Peter Mega

Time to dance... like they do in Finland Get down!! That is soooo awesome. I wish I could dance like that, hehe Peter

Just thought I'd copy and paste some more info from a similar thread on the SD forum, see below. Philip, you're right about the time code on/off. The 552 always stamps code. When no external code is detected, it stamps 30fps. Peter Mega Hi everyone, From my understanding (or have I misread the manual) the 552 always stamps time code when recording? Manual says (page 26 - bottom): When time code mode is off, the TC In LED remains off. External code is ignored and files are stamped according to the internal time and date clock at 30 frames per second. To me this means that even if time code mode is off, the 552 will stamp files with TC at 30 fps. Is this correct? If so, can this be changed to 25 fps? (Maybe with future firmware upgrades?) The manual also says (page 27 - top): When time code is set to any other mode other than off, time code values are taken from the RTN B TA3 input connector when applicable. Time Code values are written to the file at the moment the recording begins. This allows the Sound Mixer to sync the audio recorded by the 552 with the master source. If there is not a valid time code signal detected, the 552 stamps files according to internal time and date clock at 30 frames per second. Again, to me, this means the 552 will stamp files at 30 fps if it sees the incoming TC as invalid. I'd like to use the record function on a day to day basis but not necessarily with external code connected. Purely as a back up if the camera hop has a problem for example. It just may save the day!! I probably wont use wireless time code send from camera to my 552 unless the shoot demands it. Its not impossible to sync sound to pictures with no time code or slate/clap. Annoying, but not impossible. Anyway, please clarify if I have misread the manual. Peter Mega Super Moderator: Peter, You have read the manual correctly. If the incoming timecode is not valid, the TC LED will flash and let you know something is wrong. The relationship of 24, 25 and 30ND code in Sound Devices products is 1:1. All files begin on the 00 frame, so there is no fractional error when importing files recorded at "30ND" into a 25fps workflow. Try it for yourself. Record some 30ND files on your 552 using the RTC stamp. Note all of the timecode values. Import the files into Wave Agent. Use Wave Agent to change the stamp to 25. What happens to the timecode start value? Absolutely nothing. The start timecode is based on samples since midnight. For each of the three even framerates, that count is exactly the same for files beginning on the 00 frame. Use your recorder as a backup all you want. We stamp the files with the RTC value so you have some sort of idea when they were recorded. This timecode is useless to Post since it has no relationship to camera code. If the backup is needed, they will hand sync all the files. __________________ ---Matt

I thought as much, thanks guys. I do have a few cable versions which I use from Lectro RX's to my mixer but I need 16 for a job I have soon and didn't want to buy 16 more adaptor cables (too expensive). Someone should make these adaptors!! Regards Peter Mega

Oh, I see what you mean, sorry Vin. I get it now!!

Hi, Does anyone know if there's such a thing as a right angle XLR adaptor, male to female? What I'm considering doing is using them on the end of a rented multicore, to plug into UCR411a receivers. I looked on the Neutrik website but couldn't see it. I must admit, in all my time in this industry, I've never seen such a beast but I thought in this day and age, everything must be available!! Thanks Peter Mega

I suspect the mic is in the bra somewhere and the transmitter is clipped to the back of the bra and the girls long hair is covering the transmitter. I've had to wire girls in bikini's before and that method usually works. Recently I had to wire a couple sitting on the sand at the beach. The female was easy, wired as above except I sat the transmitter on the towel masked by her body as the camera was shooting from the side. The male was much harder to wire. He had no shirt on, just board shorts. His hair was quite short and not thick or long enough to hide a lav in. So I had to clip the lav into his hair but in plain view, but on the other side of the camera's angle and sat the TX on the towel again masked by his body. Luckily there was no wind at all and I got away with it, phew!! (boom was not an option) Anyway, great view from your sound cart Richard. How great is our job! Cheers Mega

Looks like a fun time was had by all. Interesting to see some of you guys in moving pictures! I like the gag about "calling the manufacturer" Cheers Mega

Hi mmayer, Nice to know who the "super moderator" is!! I hope you're not offended in any way that I quoted you from the SD forum. I just thought I'd pass on some info. Cheers Peter Mega

