Video Assist computers FAQ - Wolf Seeberg Video

System #2:
Panasonic AG-HPG20 P2 Card recorder, together with a notebook computer, or micro-ATX computer.
Cost is $5,000 for the P2 recorder, plus $1,000 for a computer = $6,000 approx. (per camera)
See:
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&cat
alogId=13051&itemId=327735&catGroupId=34402&surfModel=AG-HPG20
Pros: Self-contained for simple playback only. Similar cost and operation to Flash XDR option above,
but better user-interface. P2 Cards can be backed up to an external HDD. Battery power.
Cons: Relatively expensive. No direct interface with computers (so you need to re-insert P2 Card in
computer when needed). Only supports 59.95p and 60.0P frame rates, so only suitable for a handful
of cameras (mainly Panasonic).
Note: Can be interfaced with a computer via USB 2.0 to edit material stored on a P2 Card, but you have to
switch in and out of this mode for normal operation.
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System #3:
Sony PMW-EX30 SxS Flash Recorder, together with a notebook computer, or micro-ATX computer.
Cost is $5,000 for the flash recorder, plus $1,000 for a computer = $6,000 approx. (per camera)
See: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-PMWEX30/
Pros: Self-contained for simple playback only. Similar cost and operation to Flash XDR option above,
but better user-interface. Can interface with an external HDD. Battery power.
Cons: Relatively expensive. No direct interface with computers (so you need to re-insert SxS Card in
computer when needed)
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System #4:
Fast HD computer with AJA or Blackmagic Design Card (or external box) for capturing uncompressed
HD-SDI. Cost per camera is about $2,000 for the computer plus $400 to $2,500 for the card or box (a
relatively "cheap" option). For the cheapest card: http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/decklink
Pros: Uncompressed, so ultimate in terms of quality. Can be fully self contained in one unit (although
large-ish). Relatively inexpensive.
Cons: Needs a RAID system to capture and play back uncompressed HD video (at least four HDD in a
Raid Zero array). Needs a fast, powerful computer. Difficult to run from battery power (needs inverter)
large computers draw a lot of current.
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System #5:
External Motu V4HD box interfaced via FireWire 400 or 800 to a notebook computer, or micro-ATX
computer. Cost per camera is about $2,500 for the box, plus $1,000 for the computer = $3,500 approx. (a
relatively "cheap" option). See Motu V4HD here: http://www.v4hd.com/
Pros: Relatively inexpensive. Works with most computers (doesn't require a special, high-end, fast
computer). Does Pro Res, as well as DVCPRO HD.
Cons: More time consuming to transcode to Blu-ray formats.
Extra Benefit: This Motu box is one of the few options available on the market that de-embeds Timecode
from the HD-SDI stream, and makes it fully available (even as an external LTC output).
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System #7:
1-Beyond Wrangler or Wrangler Pro unit, with AJA or Blackmagic Design Card (or external box) for
capturing uncompressed HD-SDI.
Cost starts at about $7,000 for the base unit (with various add-on options available)
http://www.1beyond.com/products/p2wrangler.asp?search=p2workflow
Pros: Uncompressed, so ultimate in terms of quality. Fully self contained in one box including large LCD
screen. Relatively expensive (although very versatile).
Cons: Needs a RAID system to capture and play back uncompressed HD video (at least four HDD in a
Raid Zero array).
Note: It’s really similar to my self-built System #4 above, but nicely packaged by this manufacturer (at a
price).
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System #9:
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