Sep 30, 2007, 6:34 AM
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Sony CX7 I bought one...
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I have had a CX7 (for those of you who don't know, it is the new camera that records to memory stick) for a few weeks now. I bought it to replace my HC40 which I didn't trust in the dusty environment that is Tanzania cos it is minus all the moving parts that break!!! So far have only used it recording in SD which it records as mpegs. However I have watched the AVCHD format on an HD tv and the difference is mind blowing! Navigation within the camera is great, as you can flick through the clips without the need to rewind and there is no danger of recording over vital video. I have 2 4GB cards and swap between them and just put them into the memory stick slot on the computer. I have also just bought sony vegas 8 which supports the AVCHD format, even though I will still be editing in SD. The only downer is the lack of a lanc port, but oh well, just hit the record button, it's not as big a deal as I was initially concerned about. The camera is light and side mounts without a hassle. At the moment I just have mine on a home made L bracket on my cookie mxv, but i have emailed cookie and they are working on a box for it, which i will buy as soon as it comes out. Everyone that i have shown has said that it will be their next camera!!! You can still edit via a mixing board if that is your thing as it plays the clips back to back as well. The best thing is the lack of real time capture!!! Just put the stick in the computer and copy the files over in a fraction of the time. It also has a good piece of software that allows you to archive the footage to DVD which works out a hell of a lot cheaper than keeping DV tapes!!!
I will eventually get around to chucking something that i have shot with it on youtube, and i will post a link here when i do.
But in the mean time i would recommend it!
DSE (D 29060)
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Sep 30, 2007, 7:25 AM
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Glad to hear you like it. You can also use Vegas 8 to archive, and better, you can archive only what you need, not every part of the shot. How fast is your 'puter for editing it?
Sep 30, 2007, 9:49 AM
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Did you have any problems with the optical steady shot? Seems that the cx7 should have the same problems as the hc7... Hope I'm wrong cause it sure seems like a very good camera.
/Martin
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 1, 2007, 5:32 PM
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After dinking around with my CX7, there is a sort of a remote control through the AV cable, it's just hidden in the "D" shaped A/V connector. Think it's time to order a cheap import A/V cable to cut into bits. Shouldn't be a lot of trouble to mod a cable to have a minijack on it. I'll report back once I/if I figure it out.
Oct 2, 2007, 4:47 PM
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Hey man I am happy to hear that you happy with the CX7 do you know if it is compatiable with imovie or final cut express??? Its awesome that I have imovie HD but with no camera to support it WTF!!!!! Hopefully you have part of the answer! And is there anyway you could cut an AV cable and switch ends with the lanc to make the cameye work?>
Oct 2, 2007, 4:54 PM
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CX7 Superbadsteph is my gal can you please respond to pathfinder4ca with regards to the CX7, i didnt realize she was stilll logged in and i wrote the note on here...........so she wont have a clue what you cats are talking about....so what do you think cats?
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 2, 2007, 5:44 PM
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Re: [Kimblair13] Sony CX7 I bought one...
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Oct 2, 2007, 8:33 PM
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.. do you know if it is compatiable with imovie or final cut express??? Its awesome that I have imovie HD but with no camera to support it WTF!!!!!
From Sony.com.au
"Intel Mac Compatible (Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 & iMovie '08) Users of Intel Macs (Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 & iMovie '08) can import AVCHD footage captured with this Handycam into their project for editing."
After dinking around with my CX7, there is a sort of a remote control through the AV cable, it's just hidden in the "D" shaped A/V connector. Think it's time to order a cheap import A/V cable to cut into bits. Shouldn't be a lot of trouble to mod a cable to have a minijack on it. I'll report back once I/if I figure it out.
DSE,
Just for clarification... your intended purpose for installing the minijack is to provide a place to plug in a cameye?
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 3, 2007, 3:06 PM
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DSE,
Just for clarification... your intended purpose for installing the minijack is to provide a place to plug in a cameye?
