Placement and function of parts

Hardware

Ovide Koko rear panel

Power

  1. Power button: Press and hold to turn the unit on or off. Koko always starts in Rec mode.
  2. DC power connector: Connect the DC power supply to this jack for mains power.
  3. Battery slot: Attach V‑Mount, Gold Mount or B‑Mount type batteries (depending on your Koko’s battery mount version).

Video

  1. 12G-SDI 1 & 2 inputs
  2. 12G-SDI 3 & 4 inputs or outputs: Bidirectional 12G-SDI connections, you can assign those as inputs or outputs.
  3. 12G SDI 5 & 6 outputs

Media & Audio

  1. Audio in/out: Multipin analog audio input/output.
  2. Earphones: 3.5mm jack output connector

Data & Storage

  1. SSD slot: Insert your SSD with the branding facing outwards, disk should align just below the arrows, push it until you hear a click sound. To remove it, just pull it out.
  2. USB: Connect your USB keyboard here.
  3. Ethernet port (LAN): Connect your Skaarhoj remote control here.

Main screen

Gestures

Tap Icon Tap: Main gesture for all buttons

Tap Icon Swipe right/left: Used to scroll on the playback slider, hide lateral bars, settings like zebra…

Play Mode

Rec Mode

First use & Best practices

Format the SSD

These are the first steps you should follow for an optimal performance of your Ovide Koko.

You will need a SSD (not included) to use in Koko.

We only recommend Samsung EVO units due to low performance issues on other brands.

Advice: To ensure top SSD performance, format the SSD drive in Koko (not in a computer). It will make sure all blocks are consistently erased for sustained performance while recording. Formating in a computer is usually only fast erase which leads to a slower drive while recording. If the SSD it’s not in exFAT, Koko will ask you to format it with the folder structure needed for a reliable performance. s

  1. When introducing the SSD, a pop-up will be shown to format in exFAT (only when the SSD introduced is not exFAT-formatted)

  2. Tap on “Format” button.

  3. Write “FORMAT” to confirm.

    Caution: all of the disk contents will be lost.

    After formatting the SSD Koko will prompt you to reset the metadata, in case you’re starting a project for scratch.

Firmware Update

  1. Visit www.ovidesmart.com/ovide-koko/firmware-user-guide/ and download the .omfw (or its zipped version)

  2. Copy the OMFW file (unzip if necessary) to the folder DCIM/FIRMWARE/ of the SSD.
    Please remember to have only one firmware file in the SSD.
    When Koko is on FW 1.4 or earlier, firmware file will have to be copied in the SSD root.

  3. Turn Ovide Koko on.

  4. Insert the SSD into Koko.

  5. Wait for the progress bar to finish and restart the device.

  6. Do a factory reset after installing this firmware (Settings/Factory reset)

Inputs & Outputs Settings

  1. Connect the camera/s to inputs 1 to 4 (remember, inputs 3 and 4 are bidirectional)
  2. Connect the monitors to outputs 3 to 6 (remember, inputs 3 and 4 are bidirectional)

  3. Tap inputs or inputs on the top left corner to open the pop-up and designate all inputs and outputs

  4. To enable PsF inputs, enable the PsF settings. If PsF support is not needed, disable it.

    Pulldown removal is used for legacy cameras that use 24p over 30p.

Understanding Koko’s video genlock and frequency

When in Rec mode, one of the inputs will be used as genlock for both Koko’s display and all SDI outputs. Koko will try to genlock to the lowest available SDI number (e.g. SDI1 first, then SDI2, etc.).

Once genlocked, Koko’s display and all SDI outputs will sync to it — losing the genlock input will cause a drop in both the display and all SDI outputs. This will not affect the recording.

All SDI outputs will run at the same frequency as the genlock input. Any video in a different format will be converted when sent to an SDI output. As there is no temporal interpolation, there may be slight video stuttering when mixing formats — 25p being the most apparent. Recording always matches the original format.

Working mode

Modes: Rec & Play & Live Switching

Koko has 3 working modes: UHD Mode, HD Mode and Live Switching Mode

On all of them you can record and playback.

HD mode will allow the recording and playback up to 4 simultaneous video signals matching in framerate and resolution.

