Blog

• Google: [parallels clone vm “boot camp”]
  • http://forum.parallels.com/thread3261.html

I installed the (free) LE version of Avid’s DNxHD onto bothWindows and Mac, in order to round-trip between Sony Vegas and FCP.  Having received no responses to my threads on forums for Sony Vegas and for FCP, I tried Avid’s forums.

• The “Avid on Windows” Forum:
  • PC MediaComposer to MAC FCP http://community.avid.com/forums/p/74442/416691.aspx#416691
    • Thread from August 2009.  Might well be out of date now.
    • If you export DVCProHD from your PC Avid you’ll want to check the “Use AvidDV Codec” box.  This will encode the file as AvidDV100 (which is Avid’s DVCProHD codec).  With the Avid codecs installed on your FCP system you’ll be able to read them.
    • Why don’t they mention DNxHD ?
• The “Avid on Mac” Forum:
  • Search on [fcp dnxhd]
    • http://community.avid.com/forums/p/84564/477328.aspx#477328
      • Error while loading DNxHD QT .mov into FCP
      • Someone with same issue as me: they rendered from Sony Vegas to DNxHD to import to FCP, and the media wasn’t recognized.
      • Thus far, that thread is inconclusive, with suspicions focussing on the precise format settings etc. and the fact that the media was rendered from Sony Vegas (as I guess the latter is relatively “unknown territory” to the Avid/DNxHD folks).
      • I copied this info (& thread link) to the Sony Vegas forum http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=720994&Replies=11.  Useful replies:
        • …a smalll but critical point; the codec DNxHD does all the encoding of the video stream, vegas does not touch the encoding process. At most, vegas may update the file headers and starting meta data as it closes the file. If Sony has an issue it will be there, but I would question FCP file handling when it opening the file.
      • ?

I have used this for years.  Here are some things I learnt and re-learnt today, about and around it:

• Deshaker’s main forum is http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1418923
• Deshaker is used as a plugin to VirtualDub.
• VirtualDub can’t directly read XDCAM-EX files.
  • One way round this is to transcode to an AVI format.
    • I traditionally use Cineform (CFHD).  In Sony Vegas, when rendering-out to this from a 720p50 Project single XDCAM-EX .mxf file of 720p50 footage, the result when viewed in the original project has a weird effect where the image only advances every two frames.
      • This does not occur for larger Projects, reason unknown (need to experiment, but maybe ? it’s because because larger projects tend also to contain media in other formats?).
    • So instead on this occasion I render to HuffYuv.  Larger but lossless and no (obvious) issues.
    • After every such render, check for the “doubled-up frames” issue, e.g. in case accidentally rendered to unintended format.  Mistakes happen, especially when under pressure of long hours…
• The result, from VirtualDub, can be saved to AVI formats e.g. Cineform (CFHD).
  • If saving to CFHD then be sure to specify RGB mode (in the codec’s dialog), this preserves the levels in 0..255 (”Computer”) range, otherwise (default non-RGB) it scales to 16..235, giving a washed-out appearance when viewed back in Sony Vegas.

Article:

• HP
  • DreamColor and HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display: Frequently Asked Questions at this link: http://h20202.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/DreamColor_and_LP2480zx_FAQ_June0…
  • White Paper: Using the HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display Monitor in professional video applications http://h71028.www7.hp.com/hpsub/downloads/LP2480zx_videoapps_WP_Oct08.pdf
    • This white paper specifically focuses on using the monitor with HD-SDI/SDI video sources and provides techniques and approaches to feeding these sources to the monitor via an HD-SDI to HDMI converter
• Creative Cow
  • Article: http://library.creativecow.net/articles/garchow_jeremy/HP_DreamColor_CRT_Replacement.php
    • {Great article, including simple block diagrams of its internal processing-chain}
    • The HP DreamColor LP2480xz Professional Display was released in 2008, which raises the question, why do a new review in 2010? The answer is simple: even two years after it hit the streets, no oher 10-bit monitor looks this good, at this price.
    • …along with the monitor, HP offers the DreamColor Advanced Profiling Solution, which includes Windows and Mac software, and an HP-branded colorimeter licensed from X-Rite, the industry leaders in color science who are HP’s “Color Technology Partner.”
    • …this monitor has a few caveats.
      • You must use the $300 calibrator to truly color calibrate the monitor, and for the “DreamColor Engine” to work. In other words, in order for the monitor to display the proper Rec. 709 (or another user defined video color space/gamma) the monitor must get a true progressive signal, and it must be RGB.
      • The monitor is equipped with HDMI 1.3a, which supports 10bit per channel depth, but HDMI can be interlaced or progressive. Many capture cards and even stand alone converters might be HDMI 1.3a capable, but most of them will simply pass through the given SDI signal.  So, I now needed to track down the AJA HDP2 which will output both an HDMI 1.3a signal (via an inexpensive DVI to HDMI cable) and it will also output progressive images all the time as RGB (as opposed to Rec. 709 YUV).
    • …the HP LCD calibration kit … measures (among other things) the actual Red, Green and Blue values that are being projected off of your monitor. Then, after the calibration process is complete, the full range of RGB is then mapped to the Rec. 709 (or 601 or whatever you want) color specification and the monitor’s gamma is set to 2.4.
      • Why 2.4 you ask, when Rec. 709 HD has a specified gamma of 2.2?  Well … since this monitor was meant as a true CRT replacement, they measured some of the most well regarded CRT production monitors on the market, the Sony BVM series – and the gamma level coming off of those displays is 2.4, which is why they recommend setting the DreamColor’s gamma to 2.4.  If you don’t like this, you can select any gamma when creating a color profile, along with adjusting the color of the monitor based on the CIE color space. This, then makes the monitor infinitely flexible to your needs.
      • { Esp: I am confused still … is it the case that these monitors, including BVM, do not adhere to 709? }
      • Greg, one of the developers:
        • Regarding the 2.2 gamma. Certainly that’s the recommended gamma for Windows XP, but there’s no reason you can’t use another if you prefer. The key is to make sure you match what your target is. For example, after the initial release we tweaked the factory calibration for Rec.709 to raise the gamma slightly from the standard 2.2. The reason we did this is that we placed the monitor side by side with Sony BVM tube monitors and worked to match the actual response of the monitor. That resulted in a slightly higher gamma than 2.2
    • The only downsides are that any firmware updates have to be done by a computer running Windows, you can’t tweak sharpness, and calibration requires a computer with either DVI or DisplayPort, and a separate USB cable to attach to the monitor — but as a package and value, there’s nothing out there that offers what the DreamColor can do for this price.
  • Forum: http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/223/7928
    • {Esp: This is a huge thread, many posts and pertinent points and useful answers.  Mandatory reading!}
    • Key HP guys there:
      • Greg Staten
      • Dan Bennett
    • What Input Signals it will Accept:
      • you can’t enable the LP2480zx’s internal color engine when the video content is interlaced. This is also true for YUV content. In other words, the HP DreamColor Engine is available ONLY for progressive RGB content. This is due to the architecture of the display, and the re-tasking of its electronics when content needs to be deinterlaced or converted to RGB.
        • Workaround: HP has seen good results with Gefen’s HDSDI to HDMI converter, which can deinterlace and convert to RGB in the box, thereby delivering progressive RGB to the LP2480zx display, whatever the format of the content.
      • …the DreamColor LP2480zx can accept a 2048×1200 signal … It will display a 1920-wide “center cut” of the source.
    • How to Update Firmware
      • (Full stepwise instructions are give, they are too lengthy to sensibly paste here, so will make it a fresh blog item)
      • it needs to be done from a Windows computer.
    • Red Tint:
      • …my Dreamcolor seems too red. Seems a very common complaint. Is this something the probe can deal with, or is it a manufacturing defect that necessitates repair or replacement?
        • Regarding the Red color, that isn’t a common characteristic of the monitor and it is possible that your monitor requires recalibration. You should be able to correct this with the DreamColor calibration probe.
