Grass Valley DCR 4000 User Manual

User’s Guide

3922 496 30561 February 2007 v4.0

DCR 4000

Venom FlashPak

POWER

READY

BT

ESC

SEL

REC

STOP

VENOM

RECORD

FlashPak

LIGHT

UP

DOWN

PLAY

PLAY

DCR 4000 User’s Guide ii

Declaration of Conformity

We, Grass Valley Nederland B.V., Kapittelweg 10, 4827 HG Breda, The Netherlands, declare
under our sole responsibility that this product is in compliance with the following standards:

- EN60065 : Safety

- EN55103-1: EMC (Emission)

- EN55103-2: EMC (Immunity)

following the provisions of:

a. the Safety Directives 73/23//EEC and 93/68/EEC
b. the EMC Directives 89/336/EEC and 93/68/EEC

FCC Class A Statement

This product generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause interference to radio communications.

It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A digital device pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference when operated in a commercial environment.

Copyright

Trademarks

Website

Operation of this product in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the
user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be required to correct
the interference.

Copyright Grass Valley Nederland B.V. 2007. Copying of this document and giving it to others,
and the use or communication of the contents thereof, are forbidden without express authority.
Offenders are liable to the payment of damages. All rights are reserved in the event of the grant
of a patent or the registration of a utility model or design. Liable to technical alterations in the
course of further development.

Grass Valley and Infinity are trademarks of Grass Valley, Inc. All other tradenames referenced are
service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Visit the Grass Valley public website to download the latest user’s guide updates and additional
information about your broadcast product:

www.thomsongrassvalley.com

DCR 4000 User’s Guide i

Table of contents

Chapter 1 – Installation

1.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.2 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

1.3 Connectors and switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1.3.1 Connectors on Venom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1.3.2 Connectors on Docking Adaptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1.4 Controls on Venom FlashPak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

1.4.1 Menu navigation buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

1.4.2 Transport (clips) buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

1.4.3 LED Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

1.5 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

1.5.1 Docking kit for Venom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

1.5.2 Assembling the Docking Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

1.5.3 Mounting Venom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

1.5.4 Connecting power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

1.6 Synchronizing with other devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

1.6.1 Genlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

1.6.2 Time Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

1.7 Time code applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

1.7.1 Stand-alone Viper-Venom configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

1.7.2 Multiple Viper-Venom configuration with single Lockit box . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

1.7.3 Multiple Viper-Venom configuration with multiple Lockit boxes . . . . . . . 1-12

Chapter 2 – Using Venom with Viper

2.1 Initial Screen Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.1.1 Idle Screen without source signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

2.1.2 Idle Screen with source signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

2.2 Formats recorded on Venom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

2.3 Making a recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.3.1 Recording Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.4 Playback from Venom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2.5 Erasing Takes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Chapter 3 – Menu Structure

3.1 Take menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

3.2 Metadata menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

3.3 Tools & Settings menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Chapter 4 – Metadata

4.1 Connecting to Venom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.2 Accessing Take information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

4.3 Entering or Editing Metadata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide ii

End-of-life product recycling

Grass Valley’s innovation and excellence in product design also extends to the programs
we’ve established to manage the recycling of our products. Grass Valley has developed a
comprehensive end-of-life product take back program for recycle or disposal of end-of-life
products. Our program meets the requirements of the European Union’s WEEE Directive
and in the United States from the Environmental Protection Agency, individual state or
local agencies.

Grass Valley’s end-of-life product take back program assures proper disposal by use of
Best Available Technology. This program accepts any Grass Valley branded equipment.
Upon request, a Certificate of Recycling or a Certificate of Destruction, depending on the
ultimate disposition of the product, can be sent to the requester.

Grass Valley will be responsible for all costs associated with recycling and disposal,
including freight, however you are responsible for the removal of the equipment from
your facility and packing the equipment ready for pickup.

For further information on the Grass Valley product take back system please contact
Grass Valley at + 800 80 80 20 20 or [phone] from most other countries. In the
US and Canada please call 800-547-8949 or 530-478-4148. Ask to be connected to the
EH&S Department. In addition, information concerning the program can be found at:

www.thomsongrassvalley.com/environment

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide iii

Important information

Read this information carefully before installing this equipment and retain them for future
reference. Read and comply with the warning and caution notices that appear in the
manual

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your
authority to operate this equipment.

