Output Question at DVinfo.net

Mark Koha · June 12th, 2012, 05:18 PM

I'm looking into getting an XF series camera. Most of the work that I currently do is as a travelling ENG shooter for the Cleveland Indians. That being said, being able to hook the camera up to a production truck with a coax is a necessity. Is it possible to get clean video out of the HD-SDI output or will it have characters and such on it? Does it send out full 1080 video or does it downgrade to 720? Also, I would need to be able to hook up an on camera light and also a wireless receiver at the same time. Is it possible to do this without using any kind of a rail system? Thanks in advance for the help.

Mark

Martin Catt · June 12th, 2012, 09:55 PM

Lemme whip out my trusty manual...

If you want HD-SDI, you'll need the XF305. The XF300 doesn't have HD-SDI. The manual lists the output as SMPTE 292M, Video(1080i/720P) embedded audio, timecode (VITC/LTC)

The onscreen displays to the HD-SDI are switchable, On or Off.

The camera has a standard accessory shoe listed specifically as suitable for on-camera lights, plus a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the top handle for mounting "other" accessories. It doesn't look like it would be too difficult to mount a wireless receiver using the threaded hole and a light using the accessory shoe at the same time.

That said, you might consider getting a shoulder mount. While it's possible to hand-hold the camera without one, it gets sorta heavy in the long run, as it's a "shorty" with no rear shoulder pad and you end up carrying the entire weight on your arms. Add some lights and a receiver, and you might not need a gym membership if you shoot lots of footage.

The owner's manual is available for download from Canon. It covers just about anything you want to ask.

Hope that helps.

Martin

Mark Koha · June 13th, 2012, 05:07 PM

Here's a question. I also have a Rebel T3i. If I shoot video on that, do you think I could play it back with an XF? The easiest solution would be if there was a card reader that had a coax out on it but I have yet to find one.

Martin Catt · June 14th, 2012, 04:52 AM

Not sure what you mean by "play it back on a T3I."

If you mean swapping the card into an XF300, pretty much forget it. The T3I records in H.264 format, not the native XF format.

Martin

June 12th, 2012, 05:18 PM	#1
Mark Koha Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 243	Output Question I'm looking into getting an XF series camera. Most of the work that I currently do is as a travelling ENG shooter for the Cleveland Indians. That being said, being able to hook the camera up to a production truck with a coax is a necessity. Is it possible to get clean video out of the HD-SDI output or will it have characters and such on it? Does it send out full 1080 video or does it downgrade to 720? Also, I would need to be able to hook up an on camera light and also a wireless receiver at the same time. Is it possible to do this without using any kind of a rail system? Thanks in advance for the help. Mark

June 12th, 2012, 09:55 PM	#2
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	Re: Output Question Lemme whip out my trusty manual... If you want HD-SDI, you'll need the XF305. The XF300 doesn't have HD-SDI. The manual lists the output as SMPTE 292M, Video(1080i/720P) embedded audio, timecode (VITC/LTC) The onscreen displays to the HD-SDI are switchable, On or Off. The camera has a standard accessory shoe listed specifically as suitable for on-camera lights, plus a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the top handle for mounting "other" accessories. It doesn't look like it would be too difficult to mount a wireless receiver using the threaded hole and a light using the accessory shoe at the same time. That said, you might consider getting a shoulder mount. While it's possible to hand-hold the camera without one, it gets sorta heavy in the long run, as it's a "shorty" with no rear shoulder pad and you end up carrying the entire weight on your arms. Add some lights and a receiver, and you might not need a gym membership if you shoot lots of footage. The owner's manual is available for download from Canon. It covers just about anything you want to ask. Hope that helps. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod

June 13th, 2012, 05:07 PM	#3
Mark Koha Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 243	Re: Output Question Here's a question. I also have a Rebel T3i. If I shoot video on that, do you think I could play it back with an XF? The easiest solution would be if there was a card reader that had a coax out on it but I have yet to find one.

June 14th, 2012, 04:52 AM	#4
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	Re: Output Question Not sure what you mean by "play it back on a T3I." If you mean swapping the card into an XF300, pretty much forget it. The T3I records in H.264 format, not the native XF format. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod