Convergent Design nanoFlash User Manual
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Convergent Design nanoFlash User Manual

Hd/sd portable recorder/player
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nanoFlash™ / nano3D™
HD/SD Portable Recorder/Player

User Manual

For nanoFlash Formal Release Version 1.6.248,
12 – Jan - 2011
For nano3D Formal Release 1.6.246, 16 – Dec - 2010
4465 Northpark Drive, Suite 400
Colorado Springs, CO 80907 USA
http://www.convergent-design.com
Support: ++(720) 221-3861
"cd" -- "support" -- "at" -- "convergent-design" -- ".com"
nanoFlash
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Summary of Contents for Convergent Design nanoFlash

  • Page 1: User Manual

    / nano3D™ HD/SD Portable Recorder/Player User Manual For nanoFlash Formal Release Version 1.6.248, 12 – Jan - 2011 For nano3D Formal Release 1.6.246, 16 – Dec - 2010 4465 Northpark Drive, Suite 400 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 USA http://www.convergent-design.com Support: ++(720) 221-3861 “cd”...
  • Page 2 nanoFlash...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Version History ..........©2009-2010 Convergent Design, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission.

  • Page 4: Welcome And Overview

    Sony XDCAM 4:2:2 CODEC to write native Quicktime, MXF (video/audio/time-code), or MPG files onto affordable Compact Flash media. nanoFlash breaks ground in terms of weight, power, size, ruggedness and ease of use. We are confident you will agree that the video quality is indistinguishable from uncompressed (at 100+ Mbps Long-GOP or 180+ Mbps I-Frame modes).

  • Page 5: The Essentials: Required Reading (Quickstart), Compactflash Cards

    1. Please Register your nanoFlash by sending an e-mail to “cd” “support” “at” “convergent- design.com” with your name, serial number of unit, and where the nanoFlash was purchased. You will get automatic notice of firmware updates and service bulletins. 2. Use only the qualified Compact Flash cards for the specified bit rates: 1.

  • Page 6: Input / Output Connections

    Input / Output Connections Left Side Connections Bottom Connectors nanoFlash...
  • Page 7 On/Off (Red): power button. Note that units shipped after October 2009 have the power button disabled or removed, so that the nanoFlash always powers on when power is applied, and only powers off when power is removed. See System->Power Saving to help reduce power consumption.

  • Page 8: Front Panel Controls

    Front Panel nanoFlash...
  • Page 9 2. Navigation Buttons: Allows the user to navigate the menu. (see p. 11) 3. Record, Stop, Play Buttons: <REC>, <STOP>, and <PLAY> buttons for control of respective modes. The nanoFlash, when powered on, is in a ready mode. Record or Playback can be activated by pressing the appropriate buttons, as described below: REC: Press <REC>...

  • Page 10: Lcd Screen Layout

    5. Audio Channels 1-2 Level Indicators 6. Audio level markers (-60dB to 0dB) 7. Current Video Source Format 8. Recording (compressed) bit-rate 9. Total remaining record time (minutes) across all cards 10. Audio Over-Range Indicator 11. Not shown: Record Ready Indicator |> nanoFlash...

  • Page 11: Menu Navigation

    Use the up, down, left, right and the center (enter) buttons to navigate through the various menus on the nanoFlash. Press the right arrow button to traverse into a menu, and the left arrow to back out. Use the up/down arrows to modify a selection and (very important) press the center (OK) button to apply the selection, or else your selection will not be entered.
  • Page 12 > Pre-Record buffer can only be used with bit rates up to and including 140 Mbit. > An additional 1.5 Watts of power will be consumed while the nanoFlash is in idle (non- recording) mode when using pre-record buffer. There will be no effect on power consumption during record.
  • Page 13 Power Saving Auto Sleep If this feature is turned on, the nanoFlash will drop to low power mode after 1 minute of inactivity if no SDI input is present. (This feature does not apply for HDMI input.) When the unit is in low power mode, power consumption drops to 0.3 watts, and the lcd screen is active with “Low power mode”...

