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director of photography, DIT, peter gray, dp, cinematography, dop, cinematographers, lighting cameraman, videographers, dv, high definition, 24p, digital films, HDW-F900, CineAlta, Varicam, AJ-HDC27F, Viper, 70mm, independent films, lighting directors, filmmakers, filmmaking, HDW-700ATHE PROCEDURE TO COPY THE MENU SETTINGS FROM ONE F900 CAMERA TO ANOTHER USING MEMORY STICK
In this operation, we are concerned with 3 file types, (1) the OPERATOR file, (2) the SCENE files, and (3) the REFERENCE file. These files reside in the camera in two forms: (A) as current working files, where settings can be freely changed in the various menu groups and are recalled each time the camera is powered up. And (B), as a PRESET or STANDARD file that can be recalled at any time needed, and will replace current menu settings (where they are different). There can be two OPERATOR files, and two REFERENCE file in the camera at any one time. Namely, a current "working" file, and also a "stored file" for each. The SCENE files are a little different in the sense that you can have more of them (5 scene files in each of 20 groups = 100). So there is a current SCENE file, and 5 stored SCENE files that can be recalled per group. Note that the Memory Stick can only transfer one group of 5 SCENE files between cameras at a time. When buying a Memory Stick, it is not necessary to buy anything larger than 32MB capacity. 32MB can easily store 100 scene files, plus the operator and reference files. Although I haven't tested it, it is possible that even less memory capacity would also work, but 'smaller' sticks are difficult to buy. Below, the instruction to "click" means pressing IN the rotary encoder button momentarily and then releasing it. Scrolling is performed by rotating this same knob clockwise or counter clockwise.
=================================================== STEP 1: COPY FILES TO MEMORY STICK FROM THE FIRST CAMERAPlace a Memory Stick in the card reader/writer slot in the first camera, making sure it is not "write protected". From the first camera, copy the OPERATOR file, the SCENE files and the REFERENCE file to Memory Stick as follows:
(1) In the File Menu group, go to page F1 called < OPERATOR FILE > Click on WRITE (CAM > MS), and then click to confirm. Make sure the message is displayed that confirms the file has been written to the Memory Stick successfully. (2) In the File Menu group, go to page F2 called < SCENE FILE > Click on WRITE (CAM > MS), and then click to confirm. Make sure the message is displayed that confirms the file has been written to the Memory Stick successfully. (3) In the File Menu group, go to page F3 called < REFERENCE FILE > Click on WRITE (CAM > MS), and then click to confirm. Make sure the message is displayed that confirms the file has been written to the Memory Stick successfully. Take the Memory Stick out of the first camera and place it in the card reader/writer slot in the second camera. All subsequent operations take place in the second camera.
=================================================== Note: While this next step is not absolutely essential, it eliminates the slight risk of data corruption that might otherwise occur. (1) In the File Menu group of the second camera, go to page F6 called < FILE CLEAR > (2) Select the first item PRESET OPERATOR (3) Click to clear, and then click to confirm (4) Select the second item REFERENCE (ALL) 10 SEC CLEAR (5) Press to clear by holding button in for 10 seconds, and then click to confirm This operation completely clears the PRESET OPERATOR file, and the REFERENCE STANDARD file, ready to receive new data. Important : DO NOT CLEAR ANYTHING ELSE IN THIS MENU GROUP!!! (especially any OHB Matrix offsets) Note: You can back out of a file clearing operation anytime (before the final click to confirm) by clicking the CANCEL SWITCH on the side of the camera to the cancel position.
