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Syslog LogAnalyzer with LDAP authentication
19/01/12
Adiscon is the company responsible for developping LogAnalyzer, a syslog (rsyslog, syslog-ng…) and/or flat file « analyzer ».
By analyzer, understand that it enables you to display the log in a meaningful way, splitting it depending on « views » and enabling real search filters.
If you don’t have the money for things liks Splunk and you are not convinces by other new projects using Rails, NoSQL and other tools that are a pain in the ass to install, you may fallback to LogAnalyzer.
Lire la suite de l’article »
Monitoring PHP APC cache usage
3/10/11
APC is one of PHP Opcode Cache on the « market ». It is free and should be bundled inside the next revision of PHP, version 6.
I won’t go deep into how OpCode caches work, you will find a lot of docs, just google for APC, Xcache, eAccelerator… What I can say is that APC (as other caches do) will « save » binary parts of your PHP code into memory and use it when you call for the same PHP function again. This way you save all the PHP file opening, parsing, etc.
Maybe you noticed I said « into memory ». Yes. When you start APC it take a small amount (64 or 32Mo standard) of memory and store the binary parts in it.
This is fine but what if you have a really big website with lots of functions, classes, includes… like when you’re using Typo3 and tons of extensions ?
One thing you won’t come accross often on internet is « How (the hell) do I know if APC is performing well ? »
First, most of the time, the PHP page generation time is halved when you activate APC. This is a good clue. Great.
But what about memory consumption ?
During my tests, I found that APC completly flush the memory if it cannot add a new object. I don’t know if it’s a normal behaviour but it’s what I noted. This is why you have to extensively do your testing and tune the memory size before going to production.
This can be done really easyly with the apc.php page provided in the APC package. You may not have it if you used some Linux package installer like yum or aptitude. If so, you’ll have to download the APC source from their website and copy apc.php to your web DocumentRoot or wherever you want it. As this is giving sensible informations, I would recomment to put it in a secured place.
We are using Typo3 here so I put the page in the /typo3 folder, which is protected and only accessible by the backend users. This is secure enough for now. Else, use the default login process, user « apc » and password « password ». This can be changed in the page. Disable it if you put the file inside an already protected location.
Browse to your apc.php page and see what happen. First, you’ll get a nasty PHP error if you don’t have APC PHP module enabled. Ensure it is enables in /etc/php.d/apc.conf (on CentOS, can be somewhere else on other distro).
What you see here is, on the left, some metrics and informations of the versions, uptime…
On the right you have the memory utilisation and the cache hit/miss representation. Also, you can see the fragmentation of the memory. You don’t want that but actualy I’m not sure you have a way to reduce it…
The things you need to check are on the left side, in the panel « File Cache Information ».
Hits : how many objects were already in the cache and were used
Miss : how many objects were NOT in the cache, for whatever reason : first request for it, memory full, object can’t be cached…
Cache Full Count : how many times the cache (memory) was full and flushed
This last one is one of the most important and need to be checked first when you website start to slow.
Monitoring
Now you want to monitor this with your Nagios/Centreon or whatever… Well.
I found a « APC monitoring project » out there, APC-PHP-MONITOR on GitHub. This was my starting point as this one is really basic.
As they do, I made a PHP script you have to put in your PHP website somewhere. I used a basic check to ensure only the right IP can access this script. In my case, 10.1.1.88.
-
<!–?php if ($_SERVER["REMOTE_ADDR"] == "10.1.1.88") { print(serialize(apc_cache_info( »,true))); } ?–>
Then I modified the PHP script so I can use it from Nagios or whatever. I named the file check_php_apc_cache.php. It’s not a superbe PHP script. It’s just dirty working fine for now.
