Connecting the Sony HDR-FX7 to Dragonframe
03/26/15
1. Begin by setting the Blackmagic video card to capture HD video from the camera.
Open the system preferences on the computer by clicking the apple in upper left corner of
the screen and choosing System Preferences from the drop-down menu. Under the Other
subheading you will find the Blackmagic icon.
In the Blackmagic system menu choose:
Set output: HDMI & Component
Set input: HDMI & HDMI Audio
Use video setup in NTSC: 7.5 IRE for
use in the USA
Set default video as: HD 1080i 59.9
Set output processing: Off
Set input processing: Off
2. Open a new or existing project in Dragonframe. You need to tell Dragonframe to
capture a video feed that matches the signal from the Blackmagic card. Do not allow
Dragonframe to auto select a feed. It might not match what the camera is outputting and
you will end up with a persistent green flicker and/or low resolution frames. Select the
correct signal by navigating to the Capture drop-down menu and clicking Video Settings.
A new window will open.
Under the Video tab set the following:
Source: Blackmagic Intensity Pro
Compression: Highest Quality
Input: HD 1080i 59.94 8-bit YUV
Do not set the input to auto. Hit Apply and then OK to close the window.
3. Refresh your camera feed. At this point you may have lost your connection to the
camera. If your camera is not sending an image to Dragonframe power-cycle it by turning the
camera off and on again. To refresh the feed hold down the command key on the keyboard
and hit R. You should now see an image from the camera.
4. Now that your camera is connected to Dragonframe you will want to optimize the
camera to capture good looking image. Set the camera to manual focus by pressing the
focus button (figure A). The LCD monitor should display
. Turn the focus ring to adjust
the focus (figure D).
5. Set the AGC (Auto Gain Control Limit) to 0. Press the MENU button and use the
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to navigate to the CAMERA SET menu.
Inside the CAMERA SET menu navigate down to AGC
LIMIT and select 0dB. Make sure gain (dB) is set to
automatic and zero. Toggle the gain button (figure B)
until a small A appears next to the gain setting on the
LDC screen
6. Set EXPOSURE/IRIS to IRIS. Using the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (figure D previous page)
navigate to EXPOSURE/IRIS and select it by pressing the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. A new menu
will open. Navigate to DIAL ASSIGN and select it. Yet another menu will appear. Navigate to
and select IRIS. Exit the menu.
Make sure the EXPOSURE/IRIS is set to manual. Toggle the EXPOSURE/IRIS button (figure H)
until there is not an A next the F-stop on the LCD screen. You will now be able to change
the F-stop with the dial (figure G). It’s best to set the F-stop to higher numbers for a deeper
focus. Lower F-stops can blur the edges of your image.
The display changes.
At
B
To restore the automatic white
t
(OUTDOOR) t n
balance
The display changes.
At
B
To
restore
the
automatic
white
(INDOOR)
t
(OUTDOOR) t n
Press the WHT BAL button B , or set the
balance
(INDOOR)
AUTO LOCK switch A to AUTO LOCK.
Indicator
Shooting
conditions
Press
the WHT BAL button B , or set the
• WhiteAUTO
balanceLOCK
values switch A
A
AUTO LOCK.
Indicator
Shooting conditions
b to
Notes
A
(MEMORY A)
B
(MEMORY B)
(Outdoor)
• Recording a sunset/
sunrise, just after
sunset, just before
adjusted for light
• If you set the AUTO LOCK switch A to
sources
be stored
b can
Notes
AUTO LOCK, other manually adjusted items
in memory
A
and
• If you set the AUTO LOCK
switch
to speed) also become
(iris,
gain,Ashutter
memoryAUTO
B. Follow
the
LOCK, other manually
adjusted
items
temporarily
automatic.
steps below
(iris, gain, shutter speed) also become
• The setting returns to automatic adjustment
Recording
a
sunset/
temporarily automatic.
when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
sunrise,
just setting
after returns to automatic adjustment
• The
for more than 12 hours.
sunset, just
whenbefore
you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
sunrise,for
neon
signs,
more
thanor12 hours.
fireworks.