Yes. It doesn't provide voltage out, so an indicator isn't going to happen, but there is always a pocket mirror.
LouDiamond (D 25931)
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Oct 3, 2007, 4:18 PM
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Invest in what is known as a "lipstick mirror". They are tiny mirrors that stick to the end of a womans lipstick tube and fit nicely on Neptunes/altimeters.They work great for checking your record light.
Oct 5, 2007, 6:27 AM
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Quote:
Invest in what is known as a "lipstick mirror". They are tiny mirrors that stick to the end of a womans lipstick tube and fit nicely on Neptunes/altimeters.They work great for checking your record light.
So dose a $2.50 to $3.50 photocell "cameye" you can get all the parts at radio shack to build one, we used them for many years before the fancy factory build one came on the market, keeps you from having to record your hand and mirror while you look for your rec light.
(This post was edited by stratostar on Oct 5, 2007, 6:28 AM)
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 5, 2007, 7:13 AM
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I posted a skydiving video on Youtube a couple months back when we were testing it. Search under VASSTTRAINING. Audio in the pre-production model wasn't working correctly, in the shipping model the audio must be attenuated. It's always 5.1 mode, which makes it different than what you're used to.
doesnt look bad... would you use all the time for the tandems?
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 5, 2007, 11:48 AM
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doesnt look bad... would you use all the time for the tandems?
Next year, probably. I've budgeted a couple grand for a fast 'puter next season, and being able to quickly transfer the vid will be a huge bonus for me. Having spent an entire day with the CX7 (8 tandems) and my semi-older laptop, I'm loathe to recommend it to anyone. The single-thread, 1.83GHz proc couldn't render video as fast as it manages DV (as expected) and so what time I saved in transfer, I mostly lost in render to MPEG. AFAIK, we're the first DZ to offer Blu-ray in the world, and while we've only had one request for BD, next year I expect we'll have a few, so the new system also will have BD on it. We charged a high premium for it, and was surprised to have even one taker this year. We'll see what next year brings. Anyway, unless you've got a FAST 'puter, AVCHD isn't the answer for you.
Wow, I was ready to buy CX7 - now I'm not sure. Maybe I'll stick to one of the mini-DV units. A lot cheaper anyway.
Ed
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 7, 2007, 7:10 PM
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Well...there is one benefit to the CX7 if you want to work between HD and SD, and that is that you can have an extremely lightweight cam on your head, and transfer the footage via analog. It's still real-time transfer, however, but the footage is incredibly good. Better than any SD camcorder you can wear. And...no tape costs.
The light weight and no tape cost is what is inspiring me. I will miss my cam eye, though. To think that my new 30D (or 40D if Santa is really nice this year) will be significantly heavier....
Blu-ray burner equipped computer is coming soon, too. I'm seriously considering selling off one of my children to afford all the toys I'm soon to acquire.
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 7, 2007, 9:15 PM
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I might be wrong, but I believe we're the first DZ to offer BD (Blu-ray) discs of a skydive, and while it's not the most popular thing, did my second one today. Some folks are willing to pay thru the nose to get one. Cam-eye sort of thing is a two part process with this camera, I believe. Start/stop is via the A/V switch (I hope to have something really simple as soon as weather grounds us for a couple days) and there are several options for recording indicator. AFAIK, this is the lightest camcorder money can buy. And they're cheap by comparison. The 40D is definitely heavy, especially with a 15mm lens on it.
My big thing with the Cameye is the record indicator. The switch is nice and I like being able to to switch the camera to standby for the bulk of the ride up (inflight interview otherwise), but I don't see any real issue reaching up to hit a record button. Although I still wish Sony would keep putting the LANC port on their cameras.
As far as weight, that's the internal debate I'm having on still cameras. XT(i) Rebels are by far lighter, but are they as durable? I like the sturdier design on the 30D (haven't played with a 40D yet, but the suped up features sure look nice on paper).
Okay. Enough hijacking....
