DVCPRO 50 vs. SD uncompressed

[Zot]

So the question is this. I'm shooting DVX100 of course, but afterwards I would like to color correct. What to do?

Originally I was thinking I would do it in the 8-bit or 10-bit uncompressed SD mode to be as refined as possible. I understand that I wouldn't be gaining resolution, but would be gaining the 4:2:2 color sampling that is available in SD. However, I noticed that DVCPRO 50 as well as the new Panasonic HD format (supported in FCP HD) also offer this latitude while remaining a purely digital format with a far more comfortable compression ratio. In addition they each offer a native digital tape format.

Am I missing something? Is this how I should proceed? If it is, would it be to my advantage to start the project in one of these modes? Is it even possible to capture DV to a DVCPRO project? Or should the final edit be converted to the higher format and then color corrected? Thanks.

[MichaelP]

DV50 is still a compressed format when compared to uncompressed SD. What you gain is the 4:2:2 color space so you have more control over the color correction. DV50 and DVCPRO HD are both 8 bit formats.

Depending on the type of color correction you are planning on doing, working in native DV25 may be fine (the extra control you get with 4:2:2 comes in handy with secondary style color correction). I would suggest going to uncompressed SD as a next step.

Michael

[Mike_Donis]

Michael, just for my information, what exactly is Secondary Style colour correction?

Thanks,
-MIKE