CineTechnica » Video

Redbyte’s Decimator: Version 2

Ian McCausland — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:22:47 +0000

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The Decimator 2 is a low cost, easy to use downconverter and video distribution box. It is unique because it will accept HD-SDI, SDI or 3G (4×4x4) video signals, and output both HDMI, SD Video, and Analog Audio — no other mini-converter has all of these features. Once it detects an input signal, a colored diode lights up depending on the format, while a yellow diode indicates it is getting power. The Decimator will output all three signals (SDI loop-thru, HDMI, and Video) at the same time. A set of toggle switches on the back enable the user to set it up for different types of inputs and a wide selection of output options.

The Decimator is intended as a rack-mounted or monitor-mounted unit, and a mounting plate with screws is supplied. However, with a low weight of only .45 lbs, it can easily be rigged to a camera such as the RED.

Powered by DC 5-24V power, the Decimator comes with a power supply. Abel Cine Tech also sells a P-Tap adaptor that allows use with an on-board camera battery. It can also be powered by a Nebtek plate accepting Sony, Panasonic or Canon batteries.

USB and HDMI cables are included in the box.

Introducing OConnor’s New O-Grips System

Mitch Gross — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:49:03 +0000

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OConnor’s new Camera Accessory Division has just begun deliveries of their innovative new O-Grip handgrip system. The O-Grips use a steel universal ball joint to make the handgrips both extremely adjustable and extremely strong. They are endlessly orientable and can support more than 44lbs each. They can also be attached to one another for more adjustability and the rod bridge fits to both 15mm and 19mm studio rods as well as lightweight 15mm rods. Watch the video to learn more.

ARRI Releases MMB-1 Top Load Mattebox

Mitch Gross — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:39:32 +0000

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Two years ago, ARRI introduced the very popular MMB-1 mattebox. It became an immediate hit with our clients and the company quickly responded with various requested accessory options. Soon these options became what everyone wanted on their MMB-1, so after some discussion, ARRI decided to offer a version with these options substituted for the originals. This way, clients weren’t left with unwanted items at additional expense. Most requested were a top-loading rotating filter stage and a larger, 143mm rear clamp. This version of the mattebox is available now as the MMB-1 Top Load Mattebox. Check out the video for details.

The Powerbase-70 Battery for Canon HDSLRs

Andy Shipsides — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:32:22 +0000

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The Switronix Powerbase-70 is a new battery system for the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 7D. It combines a 70 Watt-hour V-Mount battery with a Canon power adapter that plugs right into your camera. With 70 watts of power the battery will run the camera for 6 times longer than a normal Canon battery. Additionally, the system features two P-taps, a battery gauge, and shoe for direct camera mounting. This is a great way to get longer record times on your HDSLR, and at the same time power multiple accessories. Check out the video above to learn more. The Powerbase-70 is now offered at a special introductory price of under $300 – an incredible deal on any V-mount battery. Also check out the various accessories I mention in the video: the P-tap charger, BlackMagic adapter, the AJA Adapter, the Zacuto Z-Cage, and the BlackMagic HDMI-to-SDI converter.

Switronix XDC-2LS: Battery Charger with a Twist

Mitch Gross — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:22:24 +0000

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Switronix has a new two-bay V-lock battery charger, the XDC-2LS. What’s special is that it powers off of 12vdc instead of plugging into AC power. The charger has an XLR-4 plug on the back, and a cable to plug it directly into a car cigarette lighter is included. The charger is powerful, simultaneously charging a pair of RED 140v Li-Ion batteries in just four hours. Now fast, portable power is available anywhere.

