2011 looks to be an interesting year in the film and video business.  The pseudo-professional HDSLR fad has driven companies like Sony and Panasonic to develop cameras that take advantage of a 35mm sensor but allow a pro-user to have more flexibility in the choice of recording formats and outputs.  This is going to have an interesting effect on companies like AJA that already have reasonable outboard recording options.  Here are a few of the 3rd party recorders to keep in the back of your mind as you start building your 2011 gear budgets:

AJA KiPro Mini (MSRP – $1,994.95)

I’ve always been a big fan of AJA products.  I own an IoHD and was one of the first adopters of the original Io line back when we launched the Dallas Cowboy’s television channel.  The build quality of their products is always very solid and they deliver exactly what they promise.  Support is also always top notch.  The KiPro Mini looks to be a great option.  SD cards are a bit expensive and easy to lose but the cards made by more reputable manufacturers are very reliable.  The unit is designed to be mounted to the camera itself (mini mount plate not included – at least one required to mount ($75), optional flat mount stand available ($75)) and a user can record simultaneously to the KiPro Mini and the host camera.

• Records to Apple ProRes422 (HQ, LT, Proxy and Standard)
• Uses CF Cards (2 slots)
• Inputs: HDSDI, HDMI, Timcode, LANC, XLR (2)
• Supports 8 channel embedded SDI audio
• Standard 4 pin XLR power (from battery or supplied AC adapter)

Atmos Ninja (MSRP – $995)

This is an interesting product.  It definitely has a much more prosumer build (touch-screens with large icons just don’t seem to say “I’m a professional” to me…).  What catches my attention is that this unit is designed to use off the shelf hard drives in removable caddies.  It’s an interesting design decision – a decent 1TB SATA drive is less than $100 (compared to a 32 gig CF card for $100-$150).

• Records to Apple ProRes422 (HQ, LT, Proxy and Standard)
• Currently only HDMI (HDSDI option in the works)
• Uses off the shelf SATA drives in removable caddies

Convergent Design’s nanoFlash (MSRP – $2895)

nanoFlash has been around for a while and for a good reason.  It’s a small form factor unit that can fit just about anywhere.  It’s pricey, and it records to CF cards ($$) but it’s worth it if you need an ultra-portable recorder that isn’t locked to the ProRes codec.

• Records XDCAM HD 422 (I-Frame Only) at 100/140/160/220 Mbps, XDCAM HD 422 (Long-GOP) at 50/100/140/160 Mbps, XDCAM EX at 35 Mbps and IMX 422 (Standard-Def) at 50 Mbps
• Inputs: HDSDI, HDMI
• Records to CF Cards (2 slots)

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