-
<!–?php <br ?–> # check_php_apc_cache.php
-
# Modification by Sebastien Prune THOMAS
-
# v1 – 20111003
-
# creation
-
#
-
####################################
-
-
-
# variables
-
$output = "OK";
-
$port=80;
-
$warning=30;
-
$critical=10;
-
$debug = 0;
-
# code return : 0=OK, 1=WARN, 2=CRIT, 3=UNKNOWN
-
$retcode=3;
-
-
if(count($argv) < 2 or $argv[1]=="help" ){ print("usage: php apc_stats.php -H hostname -p [port] -w [warning] -c [critical] [-d]\n"); print(" hostname will be changed in a URL like http://hostname:port/apc_mon.php\n"); print(" port is the HTTP port to use, default to 80\n"); print(" warning : low level of cache use that will raise a warning. default 30\n"); print(" critical : low level of cache use that will raise a critical. default 10\n"); print(" -d enables debug mode\n"); print("\n"); exit; } if (isset($options["H"]) and !is_null($options["H"])) $host = $options["H"]; if (isset($options["p"]) and !is_null($options["p"])) $port = $options["p"]; if (isset($options["w"]) and !is_null($options["w"])) $warning = $options["w"]; if (isset($options["c"]) and !is_null($options["c"])) if (isset($options["d"])) $debug = 1; #ensure critical is lower than warning if ($critical >= $warning) {
-
print "Error : critical value must be lower than warning\n";
-
exit;
-
}
-
-
# get the answer from the php APC page
-
$url = "http://" . $host . ":" . $port . "/apc_mon.php";
-
else {
-
print("ERROR/n");
-
exit;
-
}
-
-
# debug
-
if ( $debug == 1)
-
-
# compute ratio
-
if ($results["num_hits"] > 0)
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$hit_ratio=($results["num_hits"]/($results["num_hits"]+$results["num_misses"]))*100;
-
else
-
$hit_ratio=0;
-
-
if ($hit_ratio >= $warning){
-
$output = "OK";
-
$retcode=0;
-
}
-
else if ($critical
You can then create a Nagios check or Template. Mine looks like this :
-
define command{
-
command_name check_PHP_APC_cache
-
command_line php $USER1$/check_php_apc_cache.php -H $HOSTADDRESS$ -p $ARG1$ -w $ARG2$ -c $ARG3$
-
;$ARG1$ TCP port (80)
-
;$ARG2$ warning level (30)
-
;$ARG3$ critical level (10)
-
}
Finaly, the result :
Amino Aminet A125 serial cable schematis
26/08/11
Thanks to Sudhir this is the schematics and the file to create the PCB.
As he explain, the A125 (maybe others) are in 3.3v levels, which is not TTL compatible (and is also different from a RS-232 serial cable !!! don’t use a serial cable directly on it as it have a +_15v signal amplitude which may destroy your Amino. Actualy I did this without destroying it… but still….).
Again, use this at your own risk… we are not responsible.
Shoot35 CINEbox Mattebox review (Updated)
1/03/11
Shoot35 is a well known company in the Indie Film-making market. They first started with DoF adaptors for small cameras. I bought the SG-Blade, the latest revision of the DoF adaptor, that I’ve been using for two years now. It’s strong and functionnal and CHEAP, far cheaper than the Letus, which have nothing more to offer. I reviewed the SG-Blade here.
Then I also bought the Shoot35 Follow focus, revision 1, which was cheap and cheap. I mean, you have a good feeling when pulling focus but… it’s cheap. Again, they made a revision two which is far better and can compete with all the biggest brand. It’s a little more expensive though.
The last thing I needed was a Matte-box. I had to rent one on every time I had a serious work, with sometime some supprises. For example, a rental company gave us the mattebox but without the swing arm… And most of the time when you rent cheap you don’t have a swing arm, you have to take the MB off every time you change the lense, which can happen a lot depending on your DP 
Shoot35 announced they Matte box some time ago. The first batch was gone in a minut, and the second also. But this time I was informed and ambushed to be able to order in the second ! And I got one !!
Here is my review with some pictures
Pioneer DDJ-T1 : remaping the 4 effects banks
28/02/11
As some of you noticed from my previous post, the Pioneer DDJ-T1 can handle the 4 decks of Traktor DJ PRO.
Traktor PRO also offer 4 bank of effects, and some more effects compared to the LE version.
As putting the knobs for 4 FX bank would have been too much, you still have a solution to change that. It’s really easy, it just takes some time.