I guess I need to figure out the record indicator for the CX7 because I'm 99% sure that is my next vid camera. DSE, are you FTP guy? I'm just wondering if you've tried topmounting the CX7 with a still camera next to it yet. It would be nice to have everything top mounted and use the front still bracket for a camera flash.
Thanks for blazing the trail for us DSE!
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 8, 2007, 8:31 AM
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Stratostar and others have provided the recipe for an indicator for your record function. I jumped an XTi for 500 jumps before adding a 40D. XTi is still in great shape, and you can buy an armor covering for it if you want one.
I don't wear my DSLR on top right now, but am experimenting with different mounting methods. I tried the SharkFin from Bonehead as a starting point, and didn't like how it set with my HDV camcorder, so am still working on getting it to where/how I want it. Your camcorder needs to sit on the left side of the helmet if you want to use the preview screen (with the CX7 you have no eyepiece) so that is a concern for me with a tape-based camcorder. The HC7 works better for this, IMO, as it's got all connections on the left side, rather than iLink and LANC on the right. Overall, I'll likely be jumping the CX and 40D for most jumps next season.
Oct 8, 2007, 4:43 PM
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I know I'm repeating myself, but... Has anyone had any problem with fluttering while using their Sony cx6 or cx7 in freefall?
I've got the same question....does the CX-7 shudder and shake when you sitfly...or is it comparable to an HC-3?
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 8, 2007, 6:35 PM
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Best answer I can give is this: I've done 5 sitfly jumps with it, and while my sitfly sucks, I've not had stabilization issues with it at all. However....my sit is so poor, fall rate issues keep me from keeping the subject in the frame throughout the skydive. Worked on it today and did the best I've done, but still not good enough to share. Maybe after another half-dozen skydives.... I wear an FTP, so the burble may affect my helmet differently than others.
Thanks for the pointers. I'm not worried about the record indicator all that much. I just suck with soldering irons!
I will probably just get the 40D anyway, btw. In the long run it will most likely be cheaper to just buy the camera I really want than go through several other cameras before I get to it. My cameras get used for lots of other projects aside from skydiving.
DSE- Thanks much! I've been gunshy after getting burned by the OIS shakety-shake of the HV-10.
Have you tried a century .3x fisheye on the CX-7 yet? When I use other low profile wide angle lenses on my HC-3, the left and right thirds of my video are blurry and fringed in either red or blue. I assume it's because the lenses are designed for a 4:3 imager vs. a 16:9 one. I was hoping the more expensive century one might have better results as they claim to be made for HD. Thanks again, Trevor
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 11, 2007, 10:01 AM
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The fringing is color timing, and it's exacerbated by AVCHD. You'll barely see it using the same lens on an HDV camcorder, due to differences in compression. Haven't tried the Century, but do have a Raynox. Other than experimenting in the air, I've mostly used the CX7 as a crash cam for an ATV project we shoot, and as a "keep in the car" camcorder.
Any idea if the software from http://www.elecard.com/ will allow editing of CX7 footage in Adobe Premiere? I've heard mixed results. -mh.
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 16, 2007, 3:44 PM
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In PP3, there are hardware issues that vary from machine to machine. Both my laptop and desktop edit the Elecard-transcode just fine from AVCHD. However, this is a *silly* *silly* workflow, IMO, if speed is a need. Shoot, transfer, transcode (takes ten times longer than the transfer) then edit with the app not natively dealing with the footage very well on some systems. This all adds up to ten times the edit length if PP3 handled AVCHD natively. BTW, you can also use Main Concept's new decoder as a plugin to Premiere, and it will decode the MTS file to an M2T file, same as Elecard, except you're doing the process 'inside' Premiere Pro3
I wish I had the answer to the "wrong" hardware configs, so I could better tell folks what to avoid. If you can manage HDV without issue, you *should* be able to manage Elecard transcodes without issue.
