NanoFlash For EX3 HD 2 SD Down Conversion at DVinfo.net

Lance Librandi · January 29th, 2010, 12:46 AM

The best way to down convert EX3 HD vision is to set the EX3 SDI to SD out and record the vision simultaneously to SxS and the NanoFlash. I had some vision on my SxS cards that needed to be down convert quickly for a client.

This is another method of Down Converting EX3 SxS HD vision using the NanoFlash. I set the EX3 into Media mode, select the Menu and set the SDI output to SD. I then set the NanoFlash to internal timecode. I then selected the files that I want to play on the EX3 press play and at the same time press record on the NanoFlash. The NanoFlash will then record the SDI SD vision at 50Mbps. Then I ingest the nanoflash files into the NLE. This has given me a higher quality a real time quick SD down conversion than the camera's analogue outputs.

Piotr Wozniacki · January 29th, 2010, 04:18 AM

Great idea, Lance!

Even when I know I'll need SD version of my recording, it somehow has always been a tough decision for me to use my nano in SD mode (considering I always strive for the best quality possible). Your method allows to downrez only the clips I need, and still have 2 copies of the highest quality HD!

Have you compared your nano SD output created this way, to the ClipBrowser HD->SD downconversion? Which looks better?

Lance Librandi · January 30th, 2010, 02:46 PM

Hello Piotr,
I have tried Clip Browser the down conversion is better than the the camera but not as good as the SDI to Nanoflash. The Nanoflash recording of the down converted images have better colour saturation cleaner edges.

George Griswold · January 30th, 2010, 06:03 PM

That is a great idea... I just shot with my Nano for the first time today... worked like a charm. What a great device with so many uses to extend the reach of existing gear.

I registered it yesterday and asked them to please wait a month or two before coming out with a new model at half the price. I think we all fear dropping cash for gear and the next best thing comes out the next week.

Dan Keaton · January 31st, 2010, 01:45 AM

Dear George,

We have no intention of coming out with a new model at one-half the price, I can assure you that this is not in our plans.

We introduced the nanoFlash at NAB last year, at $3,999.

We reduced the price to $2,895 before we started shipping.

There is a lot of technology, and very expensive parts, in the nanoFlash. We could not reduce the price to one-half the price, even if we wanted to.

George Griswold · January 31st, 2010, 08:06 AM

Thanks Dan,

Good to know... really a request made partly in jest, but I don't think I am the only freelancer that is watching with amazement or anger at the constant product roll-outs by the likes of Sony. In the post-Betacam era more and more calls come in for a certain camera instead of certain video specs. The genius of the Nanoflash is now I can offer multiple formats with just two cameras (EX-3 and HDX-900).
My HDX-900 can be a file based camera-- very cool.

The Nanoflash will allow all of us to sell either 1080 or 720 delivered for FCP or Avid thus a more economically sustainable business model. I have gotten calls for the Sony 700, but at $30K just did not make sense especially with its 50Mbps recording capability. Then add a few thousand here and there for software.....

Lance Librandi · January 31st, 2010, 08:28 PM

Hi Piotr,
I have a Mac Pro 10.6 Snow Leopard with Quicktime X the reason why I can not use Sony's XDCAM EX CLIP BROWSER 2.6 is that on my CLIP BROWSER will not export the whole clip. When I down covert a clip say 29.20 sec clip I end up with a 15.20 sec clip even though I set the clips 1st and last Frame and when I export check the whole clip box. I am not sure if it’s a QT, Browser or OS problem if anyone can help with info that I would really appreciate it.

Andrew Stone · February 1st, 2010, 02:49 PM

George you should be thankful that Panasonic, Sony and Canon have higher end products that they don't want to cannibalize sales from. That is the ONLY reason the obsolescent rate isn't even faster than it is right now.

With the nanoFlash you have the potential to produce material that qualifies to most outfits as "broadcast compliant" for only 3 grand. One should also be quietly thankful that new markets to sell footage are now accessible without having to drop +$50,000 on a camera/lens and so on.

It may seem expensive when people are getting in at the lower end of the prosumer market but billing opportunities go up considerably with a unit like this.

