External recorder

Messages
4,094
Name
Mark
Edit My Images
No
Quick noob question, what is the advantage of reordering to something like an Atomos Ninja rather than just to the card in the camera, is it just length of time you can record?
Thanks
 
Quick noob question, what is the advantage of reordering to something like an Atomos Ninja rather than just to the card in the camera, is it just length of time you can record?
Thanks
I'm no video chap, but from what I have read, larger screen, which is moveable, longer record times, potentially more capacity than in camera on cards, and depending on the camera used, you may also may be able to record higher bit rates and extra video formats to an external recorder and possibly enable higher frame rates too.

Hopefully someone more video orientated will point out more benefits and maybe some negatives as well. :)
 
Most dslr or mirroless cameras produce footage in a heavily compressed format. This is fine if you get everything right in camera but if you want to make adjustments in post then the footage can soon degrade. An external recorder allows you to record formats that are less compressed like ProRes which are easier to edit and have much more information allowing more scope for adjustment.

The other benefit with most external recorders is that they come with lots of tools like waveforms, false colour, focus peeking etc. and you get better sound recording.

If you are basically happy with the results straight from your camera and don't do a lot of grading and adjustment in post then you may not get a lot of benefit from an external recorder.
 
Most dslr or mirroless cameras produce footage in a heavily compressed format. This is fine if you get everything right in camera but if you want to make adjustments in post then the footage can soon degrade. An external recorder allows you to record formats that are less compressed like ProRes which are easier to edit and have much more information allowing more scope for adjustment.

The other benefit with most external recorders is that they come with lots of tools like waveforms, false colour, focus peeking etc. and you get better sound recording.

If you are basically happy with the results straight from your camera and don't do a lot of grading and adjustment in post then you may not get a lot of benefit from an external recorder.

Thanks Andrew, that explains it, much appreciated.
 
the file sizes on an external recorder are gobsmacking, 4k pro res will eat a 1tb drive in hours, a single minute of ProRes UHD file (3840 x 2160) is around 5gb
 
the file sizes on an external recorder are gobsmacking, 4k pro res will eat a 1tb drive in hours, a single minute of ProRes UHD file (3840 x 2160) is around 5gb
You're a factor of 8 out. It's around 5 GB.

But even that is heavily compressed, you can't do many reencodes before it's degraded.

If you're recording 10 bit 2160p50, uncompressed it's approx. 12Gbps, so 1 min is:
12 * 60 / 8 = 90 GB
 
Back
Top