Wafian HR-1 HD-SDI recorder

[David Newman]

Future Wafain boxes will have battery option. But even today, those thinking that a workstation using uncompressed or 2:1 compression is more convenient, haven't considered all the workflow benefits.

[K. Forman]

David- How far down that "future" road do you see this being? And will there be smaller raid/price options?

And I'm just getting to the point where I do want to do uncompressed capture, and I have been looking at several different options. Problem is, most of them are neither field portable, or easily affordable. Double bummer.

[David Newman]

That is a question for Wafian, we license Wafian the compression, they design the capture software and the hardware that runs it.

[John Benton]

This is a very interesting discussion.
I think that Mr. Newman has a very interesting point and I would love the Waifan solution,
but personally, for me, the price, right now, is out of the question.
That is why I am looking at Mac/Kona/Raid solutions.
But I will wait for the new intelPowerMacs to come out and then update before I buy.

[Barlow Elton]

Originally Posted by David Newman

Future Wafain boxes will have battery option. But even today, those thinking that a workstation using uncompressed or 2:1 compression is more convenient, haven't considered all the workflow benefits.

I totally understand where you're coming from, David. I have considered the workflow carefully, and I agree, the Wafian/Cineform combo is a great near zero compromise solution. Beats the hell out of renting an HDCAM or DVCProHD deck.

I'm sure the visual difference between SheerVideo and Cineform is basically indistinguishable. That said, I wonder if it's possible to make a virtual "mini-wafian" with a shuttle pc, an SDI card and a tiny attached LCD?

[David Newman]

The Wafian capture software is pretty slick, has a lot of tools that are very helpful for on set work. If you can do without that, a Prospect HD Ingest license would do much the same CineForm capture work. However if might be hard to get the required CPU into a shuttle box. If you put in a Intel 955 you will be fine for 1920x1080p24 10-bit.

[Ron Pfister]

Originally Posted by David Newman

those thinking that a workstation using uncompressed or 2:1 compression is more convenient, haven't considered all the workflow benefits.

Well, then how about a CineForm QuickTime codec for Intel-based Macs? Is something of that sort in the works?

[Barlow Elton]

Originally Posted by David Newman

However if might be hard to get the required CPU into a shuttle box. If you put in a Intel 955 you will be fine for 1920x1080p24 10-bit.

What about full raster 1080i? Need even more CPU power?

[David Newman]

Originally Posted by Ron Pfister

Well, then how about a CineForm QuickTime codec for Intel-based Macs? Is something of that sort in the works?

Yes, it is very close. Wafian was confident enough to include QuickTime on their brochures.

[David Newman]

Originally Posted by Barlow Elton

What about full raster 1080i? Need even more CPU power?

1080i 29.97/60Hz is also fine.

[Alister Chapman]

Its not just the PC/Mac. With any Mac or PC solution you also need a monitor, keyboard and mouse adding to the complexity and amount of kit you need to lug around. Certainly for occasional use or a specifc project a PC or Mac would be fine but if you were doing a lot of HD SDi work I think the Wafien offers an excellent option.

[K. Forman]

Alister- The thing is, once you have to lug a box somewhere, and plug it in, what is a mouse, a keyboard, and a flat monitor? Not much really. But, I could build a PC, and buy a car (Used) to drive it to the location, for the same or less than a Wafian.

[Christopher Glaeser]

Originally Posted by Keith Forman

... once you have to lug a box somewhere, and plug it in, ...

Just curious, what is the power consumption? How long would a $100 APC UPS last?

Best,
Christopher

[K. Forman]

I would think it would be similar to a PC, minus the peripherals...

[Robert Sanders]

Originally Posted by Keith Forman

Alister- The thing is, once you have to lug a box somewhere, and plug it in, what is a mouse, a keyboard, and a flat monitor? Not much really. But, I could build a PC, and buy a car (Used) to drive it to the location, for the same or less than a Wafian.

In essence, I think you're right. But, I think the biggest concern (for me anyways) is that we're talking about 5 to 10 additional components that could break or fail compared to a single Wafian box.