Convergent Design nano3D, User Manual

Page 1: ...or nanoFlash Formal Release Version 1 6 248 12 Jan 2011 For nano3D Formal Release 1 6 246 16 Dec 2010 4465 Northpark Drive Suite 400 Colorado Springs CO 80907 USA http www convergent design com Support 720 221 3861 cd support at convergent design com nanoFlash 1 ...

Page 2: ...nanoFlash 2 ...

Page 3: ... 28 Mounting Plate Dimensions and Hole Pattern 29 Warranty and Obtaining an RMA 30 Addendum A Camera Notes 32 Addendum B Recording Notes 33 Addendum C Monitoring Notes 37 Addendum D Playback Notes 38 Addendum E Viewing Options 39 Addendum F Other Software Accessories 40 Addendum G NLE Compatibility 41 Addendum H Managing Menu Settings Menu Tree 43 Addendum I RS232 Remote Control 44 Addendum J nano...

Page 4: ...w nanoFlash is a revolutionary solid state HD SD recorder player that uniquely utilizes the very high quality Sony XDCAM 4 2 2 CODEC to write native Quicktime MXF video audio time code or MPG files onto affordable Compact Flash media nanoFlash breaks ground in terms of weight power size ruggedness and ease of use We are confident you will agree that the video quality is indistinguishable from unco...

Page 5: ...t a power source to the 4 pin Hirose on the nanoFlash 6 Set the time and date page 11 set the video input System Vid Src as SDI or HDMI 7 Set the file format to Quicktime MAC or MXF PC and Record Trigger Source page 11 12 8 Select the Time code source and set the initial value if needed page 11 9 Set the compressed bit rate and choose I Frame or Long GOP CODEC page 13 10 Set the PSF In and PSF Out...

Page 6: ...Input Output Connections Left Side Connections Bottom Connectors nanoFlash 6 ...

Page 7: ...otal record time remaining ver1 5 31 Power 4 pin Hirose locking connector power input On Off Red power button Note that units shipped after October 2009 have the power button disabled or removed so that the nanoFlash always powers on when power is applied and only powers off when power is removed See System Power Saving to help reduce power consumption HDMI In non locking mini HDMI input HD SD Ple...

Page 8: ...Front Panel nanoFlash 8 ...

Page 9: ...cel a card format Note the STOP button is immediately responsive upon being pressed To prevent accidentally stopping a record see alternative record trigger options timecode trigger remote trigger page 11 which de activate the REC and STOP buttons PLAY Press once to enter Playback mode By default Play will start with the last recorded clip Other features 1 Use the left and right arrow keys to adva...

Page 10: ...ndividual Compact Flash Level Indicators 3 Time code Display 4 Play Menu Line with current file name displayed 5 Audio Channels 1 2 Level Indicators 6 Audio level markers 60dB to 0dB 7 Current Video Source Format 8 Recording compressed bit rate 9 Total remaining record time minutes across all cards 10 Audio Over Range Indicator 11 Not shown Record Ready Indicator nanoFlash 10 ...

Page 11: ...ID is used in the first two digits of the file name See File Naming Conventions pg 16 If your shoot involves multiple nanoFlash units this can be used to set unique IDs for each unit The middle 3 digits are the clip number which can also be set Take care not to create duplicately named files on a single CF card Last field sets the file format QT Quicktime mov file MXF mxf file format or MPG See So...

Page 12: ...a to enable the record function Also note that when the media in your camera becomes full the time code will cease to increment and the nanoFlash will stop recording Time code increment may also take place on some cameras when playing back from the camera s media or inserting or ejecting a tape or powering on off the camera causing the recording of very short unexpected clips in these cases Use TC...

Page 13: ... only valid for internal time code generation and 59 94 29 97 frame rates Seed initial value for internal time code only 1 Set 01 00 05 19 Manually set the initial time code HH MM SS FF 2 Time of day Use time of day time code based on the System Time setting 3 Reset set the initial time code to 00 00 00 00 Trigger Delay Seconds to delay Recording when using Timecode or TC Last TC trigger System Tr...

