News on current engravers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a summary of some of the existing engravers on the market and their latest developments.

Cinedeck

A few days ago, Cinedeck LLC released a software update that added support for new codecs, including Avid DNxHD 444; new tools for s3D visualization have also been included.

This version 3.5 will affect the Cinedeck RX and Cinedeck EX recorders, both for capture, playback and monitoring.

Features vary depending on the model, but basically the added codecs are: DNxHD 444; DVCPro HD; XDCAM EX1440, AVC-Intra 100/50, MPEG-IMX, JFIF Meridien, H.264 and possible Nanoflash MXF playback.

In addition, s3D visualization tools have been included in this update, allowing pre-production adjustments to be made during shot preparation. These options include, for example, anaglyph rendering or the possibility of flip-flopping when using a mirror-based rig.

– Cinedeck RX

For some time now, this recorder has been offered in two types of configuration; one dedicated to broadcast environments, called Cinedeck RX Broadcast; and another, which is in fact the initial configuration, more focused on the needs of digital cinema, called Cinedeck RX Cine/444.

The Broadcast configuration provides support for two cameras, where each camera can have completely different settings and can be captured and played back simultaneously.

It has two HD-SDI single-link input channels, with four HD-SDI single-link outputs. It is also possible to overlay or embed metadata, such as timecode or GPS coordinates (thanks to hardware GPS support). It supports 8 channels of embedded audio and can perform real time conversions (up/down/cross).

The Cinedeck RX Cine/444 configuration has HDMI, dual-link and 3G HD SDI inputs and outputs; two channels of AES audio and 16 channels (per video input) of embedded SDI audio. It also offers 422 uncompressed 2D and supports s3D.

In addition to the codecs included in the software update, Cinedeck RX also supports: Apple ProRes, Cineform, XDCAM HD50, XDCAM EX35, DPX and uncompressed files in 444 (10-bit) or 422 (8 or 10-bit).

Cinedeck RX is available for $14,995.

– Cinedeck EX (v3.5)

This recorder can capture images from any camera with HD-SDI or HDMI output, in the full set of codecs named above.

In addition, it allows control of common functions with VTR-Style, or via USB-connected devices. Among them: P.I Engineering X-keys XK-12+Jog & Shuttle or Logitech Professional Presenter R800.

Cinedeck EX is available from $8,495.

– Cinedeck MX

In addition to these two models, the company also has the Cinedeck MX multichannel recorder, which was unveiled during NAB.

Cinedeck MX offers great codec versatility, allowing multiple encodings per input channel. In addition, it has flexible connectivity and can perform multi-camera captures and projects in both 2D and s3D.

It has a 7″ touch screen with manual Jog/Shuttle controls. It can also be remote controlled via RS-422 VTR/DDR protocols and supports USB connected devices.

Capture is performed on its eight removable SSD disks, with the possibility of four input channels. In addition, it includes histograms, waveform, vectorscope and focus tools and can be connected to an external monitor (via HD-SDI or HDMI).

It is scheduled for market launch in July and will be priced at $43,390.

All Cinedeck recorders come with Cinedeck Controller, a TCP/IP application (for Windows) that allows them to be operated via PC or browser. Up to 24 channels (i.e. 12 Cinedeck RX) can be controlled from a single interface and many recorders can be configured at the same time.

The new software update 3.5 can be downloaded free of charge (users already subscribed).

Digital Codex

Since releasing Codex Studio Recorder, Codex Digital has established itself as one of the standard capture systems. Adding to its fame is the fact that it was the first company certified by ARRI to perform ARRIRAW recording of the Alexa camera.

Codex recorders can capture in ARRIRAW, uncompressed HD or JPEG 2000 wavelet compression and now also in 4K RAW from the Canon EOS C500.

Among the latest Codex releases are support for DNxHD444, which you can read about in this article we published; and for ARRI Alexa Studio, in this other article.

Among the Codex engravers we can find:

– Onboard S Recorder: completely redesigned. It can capture uncompressed HD (4:2:2/4:4:4:4 in 10 or 12 bit) and wavelet, on a Capture Drive (240 or 480 GB). It also captures audio and metadata.

– Onboard M Recorder: can capture ARRIRAW, uncompressed HD, wavelet and 4K RAW from Canon, plus audio and metadata. Unlike the “S” model, this one does it on a Codex Datapack.

– ARRIRAW Recorder: for recording from any ARRI Alexa or D-21. It can capture ARRIRAW footage in a single channel at up to 30fps.

– ARRIRAW Plus Recorder: gives the possibility to capture in two channels up to 30fps or in a single channel up to 60fps. With the Alexa Studio in 4:3 mode, you can capture only up to 48fps on one channel (using a high-speed Codex Datapack).

Blackmagic Design

The news about Blackmagic Design ‘s recorders came last April, when the company unveiled enhanced features and new products.

– HyperDeck Studio

With Hyperdeck software update 3.0, support for Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) was added to this recorder. The introduction of this codec means a significant reduction in file size while preserving 10-bit 4:2:2 quality. In addition, it also opens the door to full compatibility with the Final Cut Pro X editor.

In HyperDeck Studio it is possible to capture on SSD (two slots are included), as well as in ProRes, DNxHD MXF or uncompressed Quicktime (10 bit).

It has SDI and HDMI inputs and outputs.

This 3.0 update can be downloaded for free from here.

– UltraStudio Express

Although it is not a storage system but a traditional I/O Box card, it is one of the most popular systems on set. Characterized mainly by the inclusion of the Thunderbolt connection, it is a new solution for capture and playback.