Hi I have 4 x IDX NP-L7S batts and my first two have a "first charged" date of 15 May 2006 written on them and still going strong. I can easily get a most of a full day powering SD mixer, 416, 4 x Lectro radio mic RX's + Zaxcom camera hop TX with these 4 year old batts. My 2 new ones were first charged in November 2009 and these do out perform my older ones but not by much amazingly. I understand Li-on batts have a discharge/charge cycle of 500 times. I know Li-on batts are not supposed to have a memory effect but I believe treating them the same way we used to treat Nicad batts help the performance and life of Li-on batts too. That is discharging properly before charging again. I believe thats why my 4 year old batts are still so good. So, 4 years on and doing very well with NP-L7S. I would recommend to anyone. Cheers Peter Mega

Hi I live in 25fps PAL land which as Christian says, stays 25 all the way through to broadcast. Makes life so sensible!! I therefore find it hard to get my head around all the other uneven frame rate theories. I do find this thread interesting. Anyway, regarding the 552, I posted a question on the SD forum about frame rate. I too would like the 552 to stamp 25fps as a default stamping option and Jon Tatooles said they would consider it for future firmware upgrades. Here's what the super moderator said on that thread re frame rates: Since all 552 files begin on the 00 frame, it isn't necessary to specify 25. For all of the "even" frame rates (24, 25 and 30), the 00 frame will begin at exactly the same point in the files. It is simply a difference in how many pieces each second is divided. When importing your 552 files, just tell your post software that the files are 25fps and they will be treated appropriately. Its an interesting read if you happen to subscribe. The thread is called "552 time code/frame rate" in the "Hardware and Firmware" section. Regards Peter Mega

Thanks for your replies Micheal and Simon, Simon, thats good info. I'm curious to know what someone would do if they were only using a mixer. More the metering rather whats in the headphones. You can see all 4 meters on your 788T which is ideal for anyone who has a 788T or the like. Micheal, those pesky Telco's seem to stich everyone up at some point!! If we go 4 channel wireless camera hop in Australia with say the soon to be released Zaxcom QRX100 system, then we do need to consider my concerns. I would still be trying to persuade production to record onto 744T but we do have to provide what the client wants as mentioned by Simon (even if I do disagree with the client!!) Anyway, its food for thought. Cheers Mega

Amazing!! They dance with such conviction. Reminds me of Armenian dance (I'm Armenian) but I think these Georgian dancers are arguably better in some ways. Georgia and Armenia are neighbours so I guess the similarity is due to that. Thanks for an interesting post. Peter Mega

Doesn't anyone have any thoughts/opinions about monitoring 4 channels with D4? Or am I missing something?

James. Maybe you could answer some of my questions from my earlier post below? Were you sending 4 discreet channels? How did you monitor levels? Whet mixer were you using? Thanks Peter Mega

" I dont think the 744T (and probably your 702) has this option. " They do! " I was told that its to stop loops etc. " check the manual for accurate info. Actually they dont. The 744T has no set up menu option POWER: BATTERY CHARGER like the 788T. This is where the 788T's battery charge function can be disabled. Regardless of the 4 pin hirose wiring, the 744T and the 702T always charges when the unit is on as stated on page 60 of the 744T manual v 2.65 The manual does not refer to any 4 pin hirose wiring to stop loops or buzz. It only refers to external powering options. Options like "power on unit and begin recording" etc etc. Senator, if you know of a way, maybe you could actually enlighten us with your knowledge??? Regards Peter Mega

Hi Tom, I use a K-Tek K-SM mount for my 416. (When its not in my full Rycote windsheild kit) It works quite well with a Softie/Fluffy or even just a foamie for indoors. On the subject of Softies. I prefer the Koala "Fluffy". Its far better than the Rycote Softie in my opinion. The Softie's problem is the rubber doughnut at the back. Thats where all the wind gets into the mic. The Fluffy doesn't have this problem. I've used the Fluffy in conditions where the Softie could never handle and found myself running for the full blimp kit. I now rarely use the full blimp kit and the Softie lives in the back of the car in case I lose my Fluffy!! Cheers Peter Mega

