Another Bogart 2.3c caution: HDV to DV internal downconvert

[MichaelD]

I think I may have read that wrong

I think it applied to the v2.2 update (wasn't that clear from the release notes).

Hopefully the 'next' one is due along soon . . .

[TimKennelly]

No, you did not read it wrong Michael.

The 2.3d release notes claim it fixes the downconvert problem.

It does not.

I tried an update of 2.3d and it did not fix the HDV to DV downconvert unacceptable artifact degradation problem.

I then performed a full, destructive install of 2.3d and that did not fix the HDV to DV downconvert unacceptable artifact degradation problem either.

As previously mentioned there may be a serious problem installing 2.3c so use 2.3d instead, but it does not fix the downconvert bug. :>(

[erictom]

Hi Lou...How do you do it?

I have a SONY HVRM25U and successfuly imported project on HDV from the S4KPro. Recording it back to the Casablanca via firewire however only takes it back in HDV mode and rejects SD settings. Something I'm missing in the process?

Thanks in advance.

For now, just export a HDV project to tape.

.Import the HDV material BACK to a SD Project using the downconvert function of your camera or deck.

.Split the downconverted material for chapters

.Proceed as usual with ARABESK.

You may also want to make this SOP for a faster process for future projects.


This is a reported issue.

[MichaelD]

using the downconvert function of your camera or deck.

You'll need to set your camcorder to output as DV (down convert), it'll say something like 1080i -> DV on the Sony screen menu.

[HansJoachimKoenig]

Eric, I'm not Lou but I can aswer your question.
You can downconvert your HD project saved on M25 for importing in SD to your S4Pro.
You haveto go to the menu of M25 and change settings for downconverting to SD.
It's quite tedious to do this the first time so I wrote a quick setup giving the steps.
I printed it on a card and in a few seconds the M25 is changed to output downconverted SD from HD origin.

Try this (Contents of the Card):
SETTING FOR DOWNCONVERT-->Menu-->1xEXE-->3xDown-->2xEXE-->2xDown-->EXE-->Menu Done
RESET TO HDV -->Menu-->1xEXE-->3xDown-->2xEXE-->2xUp -->EXE-->Menu Done

[erictom]

I'll check again...thought I did that...but the S4K Pro does not recognize a video signal other than the HDV mode, which in essence repeats the process back at the pre-editing stage.

Thanks.

[HansJoachimKoenig]

Hi Eric,
I'm still on BogartSE 2.3c
I prepared a SD/DV recording in S4Pro to check your problem.
Created a new 16:9 anamorphic project.
In "Video" I set input to "DV" for this project.
M25 is set to downconvert.(DV)
In S4Pro I then recorded a downconverted sequence without any problems.
Maybe there are different settings in your S4Pro?

[TimKennelly]

Eric,

Be clear, you have to be in a Project set to HDV to have an HDV signal recognized.

On the other hand, if you are in a Project with it set to HDV it will not recognize an SD signal.

It will still control the cam's transport controls, but will fail to recognize/accept the SD (downconverted on the fly in this case) signal.

Same the other way, you have to be in a Project set to SD (16:9 anamorphic, for example) for an SD (DV) signal (recorded DV or HDV downconverted on the fly to DV).

In a Project set to SD (DV), it will not recognize an HDV signal.

So be sure you are trying to input the right signal format into the right Project setting.

[fmoorexx]

Tim, Lou, et al--

I have held off installing the 2.3d upgrade on my S4Kpro. It sounds like I should do a full (destructive) install. If so, can I save all my work onto an external hard drive without losing quality (rather than the time-consuming task of downloading 20 minutes at a time onto DVDs)?

What specs or brand hard drive would be required?

Thanks.

Frank Moore

[TimKennelly]

Frank,

Using the optional HD-backup software you can archive all Project to a USB external drive that you can Restore without quality loss.

As for manufacturers, I would expect all will work.

I have used Maxtor, Seagate and Hitachi and all have worked equally well.

The system itself will properly format the drive the first time you go to use it.