Problem with "Cache" Mode - Please Help !

Mike Theiss · October 22nd, 2009, 08:00 PM

Dirk and rest,

Ok, i did some experiementing with (Ext Only, Synchronous, and Relay). In relay and synchronous the problems still happens. In Ext Only, i can not get the back unit (iLink) to record when hitting the normal record button. I understand that the EXT mode stops the tape from recording when the record button is hit but I can't get it to record to the back unit either (iLink). Bascially nothing happens in (Ext Only) mode.

By the way the pause error i am trying to troubleshoot is only when in HDV mode, when in DVcam mode there is no issue.

Anyway, Dirk so you said you got it to work right using the (Ext Only) mode. Are you hitting the actual big record button on top that normally starts the tape or the smaller buttons on the iLink unit. Also, are you are in Cache mode?

Thanks!
Mike Theiss

Dirk Pel · October 24th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Hello Mike,
I use the normal big button on the camera to start and stop the the writing on the card writer. I use only HDV. This works correct on EXT only! My camcorder is a Z5, perhaps there are small differences between the Z7 and the Z5
Dirk PEL

Mike Theiss · October 25th, 2009, 06:11 PM

Thanks Dirk...

yea, there must be a difference between the Z5 and a Z7. Because mine won't record when doing that, Darn.... well thanks for helping.

Dirk Pel · October 26th, 2009, 04:41 AM

Hello Mike,
On page 86 of your operating manuel it is explained how it works. There is no difference between the Z5 and the Z7. Perhaps you make a little error in the setup.
It should be possible, when not go to your shop where you bought the cam.
Greeting from Germany.
Dirk PEL(NL)

Mike Theiss · October 28th, 2009, 11:27 PM

Thanks. I have read the book and page 86 but still seem to be a problem. I am getting the symbol that says it does not recognize the external device. Anyway, i will do some more testing, Thanks !

Mike

Dirk Pel · October 29th, 2009, 03:21 AM

Hello Mike,
Is on the cardwriter the cam link right?
See picture, it must be in the position as on on the my jpg!

Mike Theiss · November 2nd, 2009, 12:21 AM

Dirk,

Thanks for taking the time to post the examples, etc.... OK, i tried it again in Ext Only mode and still not working. I made sure the cam link was correct just like in your example but the big (main) record button still does not start recording to the CF reader for some reason. Hummmm....

Zach Love · November 2nd, 2009, 02:22 PM

If you're waiting hours & hours for the perfect shot, it might be easier to take the recorder off the camera & put it in the arm rest of the lawn chair. (You'll have to have another battery for the CF recorder & a FW cable.)

If it works by hitting the record button directly on the unit, you can get the shot w/o getting up! :)

...

One other thing to think about is the super slow motion mode.

You would be recording to tape, but you could get 12sec of cache at 120fps.

It would be a little tricky because you'd ONLY get a max of 12sec recorded, so you'd want to to time it to record enough of the ice berg breaking & enough of it falling. You'll also lose some quality & have to wait 48sec after the 12sec cache to record to tape.

Daniel Shaw · November 3rd, 2009, 06:43 PM

Hey Mike and All.

I'm one of Mikes mates based in Australia.
As well as Mike has tried to explain this issue, It can be further clarified.

1. The Issue occurs when cache mode is on using the HVR-MRC1
2. The Issue occurs when the Sony HVR-Z7 Camera AND the rear HVR-MRC1 unit are used together.
3. It is unknown if the issue is present when using other cameras or Firewire HDV based devices.