In addition, it also has SDI, HDMI and analog signal connections and supports all common recording formats up to 1080p60.

It is priced at $495

Its big sister, the UltraStudio 3D is capable of carrying 2K 444 RGB signals over 3G SDI or two full 1080p 3D signals. It is priced at $999

– HyperDeck Studio Pro

This is a new SSD recorder model that includes new features such as four input channels (3Gb/s) SDI, as well as full HDMI input and output and analog signal. XLR connectors for audio and timecode are also included.

Includes a high-speed Thunderbolt port.

Using ProRes compression, it is capable of 4K playback from a single SSD disk.

As announced by Blackmagic Design, it will be released next July and will be priced at $1,995.

In addition to these, among Blackmagic Design’s recorders we can also find HyperDeck Shuttle or UltraStudio 3D.

Sound Devices

A few days ago, during the Cine Gear Expo, Sound Devices presented its new line of PIX recorders, with the second version of the 240 model and the new PIX 260.

– PIX 240

Thanks to the second version, users can monitor their images with different exposures, using Exposure Assist. This is a feature that allows a “false color” and “zebra” to be applied to the display. It is also equipped with Focus Assist, which includes a peaking filter and 1:1 pixel zoom. In addition, adjustments can now be made to the monitor’s brightness, contrast and chroma.

PIX 240 has HDMI or SDI connections and can capture directly to Quicktime with DNxHD and ProRes.

Version 2 can capture in NTSC and PAL and can use both the analog audio and SDI/HDMI inputs simultaneously.

It is a free firmware update that can be downloaded from here.

– PIX 260

It is fully based on its 220 and 240 peers. Its size and structure (1/2 rack, 2-U chassis) allows it to be easily integrated into any environment.

It can capture digital audio and video, using Apple ProRes and DNxHD codecs. Record and playback files up to 220Mbps in high quality (10-bit 4:2:2), along with up to 32 audio tracks (24bit, 48KHz).

In addition, there are also 16 channels of embedded SDI audio and 8 channels of HDMI audio. It accepts 8 channels of analog audio input and another 8 channels of AES digital audio.

It has a 5″ (800×480) screen for displaying material and setting up the menu. This display can also be used as a playback source, as it is compatible with Final Cut Pro 7 and X, and Avid sessions.

It can be controlled externally via RS-422 or through its web server (via Ethernet).

Another feature is the ability to connect up to four SATA drives simultaneously that can record in RAID-1, eliminating the need to make copies at a later date.

Both include a frame-rate and scaling converter, as well as Ambient Clockit, a timecode generator and reader with genlock output for multicam.

S.two

S.two recently introduced its latest version of OB-1 (on-board recorder). It included support for uncompressed 4K, as well as Quad HD at 3960×2160 using dual 3G HD-SDI.

OB-1 is also certified by ARRI to work with Alexa or D-21 cameras, and is capable of capturing in HD, HD444 and RAW.

Convergent Design

The latest news from this company is that it has received certification from ARRI for ARRIRAW recording on its Gemini 4:4:4:4. In addition, it also relatively recently released the Gemini RAWwith 4K RAW recording and playback capability, about which we have already published an article.

In addition to Gemini RAW, these are Convergent Design’s recorders:

– Gemini 4:4:4:4: offers high quality capture, playback and monitoring. It can record uncompressed or with Avid DNxHD. ARRIRAW debayering output is possible, and has full ARRIRAW support up to 60fps.
An SSD transfer station is included with the Gemini 4:4:4:4 kit.

– nanoFlash: is a very small and lightweight HD and SD recorder and player, which makes it possible to easily adapt it to cameras. It is designed to capture images of a higher quality than the camera itself, capturing without compression through

HD-SDI or HDMI outputs. It uses the XDCAM 422 codec, recording on Compact Flash up to 160Mbps (Long-GOP) or 220 Mbps (I-Frame). The material can be encapsulated in Quicktime, MXF or MPG formats.

– nano3D: it is completely based on nanoFlash, it is its evolution. 3D recording and playback is added to this device. Thanks to its 3D processor function, it is possible to connect a professional 3D monitor, or even a television, to be able to see what is being shot on set.

Atomos

Atomos is the creator of the Ninja and Samurai recorders. During this year’s NAB, Ninja 2 was presented, whose main new features are HDMI input and output, as well as support for the latest version (3.0) of AtomOS.

One of the key features of AtomOS 3.0 is SmartLog, which allows you to mark in and out points and tag clips using XML metadata, so you can pre-edit in Ninja or Samurai before going to the edit suite. Another of its qualities is SmartControl, which allows you to control the recording of several Samurai interconnected through a LANC port.

This new version also incorporates assistants for monitor accuracy (Focus Peaking, Zebra, False Color, Blue Only).

Recording and playback is limited to Apple ProRes, although DNxHD is available from Samurai as an optional upgrade (for €99 excluding fees).

Although it is not 100% up to date, here you have as a reference the table of engravers published by the American AbelCine.

There has also been quite a lot of camera-related news, especially during NAB last April. Pol Turrents, director of photography, already published an article about this in his blog, which you can read here.

For all those who are interested in video theory and basic concepts of camera, lenses, sensors, etc; color correction; and also DIT Station; 709 Media Room has organized a DIT course. It will take place between July 9 and 20 and will be taught by Rafa Roche, Luis Ochoa and Yoyi Molina. Here you can see all the information and how to sign up.