January 29th, 2010, 12:46 AM	#1
Lance Librandi Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Australia Posts: 374	NanoFlash For EX3 HD 2 SD Down Conversion The best way to down convert EX3 HD vision is to set the EX3 SDI to SD out and record the vision simultaneously to SxS and the NanoFlash. I had some vision on my SxS cards that needed to be down convert quickly for a client. This is another method of Down Converting EX3 SxS HD vision using the NanoFlash. I set the EX3 into Media mode, select the Menu and set the SDI output to SD. I then set the NanoFlash to internal timecode. I then selected the files that I want to play on the EX3 press play and at the same time press record on the NanoFlash. The NanoFlash will then record the SDI SD vision at 50Mbps. Then I ingest the nanoflash files into the NLE. This has given me a higher quality a real time quick SD down conversion than the camera's analogue outputs.

January 29th, 2010, 04:18 AM	#2
Piotr Wozniacki Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 4,086	Great idea, Lance! Even when I know I'll need SD version of my recording, it somehow has always been a tough decision for me to use my nano in SD mode (considering I always strive for the best quality possible). Your method allows to downrez only the clips I need, and still have 2 copies of the highest quality HD! Have you compared your nano SD output created this way, to the ClipBrowser HD->SD downconversion? Which looks better? __________________ Sony PXW-FS7 \| DaVinci Resolve Studio; Magix Vegas Pro; i7-5960X CPU; 64 GB RAM; 2x GTX 1080 8GB GPU; Decklink 4K Extreme 12G; 4x 3TB WD Black in RAID 0; 1TB M.2 NVMe cache drive

January 30th, 2010, 06:03 PM	#4
George Griswold Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 218	Nano for Down Conversion That is a great idea... I just shot with my Nano for the first time today... worked like a charm. What a great device with so many uses to extend the reach of existing gear. I registered it yesterday and asked them to please wait a month or two before coming out with a new model at half the price. I think we all fear dropping cash for gear and the next best thing comes out the next week. __________________ George T. Griswold, Jr. www.videonow.info New Orleans

January 31st, 2010, 01:45 AM	#5
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear George, We have no intention of coming out with a new model at one-half the price, I can assure you that this is not in our plans. We introduced the nanoFlash at NAB last year, at $3,999. We reduced the price to $2,895 before we started shipping. There is a lot of technology, and very expensive parts, in the nanoFlash. We could not reduce the price to one-half the price, even if we wanted to. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

January 31st, 2010, 08:06 AM	#6
George Griswold Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 218	Nanoflash Thanks Dan, Good to know... really a request made partly in jest, but I don't think I am the only freelancer that is watching with amazement or anger at the constant product roll-outs by the likes of Sony. In the post-Betacam era more and more calls come in for a certain camera instead of certain video specs. The genius of the Nanoflash is now I can offer multiple formats with just two cameras (EX-3 and HDX-900). My HDX-900 can be a file based camera-- very cool. The Nanoflash will allow all of us to sell either 1080 or 720 delivered for FCP or Avid thus a more economically sustainable business model. I have gotten calls for the Sony 700, but at $30K just did not make sense especially with its 50Mbps recording capability. Then add a few thousand here and there for software..... __________________ George T. Griswold, Jr. www.videonow.info New Orleans

January 30th, 2010, 02:46 PM	#3
Lance Librandi Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Australia Posts: 374	Hello Piotr, I have tried Clip Browser the down conversion is better than the the camera but not as good as the SDI to Nanoflash. The Nanoflash recording of the down converted images have better colour saturation cleaner edges.

January 31st, 2010, 08:28 PM	#7
Lance Librandi Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Australia Posts: 374	Hi Piotr, I have a Mac Pro 10.6 Snow Leopard with Quicktime X the reason why I can not use Sony's XDCAM EX CLIP BROWSER 2.6 is that on my CLIP BROWSER will not export the whole clip. When I down covert a clip say 29.20 sec clip I end up with a 15.20 sec clip even though I set the clips 1st and last Frame and when I export check the whole clip box. I am not sure if it’s a QT, Browser or OS problem if anyone can help with info that I would really appreciate it.

February 1st, 2010, 02:49 PM	#8
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	George you should be thankful that Panasonic, Sony and Canon have higher end products that they don't want to cannibalize sales from. That is the ONLY reason the obsolescent rate isn't even faster than it is right now. With the nanoFlash you have the potential to produce material that qualifies to most outfits as "broadcast compliant" for only 3 grand. One should also be quietly thankful that new markets to sell footage are now accessible without having to drop +$50,000 on a camera/lens and so on. It may seem expensive when people are getting in at the lower end of the prosumer market but billing opportunities go up considerably with a unit like this.