Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

This is an excellent sign! I am anxiously waiting news on this here in the US.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Hi Peter,

Did you get the BNC adapter cables in the kit? Supposed to be included. For those wondering, included cables are stowed beneath devices, not showing in photo. With Ninja, FW 800 and USB 3.0 are cables included, and Samurai supposedly also has the BNC to mini BNC adapters. Still waiting on our first shipment in US to verify.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Update on UK distribution from my vendor (Creative Video) this morning. There is a quality issue with small numbers of one of the cables included and so, whilst the units are in the UK, they have halted distribution until next week (ETA 16th Nov) whilst the problematic cables are replaced...

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Jeff,

Are you expecting that it will include BNC to mini BNC cables, or just an adapter to take an existing BNC cable down to a mini BNC connection? I just need to be prepared.

Thanks.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Dominic...I 'presume' the 'ripple effect' will cause a delay in the U.S. distribution, also? Or does this only apply to the U.K.?

Regards,

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

All the cables are stored under the items in the case.

You can see one of the mini SDI cables coming out of the Samurai on the second photo. The full-size SDI connector is a receiver plug, so you don't need a barrel connector to link it with a standard full-size BNC cable.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

You get two mini-SDI to mini-SDI cables in the case.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Peter,
So I can be 100% certain about the included cables, can you clairfy something? There are 2 cables (very short) and these are mini BNC on both ends? I obviously have a full sized BNC connector on my camera and I need to know exactly what I will need when my Samurai arrives. I have no SDI or BNC cables currently, so I am trying to make sure I have what I need, no surprises.

I looked at your photo closely and the cable seems pretty short so I am guessing that I will need a coupler along with another standard bnc cable perhaps?

I wish the PDF file on the Samurai stated or showed the exact cables so that I would not have to bug you!

Thanks for any insight you have.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

This is the part that is confusing me. Why they include mini-sdi to mini-sdi when I am unaware of any cameras that have mini-sdi ports on them to start with.....or I lead a very sheltered life! As my previous post was asking, I just want to clarify this because it seems odd is this is accurate.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

For those of you concerned about the cables in the Samurai box, here they are. The Samurai has mini-BNC connectors.

2 x mini-SDI to SDI
1 x Firewire 800
1 x USB
1 x USB Power to use with USB blue cable (if required)

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Just connect a standard SDI cable (with standard BNC connectors) into the full-size end of the supplied mini-BNC to BNC cable. You don't need to to buy any special cables, just a standard shortish BNC-to-BNC SDI cable. Any Tandy, or Radioshack-style shop will sell them.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Sorry, no idea for sure James. However, I suspect that if there's a problem with a component in one location that is probably going to be the same in other locations and thus affect worldwide distribution. D

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Peter,
Any initial impressions? How's the screen resolution? Does it just record what the camera is putting out or can you convert by changing the record settings in the Samurai? Thanks!

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

I haven't been able to test much becasue I'm flat out on edits. It appears to just record the output resolution/frame rate of the camera as received from the SDI. The screen rez and colour is okay, but becasue it is touch-screen technology it doesn't come close to the sharpness of my TV Logic 056. But I wasn't expecting it to. One worrying point is the mount spigot appears to be M6 metric and not imperial 1/4", so I haven't been able to mount it to anything I own.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Screw thread size sounds odd! How did you get it onto the F3 in your photo? I can't imagine they changed it from the Ninja, as the basic bodies are identical. Maybe that's part of the delay? D

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

that is a bizarre thread size. you may need something like this: http://www.noga.com/nogaProducts.php?prdID=AD6010 also is there a way to power it via a d tap or do you have to use the batteries? how long do the batteries power the unit for?

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

I could just screw it in a little to take the photo, but it wasn't stable enough to shoot with. I hope to hear from Atomos this week about it.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

It comes with a D-tap adaptor which works alongside the batteries or one of the converters (it slots into one of the battery ports). D

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Hey Peter...you can get a 'prize' from TapeWorks Texas, Inc., a 'supporter' of DVinfo, if you show them you've actually received an Atomos 'Samurai'. I think it's kind of a 'bounty'. Heh, heh!

Give it a shot and get back with the group.

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

I'll send them an email. Cheers!

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Peter...no worries, mate!

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Has anyone heard anything about the u.s. market receiving these? I've stopped nagging my vendor everyday so I need a new source to tie me over!

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Marty...I believe that's why TapeWorks Texas, Inc. have offered a prize to the first person who can prove they've 'actually' received one.

I've done the same as you and stopped asking my vendor when I can expect delivery. What really aggravates me is I was told, by the Atomos CEO himself, Jeromy Young, "Production is complete and the first units which were ordered form Europe have shipped. The US will be receiving its first units Mid next week realistically depending on shipping and customs clearances. You will have it in the next 1 week, the product is performing very well." That statement was emailed to me on 11/04/2011 and, as you can see, no hardware.

I don't know what the deal is, but Atomos isn't helping their cause by 'promising' availability and then missing those dates. Even worse, they're not keeping their 'Distribution/Vendor' network 'in the loop'. I'm sure once the hardware is in the hands of those people who have been waiting for it (myself included), 'all will be forgiven', that is, of course, if it works as advertised.