Liveswitching mode allows you to record and mix up to 4 HD video inputs tapping the views with your finger. This will record all the independent inputs as clips and a new “Program” clip will be created with all the camera cuts. Moreover Koko will create a XML file compatible with most edit suites so you can later fine-tune those edits. The resulting recording will appear labeled as PGM in Koko’s browser, along with its independent camera clips.

Recording example:

Playing example:

Live Switching example:

On Liveswitching mode SDI 3-4-5 are selectable and SDI 6 is always PGM output.

Clip or Sessions recording

Koko has 2 working modes: Play & Rec. When Koko turns on, it’s set in Rec Mode.

Koko can record single camera clips or synced multiple camera clips (Sessions). Sessions allow you to playback up to 4 synced cameras.

  1. Select the views you want to be recorded from the Rec Selector icon.
  2. Tap Rec Icon on the Main Menu (lower left corner) or use the SDI Rec Trigger Flag many cinema cameras use

SDI Rec trigger feature can be switched in Koko’s settings topbar by tapping on Camera Icon

NOTE:
Koko will record a Session with a synced recording only if frame rates between views match. Otherwise Koko will record separate clips and won’t be able to sync them, however you will be able to play them individually.

In/Out segments and markers in Sessions will be common for all the clips included in that session and will be edited as a Session, not for individual clips in playback mode. In/out segments and markers in individual clips can be edited in playback mode.

Do not eject the SSD while Recording/Playing/Aborting/Deleting.

Sessions playback

As a default, Koko will play all the clips in a session, being it 2-3-or up to 4 views but playback cameras can be selected in the browser by tapping on them.

After a synced recording (Session) you can just tap on  for a playback of the last recording or select the views from the browser.

Koko is able to playback up to 4 views created as a Session.

  1. Tap on Folder Icon to open the “Clip Browser” window
  2. Select “Sessions” tab
  3. Each recorded sync session will be composed of at least 2 views. Select the views you want to play.
  4. Tap on Play Icon next to each session

NOTE:
Thumbnails appearing might take some time, as the Koko needs to create them. A fresh-formatted SSD will create thumbnails quickly but a SSD already populated with clips will take some time for the Koko to create those thumbnails.

Sync playback only applies to multi camera Sessions. Independent clips can’t be played in sync with other single recordings.

Number of views

Koko can display 1 (fullscreen), 2 (dual) o 4 (quad) video layouts.

Remember: When a view is selected in standby the clip will be framed in white. When it’s not selected it won’t be framed. When in rec, the view will be framed in red.

Rec Selector

Selects the views you wish to record and shows which state is each one (play, rec or standby)

Camera Icon Quad view: When 3 or more SDIs inputs are set to input

Camera Icon Dual view: When 2 or less SDIs inputs are set to input

Each rectangle will be coloured according its state. When a view is selected it will be framed in:

  • White: Selected
  • Grey: Not selected or no signal
  • Red: Recoding
  • Green: Playing

Some multiview icon examples:

4 views - 1 recording  Camera Icon  1 view playing

View Selector

View button: Tap on the view button to select the LCD layout from quad (or dual if 2 inputs are selected), or single fullscreen views.

Circle colour will be coloured in red (recording) or green (playing) according which mode we are on.

Some “View” button examples:

Quad view on rec mode button 1 view on rec mode button Dual view on rec mode button 1 view on Play mode button Dual view on play mode button

Interface Overview

Topbar

Shows information such as connected inputs & outputs, text messages, play mode and includes a few buttons.

Topbar on Play Mode

Topbar on Rec Mode

Inputs Icon Outputs Icon Inputs & Outputs: Indicates how many SDI inputs and outputs are set up. On tap, opens inputs/outputs settings window.

Outputs Icon SSD: Displays SSD remaining rec time according to selected inputs.

Play Mode area: Indicates active play modes. On tap, opens Play Mode options window.

Outputs Icon Speed: Sets play speed (×1 / ×2 / ×4)

Outputs Icon Loop / Pong: Plays clip on loop or pong mode

Outputs Icon Play all (grey): Plays entire clip without considering segments (in/out)

Outputs Icon Play all: Plays all segments in the clip (multiple in/out in a clip)

Outputs Icon Play reverse: Sets playback in reverse (audio will be muted)

Outputs Icon Play one: Plays just the selected segment

Outputs Icon Toolbar button:  Focus, false colour, zebra, waveform, histogram, vectorscope, LUT’s.

Outputs Icon Settings button: System info, reset settings, abort button, format SSD, date and time, import, audio and network.

