Record the display?

[Dan Lambert]

I just got my A1 and I'm getting ready to go out and do some test shoots to get familiar with my camera. Is there a way to record the display (the various settings that are displayed in the LCD or Viewfinder) info into the actually video image - for reference? I looked in the manual and couldn't find anything.

And since this is my first post let me say "hi" to everyone.

[Khoi Pham]

When you playback, hit datacode on the remote and it will display f stop, shutter speed and gain at the time you shot the video.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Dan Lambert

Is there a way to record the display (the various settings that are displayed in the LCD or Viewfinder) info into the actually video image - for reference?

Yes -- it's a custom function called Character Record. In the Custom Function menu, toggle setting #20 to position 01 in order to turn it on. This is described in the manual on pages 84 through 89.

Welcome aboard,

[Dan Lambert]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Yes -- it's a custom function called Character Record. In the Custom Function menu, toggle setting #20 to position 01 in order to turn it on. This is described in the manual on pages 84 through 89.

Welcome aboard,

Excellent, thanks!

[Kyle Prohaska]

Originally Posted by Khoi Pham

When you playback, hit datacode on the remote and it will display f stop, shutter speed and gain at the time you shot the video.

Damn...thats awesome. I didn't even know about that!

*goes to try it*

- Kyle

[Jason Lowe]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Yes -- it's a custom function called Character Record. In the Custom Function menu, toggle setting #20 to position 01 in order to turn it on. This is described in the manual on pages 84 through 89.

Welcome aboard,

Does it reset automatically when you cycle the power, or do you have to go back and change it manually? Could be a cool effect for a verite style shot, but knowing me, I'd forget to turn it off and have a whole day's shooting with the data burned in.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Khoi Pham

When you playback, hit datacode on the remote and it will display f stop, shutter speed and gain at the time you shot the video.

Yeah, but the original poster asked about burned-in data, and this trick won't do it.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Jason Lowe

Does it reset automatically when you cycle the power, or do you have to go back and change it manually?

Once a Custom Function profile is applied, it stays on, even when the power is cycled. You have three CF profiles to choose from, so you could relegate this setting to CF.3 for instance, and be careful to turn it off each time when you're finished, or apply some other CF profile. Also, if you're using the Custom Display option, make sure that you leave the CF indicator on. Otherwise you won't know if it's on or not, and once Char. Rec. is selected, there's no way to change that video to and get rid of the burn-in.

[Khoi Pham]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Yeah, but the original poster asked about burned-in data, and this trick won't do it.

I just read it wrong, I was assuming that he is new with the camera and wanted to know what the shot would look like if he shot it at a certain f-stop of gain or whatever, didn't know that he really wanted to burn it in.
This is a great way to check your settings after the real shoot, you don't have any real burn in.

[Chris Hurd]

After re-reading his original post, now I'm not sure that he wanted burned-in data either. Between us though we seemed to have covered it both ways, so it's all good.

[Dan Lambert]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

After re-reading his original post, now I'm not sure that he wanted burned-in data either. Between us though we seemed to have covered it both ways, so it's all good.

I'm not sure what I wanted either :) But I understand both options now, so thanks again.

[Colin Browell]

posted in error - removed