Use an external hard drive, make a subfolder with the name of the disc. Take all 4 directories from the disc and copy to that folder. Wash, rinse, repeat for any additional discs.

This works for sure on OSX but I haven't tried it on Windows with the Proxy software yet.

The basic idea is to form a location (sub folder) that has all the files and mimics the directory structure of the actual disc. The Sony software expects these to be in a certain place.

-gb-

Hello all
Got my camcorder updated to 1.56 it had to go back to sony to have this done as it needed to be opened to have the update Question can anyone tell me what the updates are as my camcorder never had any from new it is 16 months old I have asked SONY and got no reply as yet
Thomas

Hello all
Got my camcorder updated to 1.56 it had to go back to sony to have this done as it needed to be opened to have the update Question can anyone tell me what the updates are as my camcorder never had any from new it is 16 months old I have asked SONY and got no reply as yet
Thomas

That's weird, they should have loaded version 1.62, that is the most recent firmware update and has been available since june. I don't recall exactly what 1.56 but it was fairly minor. 1.62 however brings several improvemnets listed bellow:

(1) [ F330/F350 ] Enhanced Accuracy of Residual Point Noise Correction
The accuracy of residual point noise correction has been enhanced at ex-factory and the productivity is enhanced.

(2) [ F330/F350 ] Addition of message displaying function when the KNEE of CINE GAMMA is selected to “Fix”.
The function to display [ FIXED BY CINE GAMMA! ] message on the VF/LCD when selecting the fixed KNEE in [ Select function of variable/fixed of KNEE at CINE GAMMA ] added in V1.52 and setting DCC to ON has been added.

(3) [ F330/F350 ] Addition of VF DETAIL Setting Function
The following modes have been added to the USER U08: VF SETTING menu.
A. [PEAKING VOL. LINK]
ON/OFF function to interlink to the PEAKING volume
B. [ H DETAIL LEVEL ] and [ V DETAIL LEVEL ]
When the [PEAKING VOL. LINK] is OFF, H and V detail level can be adjusted.
Caution: The default is PEAKING VOL.LINK [ ON ].

(4) [ F330/F350 ] Specification changed to display the local area setting menu after implementing Factory Preset of Service Menu
The specification of SERVICE S01: MENU SET [ FACTORY PRESET ] has been changed so that when the POWER switch is turned on after implementing Factory Preset, it returns to the factory setting state that displays the local area setting menu.

(5) [ F330/F350 ] Addition of function to control the audio level of Rear with the knob of Audio Level on the front 3/4

The function to select from the following three methods for controlling the Rear audio level
has been added.
1. Control with the Audio Level knob on the front
2. Control with the Audio Level knob in the audio adjustment lid
3. Mix.

Menu affected
MAINTENANCE MA02: AUDIO-2
MIC CH1 LEVEL: FRONT ( SIDE1/F+S1 )
MIC CH2 LEVEL: FRONT ( SIDE1/F+S2 )
REAR1/WRR LEVEL: SIDE1 ( FRONT/F+S1 )
REAR2/WRR LEVEL: SIDE2 ( FRONT/F+S2 )
Caution: The defaults are as follows.
MIC CH1 LEVEL: FRONT
MIC CH2 LEVEL: FRONT
REAR1/WRR LEVEL: SIDE1
REAR2/WRR LEVEL: SIDE2

 Bugs Fixed

(1) [ F330/F350 ] When shooting a high-lighted object, the Auto Iris troubles.
When Auto Iris is functioning, if a high-lighted object is shot, depending on the movement of high-lighted object, the Auto Iris may trouble. This bug has been fixed.

(2) [ F330/F350 ] When shooting in the recording Format: DVCAM aspect ratio 4:3, if the ND
filter is operated, the played picture becomes 16:9 aspect ratio.
When shooting in the aspect ratio 4:3 of recording format: DVCAM, if the ND filter is operated, the aspect ratio becomes 16:9 when played back. This bug has been fixed.

