ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder
- Price: $1,595.00
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
Remember the Essentials
A recording drive is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase a recording drive that best suits your needs.
Atomos Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder captures 10-bit HD resolution video directly from you HD camera and stores it to an internal 2.5" laptop drive. Images are captured using Apple's lossless ProRes codec and are ready to edit on Final Cut Pro or on a Windows machine equipped with the ProRes codec and a supporting NLE editor. Along with capturing video, the Samurai supports 12 channels of embedded SDI audio and also has 2 channel line in inputs as well as a single headphone output.
A high resolution 5" on-board monitor provides you with an accurate representation of what the camera is seeing, eliminating the need to mount an extra monitor. Touch screen controls - presented with large icons on an uncluttered interface - give you easy access to record and playback functionality as well as to the system's menu. Some of the advantages the Samurai has over the Ninja unit are timecode, genlock, and the ability to synchronize multiple units.
Samurai makes it easy to go from the capturing to the editing process. Once capturing is complete, simply remove the 2.5" SSD or HDD with its caddy from the recorder and place it in the included docking station which interfaces to the host PC via FireWire 800 or USB 3.0. A LANC connector lets you integrate the Samurai with cameras and devices that utilize the LANC communication protocol.
Samurai comes with 2 batteries that securely attach to the unit, but uses only one at a time. This way if one battery runs out, Samurai continues to operate on the other battery.
- Post Production Quality, 10-Bit Recording
- Samurai takes the uncompressed video output from your camera and, in hardware, encodes it in real-time to visually-lossless Apple ProRes, recognized across the industry as a class-leading codec for editing and post-production. Record direct from your camera's sensor electronics direct into super high quality Apple ProRes for the most streamlined, affordable Final Cut Pro workflow available today. 1
- A Pipeline to Your Timeline
- File-based production is all about efficient workflow, and Samurai takes the workflow to the camera - not the other way round. The Samurai's tight Apple ProRes integration means recorded footage is instantly and natively editable in Final Cut Pro. No need to waste time transcoding or converting from other camera formats. And remember - Apple ProRes is a better editing codec than long-GOP delivery or camera codecs like AVCHD or similar MPEG flavors. Samurai uses standard computer connections - FireWire 800 and USB 2 and 3 to give you total flexibility when connecting to your Mac or PC. Simply insert your Master Caddy into the Master Caddy Dock provided and you are editing instantly. You can also, of course, transfer the footage to your central SAN or LAN.
- Incredibly Low-Cost High-Capacity Storage
- Flash memory is fine for stills photography, but with High-Definition video, quality is compromised by the extreme compression needed to fit huge quantities of data onto tiny in-camera storage media. Professional storage media like SxS and P2 are simply too expensive to "use and forget", which means that you're never free to just work as you want to. Samurai liberates you from the financial and operational constraints of expensive Flash media by allowing you to use cheap, commodity storage available in any computer store: massive yet inexpensive traditional 2.5" Hard Disk Drives (Spinning Disks) for most projects and Flash- based SSDs for rough-and-tumble use. (Buying Flash memory in the form of SSDs is much cheaper than the equivalent memory size on in-camera flash memory cards). Using tried and tested storage guarantees performance and reliability. A 750GB/5400rpm drive holds up to 16 hours of high quality Apple ProRes footage and costs under $100.
- Recycle Older Cameras
- Samurai records direct from the HD-SDI output from your camera, so it doesn't care what format your camera is: whatever it receives through the HD-SDI connection it will record (with certain exceptions detailed on www.atomos.com). So if you've got an older camera with HD-SDI - just plug in a Samurai and bring it into the world of file-based production. You'll get better quality from your old camera than when it was new!
- Simple-to-use 5.0" Touchscreen
- Access all of the Samurai's operations via the fast, responsive touch interface. New features are easy to add with software upgrades. All the main functions are accessed through big, colorful icons. It's so simple, there's no need for complicated menus
- Continuous Power from Hot-Swappable Batteries
- Powering video devices on location is no longer a worry because the Samurai comes with 2 batteries, each capable of a minimum of 2.5 hours, and a combined maximum of up to 9 hours continuous operation when fully charged, depending on codec and screen use. Samurai has two battery compartments but only uses one at a time and switches to the second battery when the first is depleted. Simply swap batteries on the fly without stopping the production!
