Cameras
Production
Post Production
Tools
Bill Kerrigan
AJA Ki Pro Tapeless Video Recorder
Post-production redefined...during production.
Everyone from broadcasters to indie filmmakers can probably agree on one thing: the possible choices for image acquisition are daunting. Different cameras, different formats, different recording media and different compression schemes. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to simplify acquisition so that virtually any camera, digital or analog, could record the same format and resolution? Enter the AJA Ki Pro.
The AJA Ki Pro is a tapeless video recording device that records high-quality Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files onto computer-friendly media. Because it features SD/HD-SDI, HDMI, and analog inputs, you can interface with virtually any type of camera you might own or rent. Enjoy monitoring flexibility through Ki Pro's numerous simultaneous outputs, connecting to both professional and consumer monitors.
Ki Pro is portable and rugged; designed for real production environments. With the optional exo-skeleton it can sit below your camera-out of the way of your battery adapters, wireless mics and other accessories. Integration with your other production gear is seamless.
Ki Pro is intuitive to operate. Alongside the camera, the familiar VTR-like buttons provide immediate controls for basic operation. From a distance, use a web browser via ethernet or WiFi to control operations from a laptop or iPhone.
A revolution in production and post
Eliminate the cost and inconvenience of logging and capturing footage. Ki Pro produces Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files that are ready for immediate use within Final Cut Studio. Simply connect the media to a host computer and begin editing. Unify SD, 720 and 1080 cameras and formats with one superior 10-bit full-raster codec-Apple ProRes 422. Ki Pro features cross-conversion so you can have a 720p camera produce a 1080i recording to match your other camera... or vice versa. And if you've got high-quality SD cameras, Ki Pro can even help you extend their use since it also up-converts SD camera signals to HD recordings.
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•No more digitizing
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•No more worrying about which camera to use
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•High-quality ready-to-edit video
Ki Pro in the field
Ki Pro is portable and rugged; designed for a variety of production environments. Powered through an industry standard 4-pin XLR, you have flexible AC and battery options. An optional exo-skeleton can be used with your camera and tripod-complete with sliding baseplate and slots for 15mm rods.
Ki Pro connects
Capture the full quality of your camera by tapping the direct uncompressed camera outputs. Connect any digital camera or VTR via component analog, SDI or HDMI to Ki Pro. Balanced and unbalanced audio connectors, LTC input/output, and even LANC, are provided. By bypassing tape or recordable media compression, Ki pro maintains the best possible image quality your camera produces.
Ki Pro and Final Cut Studio
From acquisition to delivery, use the codec at the core of Apple's Final Cut Studio suite of applications. Ki Pro supports an Apple file-based workflow by recording standard Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files on industry standard media. Record to removable 34mm ExpressCards, or a removable HDD Storage Module containing a hard disk drive (standard) or an optional SSD Storage Module with a solid state disk. When removed, the Storage Module functions as a standard bus-powered FireWire 800 drive. If bus power is not avaialble, the Storage Module has a standard DC power connector for a usersupplied AC power adapter.
Features
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•Simultaneously record to host camera and Ki Pro
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•Bridge proprietary compression schemes by recording to Apple ProRes 422
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•Bridge media complexity by recording to portable file-based storage
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•Bridge format chaos via hardware up/down/cross-conversion
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•Extend client review capabilities
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•Bridge production and post-production, effectively eliminating log and capture
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•Extend productive life of existing cameras
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•Embrace future workflows with powerful conversion capabilities
IndieCameras.com
Matrox MX02
Why buy an I/O card and a breakout box when you can get all the features of both in Matrox MXO2?
This award-winning device also gives you the added advantage of portability. It can easily be moved among the Mac Pros in your facility as the need arises and you can take it on the road with a MacBook Pro. It gives you highly-reliable, broadcast-quality HD/SD input/output via HDMI, SDI, and analog; professional audio inputs and outputs including built-in 5.1 surround sound monitoring; and HDMI video monitoring with calibration controls including blue-only. You also benefit from a wide variety of workflows with Final Cut Studio thanks toMatroxMXO2’s 10-bit hardware up/down/cross scaling engine and support for a wealth
of file-based formats and industry-standard codecs. Enjoy maximum I/O flexibility with Matrox MXO2 – edit anything, anywhere!