  • Page 14: Video Setup: Data-Rate, Codec, Psf I/O

    35, 50, 100, 140, and 180 Mbps. I-Frame only allows recording at 100, 140, 180, 220, and 280 Mbps. The nanoFlash utilizes the high quality Sony XDCAM 4:2:2 CODEC for video compression. The data rates of 100 Mbit or greater Long GOP and 180 Mbit or greater I- Frame are generally considered to be Master Quality video.
  • Page 15 > At end of a time-lapse record, there may be a few extraneous video frames in the closing file. > A minimum of 15 frames should be recorded to complete a successful record. > Do not use time-lapse mode in combination with Pre-Record Buffer (System->PreBuffer), Crank, 720p60->30/50->25, or 3:2 Pulldown Removal. (ver1.5.126) nanoFlash...
  • Page 16 For example, a 720p60 incoming signal @ 280 Mbit, with record rate of 24 (yielding 720p24 recording) will adjust the bit rate by a ratio of 24/60, giving a recorded bit rate of 112 Mbits /sec. This is necessary due to the way the nanoFlash's codec handles cranking.

  • Page 17: Audio Setup: Analog / Embedded

    Record button is selected as the Record trigger). (ver1.6.29) To play files recorded on the nanoFlash which are not on their originally recorded CF cards: > Format a compatible CF card on the nanoFlash. Remove and take card to computer.
  • Page 18 > Insert the CF card back to nanoFlash with copied files, in the Play menu, choose the file to begin playing.

  • Page 19: Compact Flash: Capacity, Usage

    The files will all play from a computer. All CF cards must be formatted in nanoFlash before usage. After all files have been copied to another drive for safe keeping, the CF cards can be reused by performing a format operation on the nanoFlash.

  • Page 20: File Naming Conventions

    (via a CompactFlash firewire or usb reader with the card inserted and the reader attached to computer), at the top level of the card. Place update card into either CF slot of your nanoFlash. Wait for screen prompt, you will be directed to press OK to initiate the update.

  • Page 21: Hardware Accessories

    1) 2 cell lithium ion with attached 4 pin hirose connector and charger (available from Convergent Design), provides about 3 hours recording time 2) Swit : for EX1 / EX3 and nanoFlash (requires a d-tap converter cable to 4 pin Hirose power connector, available from Convergent Design) http://dolgin.net/Battery_Charger_TC400-EX.htm#SWITS8U62...
  • Page 22 For Canon XL-H1, audio can be brought into the nanoFlash via the RCA analog audio outputs on the Canon to the 3.5 mm analog input on the nanoFlash, using an adaptor cable. Such cables are widely available. (For newer XL-H1-S, the audio can be passed to the nanoFlash via the SDI port.

  • Page 23: Operating Tips

    System->Format in the menu. Troubleshooting Guide 1. No function of the nanoFlash: Check that the unit is powered on with the proper power adapter, check battery. 2. No Video input (“No Src” in left bottom corner of screen) over SDI / HDMI 1.
  • Page 24 (on the nanoFlash or the video source). In the event of loss of source, the nanoFlash will close the current file, attempt to re-lock to the video signal, and then continue recording.

  • Page 25: Safety And Esd Protection

    The pin-out that the nanoFlash uses is detailed on page 27, use this as a guide to ensure that proper connections are being made and damage is not done to your unit as a result of improper connections.

  • Page 26: Specifications

    Connectors: 75Ω BNC, mini-HDMI, 4-pin hirose (power), 10-pin hirose (LTC/Remote), 3.5 mm analog audio in/out Weight: 1 lb (400 grams) Power +6.5 to 19.5 VDC, 4-Pin Hirose connector, 3W Idle mode / 5.6W Record or Play / 0.2 W standby nanoFlash...

  • Page 27: Temperature Range

    Internal Operating: -20º C to 80º C (See System menu for temperature readout). External Operating: approximately -40º C to 60º C (direct exposure to sunlight or placing the unit in a cover or enclosed environment can influence the internal temperature) Humidity Operating Less than 80% (non-condensing) Storage: Less than 90% (non-condensing) nanoFlash...

