Okay what am I doing wrong?
 

I have just got my nanoflash. I’ve hooked up the power and it switches on. Put the HD-SDI to out on the PMW-EX3 and in on the nanoflash.

Got it set as Long GoP 100Mbps MXF recording the Extreme III 32GB the nanoflash is set to record 1080psf25 (the cam is HQ 1080/25p). Now hit record on the nanoflash and I get a little egg timer on the right hand-side of the record time. Hit record on the cam and it records to SxS (anyway to stop that?). Now I eject the CF card and load it straight into Vegas 8.0c and I just get red frames! Downloaded a sample from the CD website in MXF and that loads fine!

I’ve not got a HD-SDI monitor at the moment so can’t test the video in cam.

The PSP In is checked and the PSP out isn’t.

The nano firmware is 1.0.64. The source is SDI.

Any suggestions as I am pulling my hair out here and I don’t have much as it is :)

Hi Paul,
On the NanoFlash main menu under the play option the Nano reports the incoming SDI format what is the video format displayed on you machine.

Paul you may also want to check the EX3 SDI menu to ensure that the SDI option is set for HD and not in the off position.

Paul in my experience a red frame in vegas means there is a codec problem of some type (e.g. the codec for that frame is not installed or the frame is corrupt)

Paul,

I can not stress how important it is to use the current firmware 1.0.112. There are numerous serious bugs which were fixed since 1.0.64. I am not suggesting that your particular failure is due to .64 but it is likely you will have other problems if you don't upgrade.

Jeff

Camera will always record unless you use remote trigger
 

Hi Paul, sorry you're having trouble. Just to answer this point, it is my understanding that the only way to avoid having to record to SxS is to use the remote trigger rather than the camera record and set the NanoFlash to start record on remote trigger.

We have had a cable made up that routes the remote trigger to a button next to the camera rec button and a tally light into the viewfinder.

The EX3 DOES have an 'EXT only' record trigger option, but as far as I can see this only works for recorders connected via firewire, not SDI, which is a shame.

It would be great if Sony sorted this - I'm interested to know if the PMW-350 has the same issue or not, as the extra cabling is a bit annoying.

Good luck.

Dave C

Thanks for the help so far.

Hi Lance

The format displayed on the machine is;

1080sf25 100M 0058

Yes the SDI option is set to HD

Hi Dave

Thanks for the heads up. I can't play the mxf in anything that has been record via the nanoflash.

Hi Jeff

I have now upgraded the firmware yet still experiencing that same problem. Thanks for the tip though.

Hi Dave

Thanks for the info about the remote.

I can’t seem to fathom out why the codec is getting corrupted? Anyone from CD with any advice? Or anyone with any other ideas, prepared to try everything, before sending it back to my supplier.

Many thanks,

Paul

Hi Paul-
Have you tried to playback the MXF files using the Sony XDCAM Viewer software? You can download here: https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/son...model=PDZ-VX10

Best-

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I have and a message pops up saying:

I’m starting to stress now as I have been trying to sort this out since yesterday afternoon. Can’t think of anything else to try.

Even the mpeg plays audio only and the QT files don’t work.

Regards,

Paul

Okay downloaded the trial version of Vegas Pro 9.0c and still can't get the thing to work. Instead of RED frames its now WHITE.

Should that little egg timer be on the right-hand side of the recording format on the nanoflash? Also when recording is it only the top set of numbers that change?

Dear Paul,

I have read and re-read this thread looking for clues.

The Facts:

SanDisk Extreme III
MXF Mode
100 Mbps Long-GOP
1080psf25.
1080sf25 100M 0058 reported on the nanoFlashes Status Line
PSF-In Checked, PSF-Out Unchecked.
Edited in Sony Vegas 8.0c

All of the above are normal, the 1080sf25 indicates that the nanoFlash is seeing 1080psf25, which indicates that your EX3 is putting out an HD-SDI signal.

The Sony Clip Viewer Version 2.30 should play this file as should Sony Vegas 8.0c.

Have you tranferred the footage to your computer's hard drive? Is it a fast internal hard drive, or are you using a USB hard drive? (This is should not be a problem generally, it is just that USB hard drives are slower).


