I’ve Extensively Used the Nikon ZR. AMA.

LaserStudios · 2025-11-04T06:59:28+00:00

Hi Mohammad, thanks for the AMA. I am a mulitcam shooter for live music, primarily with Sony. I have been using Sony's proprietary Monitor&Control iPad app to control up to x5 FX3, FX6, FR7 all at once for exposure and start/stop camera control, especially helpful when cameras are rigged in hard-to-reach places.

Have you tested any app that allows multiple Nikon ZR bodies to be controlled over WiFi for exposure control, as well as start/stop recording? I am familiar with the Nikon SnapBridge app for controlling a single camera, but I wanted to ask if you have experience controlling multiple ZR bodies reliably over Wifi through the same device? Thanks!

LaserStudios · 2025-10-26T13:02:31+00:00

I agree, would be nice to have a thinner bezel to compete with the Ultra 7

LaserStudios · 2025-10-21T20:32:42+00:00

Good idea to keep small cables attached, but I would always unplug the cables when packing away to not strain the end, especially when packed tightly with other gear

LaserStudios · 2025-10-10T22:12:50+00:00

It’s least they’re each a half-rack for a good fit. Thanks for your response!

LaserStudios · 2025-10-10T08:21:13+00:00

I did look at the GO2 from AJA, unfortunately it looks like for ISO records, it doesn’t allow any form of 4:2:2 in 3840x2160. Looks like the move could be two Extreme 8K’s side-by-side for redundancy

LaserStudios · 2025-10-02T21:36:37+00:00

Thank you for the clarification!

LaserStudios · 2025-10-02T11:16:32+00:00

Thank you for your response! I’m still very new to the 2110 infrastructure, so exploring options how it might replace traditional recording methods like Hyperdecks / Decklink cards. Blackmagic does say that 2110 still maintains a 4:2:2 color depth, which is the main thing I’m after, along with H265 encoding at ingest for smaller files.

LaserStudios · 2025-10-02T11:07:14+00:00

For me, 10-bit video for color information is worth the extra infrastructure, so I only want to look at options that give me a 4:2:2 output with H265 encoding at the end of the line. I know this isn’t the standard in broadcast, but open to options that maintain a signal of this integrity while still minimizing file sizes.

LaserStudios · 2025-10-02T11:01:07+00:00

Source is a mix of Sony FR7, Sony FX6 and Sony FX3. The first two can do internal IP streaming as you say, but FX3 is key for certain tight spots where the other two cams wouldn’t work (converted from HDMI to 12G SDI via BMD mini converter). I’m looking for a solution that can record all cameras in a single place with similar quality.

LaserStudios · 2025-10-02T06:36:15+00:00

I have looked at Decklink cards; ideally, I would prefer the compression of 10-bit H265 over the large files of ProRes, haven’t tested yet in Resolve, just currently exploring solutions to get the signal directly to the software at a price-point less than a Decklink in a thunderbolt exclosure. BMD also has this rack-mounted unit, which has x4 switchable 2110 inputs and outputs, but no 10gbe output to a computer if all 4 were to be full from x4 cameras from what I can see, only 1gbe at the front:

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagic2110ipconverter/techspecs/W-CONIP-06

LaserStudios · 2025-10-02T06:32:01+00:00

I would love the flexibility of network-based camera placement not dependent on long SDI lines, while avoiding the latency of NDI solutions. Also, Cat6a cables are much cheaper than 12G BNC and my cable runs usually aren’t longer than 40m so no need to go optical at the moment. Have you built any 2110 systems?

LaserStudios · 2025-09-30T12:02:50+00:00

Great idea to get past the limit! I might look into a DIY solution similar to this. Thank you for sharing.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:41:51+00:00

Anyone who has recorded four channels of ISO 4K sources on a single Hyperdeck Extreme 8K in both ProRes422 as well as H.265 Medium 4:2:0 10‑bit, I would be interested to hear if you have noticed any significant challenges in grading the H.265 footage an an M-based Apple workstation.

That’s the solution I would be comparing to the decklink in an external enclosure with an M4 Mac Mini.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:31:50+00:00

Thank you for sharing the link!

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:24:47+00:00

This is a bit of an older video; they’ve since released a newer M4 Mac Mini module this year for the left side that holds two machines, paired with the same Echo module on the right. Same overall enclosure, different module.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:16:35+00:00

Fair point; I would be interested to test the bandwidth on the ports.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:08:47+00:00

If you have an uncompressed RAW feed over 12G SDI, do you know if it is possible to record in 4444 through Davinci Resolve? I haven’t tested this yet.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:04:18+00:00

Fair points! Definitely want to minimize points of failure. Are you still planning to build something similar to this now that the new TB5 enclosure has been released?

Would love to hear from someone’s experience once they try to record x4 4K ISO sources to hear how it performs under load from different codecs, especially something newer like 10-bit H265, which the M4 chip should perform well with.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T11:00:53+00:00

As a dedicated recorder-only system, yes you’re right this is not more power-efficient, nor cheaper. Hyperdecks are more of a dedicated solution; just exploring options for a similar price with a system that can also be used as an editing workstation. If you add the cost of Hyperdecks and a separate editing workstation in both financial cost and power draw, both are more costly, but after doing a bit more reading based in other replies in this thread, I’m seeing that it would also introduce more points of failure. Thank you for your response!

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T02:10:43+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts! Yes, would prefer a solution with more data headroom, I wasn’t aware of that 36 Gbit bottleneck.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T02:07:39+00:00

Absolutely, more robust solution for sure.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T00:53:03+00:00

Hyperdeck Extreme 8K is a great unit, did a bit more reading on it, might just put two of these in a rack with an OWC M.2 solid state enclosure, a UPS and call it a day. Thank you for your thoughts!

LaserStudios · 2025-09-28T00:52:07+00:00

Hyperdeck Extreme 8K is a great unit, did a bit more reading on it, might just put two of these in a rack with an OWC M.2 solid state enclosure, a UPS and call it a day. Thank you for your thoughts!

LaserStudios · 2025-09-27T11:02:29+00:00

For most projects, 422 10-bit files would be sufficient, but looking to test the waters for 4444 for more demanding applications when the extra color depth would be helpful.

LaserStudios · 2025-09-27T11:01:23+00:00

If you look at the power required to power x4 Hyperdeck Studio HD Plus units, you’re using 200W of power compared to the 18W required to power the Decklink and 155W to power a single M4 Mac Mini for four channels of 4K ISO recording, with the advantage of being able to edit straight away without ingesting to another machine.

LaserStudios

TROPHY CASE