I read everyone's reports on the F335 & F355 at IBC. I want to buy a lower cost Xdcam HD camcorder soon.

What is Sony USA's marketing plan? Is the F330 to be discontinued, to be replaced by the F335 at the same price point? Or is the F335 to be sold along side the F33o with a F330 price cut after the rebate runs out?

I will also order the 2-inch viewfinder and the Fujinon 1/2"-18x HD lens.

Thanks for your help.

Hi all,

I make DVD's that go direct to the consumer. I've got 5 XDCAM HD programs (THANKS to all for your help with the last mess...still don't know why each and every clip had the fields changed). At the moment, all these program are being released as SD widescreen. We're starting to get customers asking for either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.

I know the jury is still out regarding which, if any format, will "win". That being put aside, I really need to educate myself on both formats and what I need to do to author for either.

Right now I'm using FCP.

I'm assuming that I'll need to get an extermal burner for either format. But what about authoring software, compression etc.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Any thoughts on this new cam?
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/16833/sony-pmw-ex1-hd-camcorder/

Dean, with all due respect, you're a bit late to the party. You'll find plenty of thoughts and discussion in the XDCAM EX forum.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=150

Please direct all reading and inquiries over there.

Thanks,

-gb-

I've had no luck with "consumer" HD formats yet... in presentations, I have used a mac outputting an HD quicktime, but have yet to successfully put out an HD-DVD (which DVD Studio Pro can do).

As for the winner of the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray war, I predict the internet (and torrents, with their lower bitrate, and lower file-size), much like CDs trumped MiniDiscs (which were recordable, and sounded better) and DVDs trumped laserdiscs. The masses would prefer convenience, rather than quality. Disagree? Search google for a little startup called "YouTube".

Here is the new XDCAM HD (http://www.sonybiz.net/res/attachment/file/36/1159199084636.pdf) Family brochure.

Here is the preliminary brochure from the XDCAM HD422 camcorder PDW-700 and deck PDW-HD1500.

Preliminary brochure PDW-700 & PDW-HD1500 (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/markets/10014/docs/PDW700_HD1500_broch.pdf)

I know that on the SRW-1 (and I'm assuming the SRW-5800 will be able to also.) you can use the 3D mode to record two video inputs to one tape. Now is that 4:2:2 signal coming from a 2:2:2 signal (so the first channel gets combined) or is it truely two individual 4:2:2 signals? Since it's called 3D mode, I figured that might use the two cameras to come up with the luminance for both (since shooting 3D they'd be right next to each other).
So two inputs would each record 2:2:2 and then the luminance channel would be combined to form two 4:2:2 channels.

The reason I'm asking is because I'm looking at running 2 F900s to one SRW-1 or SRW5800; Cutting down the amount of stock we need.

(I already know 2 channels gets you recording at 880Mbps).

As I understand it, it's a true 2-channel system suitable for use as you describe.

Anyone have a good outlet for purchasing one? Anyone have a more affordable/comparable alternative for taking the guesswork out of back focus?

Dan,

Maybe these PDF's help you out. Print them and use them as a target for backfocus adjustment.

http://home.planet.nl/%7evanur006/video/Backfocus%20card.pdf
http://home.planet.nl/%7evanur006/video/Uniformity%20card.pdf

If I will be shooting on this camera - the Sony XD HD 350 and then transfering to 35mm film, what's the best setting to put the camera at? 23.94 p? And when I put the camera to this does it automatically put the camera into 1080p and 16:9?

Thank you and I look forward to hearing the reply.

Has anyone compared the SD down converted results of shooting in 1080/25p vs 1080/50i.

I am shooting a music video with a brand new F350, destined for SD broadcast (DVCam tape submission) as well as possible future DVD release.

My plan is to shoot in 1080/25p (1/50 shutter, cine gamma 2), edit natively and then down convert in Final Cut Studio to SD.