Rec
(Outdoor)
(MEMORY A)
• White balance values
B light
adjusted for
B)
(MEMORY
sources
can be stored
in memory A and
memory B. Follow the
•
steps below
Tip
Playback
z
fluorescent lamps
condition that changes
(Indoor)
• Under the lighting
quickly
condition that changes
• Under strong light
quickly
or mercury
such
as in alamps
• Under sodium
lamps
strong light
photography studio
or mercury
as in alamps
zsuch
Tip
• Under sodium lamps
studio can be stored temporarily by
•photography
The white balance
ing/Playback
n
(Indoor)
setting the AUTO LOCK switch A to HOLD
• The white balance can be after
storedthetemporarily
by
manual adjustment.
setting the AUTO LOCK switch A to HOLD
after the manual adjustment.
To save the
adjusted
white balance
7. Set the shutter
speed
to manual.
You can customize the picture quality by
value
in
memory
A
or
B
ToToggle
save thethe
adjusted
white
balance
SHUTTER/SPEED button
adjusting [COLOR LEVEL],
You can customize
the picture quality by
value in memory A 1or BSelect
A or
B according
to step
[SHARPNESS], etc. You can set 6 different
(figure C) until there
is not an A next
the
adjusting
[COLOR LEVEL],
3 of “Adjusting to Natural
Color (White
picture quality settings depending on the
1 Select
A or
B according to step
[SHARPNESS],
etc. You can set 6 different
Balance).”
shutter
speed
on
the
LCD
screen.
Use
recording time of day, the weather, or the
3 of “Adjusting to Natural Color (White
picture quality settings depending on the
person, and store them in the
2
Shoot
something
white
(such
as
a
sheet
Balance).”
the SEL/PUSH EXEC
dial (figure D)
to time of day, camera
recording
the weather, or the
memory.
of paper) full-screen under
the same
camera
person, and store them in the
2 Shoot something white (such as a sheet
Connect your camcorder to a TV or
change
the shutter
speed.
lighting
conditions as thememory.
subject.
of paper) full-screen under the same
monitor, and adjust the picture quality
Press
the SEL/PUSH EXEC
dial your
C . camcorder to a TV or
Connect
lighting conditions3as the
subject.
while observing the picture on the TV or
Pressing the dial switches
between
monitor,
and adjust the picture quality
3 Press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial C .
monitor screen.
blinking
A and
B. observing the picture on the TV or
while
Pressing
the
dial
switches
between
8.
Adjust
the
white
balance.
Place
something
white, such as a piece
monitor
screen.
blinking
A and When
B. the white balance is adjusted,
are registered with picture quality settings
A
or
B
stops
blinking
and
remains
of
paper
in balance
front isofadjusted,
the camera lens.
Adjust theforcamera,
so recording
that white
the following
conditions.
When
the white
registered
on. The adjusted value isare
now
saved inwith picture quality settings
A or theBentire
stops blinking
and remains
for
the
following
recording
conditions.
fills
image.
Press
the
WHT
BAL
button
(figure
B,
step
9
the selected
A or
B memory.
on. The adjusted value is now saved in
image).
the SEL/PUSH
the selectedUsing
A or
B memory. EXEC dial (figure D) cycle through the
different options. Select
. Press in the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial
until the
indicator stops blinking.
39
39
9. Hold your settings so no further adjustments can be made.
Move the AUTO LOCK switch (figure A) to the hold position.
Troubleshooting Camera Connections
Camera still not connected? Try this troubleshooting steps.
1. Power-cycle the camera. Turn the camera off and on again. Then refresh the feed by
pressing command R on the computer’s keyboard. Check the feed to make sure it’s still set
to 1080i 59.94 8-bit YUV and has not reverted to auto.
2. Restart Dragonframe. Restart Dragonframe and repeat step one.
3. Restart the computer. Restart the computer and relaunch Dragonframe.
You are Ready to Go!
Having trouble? Call the FNMA Technical Staff from the phones located in the hallways and
classrooms at 5-3988, 5-3589, 5-3537, or email [email protected]. We are here from 9:30 am
until pm Monday through Friday. We will respond to after hours calls the following workday.
Please leave your email address and we will follow up with you.
Thanks!
FVNMA Technical Staff