FFV sideKick HD Manuale utente
www.ffv.com
The design of the sideKick HD and the sideKick HD manual is proprietary.
No part of the sideKick HD Manual may be copied or modied without the written consent of Fast Forward Video, Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.
April 2012
Phone (949) 852-8404 Fax (949) 852-1226
1151 Duryea Avenue Irvine, CA 92614, USA
User Manual
Version
1.1.1
Blank
2 sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
Important Notice .....................................................................................................4
Overview..................................................................................................................5
Quick Start Guide ...................................................................................................6
Drive Installation.....................................................................................................7
Connections ............................................................................................................8
Front Panel Controls ..............................................................................................9
The Screen Scheme .............................................................................................10
The Monitor Screen ..............................................................................................11
Record Mode
Playback Mode
Jog / Scrub / Turbo
The SET-UP Menu .................................................................................................12
Volume
Audio Output
Record Mode
Video Input
Audio Input
Video Standard
Loop Playback
CLIP MANAGEMENT access
Table of Contents
3sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
The SET-UP Menu (continued) ............................................................................13
Codec
Time
Date
Factory Defaults
Firmware Version
Serial Number
The CLIP MANAGEMENT Screen ........................................................................14
Clip Window
Clip List
Re-Name Clip
Name Next Clip
Delete Clip
Formatting the Drive ............................................................................................15
Updating Firmware ...............................................................................................16
Post Production ....................................................................................................17
Specications .......................................................................................................18
Limited Warranty ..................................................................................................19
STATIC PRECAUTIONS:
The sideKick HD has been built to meet the demands of a video production environment. However,
the hardware is subject to the same dangers from static as any other electronic device. Use care
when connecting or disconnecting cables.
IMPORTANT:
Take care not to introduce any moisture into the unit.
CLEANING AND HANDLING:
The unit should only require dusting with a soft cloth. Solvents may harm the painted surface and
leak to the inside causing severe damage.
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
1 – sideKick HD unit
1 – AC Adapter
1 – USB to SATA Drive Cable
1 – User Manual
PLEASE RETAIN THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING CARTON:
If you need to return the unit for service or upgrade it is STRONGLY recommended that you use the
original packaging, which was specically designed to protect it from damage while in transit. IF RE-
TURNED IN SOMETHING OTHER THAN ORIGINAL PACKAGING, A FEE WILL BE ASSESSED
FOR THE USE OF NEW SHIPPING MATERIALS WHEN THE UNIT IS RETURNED BACK TO
YOU (a protective metal shipping case is acceptable).
TECH SUPPORT:
If you experience any problems with the unit, please visit Fast Forward Video’s technical support
page - http://www.ffv.com/tech-support. DO NOT ATTEMPT to repair or modify the unit as this
might cause further damage, which could void your warranty. A technician will determine whether
your problem is caused by a faulty component, and decide whether you need to return it for evalua-
tion and/or repair.
FCC Information to the user:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2). This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case, the user will be required to correct the interference at his/her own expense.
4 sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
Important Notice
5sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
Overview
Ease your production workow with a versatile recording solution that the whole production team
can agree on. sideKick HD is a camera-mountable High Denition digital video recorder that gives
you the freedom and exibility to:
• Capture high quality video from your HD-SDI or HDMI capable camera.
- up to 220 Mbit/s (codec dependent)
- 4:2:2 sampling
- 10-bit precision
• Record directly to high quality NLE preferred codecs, eliminating timely capturing, rendering and
extra transcoding, any of which may degrade image quality.
• Be sure you've got the shot with the 4.3” on-board condence monitor, which provides simple
playback options including clip selection, scrub and jog. Use this monitor block or compose your
shots. This display has a pixel resolution of 480 x 272 even though the image is being recorded
at the resolution of the chosen video standard.
• sideKick HD uses non-proprietary 2.5” Solid State Drives (SSD).
• Mount the sideKick HD anywhere with the standard 1/4" 20 mount and ample power options
including variable voltage battery input from 6-18 volts DC or from AC line voltage using the
included power adapter.
• Recording can commence by pressing the big red Record button, or sideKick HD can be set
to sense incoming time code from the camera and automatically start/stop recording when the
camera's time code starts and stops. Frame Rate and Video Resolution can also be set auto-
matically with sideKick HD's sensing capabilities.
• sideKick HD allows for a variety of preferred recording codecs. Authors of popular codecs re-
quire license fees per distributed copy, so with FFV's Codec Download Program you only
purchase the codecs you need for your own individual workow.