Outputs Icon Fullscreen button: Hides top and side bars, main toolbar is the only one remaining. On fullscreen, tap on  to show all menus.

Tools Menu

Tap on Outputs Icon button to open “Tools menu”

Outputs Icon LUT: Koko can apply a LUT to each input and for the LCD. Load the desired LUT files in a folder named LUTs (root DCIM/LUTs/) in the Koko’s SSD; once inserting it in the Koko, LUTs will be loaded into the device and you will be able to select them in the LUT menu. LUTs will stay in the Koko even if you eject the SSD.

Outputs Icon Focus

Outputs Icon False colour

Outputs Icon Zebra

Outputs Icon Waveform

Outputs Icon Histogram

Outputs Icon Vectorscope

Outputs Icon Spotmeter: Shows 8 spots that can be moved around the display. In the bottom toolbar you will see the RGB and luminance values of these pixels. Spot meter shows RGB values and also IRE % (legal and full range selectable by the user). Alternatively you can select Sensor Mapping on video tools settings to read Arri Alexa Log C4 values from the camera sensor (more options in the future).

Outputs Icon Settings: Open settings pop-up to configure each one of the image tools.

Settings menu

Tap on Outputs Icon button to open “Settings menu”

Outputs Icon System info: Shows Koko’s information such as serial number, firmware version, temperature sensor, USB version, etc.

Outputs Icon Reset: Allows to reset your Koko to factory settings. However, SSD won’t be erased. LUT files will remain in the Koko unless you manually delete them. A first pop-up will be shown on taping the option, after, a second one will be shown to double-check the action.

Outputs IconAbort button options: Enables or disables the “Abort rec” button on the Main Toolbar. When enabled, “Abort Rec” button will delete the current recording. Take counter will not consider this aborted recording.

Outputs IconFormat SSD: Opens a pop-up to format the SSD, after, a second pop-up is shown to double-check the action.

IMPORTANT: Ovide Koko only supports SSD drives in exFAT format.

 Date & Time: Shows and changes Koko’s date, time and time zone. To set time/date tap on a number and drag your finger up/down the touchscreen or tap on to open the timezones map.

 Display: Adjusts Koko’s brightness, contrast and backlight. Display settings have a basic and an advanced tab. Under Basic you can adjust Brightness, Contrast and Backlight and under Advanced you can adjust the RGB Gain and Bias.

Audio: On the first tab, you can adjust connected earphones volume, the second tab configures audio inputs via SDI or analog, in this case, you can also define the analog gain (third tab). On the fourth tab you can select the audio source for all outputs (all SDIs, analog out and earphones).

Network: IP Network configuration settings.

 Record settings:

  • Mode: UHD or HD mode allows selecting the resolution the Koko will record in. Select UHD for 2160p or HD for 1080p footage. UHD accepts just 1 video input on SDI1 and outputs 4 UHD signals on SDI 3-4-5-6.
  • Trigger: When on, Koko will start/stop the recording of the selected views when the camera sends the SDI Flag. Then all selected views will be in sync. Keep in mind the first rec trigger from a camera of an enabled view will start the recording for all selected views to create a sync session. The last stop from the selected cameras will stop the session so all the clips are the same duration and can be synced. A rec trigger of a non selected view won’t take any effect.
    Rec trigger on play mode enabling will give priority to the SDI flag coming from a camera so the Koko will exit playback mode and start a recording rightaway when a camera starts a take.
  • Codec: Choose the desired ProRes format. Koko estimates available SSD time according to selected format and number of active views.
  • Timecode: Select the timecode option desired for your recording. VITC will acquire the timecode of the 1st input.

 Appearance settings: Choose the menu color, choose wether to see the CMF, the timecode and the font size of the on-screen text.

Main Toolbar

Rec Mode

Global Rec / Global Stop: In “Rec mode” will record selected views. When in play mode, will switch to “Rec Mode”.

Displayed view/s: Shows which view/s you are currently seeing.

In/Out:  Adds in/out markers in the clips. Multiple in/out markers can be added, moved or deleted.

Marker: Allows adding markers for an easier navigation.

 Browser: Opens/Closes the clip browser.

  Abort: Cancels recording and erases the current clip (only on Rec Mode). “Abort” is an option you can enable in the “Settings menu”.

