HD to SD conversion thing

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Hey All,

I am a new member to this forum so please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong thread. I need some clarification on HD to SD conversion issue in regards to the hvx200. I am about to start shooting some projects which are intended for broadcast television in my country. I must submit the final finished product on a dv tape. So, I would like someone to shed some light on some questions I have been considering...

1) Should I shoot in HD or DVC pro 50? my project requires a large amount of greenscreen work so whichever offers me a better way to get that done is fine by me
2) What would be the best way to do the downconversion? in camera? with a capture card like Kona?

I don't know whether this topic has already been convered. If it is has, I apologize. I would still love some answers though.

All the best to everyone.

[Jim Carswell]

Based on your description I would shoot in DVCPO50 since it brings 4:2:2 into the mix. HD does as well but since you are delivering SD just shoot DVCPRO50. If you do shoot HD and want to down convert I would recommend using the Kona 3 card. That's what I use with great success.

Those are my opinions. You may get some other thoughts from other forum members.
Jim

[ProfessorU]

Yes, I'm going to disagree with Jim. ;) My numbers are for NTSC but PAL is similar.

Your greenscreen will look better shot in 720 or even 1080. The vertical chroma resolution of DVCProHD will be 50% or 215% higher than DVCPro50. With DVCProHD 1080p you have more chroma data than 4:4:4 SD. Shooting in DVCPro50 is probably the minimum required for acceptable greenscreening, using 1080p will blow that away.
If your deliverables are MiniDV, any artifacts left from the chroma key will be too small to see. Also, the Kona might be overkill for that level of project. Real-time is great, but if you can be patient, just have it rendered in hardware and save some cash.

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[QUOTE
If your deliverables are MiniDV, any artifacts left from the chroma key will be too small to see. Also, the Kona might be overkill for that level of project. Real-time is great, but if you can be patient, just have it rendered in hardware and save some cash.[/QUOTE]

What kind of hardware would you suggest? There is a serious lack of professional equipment in the country so I would like to check if the equipment to do this is available. Are we talking a simple downconversion using a dvcam deck and firewire? or some kind of capture card as well?

[ProfessorU]

I use a PC platform but I'm sure Mac can do it too. I am always very happy with conversions done in After Effects, but most NLEs have basic conversion built in as well.
All of us would love to have a Kona, but hardware like that isn't cheap and isn't necessary to get an acceptable finished product.