Pioneer DDJ-T1 : the DJ machine (updated x2)
25/02/11
The DDJ – T1 is the new Digital Controler from Pioneer. It is composed of two controlers, the S1 for Serato and the T1 for Traktor. You can find all the specs on any website talking about Pioneer like Clubic, DJ Tech Tools and, indeed, Pionner itself. It really seems they did a great marketing announcement as almost every site is showing the same EXACT article, specs and pictures.
Well, maybe I’ll be the first to do a review ?
WordPress NextGEN Gallery and GPS data
18/01/11
NextGen(eration) Gallery is a WordPress plugin from Alex Rabe. It provides image galleries, albums with great ease of administration.
As said by the author, it fills a gap in WordPress gallery systems.
It can handle « display » templates, which can be added to the plugin Views or simply in your theme. That’s what I’m working on right now for the Photo Theme I’m using in my new Photo Blog.
This way you don’t have to install another plugin and use hooks.
While it’s working well, it still have some features missing.
One of the missing stuffs is beeing able to display GPS data.
My photo blog have Geo-Tagged pictures. I want to be able to display them along with a google map image so my readers can see where it was taken. I also want to display some of the EXIF informations, like lense type, aperture, shutter speed and so on…
While some of them (most) are already handeled by the NextGen gallery, some of them are not.
NextGen Gallery is using the exif_read_data function to get the data from the file like :
Then, the RAW exif datas are separated in arrays. When trying to access the EXIF tags (using get_EXIF), only the part of the array under [EXIF] will be used. In fact this is partly false, as the get_EXIF function also dig under IFD0 and WINXP.
As the GPS data from my Nikon D700 are under the [GPS] array, there is no chance that NextGen gallery sees them even if you use the wordpress filter to add some new EXIF tags.
Then you only have one solution : check in the RAW meta-data or… change NextGen so it can handle them in the EXIF tags stored in the database.
So, my solution is divided in few parts :
- Hardcode some new EXIF tags
- get the GPS data inside get_EXIF
- add a function to parse the GPS data and make them readable/usable by Google Map
Let’s do it :
Hardcode some new EXIF tags
In the file lib/meta.php, change the get_common_meta function so it look like :
-
function get_common_meta() {
-
global $wpdb;
-
-
‘aperture’ => 0,
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‘credit’ => »,
-
‘camera’ => »,
-
‘caption’ => »,
-
‘created_timestamp’ => 0,
-
‘copyright’ => »,
-
‘focal_length’ => 0,
-
‘iso’ => 0,
-
‘shutter_speed’ => 0,
-
‘flash’ => 0,
-
‘title’ => »,
-
‘altitude’ => »,
-
‘longitude’ => »,
-
‘latitude’ => »,
-
‘timestamp’ => »,
-
‘datestamp’ => »,
-
‘satellites’ => »,
-
‘direction’ => »,
-
‘lense’ => »,
-
‘keywords’ => »
-
);
As you can see, I add all the GPS data, plus « lense », which is just a hook as the EXIF tag for the lense is actualy « UndefinedTag:0xA434″
You can also add the new tags in the i8n translation function
-
function i8n_name($key) {
-
-
‘aperture’ => __(‘Aperture’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘credit’ => __(‘Credit’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘camera’ => __(‘Camera’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘caption’ => __(‘Caption’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘created_timestamp’ => __(‘Date/Time’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘copyright’ => __(‘Copyright’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘focal_length’ => __(‘Focal length’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘iso’ => __(‘ISO’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘shutter_speed’ => __(‘Shutter speed’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘title’ => __(‘Title’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘author’ => __(‘Author’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘tags’ => __(‘Tags’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘subject’ => __(‘Subject’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘make’ => __(‘Make’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘status’ => __(‘Edit Status’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘category’ => __(‘Category’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘keywords’ => __(‘Keywords’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘created_date’ => __(‘Date Created’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘created_time’ => __(‘Time Created’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘position’ => __(‘Author Position’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘city’ => __(‘City’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘location’ => __(‘Location’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘state’ => __(‘Province/State’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘country_code’ => __(‘Country code’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘country’ => __(‘Country’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘headline’ => __(‘Headline’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘credit’ => __(‘Credit’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘source’ => __(‘Source’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘copyright’ => __(‘Copyright Notice’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘contact’ => __(‘Contact’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘last_modfied’ => __(‘Last modified’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘tool’ => __(‘Program tool’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘format’ => __(‘Format’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘width’ => __(‘Image Width’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘height’ => __(‘Image Height’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘flash’ => __(‘Flash’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘latitude’ => __(‘Latitude’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘longitude’ => __(‘Longitude’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘altitude’ => __(‘Altitude’,‘nggallery’),
-
‘lense’ => __(‘Lense’,‘nggallery’),
-
);
get the GPS data inside get_EXIF
Now, every time you insert a new image or re-import the meta-data, the new tags will be asked. We need to change the get_EXIF function so it can find them.
