We've discovered an audio issue when using the Panasonic AJ-HD1400. A high end "crackle" is being added that sounds somewhat like sizzling bacon or crackling cellophane when laying back to tape via Firewire. I honestly can't hear it as I have a hearing loss in both ears, but the fine folks at CineFilm in Atlanta who convert our DVCPro HD masters to HDCAM heard it and alerted us.
We tested a second 1400 unit and the problem occurred there too so it appears to be an issue with the model line. Panasonic is aware and are currently working on the issue. I'll update you guys as get some news.
Hi Walter on a different topic . Our studio will be renting the 1400A HD deck .
We'll be using it to output 1080i masters Via Firewire with CC info .
Have you ever outputted masters 1080i via Firewire ?
Thanks
Mike
Did you try a PCIe firewire board? If the problem is Apples firewire bus would a 3rd party board (I think SONNET has one) help? I tried to output with an AJA Kona, 1080 was better but not perfect and 720p was even noisier. Our house tri level sync generator is set for 1080 and that may have caused the added 720 noise.
Thanks Bill
I too experienced this audio issue on 3 different Macbook pro laptops onsite. I was using a Panasonic 1200a HD deck. I found the issue more pronounced when the audio level was relatively low out the firewire. I increased my audio output gain by 6db running around 0db instead of peaking at -6db. This minimized the distortion, only audable in very low music passages. Since I was outputting the content to an arena of 6000 people pumping the audio thru 300,000 watts, even a little distortion was quite noticeable. I was outputting 1080i dvcpro content, so it seems that the issue is not with the deck, but with the laptops! I am waiting to hear from the forum on Apples response.
After yet more research, we have found that the Mac Pro is the culprit of the audio crackles via Firewire. When we move the entire project and the 1400 to a PowerPC G5 Quad machine, the problem goes away. Move the project and 1400 back to the Mac Pro and the problem reappears.
We have notified Apple of this and are awaiting news back from them. Our solution at this time is to use HD-SDI for mastering back to the deck.
Spent about 30 minutes chatting with a panasonic engineer today and according to him, the issue is limited to 720p and is not present in 1080i. We have another 1400 in the shop now and will test this theory tomorrow.
1400 has Insert Editing and a completely re-designed front panel. It operates a lot more like a "professional VTR" with Audio / Video Input selections moved to the front panel, four channel audio controls, shuttle control and some other features that were not on the 1200A.
For me it was a no brainer to update our 2 year old 1200A as we're just pretty much a DVCPro HD house now. Actually looking to add an HDW-1800 as soon as they are released in a few weeks so that will complete all the formats in house with HDCAM.
Professional Video Editor, Producer, Director since 1990.
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Owner / Operator of Biscardi Creative Media, a full service video and film production company with about 65% of our work in HDTV. The show you know us best for is "Good Eats" on the Food Network for which we create all the animations and perform all HD Post.
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