Safety Summary

This informaton is intended as a guide for trained and qualified personnel who are aware of
the dangers involved in handling potentially hazardous electrical/electronic equipment. It is
not intended to contain a complete list of all safety precautions which should be observed by
personnel in using this or other electronic equipment.

The installation of this equipment involves risks both to personnel and equipment and must
be performed only by qualified personnel exercising due care.

Warnings

Whenever it is likely that safe operation is impaired, the apparatus must be made
inoperative and secured against any unintended operation. The appropriate servicing
authority must then be informed. For example, safety is likely to be impaired if the
apparatus fails to perform the intended function or shows visible damage.

Warnings indicate danger that requires correct procedures or practices to prevent death
or injury to personnel.

• Do not modify this equipment.

• Installation of this equipment must only be performed by qualified personnel.

• To prevent risk of overheating, ventilate the units correctly.

• In case of an emergency ensure that the power is disconnected.

• Mount equipment so that power lead can be accessed to disconnect power.

• Any interruption of the protection conductor inside or outside the apparatus, or
disconnection of the protective earth terminal, is likely to make the apparatus
dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.

• Use only fuses of the type and rating specified.

• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. Note that
the unit is not waterproof.

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• There are no user servicable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only or
contact your local Grass Valley representative.

• Whenever it is likely that safe operation is impaired, the apparatus must be made
inoperative and secured against any unintended operation.

DCR 4000 User’s Guide iv

Cautions

Cautions indicate procedures or practices that should be followed to prevent damage or
destruction to equipment or property.

• Always switch off the camera before changing the power supply.

• Be extremely careful with the connectors between the camera head and the adapter.
Do not allow the guide pins to damage the pins of the connector. Follow these steps in
the order given. Tightening the screws in the wrong order could result in mechanical
damage to the camera. Loosening the screws in the wrong order could result in
mechanical damage to the camera.

• Do not subject the unit to severe shocks or vibration.

• Do not expose the unit to extremes of temperature.

• Do not leave the unit in direct sunlight or close to heating appliances for extended
periods.

• Connection panel position in the rack should ensure that the plug and power cord are
within easy reach for switching off purposes.

• To prevent risk of overheating, ventilate the product correctly.

• Connect the product only to a power source with the specified voltage rating.

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide | Installation 1-1

Chapter 1

Installation

1.1 Introduction

Venom FlashPak is a solid-state recorder designed to be used in conjunction with Grass
Valley's Viper FilmStream Camera. The use of Venom gives an on-board recording capability
matched to the outputs of the Viper, with full quality uncompressed recording of all formats
supported by Viper.

Venom FlashPak mounts on to Viper using a docking adaptor, which gives direct connection
such that a FlashPak can be quickly removed and replaced. Each recording is given a "Take"
number and metadata can be attached to identify and describe each Take.

After recording, data is downloaded directly from Venom into a long-term storage device and
backup recordings can also be made. After data has been transferred, the Venom can be
erased and re-used immediately.

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide | Installation 1-2

1.2 Specifications

General

Power requirements (battery supply
used)

Power requirements (external supply
used)

Power consumption (typical) 23 W (standby), 26 W (playback), 28 W (record)

Operating temperature -10°C to +40°C (14°F to +104°F)

Storage temperature -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to +140°F)

Weight (approx.) 2.3 kg (4.6 lbs.)

Dimensions 235 (L) x 90 (W) x 145 mm (H)

Video

S/N ratio (Y-signal) typical 58 dB TBC

Modulation depth 55%

Storage

Technology solid-state flash memory

Recorder/video format auto-sensing to follow output from camera (all Viper modes

Quantization 10-bit

Recording time up to 15 min. (HDTV), up to 10 min. (FilmStream)

Connectors

Video output 26-pin multicore connector

Docking connector D-type 24 pin (7 coaxial, 23 regular)

HDSDI output 2x BNC, SMPTE 292M, 0.8 Vpp, 1.5Gb/s, 75Ω

Dual HDSDI output 2x BNC, SMPTE 292M, 0.8 Vpp, 1.5Gb/s, 75Ω

Audio monitor output 3.5mm phono jack, line level

DC input (docking plate) XLR 4-pin male, 14 Vdc (battery) or 15 Vdc (external)

DC input (recorder) XLR 4-pin male, 14 Vdc (battery) or 15 Vdc (external)

Reference input BNC, on docking adapter

Time code input Standard 5 pin Lemo timecode connector (suits Lockit box or

Bluetooth interface provides access to metadata, transport control, clip selection

14 Vdc

14 Vdc , 4 A
Note: when the Viper and Venom are powered from the
same power supply max. supplied current should be 8A.

Note: below 0°C (32°F) allow the device 10 minutes of
warming up time before specifications are met.

are supported)

similar) on docking adapter.

and playback functions.

