Gear in Cold Weather - HDMI - SmallHD DP4
Mizamook
30 Nov 2012 03:06
I post this because it might help someone.
Soon after getting the FS700, I purchased a SmallHD DP4 because the FS700 monitoring was terrible.
Since then, I have found myself fighting with a problem that caused me to lose shots, since I tend to go for shots that require leaping out of a vehicle just stopped, firing up the gear, and shooting.
The DP4, more often than not, failed to read sync from the HDMI out of the FS700.
At first I thought it was flaky HDMI connections. Reseating the connectors would sometimes help. FYI, I travel with the rig all on tripod, but wiht delicate connectors disconnected to keep from breaking them by accidental bonking.
Last night I shot the moon, having left the warm house, stepped outside, in to the Alaskan cold (about 23 F).
The DP4 fired right up and worked fine.
Then I went inside, leaving the gear outside as to not fog up the lens, because I wanted to shoot more later if the moon/Jupiter conjunctions started to look cool.
About 20 minutes later I went back out, and the DP4 did not see sync. The distinction here is that I did not move the camera or budge cables from a known working state.
I got suspicious.
Later, about 30 minutes inside at 70 degrees, I tried again....yep...fired right up!
SO....being that I have experienced similar problems with the Sound Devices PIX 220, I hereby alert folks to the sensitivity of whatever electronics makes the HDMI signal function to cold temps.
At least the DP4 generates heat, and if I get an extra set of batteries, and leave it on during my stints outside, I won't have this problem.
I have noticed before, that once I got it working, it stayed working for the rest of the shoot, even as I shut it down for a few minutes (but not longer than, say, 15).
Driving around with the gear on the back bed of an unheated vehicle exacerbates the problem.....if it was properly heated (i.e. NOT an old VW bus) then it might not have been an issue.
Did you really read all that? Gee....don't you have clips to keyword? Get to work!
Yeah... hope this helps.
Soon after getting the FS700, I purchased a SmallHD DP4 because the FS700 monitoring was terrible.
Since then, I have found myself fighting with a problem that caused me to lose shots, since I tend to go for shots that require leaping out of a vehicle just stopped, firing up the gear, and shooting.
The DP4, more often than not, failed to read sync from the HDMI out of the FS700.
At first I thought it was flaky HDMI connections. Reseating the connectors would sometimes help. FYI, I travel with the rig all on tripod, but wiht delicate connectors disconnected to keep from breaking them by accidental bonking.
Last night I shot the moon, having left the warm house, stepped outside, in to the Alaskan cold (about 23 F).
The DP4 fired right up and worked fine.
Then I went inside, leaving the gear outside as to not fog up the lens, because I wanted to shoot more later if the moon/Jupiter conjunctions started to look cool.
About 20 minutes later I went back out, and the DP4 did not see sync. The distinction here is that I did not move the camera or budge cables from a known working state.
I got suspicious.
Later, about 30 minutes inside at 70 degrees, I tried again....yep...fired right up!
SO....being that I have experienced similar problems with the Sound Devices PIX 220, I hereby alert folks to the sensitivity of whatever electronics makes the HDMI signal function to cold temps.
At least the DP4 generates heat, and if I get an extra set of batteries, and leave it on during my stints outside, I won't have this problem.
I have noticed before, that once I got it working, it stayed working for the rest of the shoot, even as I shut it down for a few minutes (but not longer than, say, 15).
Driving around with the gear on the back bed of an unheated vehicle exacerbates the problem.....if it was properly heated (i.e. NOT an old VW bus) then it might not have been an issue.
Did you really read all that? Gee....don't you have clips to keyword? Get to work!
Yeah... hope this helps.
ionescu
4 Dec 2012 05:12
Did you check the DP4 specs? I mean temperature working range?
SimpleIconic
4 Dec 2012 06:09
Two things.
1. LCD screans function poorly in cold. Some have gell or liquid crystal or something in them, and eventually in extreme cold, they will start to blur like you are shooting 1 fps. They can also become permanently damaged. The ones in a DSLR with a hard cover do better with this, maybe generating enough heat to stay ok.
2. Metal conducts electricity better when it is cold. This causes everything in the camera to function at a higher than intended amount of electricity. In addition to god knows what problems, it will cause your battery to go dead fast.
1. LCD screans function poorly in cold. Some have gell or liquid crystal or something in them, and eventually in extreme cold, they will start to blur like you are shooting 1 fps. They can also become permanently damaged. The ones in a DSLR with a hard cover do better with this, maybe generating enough heat to stay ok.
2. Metal conducts electricity better when it is cold. This causes everything in the camera to function at a higher than intended amount of electricity. In addition to god knows what problems, it will cause your battery to go dead fast.
Mizamook
4 Dec 2012 06:16
LCD screen is fine. Battery life mower, but not critical given the situation.
The fact that this happens with the PIX as well suggests to me it is a sync thing with the HDMI signal.
Forgot to turn on the DP4 today prior to shooting (shortly after leaving the house). I did NOT forget yesterday. Today I never saw signal (8 degrees and blowing) yesterday it worked without a hitch.
SmallHD folks say it's rated to 28 F. That's not good, but the trick with turning it on before it gets cold will work, I think...since the unit DOES generate quite a bit of heat.
I'm glad I finally figured this stuff out...it's just a game to keep the unit on well before I plan to use it if it is cold outside (and in the VW). I can hook its power supply up to it in the VW with the inverter instead of using up battery life.....
The fact that this happens with the PIX as well suggests to me it is a sync thing with the HDMI signal.
Forgot to turn on the DP4 today prior to shooting (shortly after leaving the house). I did NOT forget yesterday. Today I never saw signal (8 degrees and blowing) yesterday it worked without a hitch.
SmallHD folks say it's rated to 28 F. That's not good, but the trick with turning it on before it gets cold will work, I think...since the unit DOES generate quite a bit of heat.
I'm glad I finally figured this stuff out...it's just a game to keep the unit on well before I plan to use it if it is cold outside (and in the VW). I can hook its power supply up to it in the VW with the inverter instead of using up battery life.....