For the record, the memory cards do NOT need to be removed from the D800 in order for it to output a full 1080p signal via HDMI. I realize the confusion lies in the fact that Nikon has perpetuated this information themselves, along with the fact that the D4 (as far as I could tell) DOES require the removal of all media. Still, it's wrong. ;)

Saw this over on:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/atmos_ninja_2_review.shtml

You can google for ninja 2 review luminous landscape to find this if the link gods punish me.

"Many cameras allow shooting to the built-in card and simultaneously to an external device via HDMI. This means an in-the-field real-time back up. Critical for unrepeatable and once-in-a-lifetime events. (The Nikon D800/e requires that you remove any cards from the camera when attaching an HDMI recorder, so that backup plan is scratched. The Ninja 2 will be your sole recording."

Is this true and does it help solve some of the issues here? Perhaps the D600 works the same way.

Ahh, I just remembered the HDMI output settings. What do you have them set to? Go to the Setup Menu (the wrench) > HDMI > Output Resolution. Also, what monitor are you using?

I have set my output resolution to Auto, as per Atomos' recommendation (also supported by Nikon). When I am plugged into my SmallHD DP6 OR my Ninjas, I find that as soon as I engage internal recording, the external flashes, then comes back in the exact same aspect ratio, with the exact same framing as the prior feed, only that it jumps from 1080p to 720p. It's also worth noting that the "Output Resolution" settings don't seem to make a difference on these two units. They both pull the feed as noted above when I am in live view, with or without recording being engaged.

Also, be sure your HDMI > Advanced > Live view on-screen display is set to "OFF", unless you require these settings on your monitor.

I would love to be able to replicate your behavior. If these suggestions offer no help, can you by chance upload a quick Vimeo or Youtube clip showing what happens on both the D800 monitor and the external monitor when you are in live view, then engage recording?

Thanks for the reply.

The 5-10 second preroll is a problem as the main thing I'm working on is shooting surfing which due to the unpredictability of waves means in order not to miss the beginning of the ride, I'd essentially have to be rolling the entire session which complicates things more with huge wastes of battery and memory.

Furthermore, from what I can tell, when recording internally the HDMI signal drops to 480p in a 4:3 format. This is more of a nuisance as I'm setting up the shot with 720P in 16:9 wide format, so when the video cut out / come back happens, I'm not viewing a different aspect ratio video. Depending on what setting I choose, I can either zoom into a 480p square with letterbars, or I can view a significantly stretched wide picture. At the end of the day, starts to make the benefit of the larger monitor not worth the hiccups and concessions in other quality regards.

Is it possible that this is actually how Nikon envisioned the video working on these cameras? I feel like since they've been marketing the magic of the video function that this can't possibly be the case (however my testing seems to be telling me otherwise).

Has anyone seen a successful setup with a monitor on the D800/600? Perhaps a recommended settings / workflow?

Thanks!

I just checked the D600. Same behavior, even when the menus are up. I was hoping that might behave more like you are hoping for.

As for the feed cutting out, I am not aware of a way around this. I do know (as far as my devices are telling the truth) that the D800 outputs a full 1280x720 stream when a card is in the camera AND it is recording internally. I don't think the D800 offers any way to output a stream smaller than 720.

Is there no way you can begin recording to card 5-10 seconds before the shot so you are set when the action is happening?

I apologize in advance if this has been covered, but I've done a lot of searching and haven't found a solution to this problem.

Looking for some advice on using an external monitor with a D800 while recording to internal cards. I'm using the monitor as a field monitor on location with sports, and not set up to use an external recorder.

Video on the monitor looks great when in live view mode, but when I press record the video cuts out as the camera is now sending a smaller video format and the monitor takes a few seconds to adjust to the new stream. I understand that its a known feature/issue with the camera as Nikon quotes it as "less than 1280x720". I'm trying to find a way for the video not to cut out to the monitor - even if I have to set it up for a smaller resolution like 480p. Has anyone had any success with this? Seems like a bit of a crippling feature - I remember the Canon 5D having the same issue, but thought they fixed that in following models and I'm surprised that there's a chance Nikon instituted the same issue with the D800.

Any advice is well appreciated.