Any chance this cam is possible with hand cam? ive got a bunch with a PC 330 so Im used to the weight. Also, Im still stuck in Panasonic AVE 5 analogue mode of editing technology recording to a dvd recorder. Am I wasting my money with this camera? I currently jump a PC 1000 but I am looking for a camera to replace that one (handy). I am a fan of keeping image quality high vs buying budget.
josh
PhreeZone (D License)
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Oct 26, 2007, 2:40 PM
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If you want to store the video long term you still need to go get a computer to download it all to either external hard drives or to burn it to DVD's.
I posted a skydiving video on Youtube a couple months back when we were testing it. Search under VASSTTRAINING. Audio in the pre-production model wasn't working correctly, in the shipping model the audio must be attenuated. It's always 5.1 mode, which makes it different than what you're used to.
DSE,
Could you explain the attenuation you're describing?
When I drag a CX7 .MTS video clip into the timeline, the audio track looks like a flatline with occasional really small bumps indicating sound. Is there a way to adjust the sensitivity in VegasMS so the flatline becomes sound level indications like I see with other audio tracks?
If I use the "Vol" slider to turn the volume up for that track, then I can hear it, but it's still fainter than it should be. I'm having to turn down my music track to -5db and CX7 audio track to +12 to equalize them. The sound quality appears to be pretty clear (indoors), but I just can't seem to make it loud enough to match what seems like standard sound level.
Chris
DSE (D 29060)
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Oct 26, 2007, 9:45 PM
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Right click audio track, choose Properties, then check the "Normalize" option, and rescan level/volume (going from memory here)
Right click audio track, choose Properties, then check the "Normalize" option, and rescan level/volume (going from memory here)
Thanks for the explanation. That helped with the volume for my voice track.
When I'm recording indoors (interviewing a student) I can get some good audio from this CX7. Anywhere else, however, (such as outdoors when there's 10mph winds) I pick up all sorts of noise that drowns out the student's voice. Or the noise will cause pops and clicks in the recording. I can use filters to squash the peaks in these tracks, but it takes too much tweaking time for my liking. The cheap HC42 I had would record audio at consistent levels without much distortion. I'm probably going to be putting my CX7 up on ebay for this reason & go back to miniDV until a more suitable flash-memory camcorder proves itself.
It seems that Sony is aware of the audio problem and made an attempt to compensate for it: In the menus there's a selection for Sound "Normal" or "Low". Normal is supposed to record sound within fixed level, and Low is supposed to record all sounds at actual level. I can't tell much of a difference using eiether mode when recording inside a King Air though... it all sounds like crackles, pops, and muffled speech to me. This past weekend I tried foam zip-tied over the mic, double gaffer's tape over the mic. Neither worked well.
The cx7 could improve my workflow if the microphone processing were up to par. The good thing about shooting in high quality SD mode: each time I hit 'record' on the camera, a new MPEG file is created. When I get to the ground I can copy those MPEGs to the hard drive, then drag them into Vegas for auto overlap, then put in some slow-mo, some music with fades, and render fast for standard DVD. If there were a skydiving-friendly hot shoe mic that would solve this mic problem, I'd get one and keep the cx7. All the ones I've seen look like they'd get broken off though
Chris
DSE (D 29060)
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Nov 5, 2007, 10:03 PM
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The good thing about shooting in high quality SD mode: each time I hit 'record' on the camera, a new MPEG file is created. When I get to the ground I can copy those MPEGs to the hard drive, then drag them into Vegas for auto overlap, then put in some slow-mo, some music with fades, and render fast for standard DVD. If there were a skydiving-friendly hot shoe mic that would solve this mic problem, I'd get one and keep the cx7. All the ones I've seen look like they'd get broken off though
Chris
Ain't no such thing as a "fast" render from AVCHD to SD DVD....but there will be. Put a bandaid on the back half of the microphone. Seriously.
Ain't no such thing as a "fast" render from AVCHD to SD DVD....but there will be. Put a bandaid on the back half of the microphone. Seriously. Agreed about AVCHD... it takes my AMD X2 6000 17 mins for a 6 minute AVCHD video to render to SD MPEG.