Hi Guys, The D4 is a great unit but what I'd like to know is: When sending it 4 direct outs of say, a SD442 mixer or any other field mixer with direct outs, how exactly does one monitor the 4 channels properly? Does one stand next to the camera and watch the 4 meters (if the camera has 4 meters)? Do you watch the D4 screen on the transmitter in your bag? Do you have to run a 744T and use its outputs just to see 4 level meters? Do mixer manufacturers need to make field mixers with 4 level meters or could they make an option for toggleing between 1/2 and 3/4 showing direct out levels? All the field mixers I've seen only have two meters. You cant really watch the 4 channels with PFL's. If a production was asking me to send 4 discreet channels to the camera, I'd be suggesting to record to my 744T. The D4 doesn't really appeal to me as a bag to camera hop but I can see its potential in other situations. Thanks Peter Mega

"I don't have experience with how the 788t works, but if you want to get more life from your NP battery, you might want to not have the onboard battery in the 788t so it's not charging that battery from the NP battery like my 702T does. I leave my battery in my 702T, which I like for insurance of keeping the recorder's TC clock going when I power off everything else with my battery bud. The draw back is when everything comes back online and the NP battery starts charging the onboard again." Hi Zack and everyone, The 788T's on board charger can be disabled so it wont drain the NP1. I dont think the 744T (and probably your 702) has this option. I wish it did for your sake as this would be rather annoying I'm sure. I never use external power (NP1) for my 744T (except for mains sometimes) so I never have the NP1 draining problem. I always use the Sony NPF970 to power my 744T and a separate NP1 for everything else. This also avoids the potential of any loops or buzzes from sharing the same power source, as Philip mentioned. I think there might be a particular wiring of 4 pin to 4 pin Hirose that solves any loops etc but I'm not sure if its true, anyone?? I have a 4 pin to 4 pin Hirose cable that I got with my 744T which I've never used but its marked "744T only" and I was told that its to stop loops etc. Maybe its wired for one of the external power options, who knows, but since I never use it, it doesn't bother me, it just sits in the 744T's Pelican case doing nothing!!! Cheers Peter Mega

Hi Robert, A few of the boys here in Australia are running 2 x NP1's in the bag, 1 dedicated for the 788T/CL8 and another for everything else (RX's, Zaxcom cam hop etc). The 788T's are very thirsty and if you run everything in your bag from a single NP1, you may only get an hour and a half from each battery. I personally only have a 744T and I run it from a Sony NPF970 and it lasts all day. I run everything else (mixer, 4 x RX's and Zaxcom hop) from a single NP1 and that usually lasts most of the day. I use and can recommend the IDX NPL7S Li-on batteries and also the IDX JL2 Plus multi format charger (2 bay). Good Luck Peter Mega

Hi Glenn Is this something that has to be done by you guys in the States or will it be an end user update. Or, will Lemac in Sydney Australia be able to do it? I'm interested in that function but would love not to have to send my unit back to the U.S since I live here in the land downunder!! Actually a friend of mine had his RX900S buttons bumped and somehow the frequency block has changed. I think his unit is block 31 (high 700 - 800) but it now only shows frequencies around the 500's??? Can you (or anyone) tell me the procedure of how to get it back? (I know you're all thinking, sure its "your friend", it must be you but its true I tell you!!!! hehe. Its like the girl who goes into the chemist asking for the morning after pill "for a friend"!!!!) Thanks and Regards Peter Mega

Hi, I modified a Lectro plastic rain cover (P1199) to go onto my Zaxcom RX900S receiver. Just cut out the aerial holes a bit more to suit the Zaxcom. Dont push it all the way down like you would on a Lectro receiver otherwise you will push the Zaxcom buttons, keep it raised up a bit. I leave it on all the time and have never had any problems with camera guys pushing buttons etc. Its not a perfect cover but it works and keeps the dust and initial rain drops off the receiver until the camera guy puts the camera rain cover on his camera. I also tape the power switch to the aerial so it cant get bumped off accidently, again, never had any problems. Cheers Peter Mega