Recording 1080p23.98 from Sony F3 to nanoFlash

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

I was just helping a nanoFlash user setup their Sony PMW-F3 for 1080p23.98, with 3:2 pulldown,
which is sometimes called 24 over 60.

.........To be more precise, it is 23.976 with 3:2 pulldown frames added,
.........so that it looks like 1080i59.94 to a monitor or recorder.

In the nanoFlash, to record 1080p23, when it is being sent 24 over 60,
one just needs to set the following menu items in the nanoFlash

System|Source|SDI

Video|Record PSF > Prog(ressive) unchecked
Video|3:2 Pulldown Removal checked
Video|E to E Direct checked
Video|Screen Tally checked

Now, the above is very simple.

Here are the fine points:

1. When the nanoFlash detects the 3:2 Pulldown cadence, it will report 1080pd23.

This indicates that the nanoFlash is receiving the 1080psf23.976 with pulldown frames added, and the pulldown frames are being removed and true 1080p23.976 (also known as 23.98) is being recorded.

Since Video|E to E Direct is checked, the frames, with pulldown frames added, will be sent to the monitor, which is helpful for both HD-SDI and HDMI Monitors.

2. Our code to detect the 3:2 Pulldown Frames requires regular video, not color bars.

3. Our code to detect the 3:2 Pulldown Frames requires that the Camera's viewfinder data not be present in the image.

Of course, this is what is wanted anyway for almost all applications, as one does not normally want the images overlaid with viewfinder data.

On the Sony PMW-F3,

.... A. If all of the above settings are setup properly on the nanoFlash,
.....B. But if the F3 is set so that the Video Set|SDI/HDMI Out Display is On,
.....C. Then the nanoFlash will not properly detect the 3:2 Pulldown Sequence.

Thus, please ensure that the F3's Video Set|SDI/HDMI Out Display menu item is OFF


Here is a more complete list of how to setup the Sony F3 for recording with the nanoFlash

Sony PWM-F3 – No S-Log

Set your F3 to record in 1080p23.98 mode (in Sony terms 1920/23.98p).

Here are the recommended Sony F3 menu items to set:

Set Others|System|Country| to NTSC Area (or set to PAL Area if desired)

Set Others|System|HD/SD to HD

Set Others|System|Video Format to HQ 1920/23.98P

Set Video Set|Dual-Link & Gamma Select to Off

Set Video Set|SDI/HDMI/i.LINK I/O Select to HD-SDI

Set Video Set|SDI/HDMI Out Display to Off
(This prevents viewfinder data from being recorded.)

Set Video Set|23.98P Output|59.94i (2-3 Pull Down)

Set Video Set|SDI Rec Control to HD SDI Remote I/F
(This enables the record button to start/stop the Gemini 4:4:4)

Set LCD/VF Set|Marker|Center Mark On
(This works in conjunction with the Brightness Display setting.)

Set LCD/VF|Display On/Off| Brightness Display to On
(Optional, but is a useful tool for setting exposure
as it shows the IRE % for the center of the image.)

Set LCD/VF|Display On/Off|Histogram Display to On
(Optional, but is a useful tool to check exposure.)

Set TC/UB SET|Timecode|Mode to Clock
(Optional, but timecode should be generated for Post).

Other settings may be selected as desired, such as selecting a Picture Profile.

Connect HD-SDI Cable from the Sony SDI Output to the nanoFlash SDI input.


Since many HDMI monitors do not support 1080p23.976 (23.98), the above allows a HDMI monitor to be used, as it will see 1080i59.94.

I hope this helps. I am open to suggestions and corrections.