Pal dte at DVinfo.net

Ao Mahana · October 16th, 2023, 04:11 PM

Hello everyone,

I am considering trying a Focus DTE with my XL2.

This is because opening the tape door has become erratic.
I know this may be because the internal switch could need to be replaced.
I can attempt this myself,, but am unsure whether I can find the replacement part.

Various models of the Focus DTE periodically become available, but they are usually NTSC.

As far as I can tell without actually trying it, the difference between an NTSC and Pal version of the same model is hardware based.
If the firmware could be updated / changed, from NTSC to the PAL version that would be awesome.
If any one has succeeded with this, please let me know.
But, I don't think that is an option.

So, if any of you reading this have a PAL Focus DTE compatible with the XL2,
and that you no longer need,
I would be interested to buy it .....

Bye now,
aomahana.

Ao Mahana · October 21st, 2023, 03:27 PM

Well I have gone a little sideways.
I have found a Sony HVR MRC1, PAL version.

It will take a while to arrive, find batteries, mount, and test.
I live in New Zealand and it is coming from the UK.

I will leave another message in a few months as to my success or otherwise ....

Ao Mahana · December 15th, 2023, 02:38 PM

Success!!

I have recorded my first reel and transferred to Vegas Pro V19.

I have the XL2 set to use both tape and the MRC1.
This allows the use of the XL2 view finder display and the onboard controls.
The resultant video from the CF card is excellent, with none of the dropouts and other digital distortions I was getting with the ageing tape mechanism and heads.

I modified the standard XL2 backplate mount for the MRC1.
This involved cutting a slot for the MRC1 battery, and making an L bracket for attaching the support screws.
All parts of the MRC1 can be accessed.
The battery can be mounted or removed without detaching the MRC1.

Attached a picture of the mounting.

I will add a more detailed post separately of the settings I used on the XL2 and the MRC1.

Paul R Johnson · December 16th, 2023, 03:42 AM

Glad you persavered and got it working!

Allan Black · December 16th, 2023, 06:09 PM

Yes Ao, I’m interested in how you went. A couple of years ago this was also discussed here …

https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-x...c1k-xha1s.html

Cheers.

Ao Mahana · December 18th, 2023, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul R Johnson

Glad you persavered and got it working!

Me too!!
When I saw the quality and control of the images, it confirmed how this camera suits what I am trying to achieve.

Ao Mahana · December 18th, 2023, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Yes Ao, I’m interested in how you went. A couple of years ago this was also discussed here …

https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-x...c1k-xha1s.html

Cheers.

Yes, I had read through that, and many other comments regarding the MRC1

I wrote to the creator of this video asking whether V3 of the firmware would work with a PAL system.
Both he, and the eBay seller I bought the MRC! from, suggested that the MRC1 works with both PAL and NTSC cameras, and that the firmware was never specific to either format.
I had seen this question asked on DVINFO.net, but without any answer.
So, I downloaded both V2 and V3 of the firmware.
When my MRC1 arrived, I found that it was loaded with V1 firmware.
This worked without problems.
Also, the menu on the MRC1 did not have an option for firmware update as described in the video.
My menu is the same as shown on page 7 of the MRC1 Manual.
So, as I didn't have a way of updating the firmware, and as all is working as it should, I have left the MRC1 with firmware revision 1.
As to whether the MRC1 works with either a PAL or NTSC camera, I think this is likely .... but I can't be certain because I haven't proved it.

Ao Mahana · December 18th, 2023, 01:35 AM

Here are the important settings for the XL2 and MRC1 when used with both tape and CF card.

XL2 settings ....
read page 78 of the XL2 manual DV Control Menu Setting for complete details.

Open the menu and select [SYSTEM]. Select [DV CONTROL],
set it to [ON] and close the menu.

tape must be loaded
MRC1 records even after tape reaches end

MRC1 settings

Cam Link / On

MRC1 Menu
Root / Rec Mode / Normal
Root / ILink mode / Auto
Root / Setting / TC format / Auto
Root / Setting / DV Filetype / AVI
Root / Setting / Camlink Sel / Synchro
Root / Setting / Sleep Mode / Off

To copy the CF card to Sony Vegas Pro (I have V19)
First create and name a folder where you want to keep the files.

