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.