Focus Check

This episode is a deep dive into audio for video. Markus Warlich has worked in pro audio at Sony since 1997. He demystifies the misconceptions around wireless transmission and 32-bit float: why 2.4 GHz and UHF are not solving the same problem, why some "32-bit float" systems are just a 24-bit converter blown up, why the UHF band has nearly halved since 2012 and may not survive beyond 2031 – and why, even for visual people, the audio is often more important than the picture. To our pleasant surprise, this week's episode turned into an unofficial wireless audio masterclass!

 

This Episode is Sponsored by Hollyland. Check it out at 11:15

► Check out the Pyro S wireless video transmitter: http://cined.co/nImvmn

► Markus Warlich on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkusWarlich

 

Chapters in this Episode:

 

(00:00:00) Intro: wireless audio for camera people

 

(00:01:08) Welcome Markus Warlich from Sony Pro Audio

 

(00:02:18) From PA rental to Sony Pro Audio

 

(00:03:20) Why every camera operator now owns a wireless kit

 

(00:05:38) €150 vs €5,000 wireless: which system for which job?

 

(00:08:35) 2.4 GHz explained: shared spectrum and why your body blocks it

 

(00:12:06) Line of sight, frequency hopping and those 500 m range claims

 

(00:16:15) Branded transmitters and the hand-held vlogging trend

 

(00:18:39) How many channels fit in a room: 2.4 GHz vs UHF

 

(00:21:48) Latency: from 40 ms down to 1.1 ms

 

(00:25:15) Audio quality: the microphone is your lens

 

(00:28:30) Licensing: why 2.4 GHz won the consumer market

 

(00:30:50) When 2.4 GHz makes sense and when only UHF will do

 

(00:32:56) Trade shows, headphones and the pressure on the sound department

 

(00:36:56) Onboard recording, 32-bit float and the "save" trap

 

(00:40:39) Sony's lineup: ECM-W5, UWP-D and DWX – who needs what

 

(00:43:20) Why the ECM-W5 link is three times more stable

 

(00:46:06) What happened to the UHF band since 2012

 

(00:49:00) Spectrum crunch, frequency managers and military UHF

 

(00:52:30) Is your old UHF kit still legal?

 

(00:54:40) The World Radio Conference: why camera people should care

 

(00:58:58) WRC-27 and 2031: is 470–694 MHz at risk?

 

(01:01:48) Buying UHF today: which frequency range to choose

 

(01:03:44) Travelling with wireless: Europe, US, Japan, China and Israel

 

(01:10:57) ECM-W5: 32-bit float over the air, timecode and four channels

 

(01:15:52) Real vs "blown-up" 32-bit float

 

(01:17:02) Common wireless mistakes and learning your kit under pressure

 

(01:20:42) What 32-bit float fixes – and what it doesn't

 

(01:22:55) Hiding lav mics and MZed's 86-hour Cinema Sound course

 

(01:25:15) Handheld mic technique, spare mics and on-camera shotguns

 

(01:28:51) Why audio often matters more than the picture

 

(01:31:48) The next big change in wireless audio

 

(01:34:27) Where to find Markus and outro

 

Related reading on CineD:

Sony DWX Gen 4 Announced: https://www.cined.com/sony-dwx-gen-4-announced-dwt-b40-bodypack-with-32-bit-float-recording-dwr-r40q-4-channel-receiver/

Sony DWX Gen 4 Detailed (IBC interview with Markus): https://www.cined.com/sony-dwx-gen-4-wireless-system-detailed-32-bit-float-recording-1-1ms-latency-and-a-30-price-cut/

Sony ECM-W5 Announced: https://www.cined.com/sony-ecm-w5-wireless-microphone-system-announced-32-bit-float-via-mi-shoe-64gb-backup-recording-timecode/

Leave us a comment, email us at podcast@cined.com, and subscribe to Focus Check on your favourite podcast platform!

The Blackmagic Design price raise hits 36 products at once: the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP Plus alone jumps from about $13,000 to $20,000, with SMPTE 2110 converters, Cloud Store and HyperDeck recorders following – all blamed on memory costs. In the same breath, Blackmagic cuts DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 and its editing panels by 20% until November 20. And Getty Images, the biggest name in stock photography, is filing for bankruptcy protection.

• Hollyland sponsors this episode. Check it out at 11:54. 

