Hey Everyone!
First time posting, long time reader. I'm running into failed recordings on the Ursa Broadcast G2. It's come out of the blue wondering if anyone has a fix? I've seen a few other posts that have the same general issue. I'll debrief below.
* I have 3, Ursa Broadcast G2 cameras that I've been doing tests on with 3 different Angelbird C-fast 512 card AND 3 different USB-C, Samsung T5 1TB SSD. I primarily filmed all my pocket cams with the T5 and the even the G2 successfully until the last few weeks.
*When I say fail record I mean it stops recording due to the drop frame stop recording feature.
Info/Context:
1. Camera settings on all three Ursa G2's: Firmware 7.5, 6k, 50fps/24fps (off speed shooting on), constant bitrate, 12:1 compression.
2. I updated the firmware on all three Angelbird Fast cards BEFORE testing, using their official card reader.
3. I did test records of 3 min continuous recording successfully on my pocket 4k and pocket 6k using all three Cfast cards filming at 6k/4k, 60fps/24fps off speed, 12:1 compression, constant bitrate.
4. I updated one Ursa G2 to firmware 7.9.2 and still had at least one failed recording with one Cfast card.
Questions:
*C-fast card slot A (closest to the lens) consistently fails record after a few seconds. For all three G2 cams and all three Angelbird C-fast cards. Slot B consistently works for at least a 3 min continuous record at firmware 7.5 Why? ... When I updated one Ursa G2 to firmware 7.9.2, slot A successfully recorded 3 min clips for 2 cards, and failed on the third card at 1min 42 seconds. Slot B still worked perfectly. Why?
*Does filming in 50/24fps require more read/write speed and maybe contribute to the failures?
I've also had issues with the external USB-C slot not working with the Samsung T5. It will work on one or two of the cameras but not the third. I know it's not a supported card but it boggles me that on 100 percent identical cameras 2 work but the 3rd won't. Or the three different T5 1TB cards works with an Angelbird USB-C cable but not the Samsung USB-C cable, or vice versa depending on the camera. I've filmed with the T5 on all three G2's for months now, so I'm wondering why this is becoming an issue. I did have a USB-C Samsung T5 1TB drive freeze 32 min into a record (6k, 24fps, 12:1 compression, constant bitrate) and brick the camera. Then I ended up only having 9 min of the 32 min clip. That's what pushed me to make the move to C-fast cards, but that's caused a whole new set of problems.
I feel like I can't trust my cameras right now and the failure points are erratic and not following a specific pattern. I don't think I'm asking too much of the C-fast cards? I'm doing 12:1 compression instead of 3:1 and Angelbirds read and write speeds look comparable to the other C-fast cards on BM supported card list.
I'm not sure what else to do besides double check that the Angelbird cards firmware IS up to date. But I don't know how I can trust this for a longer shoot. Returning the Cfast cards and getting another brand seems like a desperation move. I'm fine ditching the USB-C Samsung T5 and only using them for my pocket cams but I need the C-fast options to be reliable and able to shoot 24fps, 50/24fps or 50fps.
Thanks for the help!