Convergent Designs Flash XDR

Mike Schell · February 25th, 2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Richard

Another sample footage request/suggestions to show off the XDR improvements:

- Shot of leaves blowing it the wind

- Water in a river or sunlight reflection on a moving water surface

- CU of fire

Long GOP just hates these type scenes

(and the 10 bit software upgrade coming down the pike is awesome! Makes our Que Investment even more valued - kicking around a second one)

Hi John-
Excellent suggestions! I too am most interested to see how well the 100 Mbps Long-GOP holds up in these conditions. I am betting that we will be surprised and the Long-GOP will perform quite well at these higher rates.

I also want to test with a camera flash, which can really test the Long-GOP as you can generate 1-2 frames in the middle of the GOP which are completely different from the I-Frame.

Mike Schell

PS I was obviously "asleep at the wheel" when I posted the e-mail address to get on the newsletter. So, if you want to be added to the Flash XDR e-mail list, send a note to sales@convergent-design.com

John Benton · February 28th, 2008, 11:08 AM

As an XL -H1 owner, I have been following this for awhile - I am super excited to hear it's progressing well.
I may go to NAB, just to see it .
John

Mike Schell · February 28th, 2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Benton

As an XL -H1 owner, I have been following this for awhile - I am super excited to hear it's progressing well.
I may go to NAB, just to see it .
John

Hi John-
Thanks! We are working double time to get it finished. Debug is going extremely well. We will keep you posted on the progress, but NAB is looking good.

Best-
Mike

Piotr Wozniacki · March 9th, 2008, 05:44 AM

Mike,

Even from your preliminary brochure, I can see your favourite mounting option for the Flash XDR is the back of the XL-H1 camera... While this is understandable, please tell me: having the PMW-EX1, what will my mounting options be? Between the camera and tripod - OK, but how about shooting handheld? Also, I am using PAG batteries without V-mount (Powerpack 100 Wh model 9370), attached to the plates which either goes to the back of my PAG Orbitor shoulder support, or to my waist with the belt clip (the plates have two PP90 socekts - one is used for the PAG lamp).

Another question is this: on your web site it's possible to preorder with a deposit, but I'd like to buy from your EUR distributor (www.symbiosis.eu), and they don't take pre-orders. What do I do to get the Flash XDR as soon as possible (would like to get the Invoice, dated before the end of March - even if the actual delivery is going to take some more time).

I'll apreciate you answer.

PS Is it viable to record from the EX1's HD-SDI to the Flash XDR, while monitoring on a HD laptop, using Flash XDR's 1394 output?

Scott Webster · March 10th, 2008, 01:54 PM

Anyone talked to you about taking the XDR and making it the building block for a camera?

Just trying to think of how many 10-bit 4:2:2 uncompressed cameras there are available...

Bill Ravens · March 10th, 2008, 02:21 PM

Every camera with HD SDI output.

Scott Webster · March 10th, 2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ravens

Every camera with HD SDI output.

I meant a one piece camera utilsiing XDR technology for onboard recording.

Adam Letch · March 11th, 2008, 02:53 AM

forgive if it's already been addressed, but it occurred to me yesterday, will the xdr also capture uncompressed audio, or is it only a video stream?

thanks

Adam

Dan Keaton · March 12th, 2008, 02:40 PM

Dear Adam,

The Flash XDR provides for recording 4 channels of audio embedded in the HD-SDI data stream, or 2 channels of analog XLR input (microphone or line level), with microphone gain up to 65 db.

The analog audio data is recorded at 48,000 samples per second with a word size of 16 or 24 bits (user selectable).

So, yes, the Flash XDR records uncompressed audio (in the usual meaning of the term).

Being able to record 48K/24 Bit can be a real advantage over the usual 48K/16 Bit recording standard.

Note that the analog XLR inputs, direct to the Flash XDR, completely eliminates any issues with less than optimum audio sections of the camera.

Piotr Wozniacki · March 14th, 2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Keaton

Note that the analog XLR inputs, direct to the Flash XDR, completely eliminates any issues with less than optimum audio sections of the camera.

Which is an advantage provided the XDR's own section is of higher quality :)

On another note: has anyone got any update about the mounting options with the Sony EX1, and the PAGlock battery system?

Adam Letch · March 14th, 2008, 06:31 PM

my bad,

It was one of those I'm too exhausted and didn't go through the thread to find out what might have been mentioned in other posts. And I should have looked at the pdf.

Good news though, really amped with part as my HD251 only has 384kbps compressed audio.

Question with that then, does it work in the same manner as the video stream that if it's SDI output, the audio isn't already compressed, or is this possibly hardware restricted within the camera?

thanks

Adam

Dan Keaton · March 14th, 2008, 07:42 PM

Dear Adam,

The embedded audio from your camera, output via HD-SDI, should be uncompressed 48k PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation). In other words, it should be uncompressed.

The HD-SDI standard provides for up to 8 pairs (16 individual channels) of embedded audio at 48k 24 bits. 16 bit audio is also accommodated.

You do not need to worry about the 384k compressed audio, it does not apply when using HD-SDI.