Check out the Pyro S wireless video transmitter: http://cined.co/lwhjQk

 

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

 

(00:00:00) Intro

 

(00:01:03) FUJIFILM Fujikina NYC 2026 Program Detailed

https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-fujikina-nyc-2026-program-detailed-85-add-on-sessions-movie-stills-talks-short-film-screening/

 

(00:12:58) Blackmagic Design Raises Prices on 36 Products

https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-design-raises-prices-on-36-products-atem-2110-ip-converters-and-cloud-store-hit-by-memory-costs/

 

(00:14:42) Blackmagic Design Cuts DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 by 20%

https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-design-cuts-davinci-resolve-studio-21-by-20-panels-and-editor-keyboards-also-discounted/

 

(00:17:24) ArtCraft Releases Free Open-Source Adobe Alternatives

https://www.cined.com/artcraft-releases-free-open-source-adobe-alternatives-filmcraft-for-premiere-pro-effectcraft-for-after-effects-written-in-rust-with-ai/

 

(00:22:55) Poll: What Is Your Preferred Camera Form Factor?

https://www.cined.com/poll-what-is-your-preferred-camera-form-factor/

 

(00:31:17) A Pocket Camera at the Venice Film Festival

https://www.cined.com/a-pocket-camera-at-the-venice-film-festival-what-dji-wants-with-the-osmo-pocket-4p/

 

(00:39:04) LENSGO TCQI 8 Pocket Teleprompter for DJI Osmo Pocket 3/4 Introduced

https://www.cined.com/lensgo-tcqi-8-pocket-teleprompter-for-dji-osmo-pocket-3-4-introduced-8-inch-screen-magnetic-setup-bluetooth-remote/

 

(00:41:18) Getty Images to File for Bankruptcy Protection

https://www.cined.com/getty-images-to-file-for-bankruptcy-protection-debt-cut-private-ownership-no-change-for-contributors/

 

(00:44:53) Z CAM E2-F6 Pro Firmware 0.9.10 Released

https://www.cined.com/z-cam-e2-f6-pro-firmware-0-9-10-released-internal-prores-raw-6k-up-to-60fps/

 

(00:45:17) GoPro MISSION 1 Series Update Released

https://www.cined.com/gopro-mission-1-series-update-released-zero-lag-shutter-continuous-50mp-raw-photos-and-anamorphic-lens-support/

 

(00:48:55) SIGMA 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary for Nikon Z Mount Announced

https://www.cined.com/sigma-16-300mm-f-3-5-6-7-dc-os-contemporary-for-nikon-z-mount-announced-18-8x-zoom-ratio-12-magnification-6-stop-os/

 

(00:50:30) Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A Announced

https://www.cined.com/tamron-16-50mm-f-2-8-a-announced-constant-f-2-8-aps-c-zoom-305g-vxd-autofocus/

 

(00:51:45) Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD for Nikon Z Announced

https://www.cined.com/tamron-20-40mm-f-2-8-di-iii-vxd-for-nikon-z-announced-380g-full-frame-zoom-17cm-close-focus-vxd-linear-motor/

 

(00:52:46) Sony ECM-W5 Wireless Microphone System Announced

https://www.cined.com/sony-ecm-w5-wireless-microphone-system-announced-32-bit-float-via-mi-shoe-64gb-backup-recording-timecode/

 

(00:56:13) Sony ECM-AX10 Spatial Audio Microphone for Smartphones Announced

https://www.cined.com/sony-ecm-ax10-spatial-audio-microphone-for-smartphones-announced-four-capsules-ambisonics-and-binaural-eclipsa-audio-export/

 

(00:57:08) Accsoon CineView M7 Series Gains Community-Built Camera Control Apps for Selected Panasonic and Nikon RED Cameras

https://www.cined.com/accsoon-cineview-m7-series-gains-community-built-camera-control-apps-for-selected-panasonic-and-nikon-red-cameras/

 

(00:59:39) Red Bull Big Wave Surfing Review

https://www.cined.com/red-bull-big-wave-surfing-review-apple-immersive-film-puts-vision-pro-viewers-under-teahupoos-waves/

 

(01:02:00) SWIT K7 Monitor Introduced

https://www.cined.com/swit-k7-monitor-introduced-7-inch-2800-nit-touchscreen-sdi-hdmi-cross-conversion-dual-np-f-hot-swap/

 

(01:02:58) A Hand Inside the Monster

https://www.cined.com/a-hand-inside-the-monster-the-puppeteer-magic-in-film/

 

Leave us a comment, email us at podcast@cined.com, and subscribe to Focus Check on your favourite podcast platform!