NOTE:
In DVCAM Mode (Camera and Memory Recorder), when you have Cache on. It will cache around 14 seconds of video. When you press record on the camera and you (for example) record 30 seconds of video. The total time recorded to Memory Card is around 44 seconds.
THIS WILL BE A SINGLE FILE (Including Cache)

NOTE:
In HDV Mode (Camera and Memory Recorder), when you have Cache on. It will cache around 14 seconds of video. When you press record on the camera and you (for example) record 30 seconds of video. The total time recorded to Memory Card is around 14 seconds as one clip, and another of around 29 seconds.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 2 FILES RECORDED (Including Cache)
WHEN THESE FILES ARE PUT ON A TIMELINE (Edit Suite), THERE WILL BE AROUND 1 SECOND MISSING BETWEEN THE TWO CLIPS.

This is naturally noticed when playing back directly from the HVR-MRC1, as mike has experienced.

I have contacted Sony Australia about this problem, and will be lodging this alleged design flaw with them.

I have not been able to locate any firmware updates on the Sony website for the HVR-MRC1.

I have used the Camera without fault for over 1 year.. I'm very happy with its performance.

I never knew there was a problem with the HDV Cache continuous recording until Mike asked me about it.

I believe everyone with this unit may be affected.

I have used cache extensively, but never really knew it was an issue.

However with what Mike is doing, (Filming glaciers collapse), you WILL need the clips to be continuous (like in DVCAM Mode).

I have no idea why 2 clips are created instead of just one in DVCAM Mode.

Updates to follow...

Dirk Pel · November 4th, 2009, 08:48 AM

Hallo all,
There must be a difference between the Z7 and the Z5. I just tested it again in cache mode. EXT only and HDV. There is in my Z5 MRC1 only one file and not as you explained 2. The scene I recorded is complete without any interruption!!
I do'nt understand why this difference exist, the only explanation is perhaps that the Z5 was later on the market as the Z7.

Dirk PEL(NL)

Rob Morse · November 5th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Just for the heck of it, did you try to use the Sony utility program to join them?
Never mind, that won't work.

October 29th, 2009, 03:21 AM	#21
Dirk Pel Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Karlsruhe Germany Posts: 42	Hello Mike, Is on the cardwriter the cam link right? See picture, it must be in the position as on on the my jpg! Attached Thumbnails

November 2nd, 2009, 02:22 PM	#23
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	If you're waiting hours & hours for the perfect shot, it might be easier to take the recorder off the camera & put it in the arm rest of the lawn chair. (You'll have to have another battery for the CF recorder & a FW cable.) If it works by hitting the record button directly on the unit, you can get the shot w/o getting up! :) ... One other thing to think about is the super slow motion mode. You would be recording to tape, but you could get 12sec of cache at 120fps. It would be a little tricky because you'd ONLY get a max of 12sec recorded, so you'd want to to time it to record enough of the ice berg breaking & enough of it falling. You'll also lose some quality & have to wait 48sec after the 12sec cache to record to tape. __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

November 3rd, 2009, 06:43 PM	#24
Daniel Shaw Tourist Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2	Sony HVR-Z7 & HVR-MRC1 Cache Problem Hey Mike and All. I'm one of Mikes mates based in Australia. As well as Mike has tried to explain this issue, It can be further clarified. 1. The Issue occurs when cache mode is on using the HVR-MRC1 2. The Issue occurs when the Sony HVR-Z7 Camera AND the rear HVR-MRC1 unit are used together. 3. It is unknown if the issue is present when using other cameras or Firewire HDV based devices. NOTE: In DVCAM Mode (Camera and Memory Recorder), when you have Cache on. It will cache around 14 seconds of video. When you press record on the camera and you (for example) record 30 seconds of video. The total time recorded to Memory Card is around 44 seconds. THIS WILL BE A SINGLE FILE (Including Cache) NOTE: In HDV Mode (Camera and Memory Recorder), when you have Cache on. It will cache around 14 seconds of video. When you press record on the camera and you (for example) record 30 seconds of video. The total time recorded to Memory Card is around 14 seconds as one clip, and another of around 29 seconds. THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 2 FILES RECORDED (Including Cache) WHEN THESE FILES ARE PUT ON A TIMELINE (Edit Suite), THERE WILL BE AROUND 1 SECOND MISSING BETWEEN THE TWO CLIPS. This is naturally noticed when playing back directly from the HVR-MRC1, as mike has experienced. I have contacted Sony Australia about this problem, and will be lodging this alleged design flaw with them. I have not been able to locate any firmware updates on the Sony website for the HVR-MRC1. I have used the Camera without fault for over 1 year.. I'm very happy with its performance. I never knew there was a problem with the HDV Cache continuous recording until Mike asked me about it. I believe everyone with this unit may be affected. I have used cache extensively, but never really knew it was an issue. However with what Mike is doing, (Filming glaciers collapse), you WILL need the clips to be continuous (like in DVCAM Mode). I have no idea why 2 clips are created instead of just one in DVCAM Mode. Updates to follow...