- Apple ProRes 422 (this codec ships with the product)
- Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) (this codec ships with the product)
- Avid DNx HD (available now via purchase from ffv.com)
More codec options will become available via purchase from FFV, including:
- AVC Intra (available in the future via purchase from ffv.com)
- XDCam (available in the future via purchase from ffv.com)
6 sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
Quick Start Guide
1. Apply Power – Either plug the AC power adapter (transformer) into a 110 VAC wall socket and
connect the locking connector (mini XLR) to the POWER port located on the bottom of the unit,
or connect a battery power cable (not included) to an acceptable 6-18VDC battery system and
its locking connector (mini XLR) to the POWER port located on the bottom of the unit.
(Please note special battery mount cables are available as an accessory from www.ffv.com.)
2. Turn On sideKick HD - Turn POWER on by sliding down the recessed switch located on the
right side of the unit.
3. Install Drive – Slide the 2.5” solid-state drive (SSD) into the drive slot located on the back of
the unit. You will feel the drive secure to the connection within the unit and if the unit is on, the
disk icon located on the MONITOR SCREEN will turn white. Wait a moment while the recorder
reads the drive, this will take a few seconds, perhaps longer if there is a lot of video on the
drive. If the drive icon remains red or a DRIVE REMOVED warning message appears see
DRIVE INSTALLATION for additional details.
*Please note it is normal for the drive enclosure to get warm; it quickly reaches a maximum
temperature and will not exceed recommended temperature throughout use.
4. Connect source – Connect to camera or another source using either HD-SDI input (bottom)
or HDMI In (left side) and analog audio inputs (left side) if needed.
5. SET-UP Menu Setting – Press the MENU button once to enter the SET-UP menu which al-
lows you to set the Video Standard, Codec, Video and Audio Input, Auto Record, and Audio
Output. Use the scroll wheel to move through the menu options and the wheel's center black
button to select your settings. See SET-UP Menu (page 12) for additional details.
6. Format Drive - If the drive is new, it should be formatted. From the MONITOR SCREEN, press
the MENU button once to access the SET-UP Menu and using the scroll wheel, scroll to FOR-
MAT DISK on the second screen. Press the black center button on the wheel once, highlight
FORMAT, select by pressing the black center button. A warning message will appear, highlight
OK by using the wheel, select by pressing the black center button. A "Formatting Disk" pop-up
message will be displayed during the formatting process. When formatting is complete, you're
ready to record.
7. Record – Press the big red REC button to start recording and press STOP (■) to stop record-
ing. Each REC and STOP will create a separate clip. Please note: if the Auto Record feature
is set to FOLLOW CAMERA TIME CODE the unit will start and stop recording based on the
rolling time code from the camera instead. See SET-UP Menu (page 12) for additional details.
8. CLIP MANAGEMENT Screen – Press the MENU button once to enter the SET-UP Menu.
Scroll down to Clip Management and press the black center button on the wheel. Use the
scroll wheel to move through the clips and select a clip by pressing the wheel's black center
button. Press the play button (►) to play a clip within the clip window. Other menu options in-
clude the ability to rename and delete clips. Of course, clips can be played from the MONITOR
SCREEN as well.
9. Remove Drive - Drives can be removed or inserted with the unit's power on or off. Make sure
the video is stopped. Hold the securing tab on back of the unit while sliding the drive out. You
can now connect the drive to a NLE or computer system using the provided USB to SATA
cable to download les.
10. Turn Off sideKick HD - POWER off sideKick by sliding down the recessed switch on the right
side of the unit and holding for ve seconds.
7sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
Drive Installation
The Solid State Drives (SSD) used by sideKick HD are not proprietary. We do recommend
that you use only the drives recommended by Fast Forward Video. See the sideKick HD
webpage (www.ffv.com) for a list of recommended drives, their part numbers and vendors.
These drives have been tested and proven to have the best performance and reliability.
gure 1
gure 2
gure 3
1. The SATA connection has a shorter side and a longer
side. Hold the drive with shorter side above the longer
side.
2. Place the drive with the SATA connection towards the
entrance of the drive bay located on the back of the
unit (gure 1).
3. Gently slide the drive into the drive bay until you feel
a connection, which will align the end of the drive with
the drive lock tab located on the back of the unit don't
force it but make sure it is secure (gure 2).
4. Turn the unit on by sliding down the power button
located on the right side of the unit for one second.
5. Drive recognition will take a moment. When the drive
is activated, the Drive Space Icon in the upper right
corner of the LCD will turn white* (gure 3).
