GL / XM assorted posts, 2003

Don Palomaki · February 3rd, 2003, 05:09 AM

For good, rich sound you need to have the mic close to the person speaking. No way around this. Even shotguns do best if within a few feet of the speaker. Put the GL that close to the person speakign and it will sound OK too. - but then the speaker's nose gets fat <g> in the image.

Bart Saerens · February 5th, 2003, 12:01 PM

I was hoping to record some images from a TV show in about an hour.
I've just set up my camera and connected an S-video cable from the TV external output (through scart) and another cable for the audio.

I'm able to record the image and the sound onto DV tape but the colors are black and white, while the TV show is colored.

What could this be and what should I do in order to record in color mode???

Bart Saerens · February 5th, 2003, 12:28 PM

OK, the manual shows to use an S-video cable, but I've just disconnected the S-video cable and connected the yellow cinch cable.
Now I'm using only one AV cable, the one with white, red (audio) and yellow connector.

AND .... this works. I'm recording colors now.

Does still anyone knows why the colors were black and white when using an s-video cable?
I thought this cable was the best quality option.
Also the manual says to use an s-video cable ....

Jeff Donald · February 5th, 2003, 12:39 PM

Probably a bad (broken wire, bent pin) S-Video cable. I would try a different cable first. If you try a cable that is known to be good and it's still B & W then I would suspect one of the connectors is at fault. But try a different cable first and we can trouble shoot from there.

Graham Bernard · February 8th, 2003, 01:42 AM

Hi folks!

I've just been re-reading the XM2 Manual.

It tells me I can set this function DV Control "ON". So far I've never done this. I use the XM2 to capture to Sonic Foundry's VideoFactory 2.0 and Vegas Video 3. Having never used this function, it appears to operate without me doing this - why should I invoke this function? What am I missing out on? - If it is there, there must be a reason - yes?

As far as I can tell and see, DV control works for Capture and Print To Tape.

However, sometimes I get a blue screen. For example 3 episodes in a 59min project. The Cammy and firewire external MAXTOR hard drive momentarily stop - 0.5 second - and then continue down the project. I have always thought this is a "feature" of my Dell Inspiron's fan/s callout to the BIOS, tripping up 1394 flow. Yes, that's correct! Mr Dell has a laptop design that allows the BIOS to be influenced by the fan/s temperature controller - GO FIGURE!

So . .. I don't think it is the XM2 "DV COntrol ON" feature. I was getting this when using an analogue Panasonic AND a relative's DV Sony. So.... I really don't think it is this function would improve this. BUT I'm open to suggestions.

Regards

Grazie

Rob Lohman · February 8th, 2003, 05:23 AM

DV control is used when you are linking two devices on through
firewire and you want to control the other device (slave) from your
GL2 (master). In other words, if you hit record on your GL2 the
other machine will record the signal on its tape or harddisk (given
that this device understands DV control).

You do not need it when capturing, that is another thing and
will always work.

I hope this explains it a bit for you!

Regarding the blue screen, what OS are you using? It is not a
DELL feature that the laptop controls it CPU and fans speeds
and what not. All of almost all the laptops out there do that
so they can preserve battery power and give you longer times
to work with it!! You will not need the same CPU capacity when
you are doing word processing instead of watching a DVD.

But you can turn this off (I have done that). You can enter the
bios and change how the laptop handles the CPU etc. (be careful
not to change anything else in there!). Also you get setup windows
to not cut back on power etc. If you don't know how to change
such settings I suggest to get someone who knows how to do
it (computer expert).

Good luck!

Graham Bernard · February 8th, 2003, 07:03 AM

Thanks Rob.

I had a thought that this might be the case, ie Device<>Device control.

OS WinME.

I really am interested how you changed the BIOS settings. Be rest assured, I will not do this until I've made other enquiries.

So, what you are saying is that the PTT is a CPU intensive function and that for some reason the CPU pulls in power therby "tripping-up" the 1394 flow - yes? This makes sense. Now how one goes about nullifying this would be well worth knowing. And yes I can also understand and appreciate that this type of function would be to conserve battery power. However, all my DV editing/capturing/PTTing is done with the laptop "docked" and powered by the mains. So are you saying there is something one can adjust to allow the CPU know it is getting mains voltage and doesn't need to access the fan/s using some form of power or CPU activity to redirect?

As I said, please give me a clue and I'll either email you directly and/or consult with others on this.