Matrox MXO2 is also available with Matrox MAX technology for faster than realtime high definition H.264 file creation.
Key features
• Works with Intel-based MacBook Pros, Mac Pros, and Apple Xserve
systems
• Lightweight – less than 31/2 lbs. (1600 grams)
• Fits in your laptop bag – 13” x 91/2” x 2” (330mm x 241mm x 51mm)
• Can run off a field battery (or its AC adapter)
• HD/SD SDI, HD/SD analog component, Y/C, and composite inputs
and outputs
• Genlock – SD analog black burst (bi-level) or HD tri-level sync
• HDMI input, output, and monitoring with calibration controls
including blue-only
• 10-bit realtime hardware up/down/cross conversion on capture and
output
• Up to five user selectable simultaneous video outputs – HD and/or
SD on HDMI, SDI, and analog
• Professional audio inputs and outputs including 5.1 surround sound
monitoring
• RS-422 machine control for frame-accurate capture and print-to-tape
• Captures to a variety of codecs – Apple ProRes 422 HQ, 10-bit
uncompressed HD, and many more
• File-based workflow support – XDCAM, XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX,
P2, P2HD
• RED workflow support
• HD-SDI closed captioning support
• Works with Final Cut Pro, Apple Color, Adobe After Effects and all
QuickTime applications that support the V-out component
• Also available with Matrox MAX for faster than realtime H.264 encoding
• Three-year hardware warranty and complimentary telephone support
Truly portable
Matrox MXO2 is the first truly portable I/O device for the Mac. It fits easily into
your laptop bag and can run off standard field batteries or the included AC
power adapter. It connects to your MacBook Pro via Apple’s ExpressCard/34
slot or to your Mac Pro via a PCI Express adapter card. Both adapters are
included.
HD and SD inputs and outputs
Matrox MXO2 features a full complement of professional inputs and outputs.
RS-422 machine control is provided for frame-accurate capture and print-to
tape with Final Cut Pro.
Inputs
• Video • Audio
- SDI - HD/SD - 2 XLR - stereo pair (balanced)
- Component - HD/SD - 10-bit - 2 RCA - stereo pair (unbalanced)
- Y/C - 10-bit - 2 AES/EBU
- Composite - 10-bit - SDI embedded – up to 8 channels
- HDMI - HD - 10-bit - HDMI embedded - up to 8 channels
Ouputs
• Video • Audio
- 2 SDI - HD/SD - 4 XLR - stereo pair (balanced)
- Component - HD/SD - 12-bit - 6 RCA - for surround sound
- Y/C - 12-bit monitoring (unbalanced)
- Composite - 12-bit - 2 AES/EBU
- HDMI - HD/SD - 10-bit - SDI embedded – up to 8 channels
- HDMI embedded - up to 8 channels
Up to five user selectable simultaneous video outputs, HD and/or SD on HDMI,
SDI, and analog are supported.
Genlock – Matrox MXO2 provides SD analog black burst (bi-level) or HD tri-level
sync genlock. It can genlock to any type of video input or to house sync. Timing
offset controls can be used to align your video output relative to your external
genlock source to compensate for cable delays within your facility.
Flexible workflows
Capture to a variety of codecs – Matrox MXO2 gives you a wide range of
workflow possibilities by providing frame-accurate capture via RS-422 deck
control to a variety of codecs. On systems with a 2.4 GHz or faster Core2 Duo
CPU you can capture to DVCPRO HD and to SD codecs including
uncompressed, DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 HQ.
On systems with at least two Dual-Core or a Quad-Core 2.4 GHz or faster CPU
you can also capture to more HD codecs including ProRes 422 and ProRes 422
HQ. On systems equipped with storage that has sufficient transfer bandwidth,
you can capture uncompressed 8- and 10-bit HD.
Use your favorite file-based formats – Matrox MXO2 lets you work with
file-based formats such as XDCAM, XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX, P2, and P2HD.
You can play out these formats directly from Final Cut Pro – no intermediate
codec is needed. Matrox MXO2 lets you play out these formats from a
MacBook Pro without dropping frames.
