PANAVISION Genesis User manual

genesis user’s manual
(version 1.3)

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Graphic Conventions
Blue decimals indicate sections in format of: chapter.section
20.3 The S (selectable) ranges of speed
= chapter 20 section 3
Green highlights indicate “how to” sections
14.7 To change fixed speed format
Underlined words indicate actions
Pull the latch outwards
Magenta numbers refer to other sections or chapters
see sections 4.2 and 16.2
see chapter 12
Red italics indicate cautions and warnings
Do not use compressed air to clean Lens mount

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Inspired by the past
Focused on the future

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genesis user’s manual
by benjamin b

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Copyright Information
Copyright © 2007 Panavision Inc. All rights reserved. This document is not
permitted to be distributed by anyone other than the employees of Panavision or
its distributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any
form by any means without the prior written consent of Panavision. Prior written
approval from Panavision must be obtained for any and all derivative works or
aggregate works incorporating any of the information in this document, except as
provided for under normal copyright law.
Disclaimer
Information in this document is provided solely for the user’s information and,
while thought to be accurate, is provided strictly “as is” and without warranty of
any kind, including liability or warranties relating to fitness for a particular
purpose, merchantability, or infringement of any patent, copyright or other
intellectual property right. Panavision reserves the right to revise this publication
and to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation
to notify any person of such revisions or changes. Specifications are subject to
change without notice.
Panavision’s obligations with respect to the products referenced herein are only
as provided in Panavision’s terms and conditions for rental. In no event shall
Panavision, it’s employees or distributors be liable to you for any damages or
losses, direct or indirect, arising from the use of any information contained in this
document or the use of any products or services referenced within, or the
information contained in, this manual.

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Preface & thanks
This manual is designed for you to skip around, jumping to the
chapters and sections of interest to you. The table of contents gives
an overview, while each chapter head has a summary of its section
contents. You can also use the find function of your pdf reader to
find a topic, or a referenced section number. In a hurry? Try the
Quick Reference at the back.
This is the first version of the Panavision Genesis manual. We need
your feedback to make future versions better. Feel free to give us
specific corrections, deletions and additions, or more general
remarks. Let us know which topics you think we should expand on
or add to in future versions. Also, we would like to include
production stills in the manual. Let us know if you have some to
offer. Please email your feedback to [e-mail].
This manual exists because of Andy Romanoff, who has guided the
project from beginning to end. A big thank you goes to Andy for his
leadership. Thank you also to Scott McDonald, Nolan Murdock and
Andrew Young for all their careful work reading and correcting
earlier versions. For final corrections, thanks to Dan Hammond,
Mike Kovacevich, Laurence Nunn, and to Michael Chambliss, who
also contributed seven photographs. Thank you to Tony Rivetti and
Pierre-Hugues Galien for sharing their experience as ACs with the
Genesis.
Finally, un grand merci to Philippe Valognes and to the team at
Panavision Alga, and a big cheers to Peter Swarbrick and Panavision
London for helping with equipment and knowledge.

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Contents
____________________________
Introduction
10
16
1. What do you want to know?
2. Shooting Genesis: a production
overview
____________________________
The Genesis camera system
24
30
52
66
74
90
98
108
3. Cases
4. Camera body tour
5. Genesis Viewfinder
6. SRW-1 VTR body tour
7. VTR SRWC panel
8. Mounting the SRW-1 & Loading Tape
9. Powering the Genesis
10. Video Monitoring
____________________________
Camera menus
120
130
138
148
158
164
11. How to use the Camera LCD Menu
12. How to use Camera Viewfinder Menus
13. Six OPERATION Menus To Set
14. Setting the <MULTI FORMAT> Page
15. Setting USER Menus
16. Viewfinder Menus to Check Regularly

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____________________________
SRW-1 VTR menus
172
176
184
17. How to use VTR Menus
18. Time Code Settings
19. Audio Settings
____________________________
Special Cases
196
210
20. About Variable Speed
21. Camera Separated from VTR
____________________________
Before You Shoot
222
232
22. Exposure
23. Panavision recommended settings
____________________________
Reference
236
242
244
266
274
24. Genesis technical overview
25. Post-production example
26. All the camera menus
27. All the VTR menus
28. Quick Reference

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1. What do you want to know?
1.1 The manual overview
1.2 What do you want to know?
1.3 Panavision support
1.4 Panavision publications
1.5 Other resources
In a hurry? Try the Quick Reference at the back of the Manual