- Latching Batteries Safe and Secure
- Batteries are held in place on the outside of the Samurai. To ensure that they never come lose, Atomos has designed an ingenious latching system that holds batteries in place securely, but releases them instantly if you release the catch.
- Everything You Need
- Samurai works right out of the box - you can be using it within minutes! Samurai is supplied with everything (except storage media which is cheaper to source locally) in a tough professional carry-case. The Samurai, two Master Caddies ready to receive your storage media, a USB 2 + 3 + FireWire 800 docking station, two 2600mAH batteries and a smart battery charger, together with cables for connecting all of this together. There's no need for software drivers and no installation is necessary.
Go To
| Operating Power | Approx 6.8W (TFT max brightness, recording Apple ProRes HQ to Hitachi 7200 rpm 500G drive) / approx 3.3W (TFT max brightness, monitoring only) |
| Batteries |
2 x Small 7.4V 2600mAh - recording time
5 hrs HQ; 7 hrs 422; 9 hrs LT |
| Screen | Color 16:9 TFT Touch Screen |
| Screen Size | 5" / 12.7 cm (diagonal) |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 Native / 4:3 Letterbox (screen flipping enabled) |
| Video Input | DI SMPTE 259/292/296 Mini BNC (with BNC Adaptor cables) |
| Video Output | SDI Loop out |
| Input Formats | HD 1080i60, 1080i59.94, 1080i50, 1080p30, 1080p25, 1080p24, 1080p23.98, 720p60, 720p59.94, 720p50, SD 480i, 576i |
| Video Processing | 3:2 Pull-down removal. Double anti-shock buffer |
| Recording Time |
ProResHQ - 3 hours (HDD 300 GB), 5 hours (HDD 500 GB), 7.5 hours (HDD 750 GB), 77 min (SSD 128 GB), 2.5 hours (SSD 256 GB) ProRes422 - 4.5 hours (HDD 300 GB), 7.5 hours (HDD 500 GB), 11.5 hours (HDD 750 GB), 2 hours (SSD 128 GB), 4 hours (SSD 256 GB) ProResLT - 6.5 hours (HDD 300 GB), 11 hours (HDD 500 GB), 16.5 hours (HDD 750 GB), 3 hours (SSD 128 GB), 4.5 hours (SSD 256 GB) All video input formats supported |
| Audio Input |
SDI up to 12 Channel Embedded Line In 2 Channel Line Level Audio. Analog gain adjustment |
| Audio Output | SDI up to 12 Channel Embedded + 0.5W Balanced Headphone for onboard review (select any pair of channels) |
| LANC | LANC In and Out Loop for integration with Camera LANC and Accessories LANC Loop feature |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 5.5 x 3.43 x 1.61" (140 x 87 x 41 mm) - without batteries |
| Master Caddy | |
|---|---|
| Storage | 2.5" SSD or HDD minimum 5400 rpm Standard 9.5 mm height or slimmer drive supported |
| Master Caddy Dock | 2.5" SATA to Firewire 800, USB 2.0 / 3.0 |
| Supported Computers |
Mac - All MacBook, MacPro, iMac and MacPro Models
Windows All USB2.0/3.0 compatible Notebooks, and Desktops
1
Please Note:Apple ProRes Quicktime Application required to run Apple ProRes on Windows close |
| Applications | Final Cut Studio - All Apple ProRes supported versions Quicktime Mac and Windows |
| Dimensions | 2.95 x 4.13 x 0.47" (75 x 105 x 12 mm) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 14 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
86%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (12)
- Easy to set up (10)
- Large capacity / good size (8)
- Reliable (7)
- Sleek design (7)
Cons
Best Uses
- Movies (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (9)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (13)
Most Liked Positive Review
fantastic 10 bit 422 seamless
Works great with Sony F3. Only complaints are the holder for the disk is a little flimsy and the fit into the reader is difficult. You cannot use the monitor for more than general ...Read complete review
Works great with Sony F3. Only complaints are the holder for the disk is a little flimsy and the fit into the reader is difficult. You cannot use the monitor for more than general viewing, not critical focus so it does not replace another monitor or EVF. Overall it is very easy to use, consistent, and really improves the output of the camera.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Crashes, corrupts HDD, loses footage
I used this product to record two two-hour long live shows with a recommended harddrive. On the first show, it crashed within 20 minutes, corrupting the harddrive and destroying the footage. I updated ...Read complete review
I used this product to record two two-hour long live shows with a recommended harddrive. On the first show, it crashed within 20 minutes, corrupting the harddrive and destroying the footage. I updated the firmware and it repeated the process on the very next usage. I would never use this device again.
