HPX171 PAL - Recording Modes 576i

[NewHPXuser]

Hi

The viewfinder on this cam is a 4:3 aspect ratio and as pointed out in Barry's book this is ideal because it shows the image in a letter box mode and uses the extra space for information displays about the camera etc.

However, when I switch recording mode down to 576i the viewfinder is used in 4:3 mode and no longer letter boxed. My footage still appears to be recorded in 16:9 though (I think) - but I just wanted to check that it is (and it's not being stretched and I haven't noticed. Also any reason why it's showing me a 4:3 image in the viewfinder?

Also - a bit dumb but I'll ask anyway - when I connect my fluffy mic to the side using the supplied grips I can see it when the camera is in a wide shot - I've never attached a mic to the camera like that before and just wondered if that's normal and in those cases people just remember to zoom in a bit?

Thanks.

[NewHPXuser]

Bump!

Does no one know why the flip out lcd shows 4:3 aspect ratio in any 576i mode?

[Barry_Green]

Look at whether you're recording in "Norm", "Letterbox", or "squeeze". If you're recording in "norm" it'll use the full 4:3 frame. Letterbox and Squeeze will both display the same (16:9 within black bars) but only "squeeze" is delivering true full-resolution 16:9.

[NewHPXuser]

Barry

Thanks - glad I asked because I assumed it was 16:9 but showing 4:3 for some reason.

Is this covered anywhere in your HPX book - as I would have thought it would all be 16:9 I need to read about this.

But basically - I want 16:9 so I must just set it in Squeeze and then I get true 16:9?

[Barry_Green]

Yes, definitely covered in the book.

And yes, use "squeeze" to get full-res true 16:9 standard-def.