        • And … the calibration probe and software can create a profile (software calibration) of a non-DreamColor monitor.
    • Profiles (ICC etc.)
      • If your system employs a dual link DVI video card it is capable of utilizing two separate icc profiles, one for each monitor
    • Advanced Profiling Solution (Calibrator)
      • Greg (HP:
        • The HP DreamColor calibration kit comes with a modified X-Rite i1D2 calibrator. Due to the very wide gamut of the monitor, we had to modify the calibrator’s firmware so that it could properly read the monitor’s wide gamut color primaries. (Essentially it had to be re-programmed to read a different base wavelength for each R,G,B primary.) Using a standard i1D2 will give incorrect results and wrong calibration.
        • The HP DreamColor probe can be used to calibrate other monitors. Since they have a narrower gamut, it is easy for the probe to operate as a “standard” i1D2 and calibrate other monitors. The HP Advanced Profiling software provides you with that option.
        • At this point the calibration software for Mac and Windows (developed for us by X-Rite) does not support any other calibrators. That said, we and our studio partners have developed an open source calibration tool for Linux called Ookala (http://sourceforge.net/projects/ookala-mcf/) that can be used with either the DreamColor i1D2 or an X-Rite Chroma5. In addition, the hooks are provided to write a driver for different calibration hardware.
      • …how do you calibrate from a mac? i didn´t get mac software with the APS (Advanced Profiling Solution).
        •  APS software for Mac is on the CD that is shipped with the device.
        • http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1144&Action=support&SoftwareI…
          • Goes to http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1144&action=support
          • Just click the “Mac version” link
      • The APS calibration software will allow you to perform a calibration of non-DreamColor monitors. If you launch the software with multiple monitors connected or with a monitor other than the DreamColor connected it will allow you to select it for calibration.
        • That said, this capability does introduce a risk. It is possible to tell the software to do a standard software calibration of the DreamColor LP2480zx which I emphatically don’t recommend doing. When you are calibrating the DreamColor be sure to select it in the software - which you may have to do twice if you have multiple monitors connected (or have connected the monitor to a laptop) - otherwise you will not perform a hardware calibration of the monitor.
    • HP support is severely lacking.  The HP DreamColor Advanced Profiling Solution as well as the DreamColor Monitor are especially difficult to get tech support information about.
    • There are two specific format converters. Gefen’s, which is only an announcement on their news page at this point (http://www.gefen.com/kvm/news/view-news-item.jsp?news_item_id=171) and Aja’s (http://www.aja.com/products/converters/converters-hd-hi53g.php). Which of these are recommended for sending an HDSDI signal into the DreamColor ?
      • The new Aja Hi5-3G converter sounds like it may work as well as the Gefen …
    • For HP’s tech info:
      • 1. Go to http://www.hp.com
      • 2. Search for “dreamcolor” in the upper right search box, click on the first link.
      • 3. On the HP Dreamcolor product page, in the grey box on the Right Side, click on “HP Support & Drivers”
      • 4. On the Support Page in the bottom section “Resources for HP DreamColor…” Select Manuals
      • 5. The Bottom of the manuals page has 5 white papers which have tons of great info about this monitor.
    • Q: I’ve got HP Dreamcolor monitor connected to MacPro via BlackMagic HD LinkPro (display port) to monitor FCP footage. I managed to calibrate the monitor using APS soft and the Xrite/HP calibrator. During the calibration the monitor is connected to MacPro via DVI cable and works as a computer monitor. Then I disconnect one and use BlackMagic to feed the signal. Is the calibrated profile stored in the monitor regardless of the signal source?
      • A: I believe that the APS color calibration profile is only used when connected via DVI and the Dreamcolor is functioning as a second (or third) computer monitor. As far as I know, as long as your Blackmagic HD is feeding the proper, progressive, RGB signal to the monitor, and your monitor is in the proper color space preset, you will have a correctly calibrated picture. The ICC color profile only comes into effect when the Dreamcolor is connected as a computer display.
    • ???
• DvInfo (Forum)
  • http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/view-video-display-hardware-software/481665-hp-dreamcolor-inquiries-2.html
    • How to output to it, the dithering issue, …
• Sony Vegas (Forum)
  • http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=720576&Replies=5
    • Thread (about the DreamColor) started by Serena.
    • …need to acquire the KZ300AA to get serious about calibration.
    • Bill Ravens’ info:
      • http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/atepper/story/dreamcolor_direct_interfaces/
      • http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/atepper/story/dreamcolor_from_hp_an_ideal_tool_for_critical_image_evaluation/
      • Bottom line: unless you feed it RGB progressive, the dreamcolor engine will default to full range RGB. Without the dreamcolor engine, you lose the 10 bit capability.
• RedUser Forum (for users of the RED Camera)
  • http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=337581#post337581
    • Another forum: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1033337918
• ?