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1.1 The manual overview
This manual is broken into seven parts:
Introduction
About the manual, and a production overview of the Genesis
The Genesis camera system
About the hardware: a tour of the Camera and VTR, with
explanation of their controls and functions.
How to power the camera, and monitor the video image
Basic Camera menus
How to navigate the Genesis LCD and Viewfinder menus.
The basic menus you need to set and check.
SRW-1 menus
How to navigate the menus of the Sony SRW-1 VTR
The basic Audio and Time Code menu settings for the VTR.
Special cases
How to shoot variable speed and how to shoot with the Genesis
camera separated from the SRW-1 VTR.
Before you shoot
About setting exposure for the Genesis
A summary of Panavision’s recommended settings
Reference
A technical overview of the Genesis system
A brief example of post-production workflow
Comprehensive list of all the Camera and VTR menus
Quick reference

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1.2 What do you want to know?
We encourage you to read as much of the manual as you have time
for. However, if you don’t have much time, here are some
suggested starting places.
Camera assistants will need most of this manual, although the
bulk of the final Reference section (chapters 24-27) is not essential.
If you are prepping for a first test you might want to read:
Introduction - chapters 1-2
Genesis Camera System – chapters 3-10
Basic Camera menus – chapters 11-15
Quick Reference – chapter 28
Cinematographers might want to read:
Introduction - chapters 1-2
Video Monitoring - chapter 10 –
Exposure - chapter 22
Panavision recommended settings – chapter 23
Genesis technical overview – chapter 24
Post-production overview – chapter 25
Directors might want to read:
Introduction - chapters 1-2
Video Monitoring - chapter 10
Panavision recommended settings – chapter 23
Post-production overview – chapter 25
Production managers might want to read:
Introduction - chapters 1-2
Panavision recommended settings – chapter 23
Post-production overview – chapter 25

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If you are working in post you might want to read:
Introduction - chapters 1-2
Chapter 20 – All about variable speed
Panavision recommended settings – chapter 23
Post-production overview – chapter 25
If you want to get a quick general idea of the Genesis, you might
want to read:
Introduction - chapters 1-2
Genesis technical overview – chapter 24
Quick reference – chapter 28
1.3 Panavision support
Panavision offers support on many levels.
For the DP who is using Genesis for the first time, we offer the
assistance of our technical marketing staff, a group of very
experienced people stationed at Panavision locations around the
world. They have years of experience with digital cameras and can
help you determine what you can accomplish with Genesis. And
just as with a film shoot, we can provide cameras in advance of
your start date so you can do your testing to develop the project’s
look.
For the assistant, we offer training to ensure that your show will
run smoothly from day one. For first time feature and TV show
users, a technical marketing representative is often available to
accompany you for the first few days of production, to answer any
questions that may arise as you start working with the camera.
Contact Panavision representatives for more information about the
Genesis. A listing of worldwide Panavision offices is available at:
http://panavision.com/

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1.4 Panavision publications
The following publications may be useful for more information about
the Genesis:
Panavision Genesis FAQ
Genesis Quick reference cards
Panavision Gamma and Genesis Display Processor manual
Genesis Menu Simulator (interactive web site)
These and other Panavision publications are available on-line at:
http://www.panavision.com.au/Downloads/Downloads.htm
http://adi.panavision.com/gdp
http://ccbenjaminb.free.fr/download/
1.5 Other resources
Sony
The brochure for the Sony SRW-1 on-board VTR can be found at the
Panavision Australia web site:
http://www.panavision.com.au/Downloads/DownloadsBrochuresOT
HER.htm
The manual for the Sony SRW-5000 and can be found at the
Panavision Australia web site:
http://www.panavision.com.au/Downloads/DownloadsManualsOTHE
R.htm
Astro
You can download the full manual for the on-board Astro monitor
DM 3005-A at:
http://www.astro-systems-downloads.com
http://www.astro-systems-downloads.com/HD/DM-3005A_v1.pdf

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2. Shooting Genesis:
a production overview
2.1 The Genesis is a film camera that shoots tape
2.2 Menus and maintenance
2.3 The choice of videotape
2.4 50 minute loads
2.5 FPS and progressive
2.6 Separating the Genesis and VTR
2.7 4:4:4 and 4:2:2
2.8 Variable speed
2.9 Shutter angles
2.10 Intercutting Genesis with film
2.11 Exposure Index
2.12 Color reference
2.13 Panalog and GDP
2.14 Pre-visualizing

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2.1 The Genesis is a film camera that records digitally
Genesis was designed to work comfortably within the established
practices of film crews. Genesis cameras take most of the standard
Panavision 35mm accessories. Camera assistants familiar with film
will find the same follow-focus, matte-box, filters and heads that
they already use for 35mm. The SRW-1 VTR is mounted like a
Panavision magazine either above or on the back of the camera.
Cinematographers and directors can call for the same lenses, and
get the same look and depth of field as standard 35mm. Many
directors of photography light for Genesis the same way they would
light for an E.I. 500 Tungsten film stock.
Three key differences from the film experience are that HD monitors
are incomparably sharper than 35mm video assist, that “reloading”
50 minute cassettes ( or a Solid State Recorder) almost
instantaneous, and that there is no delay before dailies are ready.
2.2 Menus and maintenance
Genesis is easy to use. The camera comes loaded with carefully
chosen default settings that will work for most applications. During
prep, the Camera Assistant will access a few menus to define the
project frame rate, monitor frame lines and time code format.
On the set, Genesis is ready to record as soon as it is turned on and
black balanced. The camera’s LCD screen allows for quick access to
basic functions like shutter angle, film speed, film type or variable
speed. When switching cassettes, the Camera Assistant will use a
VTR menu to change time code.