Page 14: ... 50 80 ver1 5 31 100 140 180 Mbps Full Raster 1920x1080 1280x720 4 2 2 Long GOP XDCAM 4 2 2 100 Mbps and above Master Quality 4 100 140 180 220 280 Mbps Full Raster 1920x1080 1280x720 4 2 2 I Frame XDCAM 4 2 2 180 Mbps and above Master Quality SD Bit Rate Quicktime MXF 1 for Standard Def 50 40 30 ver1 5 31 Mbit IMX 4 2 2 720x486 720x576 18 35 Mbit recording depends on 35 Mbit 1080 Width setting be...

Page 15: ...audio source is Analog and timecode source is LTC these sources will be looped out of the SDI output in E to E mode ver1 6 226 for any other combination of video audio timecode sources only embedded video audio timecode are looped to the output This setting always applies to the SDI output For the HDMI output the setting only applies if the input is SDI If the input is HDMI the HDMI output is alwa...

Page 16: ...your camera to the full frame rate For example for cranking in 720p PAL set the camera to 720p50 not 720p25 for cranking in 720p NTSC set the camera to 720p60 not 720p30 nor 720p24 Do not use Crank mode in combination with Pre Record Buffer System PreBuffer Time Lapse 720p60 30 50 25 or 3 2 Pulldown Removal 720p60 30 50 25 ver1 5 126 Cuts the frame rate in half for incoming 720p60 or 720p50 signal...

Page 17: ...wing navigation tools are available MXF QT files only File Skipping press the right key to jump to the next file press the left key to jump to the previous file Press up key to jump to next clip press down key to jump to previous clip ver1 5 126 File skipping will cause a very brief distortion of the video output File skipping is also available with MPG files Pause press Play during play or fast f...

Page 18: ...e files See converter tool in Software Accessories for details Note Play of 720p24 25 30 is not supported at this time ver1 5 31 NanoFlash now also supports playback of Canon XF305 CompactFlash card recordings at 50 Mbit ver1 6 226 Loop Play For Play out of the nanoFlash select Loop All for loop play or Off for single play to end of last inserted CF card Cue Play Allows playing from a cued frame b...

Page 19: ...ot play back properly from the nanoFlash The files will all play from a computer All CF cards must be formatted in nanoFlash before usage After all files have been copied to another drive for safe keeping the CF cards can be reused by performing a format operation on the nanoFlash All data will be erased during a format operation Never force the card into the CompactFlash slot Cocking the card or ...

Page 20: ...s several card slots if the record time is long enough 4 File Name Extension the possible extensions are mov Quicktime mxf MXF files mpg Firmware Update Procedure Download the update zip file from our website http www convergent design com Unzip copy the UPD folder along with its underlying contents onto a qualified CompactFlash card via a CompactFlash firewire or usb reader with the card inserted...

Page 21: ...ecode into the 10 pin hirose connector Hard Disk Drive Backup Devices 1 NexTo Drive 500 GB portable CF drive for intermediary offloading of footage holds 15 32GB CF cards worth of data Connects to computer via USB or ESATA for transfers Please consider using such a drive as a backup storage device before inserting CF card with recorded video into a CF reader attached to a computer http www nextodi...

Page 22: ...ww nebtek com Portable Field Monitors HDMI 1 http dolgin net HD_Field_Monitors htm Audio Adaptor Cable for Canon XL H1 For Canon XL H1 audio can be brought into the nanoFlash via the RCA analog audio outputs on the Canon to the 3 5 mm analog input on the nanoFlash using an adaptor cable Such cables are widely available For newer XL H1 S the audio can be passed to the nanoFlash via the SDI port nan...