Past posts seem to indicate that 1080/25p is the best way to go for DVD delivery, but how does it fare when down converted to SD.

I am also unsure if it makes any difference down converting the final XDCam HD edit to some other SD format like DVCPro50 rather thn Pal DV, if I'm going to export to tape via firewire to a HVR-M25 deck in DVCam mode.

Lastly, will exporting via HDMI (Blackmagic Intensity) to the HVR-M25 s opposed to firewire make any difference?

I have not used the transfer program a whole lot with the XD Cam. I mainly digitize thru a Kona card in HDSDI. In using the transfer program, my originally shot stereo audio comes into fcp as 2 mono tracks. Has anyone had any luck importing in stereo? And if so, which setting am I missing?

its just the way the XDCAM Transfer application handles audio (as discrete mono tracks)

fwiw the data has not been changed any; whether the audio pairs are handled as dual mono or stereo is just an information flag

just select the 2 mono tracks in the timeline and choose Modify > Stereo Pair from the menu, thereafter those tracks will be treated as a stereo pair

Looking for experienced XDcamHD shooter in Chicago area to shoot a single interview. Anyone have any leads?

Thanks,

Mike Murray
Media Production Group
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

...in a system along with your XDCAM gear? In this difficult change-over time between SD and HD, we will actually have three active formats in our shop; BetacamSP, HDV, and XDCAM-HD. We plan on using the Io-HD to hook up the Beta and HDV. But in order to take advantage of XDCAM's file transfer features, we plan to connect to the computer via the iLink/Firewire cable. Isn't this a Firewire 400 cable?

Additionally, the AJA Io-HD also connects to the computer via a Firewire 800 cable. For those using AJA Io-HD and XDCAM-HD, how are you connecting things together? Are you using the same Firewire bus, for both the XDCAM and the Io-HD? Or have you purchased a PCI Firewire card for one of these connections?

Tim

The IO HD will certainly hog the entire FW bus, just as its predecessor the (SD) IO did. I believe AJA acknowledge this also.
However you won't likely be using the IO HD and your XDCAM device simultaneously so you'd not have any problem with a basic setup ... that said, getting a third party firewire card so you have a second FW bus is really your best solution. its a pretty damn cheap add on that would guarantee you a trouble free life. I'd get one.

Andy

Is there a way to *repeat* a clip or EDL playback continuosly?

I´d like to set up the f330 on an exhibition and (while its standing there) use it as my HQ VCR output to a HD-Display...

I didnt find anything like that (in worst case I´d press PLAY every hour...)

ULi

I found that there is a dedicated Sony wireless set that can be used with the existing multipin connector. Is there a way to use it with (lets say) Audio Technica 1800 to avoid additional cables (to rear inputs)?

Thanks

ULI

Sony Vegas 8 brings 2 features that pushes the speed of HD Editing to Warp factor, I just had some tries today with F330 -> Vegas8:

- Partial FAM import of edited regions only
- Render uncompressed long GOP

If you need a fast "same day edit" or if you want to pre-edit some cuts to show to your customer, this is a fantastic and FAST way of working - even with older PC notebooks:

- Shoot your video (HD, 18/25/35) , but dont change the Quality (BR) setting !
- import Proxies via FAM to Vegas
- when the very first proxies show up, you can already start editing them in the timeline
- when finished, consolidate with "PARTIAL FAM Mode" (transfers only data that is being used in your edit - even if its just a few seconds out of a 10Gig file)
- when done, export the final edit back to XDCAM HD by "Render UNCOMPRESSED long GOP" (renders only parts where the integrity of the frame has been changed - filters, CC, transitions, , be sure to set the same BR like your clips) - since Vegas does not render all other portions, this is INCREDIBLY fast!

If you dont need CC or other filters, Vegas only recalculates uncomplete long GOPS (cut/trim at the beginning / end of a region). Using that technique its so easy to make a rough edit on the fly.