Thanks in advance

Grazie

Rob Lohman · February 11th, 2003, 03:43 AM

WinME is definitely not the best OS for such work and could
easily explain your BSOD. Most people either use Windows 2000
Professional or Windows XP Prof. They are a lot more stable
for such things.

If you want to know what I changed in my BIOS etc. please
send me an e-mail at visuar@iname.com

Good luck.

Thomas Fraser · February 16th, 2003, 10:12 PM

I wish to get a Polarizing filter for my GL2.
Do I need any special kind??
Does any one here have any experience with this filter on a GL2?
Thank you for your help.
Tom

Ken Tanaka · February 16th, 2003, 10:22 PM

I'd just recommend getting the best circular polarizer you can afford. Do a Search on "polariz" and you'll turn up dozens of threads on this subject. This was a recent discussion.

Thomas Fraser · February 16th, 2003, 10:24 PM

I will be getting Adobe Premiere next week for editing footage from my GL2.
If I have shot footage in diffrent modes , will it edit correct if it is De-interlace /Interlaced, Normal/Frame mode footage mixed ?
Thank you

Tim McGreggor · February 16th, 2003, 10:25 PM

Ok So It can be done. But Do I need A vcr that has S video Cable In put? I am haveing trouble doing this. Can Some one please help me step by step if possable. Thanks.

Ken Tanaka · February 16th, 2003, 10:54 PM

Thomas,
Premiere will have no trouble mixing frame-mode and standard mode footage. In fact, it will have no idea which is which; they're both just NTSC (29.97 frames/sec) footage as far as the program's concerned.

Once you get your feet wet with Premiere you'll want to begin inspecting and comparing your footage closely (with a good pro monitor if possible). It may lead you to decisions concerning how to best use and/or mix these modes effectively for your work.

Ken Tanaka · February 16th, 2003, 10:58 PM

No, you don't need S-VHS connection. Page 103 of the GL2 (English) manual presents the essence of the process.

Noka Aldoroty · February 16th, 2003, 11:00 PM

Hi All,

I've been looking for a good shock mount for the ME-66. What do you recommend?

On the BH Photo site I've seen the Sennheiser MZS-CAM Shock mount... any experience with this model? Any other suggestions? Would love any recommendations.

Also, if anyone has any good experience with one type of boom pole or another, I'd love to hear...

Thanks!
Noka

February 5th, 2003, 12:01 PM	#107
Bart Saerens New Boot Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 24	HELP! XM2 records black and white from external source I was hoping to record some images from a TV show in about an hour. I've just set up my camera and connected an S-video cable from the TV external output (through scart) and another cable for the audio. I'm able to record the image and the sound onto DV tape but the colors are black and white, while the TV show is colored. What could this be and what should I do in order to record in color mode???

February 5th, 2003, 12:39 PM	#109
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Probably a bad (broken wire, bent pin) S-Video cable. I would try a different cable first. If you try a cable that is known to be good and it's still B & W then I would suspect one of the connectors is at fault. But try a different cable first and we can trouble shoot from there. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 8th, 2003, 01:42 AM	#110
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Why set up DV Control "ON"? Hi folks! I've just been re-reading the XM2 Manual. It tells me I can set this function DV Control "ON". So far I've never done this. I use the XM2 to capture to Sonic Foundry's VideoFactory 2.0 and Vegas Video 3. Having never used this function, it appears to operate without me doing this - why should I invoke this function? What am I missing out on? - If it is there, there must be a reason - yes? As far as I can tell and see, DV control works for Capture and Print To Tape. However, sometimes I get a blue screen. For example 3 episodes in a 59min project. The Cammy and firewire external MAXTOR hard drive momentarily stop - 0.5 second - and then continue down the project. I have always thought this is a "feature" of my Dell Inspiron's fan/s callout to the BIOS, tripping up 1394 flow. Yes, that's correct! Mr Dell has a laptop design that allows the BIOS to be influenced by the fan/s temperature controller - GO FIGURE! So . .. I don't think it is the XM2 "DV COntrol ON" feature. I was getting this when using an analogue Panasonic AND a relative's DV Sony. So.... I really don't think it is this function would improve this. BUT I'm open to suggestions. Regards Grazie