Page 23: ...powered on with the proper power adapter check battery 2 No Video input No Src in left bottom corner of screen over SDI HDMI 1 Plug the HD SDI or HDMI camera directly into a monitor to confirm video 2 Try a System Restore Defaults on nanoFlash 3 Check System Src setting HDMI or SDI as appropriate 4 Try resetting the camera 5 Check Camera Notes Addendum at the end of this manual for more tips 6 Che...

Page 24: ...4 VCXO out of range relates to specific hardware on nanoFlash that regulates SDI input This may be indicative of a hardware failure please contact technical support in the event of seeing this message ver1 6 18 5 Message Unknown CFX where X refers to slots 1 2 appears if a brand new card needs to be formatted and cannot be recorded to This message can also occur if a CF card which has unrecognized...

Page 25: ...o user serviceable components inside the box Only a qualified technician should perform servicing of the unit Opening the box may void the warranty 6 Avoid the use of sharp objects near the box as they may scratch the LCD 7 Clean only with water with a damp cloth 8 CAUTION Electrostatic Discharge ESD can damage components in this product Although the unit has countermeasures to this hazard install...

Page 26: ...180 220 Mbps VBR 4 2 2 I Frame Only 1920x1080i p 1280x720p XDCAM 4 2 2 422P HL 50 80 100 140 180 Mbps VBR 4 2 2 Long GOP 1920x1080i p 1280x720p XDCAM 4 2 2 MP HL 18 35 Mbps VBR Long GOP 4 2 0 XDCAM EX 1920x1080i p 1280x720p MP HL 18 35 Mbps VBR Long GOP 4 2 0 XDCAM HD 1440x1080i p 1280x720p ver1 5 31 MP HL 19 25 Mbps VBR 4 2 0 Long GOP 1440x1080i MPG files only MP ML 50 Mbps CBR 720x486 720x576 4 ...

Page 27: ...ature readout External Operating approximately 40º C to 60º C direct exposure to sunlight or placing the unit in a cover or enclosed environment can influence the internal temperature Humidity Operating Less than 80 non condensing Storage Less than 90 non condensing nanoFlash 27 ...

Page 28: ... 7P 4S 73 1 Power 6 5 20V 6 5W 2 Power 6 5 20V 6 5W 3 Ground 4 Ground Remote Tally LTC 10 pin Hirose Mating Plug Hirose HR10A 10P 10SC 73 1 LTC In 2 485D 232RX see Serial RS232 Control Addendum for more information ver1 6 226 3 485D 232TX 4 Record Start Stop 5 Tally Light 6 5 0V 7 Ground 8 Ground 9 10 not used nanoFlash 28 ...

Page 29: ...Mounting Plate Dimensions all dimensions shown in inches nanoFlash 29 ...

Page 30: ...nits 1 year for non registered units and 3 months for units purchased to be used as rentals from the original date of purchase If you discover a defect please refer to our Return Merchandise Policy below The warranty covers all Convergent Design hardware defective in material or workmanship During the warranty period Convergent Design at its option will repair or replace product or product compone...

Page 31: ...btaining an RMA It is our policy that all material and repair returns whether in warranty or not are only accepted if an RMA Return Merchandise Authorization number has been issued for the products being returned E mail Convergent Design Inc at cd support at convergent design com to obtain an RMA number for a faulty unit Items must be returned within 10 days of receiving your RMA number Returned p...

Page 32: ...t the timecode from the camera camera outputs older style VITC timecode in Standard Def only audio and video With HD recordings timecode is accepted and all recording modes are compatible with nanoFlash See Addendum B Special Recording Notes for discussion of recording 720p at various frame rates Sony HDC 1500 CineFlex and other Sony cameras with duel SDI output This camera has 2 SDI outputs the n...

Page 33: ...d session to the next Use the nanoFlash System Timecode Trigger Delay setting number of seconds to delay record to help better ensure that the timecodes match between camera recording and nanoFlash recording as some cameras shift the timecode in the 1st second or 2 of recording This setting can also help prevent the nanoFlash from recording tiny files if the camera unexpectedly moves the timecode ...

