Regular old ENG with onboard SSD recording at DVinfo.net

Finn Yarbrough · March 28th, 2011, 08:16 PM

Surely somebody is already developing this.
It seems really strange to me that filmmakers can buy an expensive camera with an on-board image processor that compresses footage to be small enough that it can stream on to various different types of still-image media, but we can also buy another processor to plug into the camera via HD/SDI and achieve a far superior result (sometimes even encoded to the same media)!

Is it unrealistic to think that this magical SDI connection could take place within the camera itself? Why not just have a nanoFlash or AJA or something like that built in, so that you don't have so many pieces dangling off of your rig?

And to take it one step further, why not just use 2.5" SATA SSD's as a recording medium, instead of spending all this money trying to force 50 Mb/s into a wafer?

I picture a JVC HM 700 with a module on the back that accepts NOT SxS cards, but plain old Solid State computer hard drives. What am I missing?

Philip Lipetz · March 29th, 2011, 06:58 AM

The contacts on standard SSD drives are relatively fragile for being constantly bumped and repeatedly removed. However, the SSD drive circuits could be put into another form factor and then they would work wonderfully well; that is what consumer flash drive cameras do.

So, why not on pro cams? People like to be able to remove and secure valuable footage, and on board flash drive failures would destroy too much footage. Also, the cam manufacturers do not want to do it.

Having said all that, many of the same arguments were used against removable solid state card storage when it was first introduced.

Hey, it has been less than a year since Canon allowed solid state card storage in its pro line. Pro camera manufacturers work on a slow replacement schedule, frequently three years between models. Innovation just cannot keep up with technology within such a slow pace, so lots of excuses will be invented to explain antiquated technological solutions.

Finn Yarbrough · March 30th, 2011, 04:45 PM

I suppose that all makes sense. Especially about the weak connections on the drive, that makes a lot of sense.

I just noticed that the Red One has the ability to take removable SSD's, presumably encased in a proprietary housing. Maybe ENG's won't be far behind. I do wonder at the bitrate and color depth that their chips possess that seems to be wasted.

Adrian Frearson · April 1st, 2011, 12:42 AM

When it comes to pro gear , which ENG would be, I think most of us would prefer field proven equipment and well tested workflows. I think it's fair enough that these camera systems take a while to develop and replace.

I suspect that with all the 3rd party solutions now available, we're moving to a more modular approach to equipment use, with each set up being well suited to each situation.

March 28th, 2011, 08:16 PM	#1
Finn Yarbrough Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ferrisburgh, VT Posts: 179	Regular old ENG with onboard SSD recording Surely somebody is already developing this. It seems really strange to me that filmmakers can buy an expensive camera with an on-board image processor that compresses footage to be small enough that it can stream on to various different types of still-image media, but we can also buy another processor to plug into the camera via HD/SDI and achieve a far superior result (sometimes even encoded to the same media)! Is it unrealistic to think that this magical SDI connection could take place within the camera itself? Why not just have a nanoFlash or AJA or something like that built in, so that you don't have so many pieces dangling off of your rig? And to take it one step further, why not just use 2.5" SATA SSD's as a recording medium, instead of spending all this money trying to force 50 Mb/s into a wafer? I picture a JVC HM 700 with a module on the back that accepts NOT SxS cards, but plain old Solid State computer hard drives. What am I missing? Last edited by Finn Yarbrough; March 28th, 2011 at 08:20 PM. Reason: edited a typo in the title

March 29th, 2011, 06:58 AM	#2
Philip Lipetz Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 273	Re: Regular old ENG with onboard SSD recording The contacts on standard SSD drives are relatively fragile for being constantly bumped and repeatedly removed. However, the SSD drive circuits could be put into another form factor and then they would work wonderfully well; that is what consumer flash drive cameras do. So, why not on pro cams? People like to be able to remove and secure valuable footage, and on board flash drive failures would destroy too much footage. Also, the cam manufacturers do not want to do it. Having said all that, many of the same arguments were used against removable solid state card storage when it was first introduced. Hey, it has been less than a year since Canon allowed solid state card storage in its pro line. Pro camera manufacturers work on a slow replacement schedule, frequently three years between models. Innovation just cannot keep up with technology within such a slow pace, so lots of excuses will be invented to explain antiquated technological solutions.

March 30th, 2011, 04:45 PM	#3
Finn Yarbrough Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ferrisburgh, VT Posts: 179	Re: Regular old ENG with onboard SSD recording I suppose that all makes sense. Especially about the weak connections on the drive, that makes a lot of sense. I just noticed that the Red One has the ability to take removable SSD's, presumably encased in a proprietary housing. Maybe ENG's won't be far behind. I do wonder at the bitrate and color depth that their chips possess that seems to be wasted.

April 1st, 2011, 12:42 AM	#4
Adrian Frearson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: U.K Posts: 154	Re: Regular old ENG with onboard SSD recording When it comes to pro gear , which ENG would be, I think most of us would prefer field proven equipment and well tested workflows. I think it's fair enough that these camera systems take a while to develop and replace. I suspect that with all the 3rd party solutions now available, we're moving to a more modular approach to equipment use, with each set up being well suited to each situation. __________________ Adrian http://chillfactorfilms.com