Canon’s May 2013 firmware release for the Canon 5D Mark III DSLR camera offers several important video features. Most importantly, this new firmware unlocks a “clean” HDMI live view output, allowing users to record to external, high definition video recorders such as the PIX 220i and PIX 240i. Sound Devices tested the 5D III and PIX combination for compatibility and setup tips. The results are below. (more…)

When shooting with a Panasonic HDX-900 camera and the PIX 240, two menu items in the HDX-900 must be set to ensure proper Auto Record operation. (more…)

The PIX 240 can be triggered to record and stop based on external timecode. This is useful in applications where other forms of triggering might not be available (SDI flags, LANC control, switch closure). Prior to version 1.08 firmware, when Timecode/Sync > Timecode Mode was set to External, it was necessary to stamp files recorded on the PIX 240 with the external timecode value. This behavior was changed in version 1.08 so that it is now possible to trigger recording from external rec-run timecode while stamping files with a different timecode (freerun, for example). This is beneficial in situations where rec-run timecode from a camera is the only available method for triggering the PIX 240 to record, but it is still desired to stamp the files recorded on the PIX 240 with a freerun timecode value. (more…)

Canon’s 5D Mark II will likely go down in history as the camera which forever changed the definition of a still camera, and of a video camera. The full-frame sensor “5DII” demonstrates that one device can successfully be used as both a superb still camera and as a creative motion picture camera.

The 5D II is showing up in applications where 16 mm film and traditional 2/3-inch sensor high-definition video cameras are used, such as talking head interviews, exteriors, landscapes, and the like. Like most video cameras, the 5DII was designed as an imaging device first…and an audio device last.

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There has been a certain lack of “resolution” on how best to provide time code sync for shooting double-system sound with the popular Panasonic Varicam high-definition camcorder. The VariCam is the commonly used name for Panasonic’s AJ-HDC27 variable frame-rate high-definition video camera. (more…)

Since it began shipping, Sound Devices has received numerous inquiries concerning audio interconnection with the Red One camera and our field mixers and recorders. We elected to bring an example of the Red camera in-house for audio testing. (more…)

January 20, 2003

Sound Devices, with the assistance of Fletcher Chicago, performed complete, instrumented audio tests on Sony’s HDW-F900 HD Video camera. This testing was performed in response to inquiries from Sound Devices customers concerning interconnect and set-up with the F900 camera. Audio performance of several other popular (some now discontinued) Sony video cameras is included for comparison. This test data reveals how to set your mixer for best interconnection, as well as how well the camera performs as an audio recorder. (more…)