nanoFlash to PDW-700 generates 24p? at DVinfo.net

Ken W. Smith · November 18th, 2009, 01:47 PM

I emailed Tom Schell asking if I could use nanoFlash to create 24p with my 700. He thought it could but because CD hadn't directly tested the device with the 700 he couldn't be sure. He recommended I post the question here and see if anyone has used it in this way. I'm trying to avoid paying Sony for the 1080/24p "upgrade." The nanoFlash would be a far better investment.

Alister Chapman · November 18th, 2009, 03:58 PM

I don't see how you can do it without paying for the 24P option. The only way to get 24P out of the PDW-700's HDSDi port is to have the 24P option, without a 24P source how can the NanoFlash record 24P?

It's a nice idea but AFAIK it can't be done. perhaps you need to trade in your 700 for a PMW-350. That will do 24P with less noise and higher sensitivity.

Paul Steinberg · November 18th, 2009, 04:05 PM

Hey Ken,

I own a Nanoflash and a HDW-F900 so I'm going to take an educated guess at this and say "no".

The Nanoflash just sync's up to whatever resolution(480/1080) and frame rate are coming down the SDI pipe. You'll need to send 24fps down that SDI line for the Nanoflash to record 24fps. Some cameras do a pseudo-24 by applying the 3:2 pulldown upstream but continue to output and record 59.94i. The Nanoflash has a reverse pulldown function (I've never used it so I can't tell you how well it works) that is designed to remove the pulldown and record 24Pfs. If you apply the reverse pulldown to standard 29.97P or 59.94i material you'd likely end up with some ugly artifacts.

I took a look at the PDW-F800. It's a pretty rockin' camera for the price AND you can use custom gamma curves much like the F900.

Ken W. Smith · November 18th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Thank you, Alister and Paul. I'm going to give this one more shot before I throw in the towel. When the 700 is set to 720/59.94p you can shoot in 23.98p mode. However, as soon as it is shot, the video undergoes 2-3 pulldown and is recorded as 59.94p. Is there a path via the nanoFlash where I can take that signal and ultimately get to 1080/24p?

Paul Steinberg · November 18th, 2009, 09:40 PM

More guessing on my part.

1) I don't know if the Nanoflash has 720 mode enabled yet. I've fed my 480 and 1080 and have seen it lock up to the signal successfully.

2) If you connect a device like a monitor to the HDSDI output from your camera in the mode you mentioned what is it reading? 59.94i? 23.98p? If it's spitting out 23.98p you're in business if the Nanoflash will lock to a 720 signal. If it's 59.94i you may be able to check the 3:2 pulldown box and the Nano may be able to remove the pulldown.

Others may be more enlightening.

Andy Shipsides · November 18th, 2009, 10:19 PM

Hey Ken

I'm with Paul and Alister on this one. In order to record a 24p signal you'll need the camera to output that signal in some way, which cannot be done without the software key upgrade to 24P.

Andy

November 18th, 2009, 01:47 PM	#1
Ken W. Smith Tourist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota Posts: 2	nanoFlash to PDW-700 generates 24p? I emailed Tom Schell asking if I could use nanoFlash to create 24p with my 700. He thought it could but because CD hadn't directly tested the device with the 700 he couldn't be sure. He recommended I post the question here and see if anyone has used it in this way. I'm trying to avoid paying Sony for the 1080/24p "upgrade." The nanoFlash would be a far better investment.

November 18th, 2009, 03:58 PM	#2
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I don't see how you can do it without paying for the 24P option. The only way to get 24P out of the PDW-700's HDSDi port is to have the 24P option, without a 24P source how can the NanoFlash record 24P? It's a nice idea but AFAIK it can't be done. perhaps you need to trade in your 700 for a PMW-350. That will do 24P with less noise and higher sensitivity. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

November 18th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#3
Paul Steinberg Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 50	Hey Ken, I own a Nanoflash and a HDW-F900 so I'm going to take an educated guess at this and say "no". The Nanoflash just sync's up to whatever resolution(480/1080) and frame rate are coming down the SDI pipe. You'll need to send 24fps down that SDI line for the Nanoflash to record 24fps. Some cameras do a pseudo-24 by applying the 3:2 pulldown upstream but continue to output and record 59.94i. The Nanoflash has a reverse pulldown function (I've never used it so I can't tell you how well it works) that is designed to remove the pulldown and record 24Pfs. If you apply the reverse pulldown to standard 29.97P or 59.94i material you'd likely end up with some ugly artifacts. I took a look at the PDW-F800. It's a pretty rockin' camera for the price AND you can use custom gamma curves much like the F900. __________________ Paul Steinberg DP, Toronto \|+\|Canada

November 18th, 2009, 07:03 PM	#4
Ken W. Smith Tourist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota Posts: 2	nanoFlash to PDW-700 generates 24p? Thank you, Alister and Paul. I'm going to give this one more shot before I throw in the towel. When the 700 is set to 720/59.94p you can shoot in 23.98p mode. However, as soon as it is shot, the video undergoes 2-3 pulldown and is recorded as 59.94p. Is there a path via the nanoFlash where I can take that signal and ultimately get to 1080/24p?

November 18th, 2009, 09:40 PM	#5
Paul Steinberg Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 50	More guessing on my part. 1) I don't know if the Nanoflash has 720 mode enabled yet. I've fed my 480 and 1080 and have seen it lock up to the signal successfully. 2) If you connect a device like a monitor to the HDSDI output from your camera in the mode you mentioned what is it reading? 59.94i? 23.98p? If it's spitting out 23.98p you're in business if the Nanoflash will lock to a 720 signal. If it's 59.94i you may be able to check the 3:2 pulldown box and the Nano may be able to remove the pulldown. Others may be more enlightening. __________________ Paul Steinberg DP, Toronto \|+\|Canada

November 18th, 2009, 10:19 PM	#6
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	Hey Ken I'm with Paul and Alister on this one. In order to record a 24p signal you'll need the camera to output that signal in some way, which cannot be done without the software key upgrade to 24P. Andy __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com