Can you imagine stepping inside your camera — which is actually a tent — and seeing the very same sheet of material that captured the light hanging on a gallery wall as a photograph? In this special episode of Focus Check, Sony Alpha Rumor's runner Andrea Pizzini explains how he makes single, unrepeatable color photographs up to 127x220cm in size. The story behind the camera is a deeply personal one, and Andrea talks candidly about the events that led him to leave the project behind—and eventually return to it.

► Follow Andrea's project: andreapizzini.com

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

(00:00:00) Intro: Andrea Pizzini and the Cube camera project
(00:00:29) Running Sony Alpha Rumors, the world's biggest rumour site
(00:02:00) How it started: 43 Rumors and the mirrorless revolution
(00:03:21) Who is Andrea? From the Dolomites to documentary filmmaking
(00:05:43) A difficult childhood and the urge to get out
(00:07:40) Discovering cameras at the age of 12
(00:08:39) Twelve and a half years without sleep – and why the blogs saved him
(00:11:59) Meeting Christian Martinelli
(00:14:13) Building the Cube: a two-metre camera obscura
(00:15:32) Losing Christian
(00:16:52) Friends convince Andrea to rebuild the project
(00:18:57) How it works: lens, panel, paper and developer
(00:21:06) The giant Nikon process lens from eBay
(00:24:06) A focus system built by a former SpaceX engineer
(00:26:04) No pixels: how much resolution is in these images?
(00:27:29) The last photo paper left – and turning a negative into a positive
(00:29:58) Developing the image in 45 minutes
(00:30:42) Looking at the prints in the studio
(00:34:21) Artist or explorer?
(00:36:03) Finding peace through photography
(00:38:14) What if it becomes famous?
(00:40:55) The future of Sony Alpha Rumors
(00:41:50) Could it get smaller – or even shoot video?
(00:45:32) Stay true to reality
(00:47:07) A tribute to Christian: his developing machine
(00:49:55) Does the project have a name?
(00:50:20) Where to follow Andrea's project

Let us know in the comments below what you think of this special episode, or email us at podcast@cined.com. And don't forget to subscribe on your favourite platform!

Are modern sensors too clean? Johnnie argues that CCD cameras like the Digital Bolex had a character today's CMOS sensors lack, while Nino points to image science and noise reduction you can no longer switch off. Also this week: Nino's field test of the DJI SDR Transmission 2, Apple's redesigned Final Cut Camera 2.4 with manual aperture control for the iPhone 18 Pro, Huawei's clip-on Ruiying Z10 camera module for the Mate90 phones, another Sony FX5 delay, FUJIFILM's price increase in Japan, and Imaging World's move to Cologne.

This episode is sponsored by Hollyland Pyro S (sponsor message at 23:55).

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro
(00:56) Widescreen or not? Your feedback on our aspect ratio
(03:16) DJI SDR Transmission 2 field test
(23:55) Sponsor: Hollyland Pyro S
(24:47) Sony FX5 delayed again
(26:33) Apple Final Cut Camera 2.4 and Final Cut Pro 12.4
(32:29) Huawei Mate90 and the Ruiying Z10 clip-on camera
(39:15) Vivo X500 Pro, LOFIC and "are modern sensors too clean?"
(50:36) FUJIFILM raises camera prices in Japan
(53:00) Imaging World moves to Cologne
(57:37) RAW Supersampler for Nikon raw
(01:01:26) Panasonic LUMIX S9 firmware 2.1
(01:02:01) Lomography Joseph Petzval Métamorphose 35 f/1.8
(01:04:16) Godox Litemons SR20R
(01:05:41) SmallRig x CineD OrBrella campaign update
(01:07:49) FUJIFILM Fujikina NYC 2026
(01:10:08) SmallRig Autumn Sale
(01:10:59) Day-for-night: Sunlight in Disguise

All articles and links from this episode: https://www.cined.com/are-modern-sensors-too-clean-dji-sdr-transmission-2-field-tested-huaweis-clip-on-camera-focus-check-ep137/

Full disclosure: the DJI SDR Transmission 2 field test is a paid collaboration with DJI and not a review. The SmallRig Autumn Sale article is sponsored. The OrBrella is our own product, developed with SmallRig.

Send your questions and suggestions to podcast@cined.com, and watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQTktdMLtqnic6-qI28B774IC9xLMbKOG

DJI shipped more than 10 million handheld cameras last year – more than every CIPA camera maker combined. Together with Insta360, the company now ships more than twice as many cameras as the entire mirrorless industry. And in our Lab, the Sony FX5 just matched the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF for dynamic range. In this week's episode, Nino and Johnnie are back from IBC to go through the FX5 Lab Test, the ARRI-branded HONOR Magic9 Pro Max, Nikon’s Z5IIC, Meta’s VR Glasses, a SIGMA fp open-gate hack, the Chronos Q12, the big RØDECaster Video update, the crowdfunding launch of our OrBrella light, and more.