Still in lib/meta.php, go down to the get_EXIF function and change it to :
-
function get_EXIF($object = false) {
-
-
if ( !$this->exif_data )
-
return false;
-
-
-
-
$exif = $this->exif_data[‘EXIF’];
-
-
$meta[‘created_timestamp’] = date_i18n(get_option(‘date_format’) . ‘ ‘ . get_option(‘time_format’), $this->exif_date2ts($exif[‘DateTimeDigitized’]));
-
$meta[‘focal_length’] = $this->exif_frac2dec( $exif[‘FocalLength’] ) . __(‘ mm’,‘nggallery’);
-
$meta[‘iso’] = $exif[‘ISOSpeedRatings’];
-
$meta[‘shutter_speed’] = $this->exif_frac2dec ($exif[‘ExposureTime’]);
-
$meta[‘shutter_speed’] =($meta[‘shutter_speed’] > 0.0 and $meta[‘shutter_speed’] < 1.0) ? ( ’1/’ . round( 1 / $meta[‘shutter_speed’], -1) ) : ($meta[‘shutter_speed’]);
-
$meta[‘shutter_speed’] .= __(‘ sec’,‘nggallery’);
-
}
-
//Bit 0 indicates the flash firing status
-
$meta[‘flash’] = ( $exif[‘Flash’] & 1 ) ? __(‘Fired’, ‘nggallery’) : __(‘Not fired’,‘ nggallery’);
-
-
$meta[‘lense’] = $exif[‘UndefinedTag:0xA434′];
-
}
-
-
// additional information
-
$exif = $this->exif_data[‘IFD0′];
-
-
$meta[‘camera’] = $exif[‘Model’];
-
$meta[‘make’] = $exif[‘Make’];
-
$meta[‘Orientation’] = $exif[‘Orientation’];
-
}
-
// additional GPS information
-
$exif = $this->exif_data[‘GPS’];
-
// send exif data to the function to get GPS on one line
-
$GPS=self::get_Exif_GPS($exif, 1);
-
$meta[‘latitude’] = $GPS[‘latitude’];
-
$meta[‘longitude’] = $GPS[‘longitude’];
-
$meta[‘altitude’] = $GPS[‘altitude’]." metres";
-
$meta[‘timestamp’] = $GPS[‘timestamp’];
-
$meta[‘direction’] = $GPS[‘direction’];
-
$meta[‘satellites’] = $exif[‘GPSSatellites’];
-
$meta[‘datestamp’] = $exif[‘GPSDateStamp’];
-
}
-
}
You can see two things here :
- if the meta asked is « lense », we look for the un-named attribute
- when we are done with EXIF and IFD0, we check in the GPS array
add a function to parse the GPS data and make them readable/usable by Google Map
Now we create the function to re-calculate the GPS coords. Create a function somewhere in the class. A good place is at the end of the lib/meta.php file, just before the last closing bracket.