I'm starting out with High Quality SD mode on the camera, which is just plain MPEG, then rendering that to another MPEG, so it's pretty fast... 3-4 minutes render time and I don't lose any noticeable quality when rendering from MPEG to MPEG.
Nov 14, 2007, 8:27 PM
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I just bought the camera as well. When I downloaded the files (recorded in SD) in Vegas (older version) the video shows up but there is no audio at all. However, when I play the clips on windows media player the audio is there. Does anybody have any idea why this is? Please help!
DSE (D 29060)
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Nov 14, 2007, 8:37 PM
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You need Vegas 8a to fully support AVCHD camcorders.
Put a bandaid on the back half of the microphone. Seriously.
The band-aid helped, but the noise factor was still present to enough of a degree that I really wanted an external mic. So I ordered one of Sony's own mic adapters, the VMCK100, which is made for the active interface shoe: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...e_Adapter_Cable.html
I figured for $20 it was worth it to get some good sound. The VMCK100 arrived today and I plugged it into the hot shoe. Sony must be doing whatever they can to foil my intentions... the 1/8" plug in this adapter points directly left... directly at the plastic hot shoe cover. (see attached image).
I can't decide whether to remove the hot shoe cover permanently, or to hack into this adapter and point the 1/8" plug a different direction.
A question regarding the bandaid and the microphone. I have a HC5 and very often during free fall the sound are a bit funny. It's like 'cuts' into the sound, very annoying. Do you think this band aid trick might be useful for this issue to?
Right now we have winter here and our plane is at service for about 3 months so I can't do any live testing myself at this time (otherwise I would have done it already).
DSE (D 29060)
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Nov 15, 2007, 7:59 PM
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Drive down the road with your car window open, hang the cam outside
I use the bandaid with a small bit of auralex under it, covering the back half of the microphone. Still not awesome, but much better, losing those two elements.
hahahahaha, now why didn't I think of that???? Well now all I have to do is find a car that can do 150mph and someone who are willing to stick my camera out the window
Thanx man for your infinite wisdom.
DSE (D 29060)
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Nov 16, 2007, 4:58 AM
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hahahahaha, now why didn't I think of that???? Well now all I have to do is find a car that can do 150mph and someone who are willing to stick my camera out the window
Thanx man for your infinite wisdom.
90k will be plenty fast to test it, can't help you if you don't have your own car. Maybe take the train? Head north to Boros and ride a snow mobile with the Saami?
can you put a tandem stoe around it to hold the cover in place? I'd probably remove it were it mine. but I'm good with the bandaid.
I'll have to check that next week (when I have a replacement for that mic adapter). I dismantled the original adapter & found there's a little card inside... I tried using an active interface cable that I have & soldering its wires to the tiny traces on the VMCK100 to make it a lower mount and to relocate the 1/8" plug. Those traces are way too close together & very thin. I got a couple leads soldered & destroyed a couple others.
An easier way to relocate the mic port is to desolder that from the card and add some wires to where it used to attach. The 1/8" port has big easy solder globs, so I think that should be a breeze. I'll update next week.
I'm surprised you're ok with the band-aid because I know you're particular about video quality. You must've had better success with that idea than I did. Maybe I'm using a cheap thin one.
Chris
DSE (D 29060)
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Nov 16, 2007, 8:47 PM
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I'm surprised you're ok with the band-aid because I know you're particular about video quality. You must've had better success with that idea than I did. Maybe I'm using a cheap thin one.
Chris
It's never gonna be up to my standard but the heavy, stretchy kind of bandaid (it's actually Curad, if I remember right) with a small bit of foam underneath has held OK, I'm mostly wanting to kill the back two diaphragms of the crappy surround mic they put on the camera. The next gen has the same mic, too. Just saw the new AVCHD card cams yesterday for the first time, they look promising as well, but this surround bullshit is very frustrating.
The next gen has the same mic, too.Unsure Just saw the new AVCHD card cams yesterday for the first time, they look promising as well, but this surround bullshit is very frustrating.