  • Page 28: Connector Pin-Outs

    User Connector Pin-Outs (looking into the connector on the nanoFlash, top-side up) Power: 4-pin Hirose; Mating Plug = Hirose HR10A-7P-4S(73) 1. Power: +6.5~+20V, ~6.5W 2. Power: +6.5~+20V, ~6.5W 3. Ground 4. Ground Remote Tally/LTC: 10-pin Hirose; Mating Plug = Hirose HR10A-10P-10SC (73) 1.

  • Page 29: Mounting Plate Dimensions And Hole Pattern

    Mounting Plate Dimensions (all dimensions shown in inches) nanoFlash...

  • Page 30: Warranty And Obtaining An Rma

    WARNING: The following are not covered under warranty, and are items for which Convergent Design does not accept any responsibility: 1. Damage due to the use of a power supply other than that supplied with nanoFlash or un- certified batteries.
  • Page 31 (such as with a tie-wrap) so as to have a solid connection and so as to not unduly stress the HDMI ports. 7. Any loss/ corruption of video/audio data recorded on the nanoFlash, or any loss/ corruption of data which is in any way associated with the nanoFlash.

  • Page 32: Addendum A: Camera Notes

    > the audio comes from the RCA audio outputs through an adaptor cable (3 party) to the 3.5 mm analog input of nanoFlash > the timecode comes from the timecode out of camera to the Remote port on the nanoFlash through an LTC adaptor cable (sold separately). Camera modes: >...

  • Page 33: Addendum B: Recording Notes

    Recording on nanoFlash from the camera's start / stop record In most cases, the nanoFlash can be made to start / stop recording from the camera's start / stop mechanism. This is done by the timecode behavior of the SDI input (or LTC input) from the camera.
  • Page 34 Note: Be aware that most cameras, when placed into color bar mode or with status display output turned on, do not output a pulldown. In this case nanoFlash will not lock to the signal. Also, be sure to turn Video->Remove 3:2 Pulldown “Off” in the nanoFlash menu if the camera output does not contain a pulldown! >...
  • Page 35 > On nanoFlash, in Video->Crank, set Record Rate (1 setting) to 25 > On nanoFlash, in Video->Crank, set Crank Rate (2nd setting) to 50 (max allowed here) In 1080 recording, Overcranking provides very little leverage as the maximum incoming rate is 30 frames per second.
  • Page 36 720p60/50 to 30/25, or 3:2 Pulldown Removal. Recording Standard Definition The nanoFlash can record a Standard Definition signal, NTSC or PAL, the signal is recorded as IMX 50, 40, or 30 Mbit in .MXF or .MOV, and is accepted by NLE's. Standard Definition can also be recorded as .MPG at 3,5,6,7,8, or 9 Mbit.

  • Page 37: Addendum C: Monitoring Notes

    If there is no space available on the next card, the nanoFlash will simply perform a “Skip to next file” instead in this case. Note: when using “Skip to Next Card”, allow 5 to 10 seconds for the recording to transfer to the other card before attempting to remove original card –...

  • Page 38: Addendum D: Playback Notes

    HDMI output does not support Standard Definition at this time. Addendum D: Playback Notes (1.6.29) During playback off of the CF cards, the nanoFlash sends the signal from the CF cards out the SDI and HDMI ports. Standard Definition playback is only supported out of the SDI port. Additionally, 720p24 / 25 / 30 are not supported for playback at this time.

  • Page 39: Addendum E: Viewing Options

    > Open Cube: http://www.opencubetech.com/ nanoFlash MXF files (50 Mbit HD, 50 Mbit SD only (ver1.5.126) ) are also now compatible with XDCAM Optical Equipment. The “Free” naming convention may need to be set on the XDCAM equipment to accept nanoFlash files.

  • Page 40: Addendum F: Other Software Accessories

    Addendum F: Other Software Accessories (ver1.6.226) Free QT → MXF Converter (XDCAM EX or XDCAM 422 .MOV Files only) – also converts edited .MOV files for play from nanoFlash, and makes non-fragmented file copies back to CF cards: FileConverter 1.6 for Mac FileConverter 1.6 for Pc...