I'm over it for now. If it arrives, fine. If not, that's fine, too. There's always the Gemini 4:4:4.

Regards,

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

James,

For my budget, the Gemini 4:4:4 is not an option at this point. Heck, I am lucky that the boss man hasn't put the kabash on the Samurai at this point. The "big" job that I needed it for has come and past, and we built the Samurai into that budget. Fortunately the client was okay with HDV quality material. I see the lack of detail and the limitations that HDV compression serves....the boss, not so much. I'm just patiently waiting as I see this as a very affordable opportunity to step up to a better codec at a very reasonable price. And....theoretically it should have a decent lifespan as it can move to a new camera when the time comes.

"Patience.....grasshopper.." I keep telling myself.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Damn. Got pipped at the post by another Aussie. Thanks for the tip though.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Peter...story of my life. 'Day late, and a dollar short.'. Heh, heh!

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Latest from my supplier regarding UK shipping of the Samurai:

I have been liaising with our supplier and i'm sorry to say, that the Atomos Samurai has been delayed further.

The cables for the Samurai will be with our supplier on 25/11. Meaning, we should be in position to ship your order on 28/11.

Ho hum! D

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

well guys, had my samurai for a week and so far it has been good, still some issues with analogue audio to sort out, and had to make lanc cable to run remote ( using it on a cannon xlh1), tommorrow is the big test - spending 10 hours in a small chopper (r44) filming a river system where we need to mark parts with a gps, so it will be a test in long form recording ( of course also recording tape - incase), will let you all know how it handles, will set the unit up in front so the pilot can see what we are shooting, wish me luck!
greg

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Good luck, Greg

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Greg,
I am also going to be using this with and XLh1 so I'd be interested in hearing what kind of issues you are currently dealing with. I intend on using the analog audio input also so I am hoping to avoid any pitfalls that you are aware.

Thanks.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

There is a new firmware being released for the Samurai which I'm told should be up on the Atomos website tomorrow whuch will address any audio issues and other tech fixes. I'm getting my M6-thread Samurai corrected tomorrow at Atomos. As I understand this only affected a few of the early units.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

What kind of issues are you experiencing with audio?

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Peter Corbett...any reports on using the 'Samurai'? Since you are one of the few people who actually have the device, how do you like it, mate?

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

I haven't had a chance to use it on a real shoot yet James. My DOP friend Tony Brennan has been testing the unit with S-log for the past week, and is pretty impressed. He said for what it does, it is hard to justify the extra expense of the PIX240. Once you add all the extras, the PIX is nearly twice the price. All said, the PIX240 is beautifully made, has a better screen and more features.

But for me, I just want a simple, lightweight solid 10-bit recording option out of the F3. I did some low light motion (panning) tests last week and the 10-bit samurai footage was clearly better than the internal XDCAM codec. The Samurai starts recording automatically once you start on the F3 record button and the pictures are VERY clean. I'm flying to Perth tomorrow for a day trip - 8 hours round trip :( to do a presenter piece to camera so I will shoot on the Samurai. On the weekend I'm shooting another TVC on S-log so I will be able to report back next week.

Overall the bang per buck is excellent with the Samurai. You get a nice case, batts, docking station, SSD cartridges, cables, charger, etc in the standard kit. Not many manufacturers do that.

Atomos do need to get their website and firmware support up to speed with the Samurai. I'd also like to see the unit ship with male/male SDI cables instead of the two included male/female leads. But it's looking promising.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Peter C. ...thanks for your usual thoughtful and timely response. I look forward to your 'real world' field trials with the 'Samurai' as I eagerly await the receipt of my unit (can you hear me Jeromy?). I hope my 'faith' is not misplaced, I've already invested in two (2) W-D 320GB HDD, one (1) W-D 500GB HDD, and one (1) Intel 160GB SSD in preps of receiving my 'Samurai'.

As luck would have it, I received a call from a friend of mine about a week ago and he wants me to collaborate with him on a Documentary product for Sundance. So, my urgency for this bit of kit has just increased by an 'order of magnitude'.

Keep us informed with your notional thoughts about the 'Samurai'. BTW, if you've got any 'pull' with the Atomos folks, tell them they've got people in the 'Colonies' wanting their equipment. Heh, heh!

Good luck with your 'shoots', mate!


J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

No pull with the colonies I'm afraid! I have been using the WD 500gb spinner which has been excellent and has exhibited no issues or dropped frames when swishing the camera around. I also have the 160gb Intel SSD on order, but it won't arrive before I head off to location.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

For what it's worth, my months old order at B&H went from "pending" to "sent to warehouse" today. I like that change. We'll see if I get a shipping notification soon.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

To all...I saw a YouTube review of the 'Ninja' from the UK. It was a 'field' review, I was particularly impressed with how the gentleman turned off the recorder, kicked up the 'mid-level spreader' with his foot and moved-on to his next location. The fellow was using a Hitachi 'spinning disc' hard drive. Apparently 'spinning discs' are fairly robust.

J.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

Looks like they are in stock at B&H this morning. I really wish it had 1080p 29.97 setting and I would be ordering one this week.

Re: ATOMOS Subforum?
 

My Samurai is on its way. I got a call from my supplier this afternoon. I should have it by Wednesday next!
Phil