This week Convergent Design will be releasing a new firmware for their nanoFlash recorder (version 1.1.131), which contains some significant improvements. They have bumped up the data rate options once again to 180 Mbps LongGOP and 280 Mbps I-Frame. This is great for really pushing the premium video quality. But the new feature that excites me is not a new data rate, but a small change that makes the MXF files generated by the nanoFlash compatible with those on the XDCAM ProDisc. The nanoFlash utilizes the same Sony codec found in the PDW-700 and PDWF800, just at many different data rates. So CD and Sony worked together to make the two MXF files compatible. This means that material recorded in the nanoFlash at 50 Mbps LongGOP (the highest quality currently supported by the disc) can be put on a XDCAM ProDisc and played back on an XDCAM deck. This is a great option because, not only is the XDCAM disc a terrific format, but many television networks require it as a deliverable. On top of that, it makes for an excellent archiving solution. I decided to test out this new feature by combining the PMWEX1, nanoFlash, and PDW-U1 (inexpensive ProDisc reader/writer). Keep reading to see my process.

…continue reading How to Put nanoFlash Video on an XDCAM Disc

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

I recently traveled to Chicago to shoot a music video on an Sony PMW-EX1 camera. Much of the shooting was on greenscreen so I brought along the nanoFlash from Convergent Design to increase the quality of my recording. While the EX1 records excellent quality video, I really needed the bitrate and color sampling improvements that the nanoFlash offers. I shot both to the EX1 in XDCAM EX at 35Mbps, and to the nanoFlash in XDCAM 422 at 160Mbps. The quality difference between the two versions was significant, and I found that the nanoFlash footage was very easy to key. Watch the video to see my review of the nanoFlash, and the difference between the XDCAM EX footage and what the nanoFlash recorded. Update: The latest firmware for the nanoFlash also offers 24P pull-down removal.

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

Last month a client of ours asked us to demonstrate some of the new Panasonic GP-US932H cameras in a helicopter. The hope was to create a multi-angle video of his client’s helicopter tours over NYC. The tiny Panasonic cameras from their medical division seemed perfect for the job. We attached all of the cameras to a Panasonic (AV-HS300) switcher and recorded to the Flash XDR from Convergent Design. Check out the video from this test shoot.

Here are some shots from inside the helicopter. This was a quick test that we did in a day. The actual setup would have shock mounted cameras inside and outside the helicopter, all the gear would be hidden away, and the switcher would be set to automatically cycle between shots.

[View with PicLens]