RED workflow support – RED users can benefit from Matrox MXO2 to capture,
monitor, and playback on set. Back in the post suite, they can use Matrox MXO2
to work with 1K and 2K RED timelines and output to SD, 720, or 1080 via
MXO2’s realtime 10-bit hardware scaling feature.
HD-SDI closed captioning support – You will no longer need to spend time and
money recreating HD captioning data that is typically lost when editing projects in
Final Cut Pro. Matrox MXO2 offers a unique patent pending workflow to capture,
playback, and preserve closed captioning data while editing. Nothing is destroyed.
HD and SD video monitoring
Matrox MXO2 turns your HDMI monitor into a true-color video display you can
trust, even for color grading. It’s packed with features that make it the ideal
monitoring solution for Final Cut Pro, Apple Color, Adobe After Effects, and other
QuickTime-based applications. You won’t need to buy expensive HD monitoring
equipment. In addition, MXO2’s realtime downscaling feature lets you view your
HD projects on an SD monitor.
HDMI monitoring with 10-bit 4:2:2 color precision – Matrox MXO2 lets you
adjust and control your HDMI monitor exactly like you would a broadcast HD/SD
monitor. Controls for hue, chroma, contrast, brightness, and blue-only are
provided. This unique control gives you accurate color representation so that
you can use your HDMI monitor even for color grading.
Pixel-to-pixel mapping on the HDMI display – Matrox MXO2 provides 1:1
pixel mapping on HDMI monitors that support this feature. You get accurate
monitoring on your HDMI display in the following resolutions:
• 720 x 486 (NTSC) • 1920 x 1080
• 720 x 576 (PAL) • 1280 x 720
Audio monitoring
Matrox MXO2 provides built-in 5.1 surround sound monitoring via RCA so you
don’t need to invest in additional equipment as you do with some other I/O
products. Matrox MXO2 also gives you the flexibility to map any audio track in
Final Cut Pro to any audio output.
Realtime hardware up/down/cross conversion on capture and output
Matrox MXO2 lets you deliver in any format your clients demand. The 10-bit
hardware scaling provides high-quality mastering.
HD to SD downscaling – Matrox MXO2 provides realtime HD to SD downscaling
with proper conversion of the HD color space to the SD color space and proper
aspect ratio conversion to anamorphic, letterbox, and center cut. You can monitor
or record an SD master of your HD project in real time.
SD to HD upscaling – Matrox MXO2 provides realtime SD to HD upscaling with
proper conversion of the SD color space to the HD color space. MXO2 will
“pillarbox” 4:3 footage and scale 16:9 SD footage to full screen.
Cross conversion – Matrox MXO2 offers realtime cross conversions from 720
to 1080 and 1080 to 720. Realtime frame rate conversion is also supported with
2:3:2:3 and 2:3:3:2 cadences. This feature is useful if, for example, your source
material is recorded at a different frame rate or resolution than the delivery
format your client requires. It also facilitates monitoring when, for example, you
need to work with 23.98 fps footage but your monitor does not support that
frame rate. You can use MXO2’s realtime frame rate conversion to view your
project at 29.97 fps. Conversion from 23.98 fps to 25 fps is handled by Final Cut
Pro and the host.
Matrox MXO2 kit contents
Matrox MXO2 kit contents
Matrox MXO2 input/output device
Matrox MXO2 PCIe host adapter (for use with Mac Pro)
Matrox MXO2 PCIe host ExpressCard/34 adapter (for use with MacBook Pro)
Matrox MXO2 PCIe cable (1 meter)
Matrox MXO2 external power supply
IEC-C13 power cord
(The Matrox MXO2 battery power cable and additional Matrox MXO2 host
adapters may be purchased separately. A third-party RS422 cable is required
for machine control.)