February 8th, 2003, 05:23 AM	#111
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	DV control is used when you are linking two devices on through firewire and you want to control the other device (slave) from your GL2 (master). In other words, if you hit record on your GL2 the other machine will record the signal on its tape or harddisk (given that this device understands DV control). You do not need it when capturing, that is another thing and will always work. I hope this explains it a bit for you! Regarding the blue screen, what OS are you using? It is not a DELL feature that the laptop controls it CPU and fans speeds and what not. All of almost all the laptops out there do that so they can preserve battery power and give you longer times to work with it!! You will not need the same CPU capacity when you are doing word processing instead of watching a DVD. But you can turn this off (I have done that). You can enter the bios and change how the laptop handles the CPU etc. (be careful not to change anything else in there!). Also you get setup windows to not cut back on power etc. If you don't know how to change such settings I suggest to get someone who knows how to do it (computer expert). Good luck! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 11th, 2003, 03:43 AM	#113
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	WinME is definitely not the best OS for such work and could easily explain your BSOD. Most people either use Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Prof. They are a lot more stable for such things. If you want to know what I changed in my BIOS etc. please send me an e-mail at visuar@iname.com Good luck. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 3rd, 2003, 05:09 AM	#106
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	For good, rich sound you need to have the mic close to the person speaking. No way around this. Even shotguns do best if within a few feet of the speaker. Put the GL that close to the person speakign and it will sound OK too. - but then the speaker's nose gets fat <g> in the image.

February 5th, 2003, 12:28 PM	#108
Bart Saerens New Boot Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 24	OK, the manual shows to use an S-video cable, but I've just disconnected the S-video cable and connected the yellow cinch cable. Now I'm using only one AV cable, the one with white, red (audio) and yellow connector. AND .... this works. I'm recording colors now. Does still anyone knows why the colors were black and white when using an s-video cable? I thought this cable was the best quality option. Also the manual says to use an s-video cable ....

February 8th, 2003, 07:03 AM	#112
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Thanks Rob. I had a thought that this might be the case, ie Device<>Device control. OS WinME. I really am interested how you changed the BIOS settings. Be rest assured, I will not do this until I've made other enquiries. So, what you are saying is that the PTT is a CPU intensive function and that for some reason the CPU pulls in power therby "tripping-up" the 1394 flow - yes? This makes sense. Now how one goes about nullifying this would be well worth knowing. And yes I can also understand and appreciate that this type of function would be to conserve battery power. However, all my DV editing/capturing/PTTing is done with the laptop "docked" and powered by the mains. So are you saying there is something one can adjust to allow the CPU know it is getting mains voltage and doesn't need to access the fan/s using some form of power or CPU activity to redirect? As I said, please give me a clue and I'll either email you directly and/or consult with others on this. Thanks in advance Grazie

February 16th, 2003, 10:12 PM	#114
Thomas Fraser Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 70	Polarizing filters for GL2 I wish to get a Polarizing filter for my GL2. Do I need any special kind?? Does any one here have any experience with this filter on a GL2? Thank you for your help. Tom __________________ Thanks for your help everyone.

February 16th, 2003, 10:22 PM	#115
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I'd just recommend getting the best circular polarizer you can afford. Do a Search on "polariz" and you'll turn up dozens of threads on this subject. This was a recent discussion. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 16th, 2003, 10:24 PM	#116
Thomas Fraser Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 70	Mixing Frame & Normal footage for edting I will be getting Adobe Premiere next week for editing footage from my GL2. If I have shot footage in diffrent modes , will it edit correct if it is De-interlace /Interlaced, Normal/Frame mode footage mixed ? Thank you __________________ Thanks for your help everyone.

February 16th, 2003, 10:25 PM	#117
Tim McGreggor New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto Ont Canada Posts: 20	VHS to DV Yea! Ok So It can be done. But Do I need A vcr that has S video Cable In put? I am haveing trouble doing this. Can Some one please help me step by step if possable. Thanks.

February 16th, 2003, 10:54 PM	#118
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Thomas, Premiere will have no trouble mixing frame-mode and standard mode footage. In fact, it will have no idea which is which; they're both just NTSC (29.97 frames/sec) footage as far as the program's concerned. Once you get your feet wet with Premiere you'll want to begin inspecting and comparing your footage closely (with a good pro monitor if possible). It may lead you to decisions concerning how to best use and/or mix these modes effectively for your work. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 16th, 2003, 10:58 PM	#119
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	No, you don't need S-VHS connection. Page 103 of the GL2 (English) manual presents the essence of the process. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 16th, 2003, 11:00 PM	#120
Noka Aldoroty Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 29	ME-66 Shockmount Options Hi All, I've been looking for a good shock mount for the ME-66. What do you recommend? On the BH Photo site I've seen the Sennheiser MZS-CAM Shock mount... any experience with this model? Any other suggestions? Would love any recommendations. Also, if anyone has any good experience with one type of boom pole or another, I'd love to hear... Thanks! Noka