November 5th, 2009, 05:39 PM	#26
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Just for the heck of it, did you try to use the Sony utility program to join them? Never mind, that won't work. Last edited by Rob Morse; November 5th, 2009 at 05:42 PM. Reason: Stupidity

October 22nd, 2009, 08:00 PM	#16
Mike Theiss New Boot Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Key Largo Posts: 10	Dirk and rest, Ok, i did some experiementing with (Ext Only, Synchronous, and Relay). In relay and synchronous the problems still happens. In Ext Only, i can not get the back unit (iLink) to record when hitting the normal record button. I understand that the EXT mode stops the tape from recording when the record button is hit but I can't get it to record to the back unit either (iLink). Bascially nothing happens in (Ext Only) mode. By the way the pause error i am trying to troubleshoot is only when in HDV mode, when in DVcam mode there is no issue. Anyway, Dirk so you said you got it to work right using the (Ext Only) mode. Are you hitting the actual big record button on top that normally starts the tape or the smaller buttons on the iLink unit. Also, are you are in Cache mode? Thanks! Mike Theiss

October 24th, 2009, 05:58 AM	#17
Dirk Pel Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Karlsruhe Germany Posts: 42	Hello Mike, I use the normal big button on the camera to start and stop the the writing on the card writer. I use only HDV. This works correct on EXT only! My camcorder is a Z5, perhaps there are small differences between the Z7 and the Z5 Dirk PEL

October 25th, 2009, 06:11 PM	#18
Mike Theiss New Boot Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Key Largo Posts: 10	Thanks Dirk... yea, there must be a difference between the Z5 and a Z7. Because mine won't record when doing that, Darn.... well thanks for helping.

October 26th, 2009, 04:41 AM	#19
Dirk Pel Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Karlsruhe Germany Posts: 42	Hello Mike, On page 86 of your operating manuel it is explained how it works. There is no difference between the Z5 and the Z7. Perhaps you make a little error in the setup. It should be possible, when not go to your shop where you bought the cam. Greeting from Germany. Dirk PEL(NL)

October 28th, 2009, 11:27 PM	#20
Mike Theiss New Boot Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Key Largo Posts: 10	Thanks. I have read the book and page 86 but still seem to be a problem. I am getting the symbol that says it does not recognize the external device. Anyway, i will do some more testing, Thanks ! Mike

November 2nd, 2009, 12:21 AM	#22
Mike Theiss New Boot Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Key Largo Posts: 10	Dirk, Thanks for taking the time to post the examples, etc.... OK, i tried it again in Ext Only mode and still not working. I made sure the cam link was correct just like in your example but the big (main) record button still does not start recording to the CF reader for some reason. Hummmm....

November 4th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#25
Dirk Pel Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Karlsruhe Germany Posts: 42	Hallo all, There must be a difference between the Z7 and the Z5. I just tested it again in cache mode. EXT only and HDV. There is in my Z5 MRC1 only one file and not as you explained 2. The scene I recorded is complete without any interruption!! I do'nt understand why this difference exist, the only explanation is perhaps that the Z5 was later on the market as the Z7. Dirk PEL(NL)