 

• OrBrella Crowdfunding Campaign: http://cined.co/OrBrella

• This Episode is Sponsored by Hollyland. Check it out at 13:57. 

Check out the Pyro S wireless video transmitter: http://cined.co/nImvmn 

 

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

(00:00:00) Intro

 

(00:03:25) Sony FX5 Lab Test: Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/sony-fx5-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(00:14:49) HONOR Magic9 Pro Max Launches

https://www.cined.com/honor-magic9-pro-max-launches-arri-co-branding-native-logc3-recording-dual-200mp-cameras/

 

(00:21:41) DJI and Insta360 Now Ship More Than Twice as Many Cameras as the Mirrorless Industry

https://www.cined.com/dji-and-insta360-now-ship-more-than-twice-as-many-cameras-as-the-mirrorless-industry-what-the-numbers-can-and-cant-tell-us/

 

(00:36:21) Nikon Z5IIC Announced

https://www.cined.com/nikon-z5iic-announced-24-5mp-full-frame-n-raw-to-sd-card-expeed-7-no-evf-for-1399/

 

(00:40:42) Meta VR Glasses Announced

https://www.cined.com/meta-vr-glasses-announced-100g-form-factor-5k-micro-oled-display-and-a-cinema-push-aimed-straight-at-apples-vision-pro/

 

(00:46:04) SIGMA fp Open-Gate Hack

https://www.cined.com/sigma-fp-open-gate-hack-3k-32-cinemadng-12-bit-raw-full-sensor-readout/

 

(00:52:50) Kron Technologies Chronos Q12 Launched

https://www.cined.com/kron-technologies-chronos-q12-launched-2313-fps-at-2560-x-2016-aps-c-global-shutter-12-bit-cinemadng/

 

(00:56:25) RØDECaster Video 1.4 Firmware Released

https://www.cined.com/rodecaster-video-1-4-firmware-released-4k-capture-mode-individual-ndi-outputs-rodecaster-sync-for-the-whole-range/

 

(01:04:20) Adobe After Effects AI Assistant Enters Public Beta

https://www.cined.com/adobe-after-effects-ai-assistant-enters-public-beta-whole-project-scope-expression-rigs-and-project-cleanup/

 

(01:08:02) SmallRig x CineD OrBrella Crowdfunding Now Live

https://www.cined.com/smallrig-x-cined-orbrella-crowdfunding-now-live-60w-bi-color-soft-light-foldable-15-second-setup/

 

(01:13:32) Blazar Remus II 50mm T2.4 1.5X Full-Frame Anamorphic Lens Introduced

https://www.cined.com/blazar-remus-ii-50mm-t2-4-1-5x-full-frame-anamorphic-lens-introduced-improved-sharpness-oval-iris-and-more/

 

(01:16:37) PMI Gear SmokeNINJA PRO V2 Explained

https://www.cined.com/pmi-gear-smokeninja-pro-v2-explained-aero-mesh-chamber-residue-free-vanishing-formula-auto-bubble-snow-nozzle/

 

(01:20:16) XLCS Designs STORMWARDEN Cage for the GoPro MISSION 1 PRO ILS Introduced

https://www.cined.com/xlcs-designs-stormwarden-cage-for-the-gopro-mission-1-pro-ils-introduced-one-piece-design-100-mounting-points-built-in-arca-base/

 

(01:23:34) DigitalFoto IRON Damping Magic Arms Introduced

https://www.cined.com/digitalfoto-iron-damping-magic-arms-introduced-5kg-vertical-payload-swappable-heads-sabertooth-clamp/

 

(01:25:01) DriveShelf for Mac Released

https://www.cined.com/driveshelf-for-mac-released-search-unplugged-drives-cross-drive-duplicate-finder-free-iphone-companion/

 

(01:27:03) CineVerse Roma Comes to Cinecittà Studios

https://www.cined.com/cineverse-roma-comes-to-cinecitta-studios-expo-floor-hands-on-tech-room-aic-imago-panels/

 

(01:28:31) Vimeo Short Film Grant Returns

https://www.cined.com/vimeo-short-film-grant-returns-300000-prize-pool-five-60000-awards-panavision-camera-packages/

 

(01:31:57) Calibrite ColorChecker Turns 50

https://www.cined.com/calibrite-colorchecker-turns-50-1976-macbeth-chart-24-patches-virtual-museum-and-challenge/

 

Let us know what you think in the comments below!