Page 34: ...e nanoFlash will not lock to the signal Also be sure to turn Video Remove 3 2 Pulldown Off in the nanoFlash menu if the camera output does not contain a pulldown Do not use this mode in combination with Pre Record Buffer System PreBuffer Time Lapse Crank or 720p60 50 to 30 25 Recording 720p29 97 720p25 Many cameras such as the Panasonic HDX 900 and the Sony EX3 when set internally to 720p29 97 or ...

Page 35: ... more details see the discussion on Cranking on pg 15 Do not use this mode in combination with Pre Record Buffer System PreBuffer Time Lapse 720p60 50 to 30 25 or 3 2 Pulldown Removal Recording UnderCrank Undercranking allows for fast motion effect Undercranking on the nanoFlash is completely independent of any crank settings on the camera if even set on the camera Here are some common examples fo...

Page 36: ...ulldown Removal Recording Standard Definition The nanoFlash can record a Standard Definition signal NTSC or PAL the signal is recorded as IMX 50 40 or 30 Mbit in MXF or MOV and is accepted by NLE s Standard Definition can also be recorded as MPG at 3 5 6 7 8 or 9 Mbit Other Recording Modes 1080i50 60 720p50 60 No special settings required Using Hot Swap During Record ver1 6 226 An inserted CF card...

Page 37: ...ncoming signal back out the SDI and HDMI ports for monitoring Here are some points to consider for monitoring the output from the nanoFlash SDI output monitoring SDI out monitoring has 2 modes E to E monitoring Video E to E Direct the input is sent directly to the SDI output Use E to E when going to an SDI monitor which does not support 1080 progressive In this case the nanoFlash will output a 108...

Page 38: ...ports Standard Definition playback is only supported out of the SDI port Additionally 720p24 25 30 are not supported for playback at this time Here are special notes to consider Video Play Progressive as PSF Use this mode when playing to an SDI or HDMI monitor which does not support 1080 progressive Do not use this mode when playing 1080p23 98 to an HDMI monitor when true progressive is desired as...

Page 39: ... XDCAM Transfer https servicesplus us sony biz sony software model PDZKP1 aspx From Quicktime Player with Calibrated MXF Import with Final Cut Pro or Calibrated XD Decode http calibratedsoftware com MXFImport_Mac asp VLC Media Player http www videolan org vlc MXF4Mac also for editing in Final Cut Pro http mxf4mac com To view nanoFlash MXF files on the Pc Free Sony XDCAM Viewer software please note...

Page 40: ...Free MXF QT Converter XDCAM 422 MXF Files only 50 Mbit and above at least 2 channels audio ver1 5 126 Mac version only Sony XDCAM Transfer combined with Final Cut Pro 6 0 3 or Calibrated XD Decode see link above also for importing MXF files 50 Mbit and above into Final Cut Pro 720p24 25 30 supported only with Calibrated ver1 5 126 international link for XDCAM Transfer http www sony co uk biz conte...

Page 41: ...r1 5 31 With the release of Media Composer 5 0 3 2 patch or greater support has been added within Avid for AMA linking to nanoFlash MXF files HD files only SD files can only be brought into Avid using the File Import method This allows direct access to files without the need to import copy in the files Within Avid this is accessed in the Avid menu File Link to AMA Files Patch 5 0 3 2 or greater ca...

Page 42: ...files with the Calibrated XD Decode Plug in see Addendum E and the Calibrated XML patch for CS 5 03 or greater also applies to After Effects http www calibratedsoftware com downloads AdobeCS503XMLpatchv1 zip Cineform NeoXX 5 2 0 or greater ver1 6 226 Native support for transcoding MXF files Please test compatibility with your system before using the nanoFlash Final Cut Pro Editing Techniques Final...

