Manolo Rojas Selects AJA Mini Converters

Steadicam Operator Manolo Rojas has been working for more than 22 years on feature film, commercial and music video projects including Godzilla, Don Jon and Walking with Dinosaurs 3D.
On a recent shoot that required monitoring live picture from 1080i 24 camera video signal, he noticed that the gradation of black shades within the frame was getting crunched.
Rojas went to Los Angeles-based BandPro Film and Digital to conduct side-by-side tests of every major signal converter on the market.
"Directors and DPs need to see a full range of blacks in live picture monitoring to make sure that lighting and camera angles are where they need to be," explained Rojas.
"It's my job as a Steadicam operator to deliver that to them thru my Wireless System. From the same signal, using a pattern generator to create test patterns, I ran signal conversion tests with converters from Data Video, Blackmagic, Atomos and the AJA Hi5 and AJA HA5 Mini Converters. The AJA Hi5 and HA5 were the only converters that could handle pristine picture and audio while delivering true blacks."
Rojas works closely with the VTR Operator on set to make sure that the process of getting the signal out of the camera's SDI to monitors for playback is seamless.
"The AJA Hi5 Mini-Converter and HA5 Mini-Converters are a bit more expensive than some of the market alternatives, but it's a small price to pay to ensure that I'm providing my clients with the best possible picture and most reliable kit out there," Rojas concluded.
www.aja.com
(IT/JP)