Reviewed by 14 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-14
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Unreliable
Best Uses
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
I used this product to record two two-hour long live shows with a recommended harddrive. On the first show, it crashed within 20 minutes, corrupting the harddrive and destroying the footage. I updated the firmware and it repeated the process on the very next usage. I would never use this device again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Reliable
- Sleek Design
Cons
- Charger could be better
Best Uses
- Broadcasting record
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
I use this instead of the AJA Ki-Pro. If records just as well, at less than half the price! Plus it has a monitor, sou you can use it as a portable HDSDI Monitor.
Very intuitive. Well designed.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Defective cables
Best Uses
- Door stop
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
Unit arrived with two very short mini-BNC to BNC cables. One did not fit the mini-BNC on the unit, the other connector broke right away.
It seems to me that if they are going to sell this product, they should at least provide working cables to connect it to the camera.
Returned it to B&H.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Sleek Design
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
Super easy to set up and use. The video through HD-SDI is very clean. Be sure to order extra caddies and especially a 1/4" mount to attach the Samurai to your camera.
I was not able to review files in the field as the unit would crash on playback. However all files played back fine when viewed via firewire on the laptop. I think this is fixed in the most current firmware update.
I pretested the unit with a Hitachi 750GB/7200rpm, but could "feel" the drive spinning and making a much louder spinning noise than I was comfortable with. I will be testing the recommended Hitachi 500GB/7200rpm drive later. However for run and gun work I would stay with the SSD drives.
Now we will see how the unit holds up over continued use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Buy your own SDI cable
Best Uses
- Quick Edits
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
I purchased the Atomos Samurai to go along with my Canon XLH1 camera. The quality is great but the big plus for me is the easy collection of shots I want. Just grab the clip and place into a timeline and I am done. I would like to buy a Atomos Connect when they come out to use my Samurai with my DSLR as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
Cons
- ONLY Battery Operated
- Poor Grounding
Best Uses
- Office
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
Great little in-line recorder, worked perfect for what we were trying to do. Wish it had an A/C in for use instead of swapping batteries - but it's continuous usage battery design is awesome.
Took a day or two to figure out: it's really sensitive to static shock. Even a small one from shoes built up on carpet would reboot the unit - easily avoided by wearing an anti-static bracelet or just grounding yourself to something else before touching recorder.