Page 43: ... mode if activated stop each record after HH MM SS period Timecode Source Timecode source Embedded SDI LTC Remote Internally generate etc Dropframe For internally generated timecode only set dropframe Seed For internally generated timecode only set Seed value Trigger Delay In seconds delay record start with Timecode Trigger Source Video input source SDI or HDMI Format Cards Format Erase all insert...

Page 44: ...hift left image right to left specified number of pixels Audio In Audio input source Embedded SDI HDMI or Analog port Analog Settings Mix in Mono or Stereo Gain in 99 to 44 dB Gain out 3959 to 1 1430 dB Record Channels HD Record 0 2 4 or 8 channels audio SD is always 2 channel Monitor Channels For headphone output channels 1 2 3 4 5 6 or 7 8 Play Choose file from CF card to begin Play Loop Play Se...

Page 45: ...e following 1 nano3D recorder player 2 remote trigger LTC input communication link split Y cable 3 Single remote cable attachment attach to remote Y cable 4 9 inch HDMI cable type C mini to type C 5 Power supply split Y cable 6 Dual power supply 100 to 240 VAC Input 12V DC 2A Output attach to power Y cable 7 USB Reader for CompactFlash cards The following topics are discussed further below but a c...

Page 46: ... Cable ensure that the Master unit s Video 3D Enable setting is selected The Remote cable can only be used if the Master unit is already in 3D mode by selecting the Enable setting Do not use the 3D Remote with 2 separated nanoFlashes which are in 2D mode 10 Connect the remote Y tally to both units attaching the connector with a red ring around the base to the master unit and the connector without ...

Page 47: ... last 3 digits File number always start at 001 for a given Clip To place both units into Record Ready mode press the Record button on the Master unit which will automatically place both Master and Slave into Record mode if Video 3D Enable is selected in the Master unit Wait for the Slave Mode Ok message and all other mode switching messages to be completed on the Master unit to indicate that both ...

Page 48: ...ave a matching pulldown pattern The 3 2 pulldown cadences must match from the 2 cameras a 1 in 5 probability Otherwise the nano3D units will not lock to the incoming video Turn 1 camera off and back on until the cameras pulldown cadences matches exactly meaning the nano3D units lock to the video Allow 10 seconds with each attempt for the nano3D s to lock to the video For playing 1080p24 video in a...

Page 49: ... or play Note If the nano3D is set for Remote play then the record control will start Playback and not start Recording In Remote play the Live View from the camera is not shown on the monitor and this is an indication that one cannot press the remote control to start recording When the nano3D is set for Remote Record then the Live View will display on the monitor To use the Remote tally press the ...

Page 50: ...e removed prior to recording 720p 60 50 30 25 Check if camera is in 720p30 or 720p25 mode and outputting 720p60 or 720p50 SD Aspect Ratio As appropriate does not apply to 3D E to E Direct Check if working with a PSF source and Record PSF Prog is checked and monitor requires a PSF signal and cannot accept true progressive T Lapse Timelapse as appropriate must not be checked for 3D Crank As desired ...

Page 51: ...ed a Stream Mismatch error message will be continuously displayed start up error messages of this type can safely be ignored Note when using Combine or Record Combined on rare occasions the colors can be inverted from the Slave unit to the Master This will happen on start up of the units can be seen on an external monitor and can be fixed by pulling and re inserting the HDMI port Record Combined s...

Page 52: ...tations ver1 6 245 Delete Last Clip option is broken in 1 6 248 With specific units the use of cranking feature Video Crank with MXF recordings can result in an unexpected Card too slow error even at bit rates of 100 Mbit or lower During playback timecode will sometimes momentarily be displayed incorrectly on the lcd screen LTC timecode is off by 1 to 2 frames Playback of MXF MOV 18 Mbit from nano...

Page 53: ...y numbered versions and nanoFlash MXF files which can consume most of system memory on a computer This problem has been addressed with the release of CS5 5 Some camera compatibility limitations exist please see Addendum A for the known limitations Other NLE Viewing limitations exist please see Addenda E F and G Version History Changes in the user manual occur from version to version with the follo...