Then download and install
ru_util.exe
You can Google this to find it, or use the following link ...
https://pro.sony/ue_US/support-resou...mpueus00000127
Although this dates from 2008, it loaded and worked fine with my Win10 64 computer.

With both computer and the MRC1 turned off, connect the firewire cable from the MRC1 to your computer.
Turn on the MRC1.
Turn on the computer.
Run ru_util.exe and select the folder you made earlier on your computer as the destination to save the files.
You can then open Vegas and load the files.

October 16th, 2023, 04:11 PM	#1
Ao Mahana New Boot Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: auckland new zealand Posts: 9	Pal dte Hello everyone, I am considering trying a Focus DTE with my XL2. This is because opening the tape door has become erratic. I know this may be because the internal switch could need to be replaced. I can attempt this myself,, but am unsure whether I can find the replacement part. Various models of the Focus DTE periodically become available, but they are usually NTSC. As far as I can tell without actually trying it, the difference between an NTSC and Pal version of the same model is hardware based. If the firmware could be updated / changed, from NTSC to the PAL version that would be awesome. If any one has succeeded with this, please let me know. But, I don't think that is an option. So, if any of you reading this have a PAL Focus DTE compatible with the XL2, and that you no longer need, I would be interested to buy it ..... Bye now, aomahana. Last edited by Ao Mahana; October 16th, 2023 at 07:25 PM. Reason: Another question added.

October 21st, 2023, 03:27 PM	#2
Ao Mahana New Boot Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: auckland new zealand Posts: 9	Re: PAL DTE update 1 Well I have gone a little sideways. I have found a Sony HVR MRC1, PAL version. It will take a while to arrive, find batteries, mount, and test. I live in New Zealand and it is coming from the UK. I will leave another message in a few months as to my success or otherwise ....

December 15th, 2023, 02:38 PM	#3
Ao Mahana New Boot Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: auckland new zealand Posts: 9	Re: Pal dte Success!! I have recorded my first reel and transferred to Vegas Pro V19. I have the XL2 set to use both tape and the MRC1. This allows the use of the XL2 view finder display and the onboard controls. The resultant video from the CF card is excellent, with none of the dropouts and other digital distortions I was getting with the ageing tape mechanism and heads. I modified the standard XL2 backplate mount for the MRC1. This involved cutting a slot for the MRC1 battery, and making an L bracket for attaching the support screws. All parts of the MRC1 can be accessed. The battery can be mounted or removed without detaching the MRC1. Attached a picture of the mounting. I will add a more detailed post separately of the settings I used on the XL2 and the MRC1. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Ao Mahana; December 16th, 2023 at 01:43 AM.

December 16th, 2023, 03:42 AM	#4
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,044	Re: Pal dte Glad you persavered and got it working!

December 16th, 2023, 06:09 PM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,919	Re: Pal dte Yes Ao, I’m interested in how you went. A couple of years ago this was also discussed here … https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-x...c1k-xha1s.html Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

December 18th, 2023, 01:35 AM	#8
Ao Mahana New Boot Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: auckland new zealand Posts: 9	Re: Pal dte update 3 Here are the important settings for the XL2 and MRC1 when used with both tape and CF card. XL2 settings .... read page 78 of the XL2 manual DV Control Menu Setting for complete details. Open the menu and select [SYSTEM]. Select [DV CONTROL], set it to [ON] and close the menu. tape must be loaded MRC1 records even after tape reaches end MRC1 settings Cam Link / On MRC1 Menu Root / Rec Mode / Normal Root / ILink mode / Auto Root / Setting / TC format / Auto Root / Setting / DV Filetype / AVI Root / Setting / Camlink Sel / Synchro Root / Setting / Sleep Mode / Off To copy the CF card to Sony Vegas Pro (I have V19) First create and name a folder where you want to keep the files. Then download and install ru_util.exe You can Google this to find it, or use the following link ... https://pro.sony/ue_US/support-resou...mpueus00000127 Although this dates from 2008, it loaded and worked fine with my Win10 64 computer. With both computer and the MRC1 turned off, connect the firewire cable from the MRC1 to your computer. Turn on the MRC1. Turn on the computer. Run ru_util.exe and select the folder you made earlier on your computer as the destination to save the files. You can then open Vegas and load the files.