I assume that you recorded in the nanoFlash by pressing the Record Button, and that you pressed the Stop Button to stop recording. (I only ask this since some think that pressing the Record Button again on the nanoFlash will stop recording.)

Did you wait for the recording to stop before removing the card(s)?


I recommend that you, for a simple test, setup your camera to record 1080i50 (or 1080i60) then record a 15 second test. Then check this file in Sony Vegas.

The error that you are receiving from the Sony Clip Viewer (2.30) is not normal.

I will send you a private message with my phone number.

As I mentioned in my original post I haven't any means at this moment to connect HD-SDI or HDMI Output on the camera. However I am not get a video signal just audio on all Long GoP formats (MXF, QT, MPG). Any suggestions here guys?

HD is on in the SDI setting.

Thanks for the detailed reply Dan. Yes everything you say is correct. Will try the interlaced now. Thanks!

Dear Paul,

We look forward to your next test.

QT, 4:2:2 will not work in Sony Vegas.

Vegas supports MXF Long-GOP (and not I-Frame Only at this time.)

I would not use MPG for your testing, MXF would be best for your initial testing.

For some reason I'm only getting audio no video. Tried 50i and 25p. Put on the timeline I just get audio.

SanDisk Extreme III
MXF Mode
100 Mbps Long-GOP
1080psf25.
1080sf25 100M 0058 reported on the nanoFlashes Status Line
PSF-In Checked, PSF-Out Unchecked.
Edited in Sony Vegas 8.0c and 9.0c

SanDisk Extreme III
MXF Mode
100 Mbps Long-GOP
1080i50.
1080i50 100M 0058 reported on the nanoFlashes Status Line
PSF-In unchecked, PSF-Out Unchecked.
Edited in Sony Vegas 8.0c and 9.0c

Strange.

This is my set-up with the PMW-EX3 and the nanoFLASH.

The camera is set to 1080/25p with SDI set to HD. I have a HD-SDI cable coming out of the camera via the SDI Out which is connected to the nanoFLASH SDI In. Now the nanoFLASH is set-up in the following way:

MXF Mode
100 Mbps
Long-GOP
1080psf25
PSF-In Checked
PSF-Out Unchecked
Record Button

The nanoFLASH Status Line reads; 1080sf25 100M 0058

The SanDisk Extreme III 32GB Cards are formatted in the nanoFLASH which now is running on the latest firmware 1.0.112.

I am then pressing RECORD on the nanoFLASH and a little egg timer appears on the right-hand side of the recording… then I press RECORD on my PMW-EX3 and recording commences in the viewfinder of the camera and the top row of numbers on the nanoFLASH LCD. I stop recording on the PMW-EX3 wait ten seconds then press STOP on the nanoFLASH. I wait a further ten seconds after the light has gone out to ensure everything has been written to the Memory Card. The SxS memory Card play backs fine. I eject the CF Card from the nanoFLASH. As of yet I have no means to connect the SDI Out from the nanoFLASH to a HD Monitor (so have no way of knowing if the nanoFLASH is actually seeing any video.

Anyhow I take the CF Card and push it into the Card Reader (the one supplied by CD and four others have now been tested). I copy the files to my D: Drive (Raid 0 and on another machine no Raid), I the open Vegas Pro 8.0c (32-bit), 8.1 (64-bit) and a trial version of 9.0c. I then click: File> Import> Media. Select the file and it get brought into Media Project. I then drag and drop on the timeline.

In Vegas 8.0c and 8.1 I get red frames on the Video Track and a working audio on the Audio Track. Whereas in Vegas 9.0c I just get an Audio Track which does play back as recorded.

Now I have downloaded a few different MXF from CDs website to test and they all work flawlessly, I have downloaded XDCAM Viewer but keep getting the message I mentioned earlier. I’ve tried a couple of others but no avail.

I believe the problem is somewhere in the camera or the nanoFLASH itself. Maybe I missing the obvious here. Anyhow I’d appreciate it if anyone has any ideas what I can try next.

Best regards,

Paul

Dear Paul,

If you see 1080sf25 or similar information on our Status line, we are receiving video.

Also, we will not record unless we are receiving video (we do not record audio only).

I will have our support department attempt to assist.