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Beyond normal cleaning there is very little field maintenance to be
done on Genesis. Panavision provides information and training
necessary to do simple field procedures
2.3 Recording
At present, most Genesis productions shoot on videotape using the
on-board Sony SRW1 HDCAM SR recorder. Panavision sees 3
advantages to videotape:
1. Videotape recorders have a proven track record in the extremes
of temperature, humidity and mechanical shock that are
commonplace in today’s productions.
2. The 50 minute duration allows for lengthy takes and rapid
reloads.
3. Feature films require hundreds of terabytes of data, and
videotape offers a very practical way to protect all your footage for
the future.
Sony developed the SRW1 field recorder to directly interface to the
Genesis and in that mode the VTR is seamlessly controlled and
configured by the camera.
You also have the option to record the Genesis 4:4:4 Dual Link HD-
SDI outputs to a Solid State Recorder, a separate hard drive, or
other storage solutions. The Genesis signal can be recorded by any
system that accepts dual link HDSDI.
2.4 HDCAM SR 50 minute loads
At 24 frames per second in standard SQ mode, the SRW-1 VTR
records 50 minutes per HDCAM SR cassette. Just as with a film
camera, you get more or less recording time at lower or higher
speeds. At the top speed of 50 fps, the cassette recording time is
halved.

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2.5 FPS and progressive
The frame rate you choose will depend on the release requirements
of your project. Genesis and SRW-1 offer the following fixed
progressive frame rates: 23.98P – 24P – 25P – 29.97P and 50P.
Most American Genesis features have been shot at 23.98 fps. This
allows for on-set playback of down-converted NTSC video with sync
sound. Most US Genesis TV is shot at 23.98 fps, while European and
Australian TV are shot at 25 fps.
It is also possible to shoot interlaced frame rates of 50I, 59.94I and
60I. The disadvantage of interlace is that the image is captured in
two different moments of time, creating motion artifacts. Most
productions do not shoot interlace unless intercutting with television
cameras is required.
2.6 Separating the Genesis and VTR
If desired, the Genesis camera body and VTR can be separated, for
example for a lighter Steadicam configuration, or inside a car. The
Genesis can also be outfitted with a Solid State Recorder when a
minimum weight and volume are required.
When the VTR is recording the signal from a separate camera,
Panavision recommends that you to shoot in the full color resolution
of 4:4:4. This entails using the “Dual Link” connection using 2 BNC
cables (as opposed to single cable 4:2:2).
2.7 The 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 formats
Panavision recommends that you record 4:4:4 if possible, even for a
4:2:2 finish. Simply put, the difference between 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 is
that 4:4:4 allocates the same amount of information to the color
and to the black and white portions of the image, while 4:2:2

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allocates less information to color than black and white. Historically,
the numbers 4 and 2 refer to the multiples of a reference frequency.
The important thing to remember is the ratio of information.
2.8 Variable speed
Genesis cameras can shoot and record at any fixed speed from 1 to
50 fps. However, the camera does not ramp between speeds. The
SRW-1 VTR does not record 4:4:4 at speeds over 29.97 fps. In
order to accommodate the immense amount of data generated at
speeds of 30 fps and above, the camera must be switched to 4:2:2.
Panavision recommends that you consult chapter 23 before
recording variable speed. Note that, at present, the SRW-1 cannot
record variable speed correctly when separated from the Genesis
camera body.
2.9 Shutter angles
The Genesis shutter can be set at any angle between 3.8 and 360
degrees. Shutter angles above 200 degrees are new territory for the
film cinematographer, yielding a different exposure, and a different
rendering of motion. At 360 degrees (or “Shutter Off”) the exposure
time is twice as long as it is at 180 degrees. Therefore, the 360
degree shutter captures more motion blur, and more light, than 180
degrees.
You can use the shutter for artistic effect or to gain an additional
stop of exposure or both. Some cinematographers experiment with
a range of shutter angles between 180 and 360 to creatively
modulate the resulting exposure gain and motion blur.
The effects of HMI lights are identical on Genesis and film, and
require similar shutter settings. The advantage of Genesis is that