Applied Logic Engineering, Inc. has built a sync controller around the basic power-sync process that all the GH 3D'ers are using. This is a preliminary run-thru of the bare board:

Applied Logic's GH1/GH2 Dual Camera (3D) Controller - YouTube

I should have a first article to test very soon. I'm fairly confident in the design as I've been in touch with the good folks at Applied Logic from the very beginning. I basically begged this product into existence.

Hopefully a ready-made controller will open GH1/2 3D up to more users!

David -- try that URL again, please

Just use the standard YouTube URL, nothing fancy. It will automatically embed a player right in your post.

Thanks again,

Fixed URL - thanks!

Well actually no, a youtu.be link won't do -- like I said, it needs to
be the actual youtube.com address, in other words the direct URL
of the clip in order for the player to be embedded here automatically
-- but I edited it for you so we're good to go!

Thanks again.

Excellent concept, by the way... please keep us advised of this project!

Very nice, clean and complete implementation David. Inoue-san who does lot of cool 3D for a long time now had a system working on the same principle and had excellent results: 3D Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor (3D HD Video shot on twin GH2) - YouTube . He didn't have the skew display though. This should be very nice. How do you re-sync? Do you recycle camera power? I cannot find the implementation on their web site. This could make for a cool mirror rig. Thanks again.

Yes - you power-cycle to re-sync.

There are a group of GH1 and GH2 users that have been using this process for stereoscopic shooting for quite some time. I have 2 mirror rigs based on GH2s at the moment. There are some limitations - but - the price to quality ratio simply cannot be beat.

Lots of details here - 3D (http://www.personal-view.com/talks/categories/3d)

I noticed that the two cameras booted at 2.3ms skew and drifted to 3ms fairly quickly. How typical is that? My system generally stays below 0.5 ms for about 5 minutes. Others have even better results. I generally try to stay below 1.5 ms of skew (about 10% of frame time @ 60p), otherwise motions such as people waving become troublesome. What is your experience and opinion?

This demo was actually taped with only 1 GH1 - the v-sync was simulated. I typically see less than .05ms mis-sync on initial startup.

That is most impressive! Thanks for sharing the info.

David, will this controller work with firmware hacked GH2's? Also, what is the target delivery date and price for this controller, if you know?

It absolutely DOES work with hacked GH1s and 2s. In fact, I don't know anyone shooting 3D with either camera who hasn't hack them. I have GOP1 hacks (Driftwood) on a pair of GH2s on a mirror-rig right now. It's a B-rig to my Scarlets - and it does an amazing job!

Applied logic will be issuing a press release with pricing and availability in the next few days. I'll make sure it gets posted here.

I like this. More info please.

Quick status update.... My test copy is in bound now. As soon as I can get it tested, Applied Logic will open up the order page. Should be just a few days. The user guide is available now...

Panasonic GH1/GH2 Dual Camera Controller (http://www.appliedlogiceng.com/index_files/Page1834.htm)

David, any kind of enclosure planned for that? or anything recommended?

I've now tested the controller and it works extremely well! I've asked Applied Logic for a FAQ section in the user's guide and a VERY minor change to the firmware to increase the shutter close time during time-lapse operation. Neither should hold up delivery at all.

I'm guessing they'll start shipping next week.

RE: Enclosure - they don't have one sourced at the moment, but are considering.


David Cole
www.beampath3d.com

The controller is now shipping: Panasonic GH1/GH2 Dual Camera Controller (http://www.appliedlogiceng.com/index_files/Page1834.htm)

Applied Logic has updated the GH1/2 Sync controller. Among other things, it has a case now!

Panasonic GH1/GH2 Dual Camera Controller (http://www.appliedlogiceng.com/index_files/Page1834.htm)

Hey David,

I'm very interested in this as a possible lower cost solution for a 2-camera rig for me. Right now, I'm practicing with two unsunc cheap HD cameras, but my current plan is to save up for two Sony FS-700s. Supposedly, Sony is going to release a firmware update for the camera, which will allow them to output 4K resolution to recorders, which may make them a poor man's Red. Plus, the camera shoots at bursts up to 240fps at HD resolution, and it is very slim, so I think it would make an ideal side-by-side 3D camera.

