The ATOMOS Ninja Video Hard Disk Recorder captures real-time, high-quality 10-bit Apple ProRes video files with resolutions up to 1920 x 1080. Connect it to the HDMI output of your camcorder to bypass the camcorder's internal compression – you'll enjoy 4:2:2 capture at various selectable quality levels.
The Ninja features upgraded firmware. The Record button is bigger and therefore easier to press on the touchscreen. Navigation during playback is easier, and you can scrub through even the longest clips to find any given point quickly. These playback functions all operate independently of the camera, so you can review clips with an untethered Ninja.
The new firmware also features timecode support with time-of-day for multi-camera shoots, Record Run, Auto Restart, Set Start Point, Timecode from LANC (auto detect of drop frame timecode), and a Drop Frame Functionality. Just touch "Timecode" on the display to access these features.
The Ninja's color 16:9 TFT touchscreen has a resolution of 480 x 270, and it supports input formats up to 1080i and 1080p.
Any manufacturer-tested 750 GB, 5400 rpm storage drive (not included) can be used to hold almost 8 hours of the highest-quality ProRes HQ video. Solid-state drives are perfect for rugged recording conditions, while more affordable spinning hard disk drives can be used under normal circumstances. Hot-swappable 2.5" notebook HDD or SSD drives are housed inside one of the two included ATOMOS Master Disk Caddies, which slot into the Ninja Hard Disk Recorder.
The unique active/passive dual-battery system enables easy swapping of the batteries. This system lets the Ninja Hard Disk Recorder switch to a fully charged battery on the fly without affecting the operation. The Master Disk Caddy slots into the Master Caddy Dock, which features FireWire 800 and USB 2/3 connectors, for excellent flexibility when connecting to a MacBook, iMac, Mac Pro, or Windows machine. Recording ProRes files, the Ninja is a dual-platform device and compatible with any QuickTime-supporting NLE, including Apple Final Cut Pro X & 7.0, Adobe Premiere 5.0+, Grass Valley EDIUS 6.0, Sony Vegas 10, and Lightworks.
With its touchscreen monitor, the Ninja recorder allows you to execute its four main functions easily: Play, Stop, Record, and Monitor. Each function is easily accessible and clearly visible. For this version of the firmware, the Ninja's playback has been optimized so the recorder can display – smoothly, and at the full resolution of the Ninja's display – Play, Step, Fast-Forward, Fast-Fast-Forward, Fast-Rewind, and Fast-Fast-Rewind of the ProRes files that it's recorded.
The Ninja is constructed from lightweight, high-grade aluminum and provides easy access to batteries, connectors, and storage. It features a 3.5mm headphone (or line) out that enables you to monitor audio, and the 3.5mm line level audio input enables synchronized capture of dual-system audio. The disk recorder can be accessed remotely via its LANC loop.