I'm surprised you're ok with the band-aid because I know you're particular about video quality. You must've had better success with that idea than I did. Maybe I'm using a cheap thin one.
Chris
It's never gonna be up to my standard but the heavy, stretchy kind of bandaid (it's actually Curad, if I remember right) with a small bit of foam underneath has held OK, I'm mostly wanting to kill the back two diaphragms of the crappy surround mic they put on the camera. The next gen has the same mic, too. Just saw the new AVCHD card cams yesterday for the first time, they look promising as well, but this surround bullshit is very frustrating.
I can't wait to find out if there are some solid state cams that are going to have no optical image stabilization.
I added a Sony ECM-CS10 mini mic, wrapped it in foam and zip-tied it to top of my helmet. It sounds better than the onboard cx7 mic to me. Short clip from a tandem video that I shot yesterday using this setup: http://www.funjump.com/videos/extmictest.wmv
I'll be offering next year BD too and the handycam footage will be taken with 3 cameras, one on the strut of my new C182 SMA, one on my ubicam hand cam mount ( v 2.0 ), and one taken by our ground crew.
I'm trying to take the "high end" road with everything, from rigs to airplane and of course to videos.
The VIP video package will add the freefall camera guy footage and the stills to our package ..
So i'm still wondering if a macpro with two black design intensity and the on air software could help me this way :
I make a first edit trough HDMI inputs into the intensity cards and then finish editing with final cut.
Or would it be a better solution to get a more powerful Mac pro and to go AIC road or Hires road and to get all the footage edited in the NLE
Let me know what would be the better solution in you own opinion.
Best regards
Vincent ( i'll probably provide you a ubicam V2 by march or april so that you can see where we ended with it )
Jan 14, 2008, 5:34 PM
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I'd like to se the free fall video to hear the audio from this mic you used? I personally use a sennheiser wireless mic. But if i could pickup stuff in free fall with something else it would be cool.
Jan 15, 2008, 10:52 AM
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I'd like to se the free fall video to hear the audio from this mic you used? I personally use a sennheiser wireless mic. But if i could pickup stuff in free fall with something else it would be cool.
It's a wired mic mounted to my helmet, so I only get wind noise in freefall, except for occasional muffled scream from excited students, but there's too much wind noise to make that worth listening to.
Jan 18, 2008, 8:44 AM
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In the next couple days I will be starting limited production on a role cage to fit the Sony HDR-CX7. 1st one goes to Spot next Omar then Trunk. This cage will incorporate a dovetail bottom plate letting the user remove the camera from the cage in seconds. As for the lanc control using that "D" shaped port. I have somebody that is all over this. As soon as I get one finished I will put a post a photo for all to see. Expect them to be about $175.00 Anodized light weight Aluminum Another Schumacher Product Thanks All Terry Schumacher
(This post was edited by sky490 on Jan 18, 2008, 11:08 AM)
Jan 22, 2008, 7:33 AM
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Re: [sky490] Sony CX7 I bought one...
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As for the lanc control using that "D" shaped port. I have somebody that is all over this. As soon as I get one finished I will put a post a photo for all to see. Expect them to be about $175.00 Anodized light weight Aluminum Another Schumacher Product Thanks All Terry Schumacher
I'd be interested in seeing one of these! I still find the old mirror and record light works fine, but I want to get a cookie box soon, and don't think the light will be easy to see.
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Jan 22, 2008, 7:47 AM
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Spot, I went ahead and bought a CX7, so I am really interested in finding out about the controller and the roll cage. please keep us posted on availability and how they work. thanks
I figured I'd continue an existing cx7 thread rather than start a new one.
Does the cx7 have any ability to read a signal from an external source and record to its memory stick? Normally at the end of the day I'd like to be able to grab footage from anyone I've been diving with (maybe hd or sd depending on what camera's everyone else is flying with), but being a hd signal and not having firewire, I'm wondering if this is possible with this camera? I went to the sony store but the salesperson couldnt answer my question.