-
function get_Exif_GPS($exif, $assoc = false) {
-
//get the Hemisphere multiplier
-
$LatM = 1; $LongM = 1;
-
if($exif["GPSLatitudeRef"] == ‘S’) {
-
$LatM = -1;
-
}
-
if($exif["GPSLongitudeRef"] == ‘W’) {
-
$LongM = -1;
-
}
-
-
//get the GPS data
-
$gps[‘LatDegree’]=$exif["GPSLatitude"][0];
-
$gps[‘LatMinute’]=$exif["GPSLatitude"][1];
-
$gps[‘LatgSeconds’]=$exif["GPSLatitude"][2];
-
$gps[‘LongDegree’]=$exif["GPSLongitude"][0];
-
$gps[‘LongMinute’]=$exif["GPSLongitude"][1];
-
$gps[‘LongSeconds’]=$exif["GPSLongitude"][2];
-
$gps[‘Altitude’]=$exif["GPSAltitude"];
-
$gps[‘TimeHour’]=$exif["GPSTimeStamp"][0];
-
$gps[‘TimeMin’]=$exif["GPSTimeStamp"][1];
-
$gps[‘TimeSec’]=$exif["GPSTimeStamp"][2];
-
$gps[‘direction’]=$exif["GPSImgDirection"];
-
-
//convert strings to numbers
-
foreach($gps as $key => $value) {
-
if($pos !== false) {
-
$gps[$key] = $temp[0] / $temp[1];
-
}
-
}
-
-
//calculate the decimal degree
-
$result[‘latitude’] = $LatM * ($gps[‘LatDegree’] + ($gps[‘LatMinute’] / 60) + ($gps[‘LatgSeconds’] / 3600));
-
$result[‘longitude’] = $LongM * ($gps[‘LongDegree’] + ($gps[‘LongMinute’] / 60) + ($gps[‘LongSeconds’] / 3600));
-
$result[‘altitude’] = $gps[‘Altitude’];
-
$result[‘timestamp’] = $gps[‘TimeHour’].‘:’.$gps[‘TimeMin’].‘:’.$gps[‘TimeSec’];
-
$result[‘direction’] = $gps[‘direction’];
-
-
if($assoc) {
-
return $result;
-
}
-
-
}
Conclusion
Re-importing the meta-data of all your pictures should add the new stuffs.
I’v posted in the WordPress forum and asked for this to be added to the NextGen Gallery dev tree. Still have no answer for now. Maybe someone will come with a better code or better idea ?
I also asked for someone to check how GPS data are included in files from other brands as I can only tell for the Nikon’s D700.
jQuery tricks and notes
4/01/11
jQuery is a well known JavaScript « framework ». It have unique features for DOM manipulation and web page animations. Another one is MooTools, said to be better in animations.
When you’re on a webpage with sliding images (orbit, novo slider…), growing windows or overlays… you can be pretty sure they are using one of these frameworks. The latest versions of WordPress bundle jQuery. As I wanted a special theme for my photo-blog (not yet finished but can be seen here), I had to dig in jQuery.
While the jQuery basis is really simple, somehow well documented on their website and full of examples on the net, you still have tricks to know so your code is 100% efficient, bug free and more important cross browser compatible (I mean, compatible with IE 6/7).
I will reference here the pages/people talking of such hints, tricks and notes, and maybe give my own recommendations and discoveries.
First one is actualy mine, even if it’s obvious : install Firebug or enable Safari Developper options in your browser. This way, just right-clic on a part of a webpage and « Inspect » it.
Most of jQuery scripts are in « full text », not minified or obfuscated. Or, at least, you will find clues of the author, the licence… and be able to use it, copy/modify it or just be insipred.
Second one is a must-read when you already know the basis of jQuery. It’s a 14 point tricks/notes from Jeffrey Way and located at http://net.tutsplus.com
They also have two other interresting articles about Hidden Features and Animation.
I would also like to add two blogs/website of people providing great examples and tutorials for free :
More will come
SmallHD 6″ HD field monitor
25/10/10
Back in april 2010 I ordered the DP6 monitor from SmallHD. At this time I was looking for a monitor with many inputs, good resolutions so you can pull focus seriously, something rugged and finaly, a monitor that accept the HD-SDI input from my video camcorder, the Sony PMW-EX1.
At this time the market was trusted by big companies. Hopefully they do good hardware. On the other side, it’s pricy.