Aborting recordings will scatter your SSD with semi-available clusters which need to be resetted before they can be rewritten. So if disk needs to use those sectors while recording, you are hitting the edge of the disk performance.

Keep in mind aborting is a very demanding task and will take some time before you can hit record again.

Play Mode

 Back to rec: Tap to go to Rec Mode.

Play/Pause: If you are in “Rec mode” and tap , Koko will play the last clip for the selected view. In case you were on quad view, it will play last recorded clip on View 1.

Displayed view/s: Shows which view/s you are actually seeing in the display.

 Play Mode: On tap, opens Play Mode options window (speed, loop/pong, reverse or single/all).

In/Out: Adds and removes in/out indicators to make segments in the clips. Set an outpoint at the same position as an inpoint to remove an in/out marker or a segment.  Jump between in/out segments using arrows.
In/out segments in clips that are part of a session can be edited in playback and will affect all the clips of the session. You won’t be able to edit segments just in one clip if it was created in a synced recording.

Markers: Adds and removes markers in the clips.  Jump between markers using arrows.

 Browser: Opens/Closes the clip browser in the SSD. Use the slider and arrows to move across pages within the browser and select or clear filters.

Filter: Filter out clips by Roll/Scene/Shot/Take/Rating.

Search clip (in browser’s pop up): Select the search method for finding files in the browser, by CMF or filename.

Rename (in browser’s pop up): You can rename clips in case you need to (one at a time). Clip renaming won’t affect their session details or metadata, so if it was recorded in sync with other views, it’ll still be part of that session and will play in sync with it’s partners.

Delete clips/sessions (in browser’s pop up): Deleting a clip can be done in the browser by tapping on on “Select”, selecting the clips you wish to delete, and then tapping on . This will prompt a confirmation message before deleting the clip.
Manually deleting clips will degrade SSD performance.

Prev/Next clip: Play prev/next clip/session.

Sidebars

Each sidebar controls and informs about the clip on its side:

  • Background colour shows if its clip is recording (red), playing (green) or in standby (black)
  • Controls the clip on its side (rec, stop, play, pause)
  • Metadata: Shows and edits roll, scene, shot, take and rating

 

Edit metadata

Some metadata fields can be linked with other views so editing metadata for different cameras that share information is much quicker. Moreover metadata in the Koko is now read in QTAKE.

NOTE: Metadata can’t be edited while the Koko is recording.

USB Keyboard

Plug a USB keyboard* to trigger some functions or write confirmation words such as “RESET” or “FORMAT”. The available functions are:

Keyboard key

Function

1

Rec view 1

2

Rec view 2

3

Rec view 3

4

Rec view 4

R

Global Rec

Ctrl+L

Toggle rec selector menu

Spacebar

Play/Pause/Play last

Side arrow

Frame by frame playback

Ctrl + Side arrow

10 frame skip playback

Alt+1

Playback speed ×1

Alt+2

Playback speed ×2

Alt+4

Playback speed ×4

Ctrl+Spacebar

Changes playback direction

I

Segment In

O

Segment Out

J

Add Marker

S

Shows SDI Interfaces

F1

Focus Assist

F2

False Color

F3

Zebra

F4

Waveform

F5

Histogram

F6

Vectorscope

F7

Spot Meter

Up arrow

First page of browser

Down arrow

Last page of browser

Ctrl+1

LUT View 1 Enable/Disable

Ctrl+2

LUT View 2 Enable/Disable

Ctrl+3

LUT View 3 Enable/Disable

Ctrl+4

LUT View 4 Enable/Disable

Enter

Confirms textbox

Esc

Closes current panel

NOTE: In case your Koko’s USB is not enabled** you can activate it following the next steps:

1. Make sure your Koko is on Firmware version 1.5 or later before going through this process or download and install the latest release www.ovidesmart.com/ovide-koko/firmware-user-guide/

2. Download the ‘Koko_USB_###.omfw’ firmware and copy it to Koko’s SSD formatted drive. Copy the firmware to the /DCIM/FIRMWARE folder.

3. Insert the SSD into Koko, wait for the firmware update to complete and reboot. If you successfully enabled the USB capabilities in the “Info menu” will state USB 1.00 or later.

4. You can now connect a USB keyboard.

 

*Keyboards with built-in hubs (multiple USB ports) or Apple keyboards are not supported.

**Serial numbers between 23C0133 and 23D0452 may need a minor hardware update

Skaarhoj Remote Control