Do you have access to an HD-SDI monitor or a HDMI TV or monitor? With a simple HDMI cable (Type C to Type A - Mini to Full size) cable, you could play back the footage from the nanoFlash and/or use an HDMI TV as a monitor.

I have no idea why you can not get your files to play in Vegas.

We agree, since you can download our sample videos and they play find in Vegas, the problem does not appear to be in Vegas.

We will be in touch via email.

Thanks Dan! I've replied to the support email.

check ilink setting
 

This may be a long shot but it is one that has stumped me before. The HDSDI/SDI port shuts down on the EX3 when the "ILINK" in enabled in the OTHERS menu.

Hi Denis,

That had me stumped when I first got the camera and was trying to connect an external monitor, Thanks anyhow.

I've sent a clip to CD for analysis so will see what they come back with. Very help bunch! Hopefully will get sorted in time for my latest project.

Dear Friends,

Yes, on the Sony EX1 and EX3, the iLink must be disabled in the "Others" menu.

If this is enabled, then the nanoFlash will not see the HD-SDI source from the camera.
The nanoFlash will show "No SRC", indicating "No Source".

[QUOTE=Paul Inglis;1449985]Thanks for the help so far.

Hi Lance

The format displayed on the machine is;

1080sf25 100M 0058

Yes the SDI option is set to HD

Hello,
The fact that the Nano is reporting in the status line "1080sf25 100M 0058" would indicate that it is receiving a valid SDI signal. I agree with Dave it's has to be a codec or file corruption problem.

Dear Friends,

This has been a very strange problem.

Paul assisted us greatly so we could attempt to diagnose the problem.

Since the status line on the nanoFlash is appropriate for the mode being used in the camera, it appears that the HD-SDI signal that we are getting would appear to be valid.

This is an assumption on our part since we do not have access to a monitor.

Paul ran some tests, uploaded them, then I confirmed that I see the same problem of my copy of Sony Vegas that he does. We tested 1080i50 at 4:2:0 35 Mbps and 1080i60 (59.94) 4:2:2 at 50 Mbps. We both get the same "Red Block" in Sony Vegas. I also tried playing the videos in Sony Clip Viewer 2.30.

Paul reinstalled our 1.0.112 firmware.

We have offered to replace his nanoFlash. Paul will be contacting his dealer on Monday.

If Paul had needed quicker response, we were prepared to send out a nanoFlash today.

As always, we are open to suggestions. This has been a very strange problem, as I said earlier.

Dear Paul,

Did you format your CompactFlash cards in your nanoFlash before using them?

Yes I had formatted the cards in the nanoflash before using them.

Hi everyone,

I’d just like to say that my replacement nanoFLASH arrived about half an hour ago and works absolutely fine! Apart from a disable on/off switch (which is apparently what you all asked for).

I have to say here that Dan and CD have been absolutely amazing in getting this sorted. They have gone above and beyond standard customer service, they are leading the pack. Dan spent much of Saturday working to resolve this issue. The sheer speed that I got a replacement is stunning.

CD just rocks!!!

That most likely means your system does not have the right codec installed.

Hi Adam,

The clips from the new nanoFLASH play fine now. For some reason (which I’d love to know) the codec was getting corrupted in my original nanoFLASH and Vegas, VLC, XDCAM Viewer and so on just didn’t like it.

Thanks for all who posted helpful suggestions and most of all thanks to Dan and CD for resolving my issue.

Dear Friends,

This was a very strange problem.

The nanoFlash would appear to record properly, and we could open the files in Sony Vegas, hear the audio, but the video showed a codec problem by displaying red blocks.

Paul was very helpful and cooperative in running tests for us.

Paul did not have immediate access to a monitor so we could not tell if the nanoFlash was receiving a proper signal or not, nor could we play the files from the nanoFlash.

After testing his files on my copy of Sony Vegas; confirming Paul's results, we replaced the nanoFlash.

Thus, the nanoFlash proved to be faulty, as we both suspected.

We will be testing this nanoFlash in our lab to determine the exact cause of this very unusual problem.

We have also discussed changing our testing procedures to ensure that this failure does not occur again. While we test each and every nanoFlash during manufacturing, we have not been taking the recorded files and playing them in a NLE.

I believe we have already started doing this.

Paul, I'm glad you got it resolved.

Thanks Adam!