If you dont care about some seconds "recompressed" you can also use that feature to clean up some discs by writing back only good scenes out of long recordings.

ULI

Sony Vegas 8 brings 2 features that pushes the speed of HD Editing to Warp factor, I just had some tries today with F330 -> Vegas8:

- Partial FAM import of edited regions only
- Render uncompressed long GOP

If you need a fast "same day edit" or if you want to pre-edit some cuts to show to your customer, this is a fantastic and FAST way of working - even with older PC notebooks:

- Shoot your video (HD, 18/25/35) , but dont change the Quality (BR) setting !
- import Proxies via FAM to Vegas
- when the very first proxies show up, you can already start editing them in the timeline
- when finished, consolidate with "PARTIAL FAM Mode" (transfers only data that is being used in your edit - even if its just a few seconds out of a 10Gig file)
- when done, export the final edit back to XDCAM HD by "Render UNCOMPRESSED long GOP" (renders only parts where the integrity of the frame has been changed - filters, CC, transitions, , be sure to set the same BR like your clips) - since Vegas does not render all other portions, this is INCREDIBLY fast!

If you dont need CC or other filters, Vegas only recalculates uncomplete long GOPS (cut/trim at the beginning / end of a region). Using that technique its so easy to make a rough edit on the fly.

If you dont care about some seconds "recompressed" you can also use that feature to clean up some discs by writing back only good scenes out of long recordings.

ULI


Hi Uli,

Sounds like a great workflow, probably the best there is today with XDCAM HD.

Thierry

Hello,

I am going to edit some footage that was shot with XDCAM HD. in HD .. And I am trying to figure out the best way to import it into Final Cut 6.. And edit it in its native HD format.. Yet , I will need to provide a 4:3 Standard Def version (No Letterboxing) in the end to the client along with my rough cuts also need to be 4:3.. So any advice on how to accomplish this.. ??Maybe just edit native in FCP 6, and then export it using Quicktime (self contained movie, current settings) and to then drop it into compressor to create an mpeg2 for DVD Studio Pro.., (and this is where I get lost and do not know exactly what to do to get it to the best quality and 4:3 standard, not letterboxing or streching etc..

Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks!!!

Our Kona 3 will down convert with no problems. Will your card down-convert?

Since you are editing in Final Cut, another option is to edit your program in HD. Open another sequence, and make sure it is a SD 4x3 sequence. Bring your HD sequence into this SD sequence, resize the HD into something that will work, and that should do it. This will even give you some "pan and scan" capabilities is you want.

On my last couple of shoots with my PDW-350 the clients have asked to shoot 60i. I have noticed a couple of times when viewing the camera fed into an Apple Cinema Display (thru a BlackMagic HD-link box) that if someone crosses a static frame at medium to fast speed their image blurrs considerably. Any ideas if this is a monitor artifact, 60i artifact or something else?

Thanks in advance,
Warren Gentry

Can anyone else successfully download the XDCAM proxy viewer software from the sonybiz web site? I've tried several PC's/methods and get a corrupt file every time.

I have a number of IDX Endura batteries E80/E10's and was looking at the battery remaining display - it doesn't correctly map to the battery remaining, so needs the M08 setting page changing (Battery 2) to correctly reflect the voltages.

Has anyone mapped this for an accurate display?

On the guideance from IDX, I also set the Before End to 12.0V and End to 11.5V which should help prolong the battery life a little more.

I guess that difference capacity batteries will be different though...

Hi, does anyone know of the following bug? When i switch from HD to DVcam mode, or vice versa, do a shoot and try to load the footage with XDcam transfer trough FCP, somethime some very old clips (from weeks ago) show up in the proxybrowser. only use new disks.

Anyone?

Same with Swit.

I just charged the 8110A Battery and made a testrun , the battery interrupts the current at ~ 12V, I keep this in mind and put the voltage in the VF.