That said, I won't be able to afford the $25G or so it would take to put a rig together, for some time now. So if there are high bitrate outputs from large size sensors, such as with the hacked GH2, that might be a good in-between system.

I'm curious about a few things, such as: does the shallow focus of the larger sensor work against the 3D? Cuz maybe it'd be better to get a 3-chip camera, with a deeper DOF, so the bokeh isn't messing with the stereo. And: since the GH3 just came out with time code, is that enough of an improvement for sync, or does the controller you're talking about handle that? I imagine the GH2s will only get cheaper in the coming months since the GH3 was recently released.

Also, I imagine that I'd want to shoot with hacked GH2s, to get the sharper resolution and higher bitrates. However, that also seems like it opens one up to the risk of moire. Do you find a problem with that, in 3D?

Thanks!

...does the shallow focus of the larger sensor work against the 3D?

It's not that large of a sensor. If you stop-down a fast lens with plenty of light, you'll have all the depth of field you might want. I DO need to note here that you have to use manual lenses for 3D. I use a M4/3 to Nikon adapter and Nikon-mount lenses.

... since the GH3 just came out with time code...

Time code is not gonna get you sensor sync. You still need a sync controller.

... imagine that I'd want to shoot with hacked GH2s

Absolutely!!! The results from the hacks are mind-blowing. You'll find one (or more) for every occasion. I don't find moire to be a problem at all, but, I shoot with the internal sharpening dialed all the way back and denoise and sharpen a bit in post with Neat Video.

Great, well done David, glad it's in a case now.

Any reason why it wouldn't work with a couple of GH3's?

Wish I could take credit for the controller... I just shared a basic schematic with Applied Logic and begged them to produce it. They made it work and put it into production.

The GH3 appears to have the same shutter control pin-outs as the GH2... so GH3 should work fine. I'll know soon, as I have a couple of GH3s on order.

does the shallow focus of the larger sensor work against the 3D?

large dof mean that background seems equal on both eyes, then mean viewer see that come back to screen and is not far from viewer. also in avatar there is this error, in initial shot, when a drop of water come close to viewer, but due the dof instead to be near viewer stay attacced to screen.

disparity is the basic rule of stereoscopic viewing. all is the same on both eyes is on screen.

Do you see the need to test different GH3 units to come up with a pair that works fine? For other lanc controllers and Sony cameres people organize such kind of "pairing" actiions - where they test different units in all possible combinations to end up with pairs of units that tend to stay in sync in the best possible way.

Or is the controller able to keep two GH3 units in sync? (for lanc and Sony that was not possible)


Second question: I am a little bit confused about the power supply. Is that done from the controller to the two cameras? And what kind of power supply is required here? Can a battery used for that? Or must it be the "Powered from camera’s DC adapter" only?

>> Do you see the need to test different GH3 units to come up with a pair that works fine?

Unknown. For the GH1s and 2s, I've always had success with buying cameras from the same production lot (consecutive or closely adjacent serial numbers). I'd say that is always good advice for matching cameras and lenses. Even my REDs are consecutive serial numbers (for good measure).

>> Or is the controller able to keep two GH3 units in sync?

NO. The controller can measure the drift, but cannot correct it.

>> ...power supply

Single power source is fed to controller and it distributes to the cameras. It can be camera's AC adapter OR battery. I use 9.6V, 2000mAh RC car batteries - one battery usually lasts me a day of shooting.

Sure, consecutive or closely adjacent serial numbers are always a good idea for s3D.

I do not know much about a Red - but is there no genlock available? I am a bloody Prosumer only! :)

And I think the anwser to the question, if the controller can make a synchronsiation, will be know - since the controller measures only the sync drift. That seems to be similar to other lanc controller like the ste-fra lance.

For the power supply, maybe a powerbank like that

http://www.amazon.com/XTPower-10000mAh-Recorders-Sensation-Connectors/dp/B00935L44E/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1366532367&sr=1-2&keywords=XTPower%C2%AE+Powerbank+MP-10000

would do a good job?