Sergei Franklin , Steadicam Operator, Tel 646-247-7871

 

ChaseCam Review, VDA modification, Anton Bauer discharge curves
Chasecam PDR100-H
For Steadicam onboard recording I switched from a DV deck to the Chasecam PDR100-H digital recorder. It records MPEG 2 to a Compact Flash card.
If you purchase the unit you want the supercap version which replaces the AA battery slot with capacitors. This avoids any noise getting into the image.
It is very simple to operate
One button for start and stop recording, Led goes from green to red when recording. Very quick to access a shot for playback. Instant access to any shot, play, pause and fast forward controls . Updates can be downloaded from their website and copied to a compact flash card.
If you have a laptop and a card reader on set you can pull the compact flash card out and play and scroll through the clips in a computer.
You can use MPEG Streamclip from www.squared5.com to play the files as well as convert to DV or other formats..
If you have the MPEG2 plugin you can also use quicktime.

There is a built in microphone for reference sound.
Works with NTSC and PAL in full resolution (720 x 480 for NTSC) with different compression settings.
I've been using the normal setting and have not gone over 2 GB in a day so far.
The unit costs about $600. I'm using a Transcend 8GB Compact flash card (less than $100).
The Lemo is pin compatible with the PRO.

For mounting I cut off the tabs and took off the handle from the ChaseCam bracket, and drilled some holes and screwed it onto the PRO recorder plate.
Panasonic HDX-900 with onboard battery, frame grab from PDR100-H powered from sled
Arricam 35 mm, frame grab from PDR100-H , both powered from sled.

VDA inside PRO

Directly connecting multiple video devices causes incorrect termination and wrong video levels. Adding a video distribution amplifier will insure correct video levels to the transmitter and recorder.

There is room inside the PRO battery module between the recorder and transmitter Lemo for a VDA from VAC model number 11-011-504
http://www.vac-brick.com/CompositeVideoDADetail.asp?PartID=11-011-504&ProductFamily=MFB
I attached the DA with Velcro.

I removed the 9V regulator inside the PRO as the ChaseCam PDR100-H runs on 12V.

I replaced the recoder/playback switch with a DPDT version
C&K T201SHZQE digikey part number CKN 1089-ND (radioshack's does not have the same thread pitch, so you need to order this)

Now the recorder/playback switch is finally functional and my Modulus looks better.

I mount my video transmitter on the bottom of the sled. With this modification you would always want the transmitter on the bottom. I have done this for years without any problems ( CIT antenna with Sony tuner). I can send playback wirless to director.

If you do not want to do this yourself contact Terry West South Bay Film and Video Services
310 374-5711. He also makes cables.

Anton Bauer Discharge Curves
To read the discharge curves on a MAC you need a Keyspan USB to serial adaptor and ZTerm software.
Set data rate to 1200 , 8 bit, 1 stop bit.
For the 28x you need a DB-9 to 8pin cable

DB-9 - 8 pin
pin 3 - pin 3
pin 2 - pin 5
pin 5 - pin 4
Software links
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