Canon A1 and Sony HVR-MRC1K workflow-great results!
 

My experience using Canon A1 HDV with the Sony HVR-MRC1K digital recorder have been flawless. I bought by camera almost 3 years ago new and have started to notice drop frames more and more. As a result I upgraded to the Sony device
Here is my work flow:
Kingston 32gb card (not formated straight out of box)
Default settings from HVR-MRC1K (straight out box)
Turn on SONY Recorder (turn cam link off)
Connect firewire to Canon
Turn on Canon A1 to (auto, manual etc. recording mode etc.)
Begin Recording with the Canon 10 secs
Record with Sony (holding both record buttons)
The digital device with sync with time code from Canon until you stop recording
When you want to stop the Sony device press stop.
MAJOR ADVANTAGE in the mode.
After recording over an HOUR of HDV footage non stop
Stopping and changing tapes at 60 mins does NOT create drop frames on the digital file.
From there I Import file to computer from Sony and Sony software and the file is
ONE COMPLETE HOUR LONG FILE not stitching needed.
From that point I covert using Cineform HD-Link and Import into Premiere
Pro 2.0 Using Aspect HDV. File is flawless and in real time.
I will post more if status changes. Hope some of you can get your devices to work.
Drop frames were killing my business. This device saved it until Canon comes out
with new camera.

Nice Jason, glad to hear it.

4GB Limit Of FAT32 Has Been Destroyed
 

Not sure if anyone is aware, but Microsoft has just released a file system update called exFAT, which now eliminates the 4GB limitation on FAT file systems.


From the Microsoft Support site:
The exFAT file system incorporates several improvements over FAT32. However, it keeps the simplicity of FAT-based file systems. These improvements include the following key advances:
Support for very large files and storage devices
Support for performance improvements
Support for extensibility features for future innovation
Added compatibility for flash media

Support for volumes that are larger than 32 GB, the theoretical maximum volume size for FAT32 in Windows XP
The theoretical maximum volume size is 64 ZB.
The recommended maximum volume size is 512 TB.
Support for files that are larger than 4 GB, the theoretical maximum file size for FAT32 in Windows XP
The theoretical maximum file size is 64 ZB.
The recommended maximum file size is 512 TB


Complete info can be found at Description of the exFAT file system driver update package

Now......when are all of the manufacturers going to get on the ball and institute this file system in their media products?????

-Ken

Ken:

That is 4/5 year old news. exFAT/FAT64 was released with Vista and was out there before that.

I didn't look at the link, but most likely they are trying to enhance FAT64 compatability with pre-Vista machines. With the SDXC card readers now available and since new machines are shipping with SDXC compatable card readers, MS wants cross-platform compatability.

I did look at the link / web-page and this is what it is about:

"
The exFAT file system driver brings file system support parity to the following operating systems:
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows CE
"

MRC sees A1 as PC
 

Has anybody already found a solution for the problem that the recorder sees the A1 as a PC.
It happens to me almost every day I take my gear out for shootings. But only the first time I start everything up. When I manage to let the recorder see the A1 as a cam, then switching the cam off and on again within a certain timeframe doesn't change the status of the recorder.
My workaround when I start up is: Go into the menu - Settings - Cam link select: change from Synchro to Follow, then exit menu. Go into menu again and change the same setting back to Synchro and exit menu. Most of the time this is sufficient. But more and more I need to repeat that procedure 2 or 3 times before it works. Very annoying.

(Thats why I ordered a Datavideo DN-60. Uses the same cards but is capable of NTFS !)

Kees,

How has the 60 worked for you? useable on any camera with firewire?

what are its measurements?


dale guthormsen

I ordered it but it hasn't arrived yet. So I don't have user info.
Here is all the web info Datavideo Technologies Co. DN-60 -

Hi Kees,
Have you received your DN 60 yet? I am very curious to hear how it works for you compared to the Sony unit. Was it also a bit cheaper? Looks like the build quality is not as good though as the Sony.
Regards,
Bryce

Not yet. Sorry. My latest info is that they are beginning to deliver from Februar the 7th.
To be continued.

A datavideo dn60 is priced 402 euro in the Belgian videoshop and the mr1ck is priced 822 euro so the datavideo recorder is half the price of a sony recorder.

I payed €389,- (incl. 19% VAT which I can claim)

Thanks for that. Wow that's a lot cheaper than the Sony unit. Hope it works well for you. I will certainly be interested in one if it does!
Bryce

When will thye dn60 be available in the states, and who will carry it?
Bruce Yarock

dn-60 in US...
 

If you go to the datavideo.info website they have a "Where to buy" link. There are a bunch of dealers listed for the US. I will check with the video person at Adorama in NYC to see if he knows anything yet. I love the MRC1K and it works great for me but I just purchased a refurbished XLH1 and I need another DTE for it. The person I mainly freelance for has used datavideo products before and likes the hard drive recorder he has from them. Focus enhancements has two CF DTE models they are selling as well. Only issue is that friends and coworkers of mine who have used focus enhancements products in the past have had some very negative experiences with the companies tech support and customer service. The overseas price on the DN-60 is half of that of the MRC1K and FS-200. It seem fairly no frills. I dont see any control buttons on it, and it uses AA batteries which is a little annoying. I would have to see how well it does with rechargeable AA batteries. If it stays with the same pricepoint that is has overseas when its released here I think I will most likely get one.