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor