FS-CF Audio drops out, picture freezes at DVinfo.net

Mike Hammond · August 28th, 2010, 04:36 PM

Hi everyone,

Just used my FS-CF for the first time at a wedding and, luckily, I shot to tape as well. I was wondering if anyone knows what's going on here.

I'm using the unit with an XH-A1s and it looked like everything was working fine. When I hit record on the camera, the FS-CF started right up.

Now I've downloaded some to my computer and about 3 or 4 seconds into each clip, the picture freezes and the audio stops. This frozen shot will stay for almost half a clip, then the picture will start up again, and then the audio pops back in for the last 3 or 4 seconds of the clip.

Before the gig, I chose the recording mode "retro cache" thinking that meant the unit would include stuff that happened right before I hit "record" on the camera. Before today, I think all the test clips I shot with this were fine.

Is that the problem or has my new unit gone blotto? I can post screens of the M2T file in Vegas if it will help.

EDIT: I wanted to add a few more bits of info here in case it helps someone to figure out what might be going on. While a vast majority of the clips exhibit the crummy behavior, a few do play correctly all the way through - though not many at all. Also, some play the picture all the way through but the audio drops out.

The bad clips came from two seperate cards (both transcend 400X 32GB CF) so I'm thinking both cards can't be bad. I was hoping the first one I looked at was just a piece of crap card. I worked in all environments, inside in the AC, outside in the 80* sun, in the shade. Even the first clips I shot in the day were bad so I'm guessing it's not environmental.

Thanks much!

Ed Roo · August 28th, 2010, 07:41 PM

I noticed some frame skipping/freezing when I viewed my files after importing them FCP7.
When I checked the raw QT files, they played smoothly.
haven't exported the FCP files to DVD to see if the artifacts really do exist or if they were just something happening in FCP.

Mike Hammond · August 29th, 2010, 05:34 AM

My files are definitely screwed up. I even watched them straight from the card into the computer, so I bypassed Vegas to try them out.

Greg Gerber · August 31st, 2010, 12:22 PM

Mike,

Are you using the FS-CF Pro or the FS-CF? I didn't think the FS-CF version supported "retro cache".

Greg

Mestizo Devon · August 31st, 2010, 01:15 PM

Format the cards in the cf unit
Run test footage
I had some issues with footage I lost, only test footage but lost none the less.
These units have certain card speed that you need to use
I have not run into this again but play it safe!

Mike Hammond · September 1st, 2010, 06:39 AM

Hi Greg,

Yes, I'm using the FS-CF. It does have retro-cache (though I haven't figured out how to set it up yet - too damn busy). The CF is supposed to be the FS-H200 exactly, except that it supports all the Canon frame rates.

Mestizo,

I always formatted the cards in the unit. Never had the problem until I selected retro cache as a recording option. Once I took that off (meaning no retor cahce option) everything is coming out fine.

I still would like to know if anyone has any ideas why selecting retro-cache might cause my problem.

Thanks!

Mestizo Devon · September 1st, 2010, 01:09 PM

Hmmm
I'll have to pay close attention to that
I'll give it a shot

Greg Gerber · September 1st, 2010, 02:45 PM

Hi Mike,

The fault could be caused by how the XH-A1s handles the HDV/.m2t file processing. (ie. starting and stopping with the record button plus a 2 to 4 second delay sending the signal down the firewire cable depending if the camera is paused or stopped.)

I have been wanting to test this with my FS-C.

I will test it right now.

Greg

Mestizo Devon · September 1st, 2010, 06:53 PM

mike,
I can confirm that the retro cache is screwing up the files
not all but some just will not open and play.
I used a 533x card
the quicktime wrapper and I control the fs-cf pro with my xha1s.
So not sure whats causing this?

Greg Gerber · September 2nd, 2010, 02:25 PM

Mike & Mestizo,

XH-A1+FS-C+retro cache+tapeless=no dropped frames

XH-A1+tape+FS-C+retro cache=dropped frames

XH-A1 appears to interruping firewire signal when it starts recording to tape.

Greg

Mestizo Devon · September 2nd, 2010, 03:37 PM

I wasn't using tape in my test, it was recorded only to the cf card

Greg Gerber · September 3rd, 2010, 10:59 AM

Mestizo,

What camera are you using? Are all your settings set to tapeless on the FS-CF Pro?