Ive got a bit of money to play with so I'm trying to put together a cam helmet that will fly a cx7 and a rebel xti or xsi, but I'd rather not go to anything too big like a flat top. (something more like a rawa, fuego, ff3) as I like the idea of an hd/stills combo on a smaller helmet.
after the initial few reviews on the cx7 I havent heard that many follow up posts, hows everyone likeing their cx7, and pics of your setups?
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Jan 25, 2008, 10:12 PM
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Some NLE's can write back to the AVCHD camcorders, others can't. Depends on how the NLE writes the stream. I haven't yet attempted to copy from one CX7 to another over USB, both of my CX7's are out on loan for manufacturers designing accessory components. Wait'll you see what's coming
Anyway...you'd still be able to grab footage, because it's just a USB transfer from the cam/card to the computer no different than CF card to computer, except it's a different card. Most card readers have memstick readers in them too. I'm *pretty* sure that doing a file to file Xfer from cam to cam will work, however, because there is no NLE involved messing with the header file. Does that make sense?
okay your talking about reading back from a nle, so thats assuming I have the footage on a computer already right? is there a way to copy directly from the other camcorder, I know long ago in the past I'd just press play on one cam and plug into mine and press record (not for skydiving, but for my old mountainbiking stuff, recording to dv tapes) to transfer
I've been out of the video market for a long time so its all a little new to me again
DSE (D 29060)
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Jan 25, 2008, 10:37 PM
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I haven't yet attempted to copy from one CX7 to another over USB,
When i have both my CX7's back, I'll letcha know. I suspect it's not a problem, but not sure. However...you're going to HAVE to have a computer to store this with. Until a device is created that can dump from a card straight to a disc over USB or Firewire...you'll need a computer. Join the new century, get a laptop for the DZ.
Nope. iMovie/Apple has to convert the file first. Unlike a PC, Apple cannot use the native format that AVCHD camcorders produce.
What is the reason for that DSE?
Is it likely that Apple will be able to support the native format?
Am I better of using Bootcamp/XP/Vegas for the time being?
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Jan 26, 2008, 4:40 PM
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Re: [freekflyguy] Sony CX7 I bought one...
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It may be a while before Apple supports AVCHD natively, just as the platform doesn't manage HDV natively either. It can convert to the proprietary format on the fly when capturing tape, but some of the benefits of file-based format work are lost in the conversion requirements. Conversions will only get faster and faster, of course....
I knew when I bought it that the specs said no input recording. I went thru the manual again and the specs, there is no mention of the cappability to record an incoming video stream any place. I hooked up the camera to the docking station and laptop and tried to copy previously downloaded videos from the camera back onto the memory stick, the files were copied, but when you open the Picture Motion Browser, the camera has no idea that the files you copied from the computer to the memory stick are there. you can manually copy the files off the memory stick. bottom line, this camera is not going to function very well for collecting video at the end of day from others, you wont be able to hook a cable up to their camera and record on the CX7, if you want to download the files from a computer you might as well eject the memory stick and insert it in a card reader and copy the files to a new folder on the memory stick, that way you don't have to haul around the docking station. What I would like is a cable that would connect from the 10 pin d connector on the CX7 to the 10 pin d connector on my HC85, this would allow me to get video from others via firewire and via the d connector from someone with another CX7 when there is no computer available.
Jan 28, 2008, 11:35 AM
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the reason for the D to D cable is it is a cleaner connection than a cable to adapter to cable, it eliminates the two connections. the make a female S-video to Female S-video that could be used instead of the rca video connection in your picture. I am going to get one of them to use, but the wish is for a single cable.
It may be a while before Apple supports AVCHD natively, just as the platform doesn't manage HDV natively either. It can convert to the proprietary format on the fly when capturing tape, but some of the benefits of file-based format work are lost in the conversion requirements. Conversions will only get faster and faster, of course....
