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MillimeterShoot Review — Sony DSR-DU1
Jul 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Steve Mullen
Hard-disk recorder backs up tape.
 The DSR-DU1 records a DV/DVCAM stream for up to three hours—as much material as a DVCAM “large” tape can hold. |
Attending NAB 2003, one could be forgiven for thinking that tape would soon be “dead.” Panasonic showed its solid-state pro camcorder. Sony introduced a complete line of professional camcorders and VTRs that employ blue-laser recording to optical disc. And Hitachi promoted Z-3000/CR-D10 camcorders that record using MPEG-2 on DVD-R or DVD-RAM media.
While tape's days may be numbered, it remains the lowest-cost way of recording formats from DV to HDCAM. That, however, doesn't mean that tape can't get an assist from disk recording. That's Sony's message in marketing its DSR-DU1 ($2,250 MSRP).
The DSR-DU1 incorporates a 2.5in., 40GB hard drive. It can record a 25Mbps DV/DVCAM stream for up to three hours — equivalent to the recording time of a DVCAM “large” tape. The DU1 weighs 1lb. 5oz. and measures 4"×1 3/8"×5 5/8".
The DSR-DU1 provides controls for functions such as Play, Stop, Next, Previous, and Record Start. This means shooters can use the unit as an independent feeder or a DV/DVCAM recorder. The playback picture can be monitored on the viewfinder of a Sony DSR-570WS, 570WSP, 370, or 370P camcorder or the LCD screen of a Sony DSR-PD150, PD150P, 250, or 250P camcorder.
The DU1 offers loop recording as insurance against missing the beginning few seconds of an important scene. The unit continuously buffers up to eight seconds of video and audio in an internal memory. The DU1 records those eight seconds to the hard drive the instant the Record button is pressed.
I used the DSR-DU1 with a DSR-PD150 to shoot a conference with multiple presenters. I employed the DU1's eight-second cache in linked Start/Stop mode. I really liked being able to wait until a speaker truly began his presentation, knowing that I had captured the eight seconds prior to pressing Start.
Through an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) cable, the output of the camcorder simultaneously records to both the hard drive of the DSR-DU1 and the camcorder's tape cassette. The DSR-DU1 continues recording during cassette changes, preventing the loss of a vital scene. Alternately, you can record only to the hard disk. However, with camcorders other than the DSR-570WS, 570WSP, 370, and 370P, you should load a tape in the cassette compartment to prevent the camcorder from dropping out of record mode after five minutes.
Besides loop recording, the DU1 also features interval recording. It automatically switches between record and standby modes. The DU1 allows recording times of 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 1.5 seconds, and 2 seconds at selectable intervals (30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes).
Shooters can control the DU1's Record Start/Stop function from the REC Start/Stop button of i.LINK-equipped compatible camcorders. Another DSR-DU1 feature is the ability to switch between NTSC and PAL.
During acquisition, the DSR-DU1 automatically stores timecodes of record in and out points. You can also mark cue points from the controls of the DSR-DU1 or the supplied RM-LG2, a wired remote controller. The unit records compressed video and digitized audio streams as data files on the hard disk.
The DSR-DU1 docks onto the rear of compatible camcorders (DSR-570WS, 570WSP, 370, 370P, 500WS, 500WSP, 300A, 300AP, 250, and 250P) via the optional CA-DU1 adapter. Since a “slot-in” mechanism interfaces the DSR-DU1 to the adapter, mounting and dismounting is rapid. Although the DSR-DU1 does not mount to a PDX10, PD150, or VX2000, you can use it with these camcorders.
A Sony NP-F960/F750 infoLithium rechargeable battery pack supplies power. The battery snaps inside the recorder's case. The DU1 can also be powered by 8.4V (using an AC adapter) or 12V using an optional CA-DU1 power adapter. Operating temperature ranges from 32 degrees F to 104 degrees F. Interestingly for a hard-disk recording system, the operating humidity (without condensation) must be less than 85%.
When you finish a shoot, you can use the DU1 for offline logging or EDL creation, as a player for making DV/DVCAM dubs, or as a source feeder for NLEs equipped with FireWire.
The 1394 interface on the DSR-DU1 supports two protocols: AV/C (Audio Video/Control) and SBP2. The DSR-DU1 receives and stores the DV/DVCAM stream using the AV/C protocol. Even if you don't know its name, you've been using the AV/C protocol for years.
The AV/C protocol, used for playback, allows the DU1 to behave like an i.LINK DV/DVCAM VTR. You have full “deck” control and can play video and audio so they can be captured by any computer with a FireWire port and appropriate software. I used the DU1 with both Final Cut Pro 3 and iMovie 3. The Scene Detection functions of these NLEs worked perfectly with the DU1. Working with the DSR-DU1 gave me a preview of what it will be like to work with Sony's new blue-laser camcorders.
The support of the SBP2 protocol on the unit's i.LINK port enables it to transfer DV/DVCAM video and audio as data files. The DSR-DU1 employs a FAT 32 file system, with all A/V data stored within a “DV folder.” Thus, when connected to a computer with FireWire, the DU1 appears as a 40GB hard disk. Both Macs and PCs support reading from FAT 32 systems over 1394 using SBP2.
Within the DV folder are several folders pertaining to each captured clip. These folders contain the A/V data files and attribute files for each clip. The A/V data file consists of DIF (Data Interchange Format) data composed of audio, video, and subcode data packets, while the attribute file contains information concerning the clip itself, such as timecode start, number of audio channels, and video format (NTSC or PAL).
Via FireWire, you can use the DU1 in two ways. First, you can copy the data files from the DU1 to your computer's hard disk. Using the unit in this manner can reduce the time required for source ingestion, as the transfer speed is up to 2X realtime.
The second way you can use a DU1 does not involve transferring the source files to your computer's hard drive. Simply connect the DU1 to your computer and use it as the source of DV/DVCAM clips. You can use Sony's XPRI editor running on a laptop in this manner. Unfortunately, you cannot save a rough or final edit of a DV/DVCAM movie back to the DU1.
Before you use the DSR-DU1 you must set it up using its menu system. This is harder than it should be because Sony includes no written documentation. When I found the CD-ROM, I assumed it was software for the DU1. Nope. It contained a PDF file with the DU1's poorly written manual. For example, the manual tells you how to set the menu switches for “standard mode” but fails to define exactly how it behaves in this mode. But at root, the setup is awkward because although there is a microprocessor in the DSR-DU1, the menu mimics a DIP switch. So choosing the mode you want requires you to enable/disable several virtual switches.
But once you get it set up, the DSR-DU1 works as advertised. If you face real-world situations similar to the one I faced capturing the speakers' presentations, the DSR-DU1 would be perfect for you.
BOTTOM LINE
Company: Sony
Park Ridge, N.J.; (800) 686-SONY
www.sony.com/professional
Product: DSR-DU1
Assets: Records up to three hours of DV/DVCAM material to its 40GB hard disk; acts as a VTR offering full “deck” control; eight-second continuous loop recording.
Caveats: Setup is complicated and documentation is lacking.
Demographic: Shooters who need loop or backup recording; anyone who would enjoy faster transfer speeds to NLEs.
Price: $2,250
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