All in all, great purchase. I'd buy it again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Reliable
- Sleek Design
Cons
- No AC power supply incl
Best Uses
- Field Recording
- Television
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
Portable and easy to chage media storage - upgradable storage (unlike other devices).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Sleek Design
Cons
Best Uses
- Movies
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
Very intuitive and easy to use tool. I have not seen great difference in 35mbp mpeg and the prores coming out of samurai but I believe I have not test it yet in an environ that will stress the codec. In all I am pleased with the product. I use it with sony ex 1r.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Price
- Reliable
- Size
- Sleek Design
- Weight
Cons
Best Uses
- Movies
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
For the price, it's currently unbeatable. The little box does everything it is touted to do, and does it well. Constant firmware updates, and the ease of installing them, make this unit solidly reliable. And while ProRes is not my codec of choice, Atmos will soon offer a DNxHd upgrade. The Transfer of files from an installed drive, i.e. SSD, via Firewire 800 is quick, efficient and cost effective. The unit sits above my camera and adds very little extra weight. And the fact that it is self-powered negates the need for D-tap cables or other means of external power. However, Atmos does offer a D-tap cable for the unit. Considering the alternatives, unless you need 444 rather than 422,it would be hard to find a competitor.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Reliable
- Sleek Design
Cons
Best Uses
- Movies
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
This is a great - and intuitive - device that records Apple ProRes files directly onto a harddrive when you connect it to the SDI output on the Panasonic AF100. It is simple and easy to use, and it gives you the best quality video files that the camera is capable of recording. It interprets the 1080P/24P files through the SDI output set at 24PSF on the AF100 easily as 1080P/24P. You can choose to record the files in Apple Pro Res 422 or 422 HQ. There is also an upgrade that will enable you to record AVID DNX files. It is also a decent field monitor. I haven't tested it on cameras other than the Panasonic AF100 - but I bet it will do really well on other cameras as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Television
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
We purchased the Samurai the day it came out and it has not disappointed for one second. We take an HD-SDI output from an HD Tricaster and use this to record the program feed. The resulting Apple ProRes LT recording is pristine. The battery life is great and the SATA drives are simple to swap out and affordable. You may think the Samurai is a little pricey, but you pay for performance and convenience and this shines in both categories for sure. Highly recommended.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
energy efficient. small. light weight. works seemlessly with approved ssd drives. nice simple menu system gets the job done. im a big fan
Pros
- Cheap Media
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Reliable
- Sleek Design
Cons
- Needs a Sunhood
Best Uses
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
I was very happy with the package, all accessories are included, Cables, batteries, charger and the Mac/PC dock all in a pelican style case - very cool.
This product is very easy to use, I had it removing pulldown on my F3 and my EX3 in minutes and it start stops records from the HD-SDI time code like a remote! I can use this on any camera and have one codec.
I recorded to a 500GB Hitachi drive which was $45!, that means cents per gigabyte, cheaper than my old tapes.
The files have great colour compared to the internal recording and the time saving by going direct to ProRes HQ with no transcode time is a dream. The unit was smaller than I expected and doesn't weight much at all.
Could use a sun hood and a screen lock.
Very cool addition to my camera bag.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- High Capacity
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about ATOMOS Samurai HD-SDI Hard Disk Recorder:
Works great with Sony F3. Only complaints are the holder for the disk is a little flimsy and the fit into the reader is difficult. You cannot use the monitor for more than general viewing, not critical focus so it does not replace another monitor or EVF. Overall it is very easy to use, consistent, and really improves the output of the camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-14
Drives & Storage
Required item:
- Price: $77.24
- Price: $269.00
Estimated arrival at B&H is 7-10 days. Your order will only be charged at time of shipment.
Video Cables
-
- Original: $10.95
- Save: $1.09
- Price: $9.86
Power Accessories
-
- Original: $44.95
- Save: $4.49
- Price: $40.46
-
- Original: $49.95
- Save: $12.49
- Price: $37.46
This item is usually Drop Shipped from the MFR/Distributor within 7-14 days (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at the time of placing the order with the vendor. Item is non-cancelable and non-returnable.
Remote Controllers
- Price: $114.79
- Instant Savings: -$32.00 Offer ends JUN 30 '12
- You Pay: $82.79
In order for LANC control to work it must be looped through to the camera with a cable such as MA522SCA.
-
- Original: $9.90
- Save: $0.95
- Price: $8.95
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
Mounts
-
- Original: $39.95
- Save: $1.00
- Price: $38.95
Bags & Cases
- Price: $59.89
What's in the Box
- Universal Battery Charger 110-240V
- Carry Case
- 2 x HDD/SSD Master Disk Caddy with Screws for Fixing Disks
- 2 x 2600 mAh Batteries
- Docking Station (with Cables)
- 1-year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