Greg

August 28th, 2010, 04:36 PM	#1
Mike Hammond Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Orange, NJ, U.S. Posts: 163	FS-CF Audio drops out, picture freezes Hi everyone, Just used my FS-CF for the first time at a wedding and, luckily, I shot to tape as well. I was wondering if anyone knows what's going on here. I'm using the unit with an XH-A1s and it looked like everything was working fine. When I hit record on the camera, the FS-CF started right up. Now I've downloaded some to my computer and about 3 or 4 seconds into each clip, the picture freezes and the audio stops. This frozen shot will stay for almost half a clip, then the picture will start up again, and then the audio pops back in for the last 3 or 4 seconds of the clip. Before the gig, I chose the recording mode "retro cache" thinking that meant the unit would include stuff that happened right before I hit "record" on the camera. Before today, I think all the test clips I shot with this were fine. Is that the problem or has my new unit gone blotto? I can post screens of the M2T file in Vegas if it will help. EDIT: I wanted to add a few more bits of info here in case it helps someone to figure out what might be going on. While a vast majority of the clips exhibit the crummy behavior, a few do play correctly all the way through - though not many at all. Also, some play the picture all the way through but the audio drops out. The bad clips came from two seperate cards (both transcend 400X 32GB CF) so I'm thinking both cards can't be bad. I was hoping the first one I looked at was just a piece of crap card. I worked in all environments, inside in the AC, outside in the 80* sun, in the shade. Even the first clips I shot in the day were bad so I'm guessing it's not environmental. Thanks much! __________________ Mike Hammond http://www.yourcinematicwedding.com \| http://www.storyboardgroup.com Last edited by Mike Hammond; August 28th, 2010 at 05:34 PM.

August 29th, 2010, 05:34 AM	#3
Mike Hammond Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Orange, NJ, U.S. Posts: 163	My files are definitely screwed up. I even watched them straight from the card into the computer, so I bypassed Vegas to try them out. __________________ Mike Hammond http://www.yourcinematicwedding.com \| http://www.storyboardgroup.com

September 1st, 2010, 06:39 AM	#6
Mike Hammond Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Orange, NJ, U.S. Posts: 163	Hi Greg, Yes, I'm using the FS-CF. It does have retro-cache (though I haven't figured out how to set it up yet - too damn busy). The CF is supposed to be the FS-H200 exactly, except that it supports all the Canon frame rates. Mestizo, I always formatted the cards in the unit. Never had the problem until I selected retro cache as a recording option. Once I took that off (meaning no retor cahce option) everything is coming out fine. I still would like to know if anyone has any ideas why selecting retro-cache might cause my problem. Thanks! __________________ Mike Hammond http://www.yourcinematicwedding.com \| http://www.storyboardgroup.com

August 28th, 2010, 07:41 PM	#2
Ed Roo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Columbus USA Posts: 312	I noticed some frame skipping/freezing when I viewed my files after importing them FCP7. When I checked the raw QT files, they played smoothly. haven't exported the FCP files to DVD to see if the artifacts really do exist or if they were just something happening in FCP.

August 31st, 2010, 12:22 PM	#4
Greg Gerber New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 24	Mike, Are you using the FS-CF Pro or the FS-CF? I didn't think the FS-CF version supported "retro cache". Greg

August 31st, 2010, 01:15 PM	#5
Mestizo Devon Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United States Posts: 290	Format the cards in the cf unit Run test footage I had some issues with footage I lost, only test footage but lost none the less. These units have certain card speed that you need to use I have not run into this again but play it safe!

September 1st, 2010, 01:09 PM	#7
Mestizo Devon Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United States Posts: 290	Hmmm I'll have to pay close attention to that I'll give it a shot

September 1st, 2010, 02:45 PM	#8
Greg Gerber New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 24	Hi Mike, The fault could be caused by how the XH-A1s handles the HDV/.m2t file processing. (ie. starting and stopping with the record button plus a 2 to 4 second delay sending the signal down the firewire cable depending if the camera is paused or stopped.) I have been wanting to test this with my FS-C. I will test it right now. Greg

September 1st, 2010, 06:53 PM	#9
Mestizo Devon Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United States Posts: 290	mike, I can confirm that the retro cache is screwing up the files not all but some just will not open and play. I used a 533x card the quicktime wrapper and I control the fs-cf pro with my xha1s. So not sure whats causing this?

September 2nd, 2010, 02:25 PM	#10
Greg Gerber New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 24	Mike & Mestizo, XH-A1+FS-C+retro cache+tapeless=no dropped frames XH-A1+tape+FS-C+retro cache=dropped frames XH-A1 appears to interruping firewire signal when it starts recording to tape. Greg

September 2nd, 2010, 03:37 PM	#11
Mestizo Devon Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United States Posts: 290	I wasn't using tape in my test, it was recorded only to the cf card

September 3rd, 2010, 10:59 AM	#12
Greg Gerber New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 24	Mestizo, What camera are you using? Are all your settings set to tapeless on the FS-CF Pro? Greg