Doug; When you import AVCHD footy on to an apple machine, in FCS, do you import it using the ProRes codec or the Apple Intermediate? Is there a difference in quality or in uncompressing time? What is the FASTEST workflow with AVCHD in FCS?
BTW: When you say it may be awhile, are you talking a few months, or what (best guess)?
Thanks! pope
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Jan 31, 2008, 6:28 AM
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Intermediate is fastest. I honestly don't have any clue when (or if) Apple will natively support AVCHD. They will have to natively support AVCIntra, I would think.
Some NLE's can write back to the AVCHD camcorders, others can't. Depends on how the NLE writes the stream. I haven't yet attempted to copy from one CX7 to another over USB, both of my CX7's are out on loan for manufacturers designing accessory components. Wait'll you see what's coming
Do you have any info on boxes for the CX7 other than Cookie?
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Feb 21, 2008, 1:20 PM
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Re: [Foster] Sony CX7 I bought one...
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dumb questuon does windeosmovie maker work with this camera for editing or Roxio looking to get a new camera
(This post was edited by ozzy13 on Feb 21, 2008, 1:37 PM)
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Feb 21, 2008, 2:03 PM
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I don't know what Roxio has in terms of editing support, but Roxio does support BURNING of AVCHD files. Windows Movie Maker didn't have support for AVCHD as of Xmas, but I haven't looked since that time. Sony Vegas Pinnacle Studio Canopus Edius Final Cut Express/iMovie Ulead Movie Studio
I don't know what Roxio has in terms of editing support, but Roxio does support BURNING of AVCHD files. Windows Movie Maker didn't have support for AVCHD as of Xmas, but I haven't looked since that time. Sony Vegas Pinnacle Studio Canopus Edius Final Cut Express/iMovie Ulead Movie Studio
ok I have a PC next question lol which is good soft ware for that ( Final cut is for Apple
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Feb 21, 2008, 2:33 PM
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I think users here are probably divided between Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere. I use both, I personally prefer Sony Vegas. So much so that I wrote a book on Vegas and a separate book on Vegas Movie Studio.
IMO, the learning curve of Vegas is very small. And it supports AVCHD, which currently, premiere does not.
I have found the easiest and fastest way to dump all my video if i need my card is onto my PS3. also had to get the upgrade for final cut hd express $100 but if you only have an entry level laptop you might want to look at a desktop.
Ok I bought the Sony Vegas movie platinum 8.0 Wow is all I can say it will be awhile before I know how to use this the right way. LOL Here is something I did just messing around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBACeRikJp4
(This post was edited by ozzy13 on Feb 23, 2008, 3:41 PM)
Feb 23, 2008, 3:43 PM
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I would like to know how to use the slit screen right off the bat any help would be cool thanks
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Feb 23, 2008, 7:27 PM
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I would like to know how to use the slit screen right off the bat any help would be cool thanks
What do you mean "it'll take me a while til I learn this??" You did GREAT w/the balloon vid, Ozzy. In that, you could have made you title screen after you'd set up your project, and that way the edges would n't be seen...
Split screen: Track 2 has first video, use Track Motion (in the track header) to slide to left or right. Track 3 has second video, use Track Motion to slide to opposite side of above track. Track 1 has titles or whatever else. Very easy, very fast. Congrats!
not sure if i understood that but i think i knoe what you are talking about. Going to freeze fest tomorrow so I will use the footage from that to try it out. Thanks again for your help :) Jerry
Feb 25, 2008, 1:39 PM
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think about the layers like a sandwich one goes on top of the next with the audio channels being the bottom layer of bread, video layers in between and any graphics ('titles' or 'supers') being the top layer of bread.
Thanks slightly improvised, but it worked in my head. Though my girlfriend would tell you that I've got it completely upside down because I eat my sandwiches inverted she loves that point.
Maybe after another half-dozen skydives.... 
VMCK100.jpg
slightly improvised, but it worked in my head. Though my girlfriend would tell you that I've got it completely upside down because I eat my sandwiches inverted 