Mike Schell · March 14th, 2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Letch

forgive if it's already been addressed, but it occurred to me yesterday, will the xdr also capture uncompressed audio, or is it only a video stream?

thanks

Adam

Hi Adam-
Just to expound further on Dan Keaton's excellent summary of the Flash XDR analog audio, I would add that we are using top of the line components in this design. The 24-bit audio A/D is a very high-end device with >120 dB dynamic range and very low harmonic distortion. Even the headphone amplifier is a very high-grade design, arguably a notch above the headphone driver circuit in most camcorders.

Mike Schell · March 14th, 2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

Which is an advantage provided the XDR's own section is of higher quality :)

On another note: has anyone got any update about the mounting options with the Sony EX1, and the PAGlock battery system?

Hi Piotr-
Our mechanical engineer has completed the Flash XDR box design and is now concentrating on mounting options. We are actively working on support for the Sony EX1.

Also, we are adding numerous threaded inserts into the box to support various monting options. More details soon.

Adam Letch · March 16th, 2008, 04:33 PM

mate this is all good news, I'm constantly thinking "If only I didn't have sucky compressed audio for this situation". This will help when I'm soloing in documentary and events land and have no sound man.

Cheers

Adam

March 9th, 2008, 05:44 AM	#109
Piotr Wozniacki Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 4,086	Mike, Even from your preliminary brochure, I can see your favourite mounting option for the Flash XDR is the back of the XL-H1 camera... While this is understandable, please tell me: having the PMW-EX1, what will my mounting options be? Between the camera and tripod - OK, but how about shooting handheld? Also, I am using PAG batteries without V-mount (Powerpack 100 Wh model 9370), attached to the plates which either goes to the back of my PAG Orbitor shoulder support, or to my waist with the belt clip (the plates have two PP90 socekts - one is used for the PAG lamp). Another question is this: on your web site it's possible to preorder with a deposit, but I'd like to buy from your EUR distributor (www.symbiosis.eu), and they don't take pre-orders. What do I do to get the Flash XDR as soon as possible (would like to get the Invoice, dated before the end of March - even if the actual delivery is going to take some more time). I'll apreciate you answer. PS Is it viable to record from the EX1's HD-SDI to the Flash XDR, while monitoring on a HD laptop, using Flash XDR's 1394 output? __________________ Sony PXW-FS7 \| DaVinci Resolve Studio; Magix Vegas Pro; i7-5960X CPU; 64 GB RAM; 2x GTX 1080 8GB GPU; Decklink 4K Extreme 12G; 4x 3TB WD Black in RAID 0; 1TB M.2 NVMe cache drive Last edited by Piotr Wozniacki; March 9th, 2008 at 08:07 AM.

March 10th, 2008, 01:54 PM	#110
Scott Webster Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 136	Obvious Question? Anyone talked to you about taking the XDR and making it the building block for a camera? Just trying to think of how many 10-bit 4:2:2 uncompressed cameras there are available...

March 11th, 2008, 02:53 AM	#113
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	Mike this question maybe redundant forgive if it's already been addressed, but it occurred to me yesterday, will the xdr also capture uncompressed audio, or is it only a video stream? thanks Adam

March 12th, 2008, 02:40 PM	#114
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Adam, The Flash XDR provides for recording 4 channels of audio embedded in the HD-SDI data stream, or 2 channels of analog XLR input (microphone or line level), with microphone gain up to 65 db. The analog audio data is recorded at 48,000 samples per second with a word size of 16 or 24 bits (user selectable). So, yes, the Flash XDR records uncompressed audio (in the usual meaning of the term). Being able to record 48K/24 Bit can be a real advantage over the usual 48K/16 Bit recording standard. Note that the analog XLR inputs, direct to the Flash XDR, completely eliminates any issues with less than optimum audio sections of the camera. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

March 14th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#116
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	Thanks Dan my bad, It was one of those I'm too exhausted and didn't go through the thread to find out what might have been mentioned in other posts. And I should have looked at the pdf. Good news though, really amped with part as my HD251 only has 384kbps compressed audio. Question with that then, does it work in the same manner as the video stream that if it's SDI output, the audio isn't already compressed, or is this possibly hardware restricted within the camera? thanks Adam

February 28th, 2008, 11:08 AM	#107
John Benton Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 658	As an XL -H1 owner, I have been following this for awhile - I am super excited to hear it's progressing well. I may go to NAB, just to see it . John

March 10th, 2008, 02:21 PM	#111
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Every camera with HD SDI output.

March 14th, 2008, 07:42 PM	#117
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Adam, The embedded audio from your camera, output via HD-SDI, should be uncompressed 48k PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation). In other words, it should be uncompressed. The HD-SDI standard provides for up to 8 pairs (16 individual channels) of embedded audio at 48k 24 bits. 16 bit audio is also accommodated. You do not need to worry about the 384k compressed audio, it does not apply when using HD-SDI. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

March 16th, 2008, 04:33 PM	#120
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	Thanks Dan and Mike mate this is all good news, I'm constantly thinking "If only I didn't have sucky compressed audio for this situation". This will help when I'm soloing in documentary and events land and have no sound man. Cheers Adam