*If the Drive Space Icon is green it means the drive
is empty and needs to be formatted
(see FORMATTING THE DRIVE page 15).
*If you are using a new drive and the Drive Space Icon
is Red there is a problem. You will need to format the
drive before proceeding
(see FORMATTING THE DRIVE page 15).
Install a drive into sideKick HD using the following procedure:
DRIVE LOCK TAB SATA CONNECTION
longer side shorter side
8 sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
Connections
5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4
1. HD-SDI Output (BNC connector) - Route HD video and embedded audio output signal to a
monitor or another external device. Output is hot regardless of input being HD-SDI or HDMI.
2. HD-SDI Input (BNC connector) - Input HD-SDI uncompressed video with embedded audio
and time code from a camera or other source to record and display.
3. Standard 1/4" 20 Mount (threaded screw hole - female) - Allows sideKick HD to be mounted
to a camera using a hot shoe adapter, or an adjustable arm, as well as a tripod, 15mm rail rig
or any support system using a standard 1/4" 20 mount.
4. Power (locking Mini XLR connector) - Variable voltage power supply requirements 6-18VDC,
consumption 3-21W. Power changes with different modes (i.e. record vs. pass-thru) and fan
changes due to temperature.
5. Headphone Jack (3.5mm stereo jack connector) - Audio output for monitoring.
6. Audio/Line In (3.5mm stereo jack connector) - Records 2 line level analog audio channels
replacing embedded audio channels 1 and 2.
7. USB (USB-C port) - FOR FUTURE USE.
8. HDMI In (HDMI mini connector) - HD video and audio input from a camera or other source to
record and display.
9. HDMI Out (HDMI mini connector) - Route HD video and embedded audio output signal to a
monitor or another external device. Output is hot regardless of input being HD-SDI or HDMI.
Yes you can input HD-SDI and monitor via HDMI simultaneously or HDMI in to HD-SDI out,
Cool, huh?
Bottom
Left Side
9sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
5 6 7 8
9
10
11
1 2 3 4
1. Rewind / Previous Clip (◄◄) - Press this button to move to the head of the current clip or to
the previous clip.
2. Fast Forward / Next Clip (►►) - Press this button to move to the head of the next clip or the
end of the very last clip.
3. Play (►) - Press this button to play the current clip.
4. Stop (■) - Press this button to stop recording (REC mode), stop playback of the current clip
(PLAY mode), or cue back to the last play position and pause (LIVE mode).
5. Menu (i ) - from MONITOR SCREEN (LIVE view or PLAYBACK view), press this button once to
enter the SET-UP MENU.
6. Scroll Wheel - Use this wheel to move through the video clip in either a JOG or SCRUB fash-
ion. Also used for navigating through the menus.
7. Center "Select" Button - Used to switch between the playback modes, JOG (single frame at
time), SCRUB (fast forward and rewind), and TURBO (very fast forward and rewind). Also used
to select menu choices.
8. Live / Cancel (x) - Press this button to return to live camera (pass-thru) from the
PLAYBACK view. Also used to cancel out of menu choices without changes.
9. Record - When the Record Mode from the SET-UP Menu is set to Manual, press this button to
begin recording. Use the STOP button to stop recording and complete the clip.
10. LED Indicator - This Light will appear RED when Recording, YELLOW in Playback and Menus,
and GREEN when in Live View.
11. Power Switch - This switch is recessed and on the right side of the unit. Slide down and hold 1
second to power on or slide down and hold 5 seconds to power off.
Front Panel Controls
10 sideKick HD Manual, Fast Forward Video, Inc
The Screen Scheme
The MONITOR Screen
The Menu ( i )
Button
The SET-UP Menu
The LIVE (x)
Button
The CLIP MANAGEMENT Screen
sideKick HD has a few different screens, each with its own purpose.
The MONITOR Screen is your main operational view. This screen will be used for
a few things, such as camera pass-thru, a condence monitor when recording and
basic playback of clips.
The SET-UP Menu has a variety of recorder conguration settings.
The CLIP MANAGEMENT Screen deals with operations involving the clip, such as selecting, naming
or deleting clips.
Pressing the MENU(i) button moves you to the SET-UP Menu.
The CLIP MANAGEMENT Screen is accessed by scrolling down in the SET-Up Menu and selecting
CLIP Management by pressing the black center SELECT button of the scroll wheel.
SHORTCUT: If you want to go directly to the CLIP MANAGEMENT Screen from the MONITOR
Screen, Press the MENU(i) button + LIVE(x) button at the same time.
To get back to the MONITOR Screen press the LIVE(x) button.
Indice