  • Page 41: Addendum G: Nle Compatibility

    With the release of Media Composer 5.0.3.2 patch or greater, support has been added within Avid for AMA linking to nanoFlash MXF files (HD files only – SD files can only be brought into Avid using the File->Import method). This allows direct access to files without the need to import (copy in) the files.
  • Page 42 Edius 6: Initial release of Edius 6 does not support nanoFlash MXF files. Later releases do support nanoFlash MXF files. Partial to full support of .MOV files with the Calibrated XD Decode Plug-in (see Addendum E). Matrox Axio: Likely all MXF files play on Matrox Axio systems.

  • Page 43: Addendum H: Managing Menu Settings / Menu Tree

    (The prefix “Menu” in Menu.stg may be renamed as you prefer. ) You will then be prompted to choose which setting to restore. It is preferable to use the same firmware version on nanoFlash for saving and restoring a given setting. Pre-configured settings will be made available for download on our website.

  • Page 44: Addendum I: Rs232 Remote Control

    Addendum I: nanoFlash Serial RS232 Remote Control (ver1.6.226) Introduction The nanoFlash can be controlled externally, from the Remote port with a cable connected to a custom Rs232 controller (the controller is not provided by Convergent Design) . An add-on cost is associated with activating this functionality.

  • Page 45: Addendum J: Nano3D

    After changing between 3D and 2D firmware, perform a Restore Defaults (System->Restore Defaults). Also, do not use the 3D Remote cable on an individual nanoFlash for 2D recording. Please Register your nano3D by sending an e-mail to "cd” – “support” – “at” – “convergent- design”...
  • Page 46 Gen-lock both cameras together and ensure that both cameras are outputting the same video format (can be checked by looking at the status line of each nanoFlash). When gen-locking, use tri-level sync for 24p, bi-level sync for other video formats. If the Combine option (described further down) is used, the nanoFlash will check for gen-lock, and continuously display a “Stream Mismatch”...
  • Page 47 “001” (the 1 file in a clip for long records) . File skipping and Fast Forward options are disabled in 3D. Set both units, Codec to I-Frame (Video->Codec) and Bit rate (Video->Bit Rate->CF ◦ HD Rate) as preferred. nanoFlash...
  • Page 48 ◦ CuePlay, Loop Record ◦ Prebuffer (System->Prebuffer) ◦ Duration (System->Duration) ◦ Timelapse (Video->TimeLapse) ◦ Cranking (Video->Crank) ◦ Combining 720p24, 720p25, or 720p30: not supported (recording separate left/right ◦ eye is supported in these formats) 15. Enjoy high-quality 3D video! nanoFlash...
  • Page 49 ID and Clip Number (System->File= ) are restored. Restore Defaults: Recommended to be performed after installing new firmware. Manually configure your nanoFlash or nano3D after restoring the defaults. About: Current Firmware Version. Master and Slave units must match firmware versions.

  • Page 50: Video Menu

    Does not need to be checked for 23.976 or 24, as the nanoFlash automatically sets this internally for these frame rates. Note: If this is set correctly, the Frame Rate Display on the last line of the nanoFlash LCD will match your camera’s setting.
  • Page 51 3D image, or to fine tune the point of convergence between the cameras. This feature is for live viewing only, will not effect the recorded video and only works with side by side combining. nanoFlash...

  • Page 52: Addendum K: Nano3D Upgrade

    To work around: select SDI as the source, turn the nanoFlash off and back on, and then MPG playback will work. > 720P24 / 25 / 30 playback from the nanoFlash is not supported at this time. Loop-through of these formats during live or record mode is only supported with Video->E to E turned on.

  • Page 53: Version History

    > Avid Media Composer and usage of AMA (fast file import option): Avid MC 5.0.3 requires Avid patch 5.0.3.2 or greater (available in the Avid download center) to enable AMA feature with nanoFlash MXF files. Avid MC 5.5 or greater requires a separate installation of Avid MXF AMA plug-in, available here: http://www.avid.com/US/products/Avid-Media-Access/plug-ins...

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