Few years ago I involved myself in creating my own LCD field monitor. While I had a good LCD panel, the electronic board, the G2DI from Winmate, was bad for handling HD-SDI signal. Also, the firmware was closed with no possibility to add anything fancy without either paying Winmate to do it or pay the developper kit…
I had the chance to work in the french movie industry and worked with the more expensive monitors, like the Panasonic BT-LH900, the best screen to date, and some of the ASTRO multi-purpose monitor for digital intermediate (which was my position at this time).
Then came an outsider : a company claiming it can do better and cheaper -> SmallHD
I made a long technical comparison of every monitor that could fit my needs. I’ll try to sum this up here. This roundup is not the one I made back in time but one up to date, now the DP6 is here. Some monitor or brands may be forgoten but they seriously can’t compete. Please comment if I’m wrong.
| Brand | Ikan | Ikan | SmallHD | Panasonic | Marshall | Swit | Carrion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modele | VX7 | VX9 | DP6 | BT-LH900 | V-LCD651 STX-3GSDI |
any | TCHD-01b |
| Screen Size | 7″ | 8.9″ | 5.6″ | 8.4″ | 6.5″ | 8.4″ | |
| resolution | 1024 x 600 | 1024 x 600 | 1280 x 800 | 1024 x 768 | 1024 x 768 | 800 x 480 | 1024 x 768 |
| Format | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:10 | 4:3 | 4:3 | 4:3 | |
| external size | 9″ | 11.4″ | 6″ | 11.4″ | 8.8″ | 10.7″ | |
| HD-SDI input | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 (model C has 2) | |
| HD-SDI passthrough | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 (model C has 2) | |
| HDMI input | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | yes through adapter on DVI input. also have VGA input | |
| HDMI passthrough | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Componant | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Composite | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Flip Screen | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Markers | yes | yes | not yet, future upgrade | yes | yes | yes | |
| Focus help | Peaking ? | Peaking ? | Peaking Color Focus Assist |
Peaking | Peaking, focus assist |
Not realy, can use sharpness | |
| Exposition help | no | no | False Color, Histogram soon | Histogram / waveform |
False Color | no | |
| Freeze Frame | yes | yes | yes | no | yes | no | |
| Blue Screen | yes | yes | yes, also monochrome and negative | yes | yes | yes | |
| Buttons | lots | lots | 3 | lots | lots | some | |
| Quick Access Buttons | 2 | 2 | 2 | ? | 4 | yes (?) | |
| Power | 12-20V plug or XLR4 support for many batteries from other brands |
12-20V plug or XLR4 support for many batteries from other brand |
5-18V with small not locked plug external power, Canon batteries or special SmallHD batteries lasting 4h and can be charged while used |
11-17V XLR4 or V-Mount batteries | 12V XLR4 or many battery handlers | 12V | |
| Case | Plastic | Plastic | Aluminium, black « unibody » style | metal+plastic | plastic | metal | |
| Bundeled Accessories | none in standard version at the time, shoe mount adapter now | none in standard version at the time, shoe mount adapter now | flash drive for upgrade, power adapter | ? | none | none | |
| Existing Accessories | lots | lots | Sunhood, screen protection, cables, Canon battery plug, SmallHD Batteries, support arm, much more | Sunhood, house, rack mount | heavy duty protector, rackmount, arm… |
none | |
| Firmware Upgrade | yes, return to factory | yes, return to factory | yes, via USB key provided, MAC/PC compatible | no ? | no ? | no | |
| Price | 1049$ | 1149$ | 1299$ | 4800$ | 1750$ (2100$ normal price) |
1750$ with one HD-SDI | |
| Comments | One of my best choice for some time but wasn’t ready yet. Lower resolution than DP6. can downscale SDI to component HD, great feature ! |
can downscale SDI to component HD, great feature ! | the best known but really expensive | too low resolution to be considered | same panel as BT-LH900 = good quality Lacks specific features for cinema |
While writing this, I just noted Ikan already have a comparison chart, with the DP1, not the DP6. Of course, if you put the DP6 in it, you’ll see it have everything the Ikan have, plus better resolution.