Corporate Headquarters — Matrox Video Products Group
Tel: (514) 822-6364, (800) 361-4903 (North America)
The nanoFlash is a state-of-the-art miniature CompactFlash HD/SD SDI and HDMI Recorder/Player
•Uses High-Quality Sony XDCAM HD 422 CODEC
•Selectable Bit-Rates from 18 to 280 Mbps
•Tapeless Workflow (affordable Compact Flash)
•Universal NLE Support (QT, MXF and MPG)
•Super-Small, Lightweight, Low-Power
•Lots of cool record / playback options
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•Record Video at significantly higher Bit-Rates
and color (4:2:2), producing far better quality
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•Make Your footage acceptable to major networks
- BBC requires min 50 Mbps (Long-GOP), 4:2:2 -
•Green Screen Work (4:2:2)
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•Upgrade Quality of Stock Footage
The PortaGig Hard Drive
The PortaGig hard drive makes portable recording and editing
easy. With its tiny bus-powered enclosure, it’s small
enough to fit into a pocket, and powerful enough to support
high track-count audio sessions. With FireWire 800 and USB
2.0 interfaces, PortaGig 800 is compatible with Mac, Windows
and Linux systems supporting FireWire or USB. Designed with
a fanless, light aluminum enclosure, it allows you to work on
the road easily and reliably. If bus power is not available or is
insufficient, you can use the included power supply.
• Up to 320GB in a tiny enclosure
• 7,200 and 5,400 RPM models available
• Seagate SATA II drives used exclusively
• Weighs less than 10 Ounces
• Tested and approved with Digidesign
Pro Tools™ to support over 55 tracks of
24bit / 48k audio, with edits
• Small, portable, aluminum case
• Runs quietly with fanless design
• Applications: Field recording,
storing and exchanging A/V,
graphics, prepress, and desktop
publishing files.
• Includes universal power supply
• Included carrying case
• Capacity (7,200 RPM): 160GB, 250GB, 320GB
• Capacity (5,400 RPM): 160GB, 250GB, 320GB
• Interfaces: (2) FireWire 800 and (1) USB 2.0
• Bridging Chip: Oxford 934
• Average seek time (read): 8 msec
• Max Transfer rate (FireWire 800): 800 Mb/sec (100 MB/sec)
• Sustained transfer rate: up to 44 MB/sec
• Buffer size: 8MB
• Dimensions (HxWxD): .86” x 3.3” x 5.2” inches
• Weight: 0.6 lbs. / 0.3 kg
• Power supply: universal auto switching 100-240V
• Requirements: Mac OS 8.6/9.x/10.x, Windows 2000/XP/Vista
• Format: HFS+, can be formatted for other OS
• Approvals: CE
• Warranty: 3 Years, 1 Year Overnight Advance Replacement
• Includes: FireWire 800 (9pin to 9pin) cable, USB cable, sleeve,
power supply. Manual is downloadable from Glyph web site.
Sony PDW-U1 Professional Disc Drive Unit
Product Overview
The PDW-U1 is a compact, mobile and highly cost-effective drive for use with PC's, and compatible with nonlinear editing systems, and also allows simple viewing and logging operations with a lap-top or desk top computer. It can handle Professional Disc media (PFD23A) recorded in both HD and SD formats, as well as the new dual-layer disc (PFD50DLA). The PDW-U1 uses a USB 2.0 interface to connect the PDW-U1 to a computer, where it will show as an external drive on the screen. The compact and lightweight design allows for installation in virtually any working environment.
Model: SO-PDW-U1
Sony's PDW-U1 can handle files in all formats of XDCAM SD and HD. It also employs a USB 2.0 interface which is the most widely available interface in the IT world. VFAM interface is fully compatible with the current FAM (File Access Mode) Interface. VFAM interface allows computer access audio and video interleaved file. SAM (Simple Access Mode) interface allows computer access to Video and Audio files independently. SAM and VFAM folder structures can be seen at the same time.
FEATURES:
Handles files in all formats of XDCAM HD and SD
Both single-layer disc (PFD-23A) and dual-layer disc (PFD-50DLA) support
Hi-speed USB (USB2.0) interface
Highly compact and lightweight design
Direct access to files on Professional Disc media from a USB-connected PC
The ikan Director combines a LANC control with a high resolution LCD monitor, resulting in the perfect solution for hands-free camera operation.
The ikan Director provides the ability to control Zoom, Focus and Record in addition to giving the remote operator a clear handheld production monitor with variable aspect ratio, a headphone out, safe area guides, and A/V input. The unit can be powered through either an AC power adapter or the internal rechargeable battery.
Camera Plate:
Here’s a camera plate which I bought on eBay.
It allows me to mount the camera on a Sony VCT-U14 tripod plate.
