I've bought some CF cards that are much faster than what I need. I am pretty sure I have enough new toys around to get some serious play time on the camera over the turkey day weekend. I'm just trying to confirm that I'm going to be able to edit the files in Vegas with out any conversion.

I'm also planning on direct capture via HDMI. I got to have a short talk with someone at Canon which gives me a little hope that I can capture via HDMI while controlling some of the functions that are automatic in video capture mode, but active in live mode. Not sure I'm right on this, but I have my fingers crossed.

I found a document from Canon that states

" Direct recording to a USB storage device is supported by the optional WFT-E4A Wireless File Transmitter, which is scheduled to be shipped to dealers in late November, 2008 along with the EOS 5D Mark II camera. Direct recording to a compatible personal computer is also possible via Remote Live View."

I got real excited till I found out the cost is 900+ dollars. Oh well...

Let's try another question.

If I wanted to convert the mp4.mov files to a more editable format, what would you suggest for Vegas 8 professional?

I played with the qt mp4 mov files that Vegas exported, and they do not play smoothly when re-imported into the Vegas timeline.. While my cpu (quad running at 3ghz and 4 gb memory) usage is under 40%, the files still play jerky which is a common occurrence that I sometimes see with quick time files.

"I'm also planning on direct capture via HDMI. "

See:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photo-hd-video-d-slr-others/136873-live-view-monitor-output-size.html

The text metadata shows up on both the LCD and any monitor that is connected to the HDMI port during Live View. There are also also other threads in that sub forum that discuss this issue. On the other hand, the production models of the 5D MK II may have an option for turning off metadata text display on the HDMI port.

"
The text metadata shows up on both the LCD and any monitor that is connected to the HDMI port during Live View"

I talked with someone from Canon about 3 weeks ago and during our conversation I asked if I would be able to get a live signal out of the HDMI port. I was told yes, and although I don't remember what mode they called it, but when setting up the camera (but not recording), I would be able to manually set many manual settings, and the HDMI would be sending the uncompressed signal. Maybe I jumped to conclusions, but during our 20 minute conversation, I was never told I was on the wrong track, and I was left with the idea that I could record the HDMI output. Maybe he forgot to tell me there would be all the meta data with it. Hopefully this isn't the case.

After reading the above linked post, and thinking this through some more, I'm getting the sinking feeling that this may not work.

If not, I'll be disappointed as I was hoping to be able to capture using my Black Magic card in longer than 12 minutes gaps mainly for sync issues in multi cam shoots.

Oh well, I new when I pre ordere the 5dm2, there would be more than 1 surprise. Few more days and I'll have some answers.

Hi Willie,

If you get it right to capture from HDMI please post here and show us the cable configurations. I was reading that it was illegal to capture from HDMI direct. I think what they meant to say was that when you view from the HDMI port it is using High Definition Data Protection protocol that prevents you from copying. I am not sure if this is the correct interpretation, but that's what I understood from it after reading it.

So if you get it right to capture let us know.

Video you shoot with your own camera won't be copy protected with HDCP, there is simply no reason.

Copy protection on the HDMI stream is not something I have ever seen on my HV20's HDMI nor can I imaging there would ever be any copy protection enabled off a camera. Not something I ever considered.

What was posted earlier got me to thinking/worrying that maybe I'm not going to get a full frame 1920x1080 clean video out of the 5D Mark II that I can capture on my computer. I just assumed I'd have the option of turning on or n screen data. When they told me the HDMI was live, I assumed it was full frame HD video. I assumed I could capture that and during my conversation with a Canon employee, he said I could. I guess I didn't ask what was coming out. It's possible I assumed too much, but during my conversation, I got the feeling the fellow knew what he was talking about and also that he understood my questions.

After I read the linked post from above, I got to thinking that maybe it's not putting out 30 fps video, and or maybe not 1920x`1080 video frames. One would think it does since it's going to an HD TV. During playback, I'm sure it does, but I'm looking for recording direct from the camera with the lens being live. For now, I keeping the faith that I'm going to get 30 fps and 1080x1080 resolution.

While I'm excited about getting the camera, there are a few things that I have learned that aren't so pleasant. Minor things, but annoying none the less. Batteries around $100 each. AC adapter to plug the camera in the wall, around $80 or $90. With video camera's we usually get an ac adapter. Pretty insane pricing considering what we are paying for the camera and lens..... I guess it's the cost of admission.....I'm also old enough to know that until the cameras ship, much of the info out there isn't accurate or we are reading too much or too little into. Just need to get some time on it.

In their manual, there is some talk about the chip heating up. So will be watching that. My main concern was for the times the camera gets used as a 2nd camera when you keep rolling for 30-60 minutes at a time. Not often, but it happens. The 12 minute capture is the limit to the flash card for HD, but I was hoping to get around it with the HDMi capture....

After I get the camera, it probably won't take longer than an hour or so before I plug it into a computer via the HDMI cable. Hoping that the battery comes fully charged.

I'll post when I have some news. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get it before turkey day.

If you Google HDCP you get many interpretations.

http://www.theavguide.co.uk/view_page.php?page=32 . And I think this is what is used to prevent you from capturing via HDMI. I'm really not sure. If anyone has captured via HDMI tell how.

You can't capture HCP-protected content via HDMI.

Your own camera footage is not HDCP-protected.

The question here is: Can you capture via the HDMI port? Obviously your cam- your content but you cannot capture via HDMI because HDCP is "running/Active" over the HDMI port which protect the data from being copied/captured.

Read at the bottom of this http://www.theavguide.co.uk/view_page.php?cat=9&&page=30 page