The conclusion here is that the Ikan is cheaper with almost the same features. Actualy, back in april, the Ikan wasn’t released yet. Moreover it’s a big company, and as many others, they tend to release a new product and switch to the next one, meaning no improvement will be done. That’s another point for SmallHD. It’s a brand new (young) company with motivated people and few products : they have to be the best and will make it. Moreover the DP6 have the best resolution of all monitors.
I finaly decided to pre-order the SmallHD DP6, the new 5.6″ monitor (6″ external size) in April. The plan was to receive it late june to use it on the next short movie we done in july.
SmallHD came through some troubles with parts of the monitor and had to delay the release to late august. Most of the time, when this kind of thing happen, companies just refund and that’s it. NOT SmallHD.
They offered either to get refund OR get the monitor later PLUS a discount coupon on the store. I think the amount was dependent on the delays, early pre-orderer like me had almost 10% of the total price. GREAT.
UPDATE : SmallHD also paid interrests to people asking for a refund !!!
I finaly received the monitor in Quebec, Canada, where I was travelling. I had to trash the box there, so no picture of it. It’s a small box with the monitor well packed and secured in foam… good work.
But… oups… they forgot the battery !!!
Two emails and a week later the battery arrived at home, in France. Thanks !
Actualy I wasn’t able to use the DP6 until I get back to France. At this time the SATIS, the french biggest show for broadcast, cinema, lighting… was starting. I went there with the DP6. I had some tests with many camera like the Canon 5D, 1D or D60 or with Sony and Panasonic camcorders. I was about to test it on the ARRI Alexa but there was seriously too many people there…
Back at home I emailed SmallHD with all the improvements I think they can do on the SP6, like the « false color » feature existing on the Marshall monitors. I had a really quick answer from them (thanks Reed) and entered the Beta Testing group.
I’m now running the 1.2.1 BETA version of the firmware which includes the False Color feature.
Here are some pictures of the DP6 connected to the Sony PMW-EX1 using the HD-SDI cable.
The latest firmware version adds also a startup splash screen
Even if the pictures are not that good, let’s review the DP6 functions :
- Default
There you can see the picture out of the EX1, configured with informations like battery, TC, sound. You also have the DP6 format selection, in green, on the top right of the image (SDI, 1080p).
- Focus Help
When you activate the Focus Assist mode, using the right switch, the image changes to a « night view » where only the in focus points (edges) are in white. It’s almost the same as the EX1 feature where you have red (or any color configured) edges on the picture. Having the black backgorund for out of focus helps a little bit more. I’ll come back later with any comment on using this feature on stage.
- False Colors
False Color is the new way to display your exposure on the screen. You can see all range of colors depending on the exposure if your scene. Black is for dark areas, then blue, orange, green, then white.
As this is a Beta version, I don’t have the real mapping between colors and real intensity, but I’m sure SmallHD will release it soon. Whatever, avoid yellow or white. This function is default on the middle switch of the DP6, which can now be used as a quick access switch.
- Menus
The menus of the DP6 are arranged around the screen.
Top left are the image parameters, like color mode, contrast, brightness. Then the Advanced menu gives more screen control. Then Input menu gives the input selection : SDI, HDMI, YPrPb or Composite. Composite is using the green component input.
Last right menu is System to change backlight, USB power or reset to factory.
On the lower of the screen is the Misc menu with the menu opacity, the language (only english for now) and the version display.
Then the Picture In Picture (PIP) menu. It seems you can’t have SDI and HDMI at the same time for the moment. Will have to check that again but, eh, I never used the PIP feature of any of my screens
Latest menu is in the lower right and is the Preset menu. With the latest firmware you display it by turning the wheel from outside the menu. There you can select one of the 10 presets, PLAYBACK or DSLR REC menu. Both last are used with Canon 5D/7D as the display mode of these DSLR are not 16:9 compliant.
My DP6 is equipped with the battery and the screen protection. The DP6 have a neoprene protection sleeve. It also have a neoprene sunshield you can plug on the four corners of the display in few seconds.
See pictures under.
New gallery: ete-2010
12/08/10
Vacances d’été 2010 en Provence (04) et dans les Alpes (05)
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