ULI

We have decided to go with Sony 355's at our station. (After testing XD and P2's) We are thinking of going with the Canon KH16x5.7IRSE w. 2x for our daily ENG lenses.

Would you guys recommend this lens for the daily ENG grind? I was thinking the length is fairly common for news, and the 5.7 should be plenty wide. We are also thinking of getting 2 of the KH21x5.7's for sports.

Thanks,

Mike

We have decided to go with Sony 355's at our station. (After testing XD and P2's) We are thinking of going with the Canon KH16x5.7IRSE w. 2x for our daily ENG lenses.

Would you guys recommend this lens for the daily ENG grind? I was thinking the length is fairly common for news, and the 5.7 should be plenty wide. We are also thinking of getting 2 of the KH21x5.7's for sports.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike,

We have had two of those Canon lenses (16x5.7IRSE) in use for ENG work on F350s and have found them to be very good. I just wish the Digital Drive was an option. It sure is a nice addition but I rather have bare bone lenses wo/ too much electronics for ENG gear. Not to mention that the Digital Drive has its own 20-pages manual to operate its various menus and functions...

Thierry.

After trying a lot of the camera setting suggested on this forum, my personal conclusion is that by far the best results (in my subjective opinion) are actually achieved in Post Production.

I originally found this work flow in a FCP 6 tutorial at www.lynda.com entitled "creating beauty shots" involving composite modes and found it to work remarkably well with footage from the F350. The results turned out to be a silky HD image that rivals film stock even on a 40" Full HD LCD television.

For starters I shot my original material in XDCam HD 1080/25p VBR (shutter 1/50) and otherwise default settings.

I ingested my material via firewire into FCP 6 using Sony's XDCam Transfer software which has worked flawlessly both with our 8 Core and on location with my Mac Book Pro 2.4 GHz Intel.

I also edit natively in my timeline using the XDCam HD 1080p25 VBR easy set-up.

This work flow is Final Cut Pro based, but perhaps someone can suggest an equivalent method using other software.

The process basically involves superimposing the image on the timeline so that you have two identical video clips, one on top of the other. On the top clip you then apply Gaussian Blur (15 to 20) and then the "soft light" composite mode (Modify - Composite Mode). Lastly you apply the 3-way color Corrector to adjust your black and white levels. The tutorial also suggests trying the "screen" composite mode which in some instances worked better. In layman's terms, one method darkens your image which you then have to lighten, while the other lightens your image which you subsequently darken.

I found that the advantage of achieving a "film look" in post is that I know that I have a good image to fall back on. I also found the F350 extremely forgiving with default settings, while you can quickly paint yourself into a corner when you don't know exactly what you are doing when you begin to play with the camera settings.

best of luck

Hi Kalunga. That is an old photo editor trick for portraiture photography. Use an identical layer and apply a gaussian blur then make the lower layer about 50 percent transparent.

-gb-

Hi,
I am having trouble with XDCam Transfer 2.1 importing some clips FCP 6.02 in large numbers of segments in stead of a single clip. Each bit plays a small portion of the original clip, but the numbers can exceed 60. The only way to stop it is to quit the program and reboot. Doesn't seem to do it all the time or with all files.
Is there something I'm overlooking? I am running Tiger 10.4.11 on a MBP.
Thanks, Peter

Just a bit of XDCAM geekiness for the Australians reading...

I got to shoot/direct a documentary piece over week-long road trip with Australian singer Missy Higgins in October. I had pretty much unrestricted access for the entire time, and was shooting pretty much all day every day.

I used my 350 anytime the situation would allow it, and a V1 anytime space wouldn't. I wish I could show how well the 350 fared, but unfortunately I can't post anything for quite some time.

Below is a picture of us on our way to boulder climbing in Boulder, Colorado, near the beginning of the trip.

Appologies if this is the wrong place to post but I'm trying to build a small list of XDCAM users who also edit on the Matrox Axio platform - for overrun jobs when I get busy - most of the time this year!!! (UK preferably).