In the Field: Sony’s SRW-9000 & Mercedes

Andy Shipsides — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:45:53 +0000

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The lucky guys over at Mercedes-Benz Digital Media get to shoot promos for all of the newest cars, and these promo videos appear on television and in Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country. Recently they approached us to test out the Sony SRW-9000 on one of their shoots. With its 4:4:4 recording, extreme dynamic range and the high quality of the HDCAM SR format, the camera made for an easy choice. I traveled out to Lompac, CA – a city near Santa Barbara that boasts incredible views of the Pacific – with two cameras packed into a small rental car. Once there, I met up with DP Robert Campbell, Production Supervisor Kyle Smith, and the whole Mercedes team. They put one SRW-9000 on a special camera car rigged with a crane, and another on sticks for pass-by shots. Additionally, they used the CamTram system for some tracking shots. Fujinon provided several lenses, and Mercedes already owned the amazing HA13×4.5 lens with built-in precision focus. Robert, the DP, really liked having the ability to change frame rates up to 60P in 1080, and especially appreciated that the camera could ramp the frame rate while shooting. The shoot went smoothly and Mercedes-Benz captured some beautiful footage of several cars, including the new SLS. Check out the video above to see some of this footage, as well as some behind the scenes shots. Notice how well both highlight and lowlight information is preserved, especially during the sunset shots; we also ramped several shots so keep an eye out for those as well.

The PortaBrace Ultimate HDSLR Travel Kit

Mitch Gross — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:14 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video]One of the great advantages of HDSLR cameras is their small size. One of the supreme disadvantages is that there can be all sorts of little fiddly bits to keep track of. My old Super16 Aaton kit was a dozen cases — when I had to pare down to a Run ‘n’ Gun doc kit, I could get it to four — but that’s not how so many of us fly these days. We needed to get a fairly complete camera kit into a single case.

With this in mind, Abel and PortaBrace worked together to develop the “ultimate” HDSLR shooter’s case. The goal was to fit a camera built with front rods, follow focus, mattebox and optical viewfinder, along with a complete set of prime lenses or zooms, an HDMI/HD-SDI converter, and lots of batteries, chargers, CF cards, etc. It had to be easy to run around with on a shoot and fit inside a hardcase for shipping. After much work with PortaBrace, reconfiguring some products and creating new ones, we think we’ve come up with the Ultimate HDSLR Travel Kit. Take a look at the video to see more.

Introducing the Cinedeck Extreme

Mitch Gross — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:28:10 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video] A camera can only be as good as the recording made from it. In the past year or so we’ve seen some interesting new portable recording devices such as the AJA Ki Pro and the Convergent Design nanoFlash. Now comes the Cinedeck Extreme, which is not only an excellent recorder but also doubles as a full-featured on-camera monitor. The Cinedeck Extreme can input HD-SDI in 4:2:2 or 4:4:4, as well as HDMI, and record it to the wavelet-based Cineform codec. Coming soon (with a firmware upgrade) will be Avid DNxHD, as well as Uncompressed HD. That’s right — an Uncompressed 12-bit RGB HD recorder for under $12K that sits right on top of your camera. Recording media are consumer 2.5″ SSD drives designed for laptops.

The Cinedeck’s monitor offers functions such as waveform, vectorscope, false-color exposure meter, audio meters, pixel-to-pixel zoom for focus, grid and frameline overlays, etc. All this in a package about the same size of a standard on-board LCD.

Watch the video for more on the Cinedeck Extreme and to see it mounted to the new ARRI ALEXA Digital Cinema camera.

DSC Labs RED CamBook

Mitch Gross — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:33:13 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video]DSC Labs recently introduced the RED CamBook, which is designed for the RED One and other future RED cameras. It has three pages of framing charts, exposure aids and color alignment scales. Watch the video to see all the features of this useful tool.

Adjusting Back Focus on an XDCAM EX Camera

Andy Shipsides — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:56:19 +0000

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One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive about the XDCAM EX cameras is how to adjust back focus. Like all ENG style lenses, the lenses that come with these cameras can sometimes develop back focus issues over time. The cameras all have a method for adjusting this, and luckily the PMW350, PMW320, EX3, EX1R, and EX1 all follow a similar procedure. Watch this video to learn when and how to adjust the back focus on your EX camera.

DSCLabs has some great charts for checking back focus, they also offer a couple free ones that you can print yourself – here.

Note: To access the hidden menu on the EX1 / EX1R, hold the Menu, Scroll Wheel, and Cancel button at the same time. DO NOT adjust anything else in this menu.