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide | Installation 1-3

1.3 Connectors and switches

1.3.1 Connectors on Venom

AUDIO OUT

12 V DC HDSDI A -> HDSDI B ->

HDSDI A & B : BNC connectors give playback or monitoring outputs according to the format
recorded. When a Dual Link 4:4:4 signal is used, these two connectors give one Dual Link
output. If a single HDSDI (4:2:2) format is recorded, these give two identical outputs.

12V DC: input XLR-4p used when Venom is not mounted on the camera, e.g. for playback.

Audio out: 3.5mm Jack stereo output for two audio channels

1.3.2 Connectors on Docking Adaptor

Genlock LTC

connector

Genlock: BNC connector. Genlock signal can be either HD Tri-level sync, or Analog Black
reference. The genlock signal must be of the same format as that selected on the camera.

Timecode: Standard 5-pin Lemo LTC connector for external time code signal (input + output).

DC input Power

On/OFF

Multicore
connector

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DC Input: XLR 4 pin connector for 12V DC input.

Multicore connector: 26 pin connection for cable to Viper camera.

DCR 4000 User’s Guide | Installation 1-4

RECORD

POWER

LIGHT

ESC

UP

DOWN

BT

PLAY

READY

SEL

PLAY

STOP

REC

1.4 Controls on Venom FlashPak

All main controls are located on the side panel of the Venom

Power Ready Play Record

Bluetooth

ESCAPE

BT

SELECT

ESC

SEL

1.4.1 Menu navigation buttons

UP, DOWN Moves the cursor through the items of a menu.

SELECT Selects the currently selected item.

ESCAPE Returns to the previous level

POWER

READY

VENOM

PLAY

STOP

PLAY

REC

FlashPak

LIGHT

RECORD

Record Stop Play Navigate

UP

DOWN

Menu
backlight

UP

DOWN

Menu backlight Switches on the backlight of the LCD screen.

1.4.2 Transport (clips) buttons

Record Starts the recording of a clip.

Stop Stops the recording of a clip.

Play Plays back the currently selected clip number.

Navigate Used for special menu functions

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide | Installation 1-5

1.4.3 LED Indicators

Bluetooth (blue) On Bluetooth connection is present.

Off Bluetooth connection is NOT present.

Power (green) On The Venom is powered and switched on.

Off The Venom is not powered or switched off.

Blinking Operating temperature is too high (>70°C) or the voltage is

Ready (green) On The system is ready to record a clip.

Off No recording time left. Recording is not possible.

Blinking Remaining recording time is less than 30 sec.

Play (green) On The currently selected clip is played back.

Off Playback has stopped

Record (red) On The Venom is recording a clip.

Off When the system runs out of memory the recording stops

Blinking The Venom is recording a clip but remaining recording time is

too low (<10.0V)

The PLAY ON status is sent out as TALLY OUT to the field
recorder.

The RECORD ON status is sent out as TALLY CAM to the
camera where it is used for displaying in the viewfinder and
for switching on the Tally light.

and the Venom returns to the idle state.

less than 30 sec.

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DCR 4000 User’s Guide | Installation 1-6

1.5 Assembly

1.5.1 Docking kit for Venom

The LDK 6506/30 Docking Kit contains the following parts:

– Docking Plate;

– Mounting Frame;

– Connecting cable (50 cm);

– Replacement rear camera foot;

– 4x mounting bolts.

docking plate

mounting frame

connection cable

replacement

rear camera

foot

hole

Replacement rear camera foot

Before attaching the Mounting Frame to the camera, check the existing rear camera mounting
foot. If it does not have a hole, replace it with the replacement foot supplied. Remove the
existing foot by undoing four screws. Use these screws and washers to attach the
replacement mounting foot to the bottom of the camera.

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