I have an F350/U1 and an Axio LE.

I currently sub out work to other Avid/FCP editors but really want to be able to easily get a complete project back for archiving and re-purposing when complete.

So, anyone out there - or know of anyone? I potentially have some work to sub out imminently.

Thanks,

Paul.

Trying to connect XDCam to a Ikan monitor (3 bnc composite). What kind of and where do I find it cable.

Thanks

Jim

The most important thing to know is that this version 2.22, includes a ProDisc driver that is VISTA COMPATIBLE.

This is a nice surprise since Sony originally indicated it would be Q1 08 before a Vista driver would be available.

Now all we need is the Leopard compatible version of the ProDisc driver.

Version 2.22 is available on both the US and UK sites.

-gb-

Hello,

I am researching HD upgrade options and the XDCAM HD line seems to be the best option at this point, but I am looking for some user information.

The only area I am wondering about is sports shooting where I would like to shoot in 60p.

I have read the 350/355 can overcrank to 60p, but at the cost of lines of resolution.

Is this true or noticeable?

Also, does anybody know if one can use the Convergent Designs Flash XDR SDI recorder to pull 720p60 out of these cameras?

That would solve this issue.

Thanks!

afaik 60p is also with no audio recording - aimed at slow motion purposes , not for general work..

ULI

Please can someone tell me what the 35mm equivalent of a 20x8.6 2/3 lens fitted to a 2/3 inch camera.

thanks Richard

I understand, possiblly incorrectly that the Sony F950 and others have a facility for correcting brightness anomalies of individual lens types and saving the adjustments to a "lens file". An old JVC KY-F50 camera head I have, features a similar facility but I have not messed with it.

If one wanted to have a very subtle in-camera neutral grad effect, would there be any practicality in fitting a ND grad filter in front of the lens in an inverse orientation, then saving a lens file, then shooting with this lens file called in but without the original ND grad filter fitted.

Just an idle thought and probably not a good one.

Does anyone have any info or history with this lens? (Panasonic S20x6.4BEMD 1/2" Motor Drive Telephoto Video Conferencing Lens with 2x Extender) in conjuction with any of the XDHD cams. Just wondering, THX

Question, I am fairly sure the overwhelming answer will be "no!!" but here it goes. Does anyone know for sure any dealer that will send out a XDHD 335 with a lens and deck to Demo before buying? We have 13 Z1's and are very interested in upgrading but living in Mississippi getting your hands on a deck and XDHD 335 Camera to check out its fuctionality before buying is impossible. Makes no sense to buy even one of these before trying one out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. THX

I'm starting to get into a workflow where I send customers a data DVD of the proxy clips, along with the PDZ-VX10 viewer software.

This has worked fine for a couple of jobs but I'm worried about running into problems down the line with the way clips are named. Each disc seems to name clips C5000S01.MXF, C5001S01.MXF (for sub clips) etc.

I know that the user defined names are stored in an XML file and that software such as PDZ-1 will read the XML file and show names as the user defined type. But - the physical name is still the original camera recorded name. I'm thinking that problems could arise in the future with the similarly named clips being overwritten etc.

Anyone else do this?

any thoughts?

I've just had an odd problem with my U1 where HD discs would load and view/play fine but a disc recorded on an SD XDCAM camera (not sure which model) just wouldn't load in the U1.

In the end, a reboot of the PC it was attached to solved the problem.

I wonder if the drivers got messed up?

Paul.

OK, so I'm answering my own question after a bit of experimentation.

I was copying the proxy files from the PDZ-1 folders. It appears that these clips are named after the original filenames and don't reflect the user generated names that you see on the Disc itself.

So - if I want to keep the user naming and prevent running into problems, I need to copy the clips from the disc rather than the PDZ-1 database.

That's a shame really as it's a lot quicker to copy from the database already held on HDD.

I hope that helps someone in the future.