D-Link’s gigabit router, 802.11n (”up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g while staying backward compatible with 802.11g devices”):

• http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=530

Camera Artistic Techniques (by Garth of Gold Coast Video Camera Club):

• http://www.gcvcc.com/March%202008%20%20Camera%20Techniques%20No2.pdf

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-avoid-camera-shake

• Elbows-in
• Shoot sideways (with respect to to chest), back-elbow against ribcage.
• “Create a Tripod With Your Knee” (bod-pod, as one responder called it)
• Lie face-down (on chest) with hand flat or fisted under lens, to achieve requird tilt.
• “The Machine Gun Hold” - cam-front/lens rests on upper-arm, hand of which grasps upper of other arm.  Awkward.
• “Cradle”.  A sideways-shooting-mode, with back of camera on shoulder (?) and hands gripping cam from same side, at middle and back.
• It’s best to see the pictures really!  At the above link.

Michael LoMonico’s tutorial on small-scale (e.g. serious student) film-making:

• http://www.lomonico.com/documents/IFC_UNIT6.pdf
• …and UNITs 1..5 too.

Michael is “the Senior Consultant for National Education for the Folger Shakespeare Library”. His course material provides a great overview of project planning (to deliverables), roles (Cinematographer, Director…), actor abilities/assessment, filming/camera technique and more.  The other UNITs cover for example the stage area terms.

Zoom H4N Audio Recorder, looks great:

• http://filmtools.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/zoom-h4n-recording-wavs-shredding-the-competition/

Some issues:

• Had a serious system-disk issue, where CHKDISK deleted corrupt unknown system-related stuff.   Windows still worked afterwards as far as I could tell but it was cause for concern…
  • Later, the Mac OS function keys became unresponsive.
• The FW800 port only worked in Mac mode, not Boot Camp / Windows 7.

Some fixes:

• As a potential fix to both issues, was advised by machine supplier to reinstall Boot Camp
  • Method:
    • Mac (machine): Run [Boot Camp > Windows]
    • Windows:
      • Use [Remove Programs] to remove Boot Camp
      • Use Mac OS system disk (from Windows) to reinstall BootCamp (was 3.0).
      • Check for any Boot Camp updates - get the latestone (was 3.1).
  • Result:
    • Function-keys fixed, FW800 issue remained.
• As potential fix for FW800 issue:
  • A Sony Vegas forum post advised disabling Aero.
    • Result: No difference.
  • Web-searching and Vegas forum advised installing the free FW800 driver from UniBrain, allegedly better than the Boot Camp one.
    • Prior to the BootCamp reinstall, this was not possible - installation aborted.
    • Following the BootCamp reinstall, installation worked but FW800 drive not visible in Windows Explorer.
    • Tried a Windows Repair, in case it was not just the BootCamp that had been damaged (possibly by the serious system disk issue mentioned at the start).
• Windows Repair & successive steps:
  1. Boot Camp: Repair the windows system (Windows 7).
  2. Check whether System Restore works now.
     1. Yes, when I set a restore-point, wait a few mins and restore to it.  But what if I reboot then try to restore?
     2. Seems hit-and-miss: sometimes Restore works, sometimes not.  Rebooting doesn’t affect that but system crashes/freezes e.g. as caused by FW800 failing, do appear to.  Uncertain, just rough observations.