=================================================== In this step, we copy the files stored on the Memory Stick from the first camera to the second camera. (1) In the File Menu group, go to page F1 called < OPERATOR FILE > Click on READ (MS > CAM), and then click to confirm. Make sure the message is displayed that confirms the file has been written from the Memory Stick to the camera successfully. This copies all items in the Operation File, namely: Viewfinder Display settings ------------------------------------- (2) In the File Menu group, go to page F2 called < SCENE FILE > Click on READ (MS > CAM), and then click to confirm. Make sure the message is displayed that confirms the file has been written from the Memory Stick to the camera successfully. Items Stored in a Scene File: OPERATOR MENU: D5600K ALL PAINT MENUS, Except: V. Mod Switch, Skin Detail Gate Switch 1/2/3, and Multi Matrix Phase MAINTENANCE MENU: EXTERNAL SWITCH: Auto Knee (DCC) ------------------------------------- (3) In the File Menu group, go to page F3 called < REFERENCE FILE > Click on READ (MS > CAM), and then click to confirm. Make sure the message is displayed that confirms the file has been written from the Memory Stick to the camera successfully. Items Stored in the Reference File: OPERATOR MENU: D5600K ALL PAINT MENUS, Except: R/G/B/M Black, R/G/B/M White, V. Mod, Skin Detail Gate, Multi Matrix Phase MAINTENANCE MENU: EXTERNAL SWITCH: Auto Knee (DCC) Note the considerable overlap between information stored in the Reference File and an individual Scene File. So a Reference File is really a baseline Scene File, while Scene Files are variations of the Reference File. However, R/G/B/M Black and R/G/B/M White are unique to each individual Scene File, and are not stored in the Reference File. However, the reference file can store a permanent trim or offset of these values. Any such trim or offset is effectively hidden in the reference file, as it displays these values as all zeros across the board. So the user is normally unaware of any R/G/B/M Black and R/G/B/M White trims or offsets stored in the reference file. Similarly, the person setting up the reference file needs to take note of any trims or offsets they use, as they will be displayed as zeros when the reference file is saved in the camera.
=================================================== Although not essential, you will normally want to store the new OPERATOR and REFERENCE files as a new PRESET in the second camera, so they can be recalled at anytime to get back to an exact match with the original camera. (1) In the File Menu group, go to page F1 called < OPERATOR FILE >
Click on STORE PRESET FILE (meaning store as a preset file), and confirm. This file can now be recalled to the camera at any time by clicking on PRESET in this same menu group. ------------------------------------- (2) In the File Menu group, go to page F3 called < REFERENCE FILE > Click on STORE FILE (meaning store as a STANDARD file), and confirm. This file can now be recalled to the camera at any time by clicking on STANDARD in this same menu group. The STANDARD reference file can also be recalled from the < SCENE FILE > page in Paint Menu #13 (P13). This operation works the same in either menu.
=================================================== The Memory Stick copying process does not install a specific scene file to the camera until you recall the required file, so this step is important. (1) In the File Menu group, go to page F2 called < SCENE FILE > Making sure you are in the correct GROUP (usually Group 1), select a scene file numbered one through 5 that you wish to activate. Scroll and select a number (1,2,3,4,5) and click on it, making sure the confirmation message says SCENE RECALLED. If you do not get this message, the scene file has not been recalled. Note: Repeatedly clicking on Scene File numbers toggles between the stored file and the current "working" file. To be sure you have recalled a stored file, you must see the confirmation message: SCENE RECALLED.
=================================================== Performing Steps 1, 3 and 5 are the minimum requirement for transferring the "look" from one camera to another using Memory Stick. However, only by completing all 5 steps above, have you made two cameras truly identical in their menu structure. Difference can still exist between cameras at a more basic level, such as analog RGB pre-amplifier levels on the optical head block, and any OHB Matrix offsets. Camera are normally tweaked at this basic level in an endeavor to match them as closely as possible in terms of basic colorimetry and other image characteristics. Usually this is done at the rental house or similar facility, and is not a field adjustment. Once cameras are matched on this level, and the proceedure described above is subsequently performed, then two HDW-F900 cameras should perform in a very similar way. Usually good enough to allow seamless inter-cutting between two (or more) cameras after final color correction is completed in post.
=================================================== I'd like to thank Michael Condon, HD Camera specialist at Clairmont Camera Hollywood, for his considerable input and suggestions in compiling this information. Michael Condon, SOC Disclaimer: While I check the information presented here as thoroughly as possible (...through actual work experience, personal testing, and consulting other experts in the field), I can not absolutely guarantee its complete accuracy. These writings really reflect my own evolving understanding of these particular issues as I try and piece everything together myself. These pages are works in progress, and will be corrected and updated as new information comes to hand. Any and all feedback is very gratefully accepted. Especially any information that helps to correct outright mistakes in this presentation, or additional information that helps to expand the scope of these discussions. Copyright © Peter Gray (9th November, 2004) Peter Gray |
