Using PAL Fairlight CVI in North America?

[unidisco]

Hi Everyone- I've been looking for a Fairlight for ages and found one for sale in PAL format. However, I happen to be in Canada, and was wondering if it wouldn't be worth the hassle for converting the inputs/outputs and monitoring.

Is there a setup with minimal investment you could see working?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[VJzoo]

it depends on what you want to do with it I guess, if you are mixing a signal from a computer and then going to a projector you should be able to switch everything to PAL but if you are mixing live camera with it then you will need a PAL camera but getting a second hand PAL camera would be cheap.

Some mixers are also switchable NTSC/PAL (e.g. the V4) but you can only do one at a time.

Also you will need to get a step up unit for the power as the Fairlight will be 220/240v.

if you use the unit for just doing effects on content and record the out put for later use then it would def be worth it, if its doing stuff live at a gig less so because they are temperamental things but we love them as they are a part of live video history

[unidisco]

Thanks very much for the feedback- just what I was looking for. The intended use would be as a stand-alone setup at home to generate content.

My main concern was finding a an inexpensive way to output 2 sources of PAL video for the Fairlight's use (it's a 2-input version) and also be able to record the output for later editing. I've got a recent macbook, a Canopus AVCD-100, and a Sony BVM 1310 for monitoring.

Is it possible to simultaneously output and capture video on the macbook?
Are there any reliable PAL<> NTSC composite converters in use in the VJ community?

Thanks again for your help!

[bertoa]

There is a CVI Service Manual online with procedure's how to change the timing of the unit from PAL to NTSC. It is actualy the same electronics.
With a bit knowledge of electronics and an oscilloscoop it's quickly done.
When you don't find the manuals let me know; I got them all in PDF files.

[unidisco]

Really? That's amazing. Have the manual and will look into it. Do you know of anyone who's done it successfully?

Dave

[bertoa]

Sorry, I have compared the component layout of the PAL and NTSC video boards and they are different. So, no easy internal change of standards. Don't buy a PAL CVI when using in a NTSC studio setup. When working with a PAL CVI you need a TBC and in your case a standard converter. Let me be clear, there is no simple solution. I worked a lot with a PAL CVI, on an art academy but is was hard keeping the signals stable, even when working in a full equiped studio. Mixing 2 video sources went only over 2 TBC's with genlock. On the output 2 monitors; one with RGB for the menu, one for monitoring the output video. All by All, using the Fairlight CVI needs a special studio setup on it's own. Beside that, you can do fantastic things with this videosynthesizer, even with realtime processing. I made a simple diy videoprocessor called 'Visualist', you can find it on YouTube. Stability of signals is also here a breakpoint. I work now on a new design I hope to publish this winter. Realtime analog video processing is much more complicated than working with sound. My advice to you; wait and watch till you find a NTSC CVI.

[unidisco]

Oof. Well, I'm afraid I'm a bit too late now.It's purchased. I guess I'm going to have to work with what I've got. I'm sure this has been gone over before, but would you recommend a good choice for a TBC/genlock solution for two separate feeds. I'm a bit worried now. errrrrrrrrrrr