Here we go again...

[Mac]

With the new catagory here, featuring the rumored and much anticipated HDX camera from Panasonic, the "which is better, this or that, mine or yours?" dialogue begins again! Am I the only one who feels that he's getting jerked around?

For the 1st 20 years of filmmaking experience I used the same equipment - shot with a 16mm Eclair ACL, recorded audio on a Nagra and edited on an upright Moviola - for film after film after film. Now it seems that every time I finish a project I have to consider buying new technology for the next one - whether its a computer (G3-G4- G5) or a camera. In the last year alone I've bought a DVX100A and an XL2 for two consecutive documentaries. (for the information of those interested, after considerable experience with both cameras, the XL2 is superior.)

I'm not complaining, really, because we have all reaped the benefits of technology that has freed us from that abominable BetaSP, which was admittedly a weight and resolution improvement over the hideous U-Matic - those were the days when "video" was a dirty word.

But, sorry manufaturers reps, I am not going to frantically rush out and buy a Sony or a Panasonic HDV anything for my next film. I am extremely pleased with what I've got.

I took footage from the XL2 and the DVX (on DVD) to a high-end home theater store (I know the owner) and we did a side-by-side comparison with the DVDs he regularly uses to show off his equipment. The stuff from the Canon was indistinguishable (resolution wise) from the 16x9 HD footage except in wide shots - and the cine settings and 24p of both the XL2 and DVX were far more pleasing looking. Sure, there's more aliasing, but you've really got to be looking for it - and I tend to watch stories, not resolution...

Bottom line - both of these cameras take great pictures and that is good enough for me until this whole format thing stabilizes... If it ever does...

(And, no, I am not going to post footage - I don't have time or energy for that. I may post dates when something is being broadcast nationally.)

[navitas]

I quite agree. The same thing is with computers. The power grows and grows... and finally we reached the level where a writer uses for work computer with 2GHz proccessor and 512MB of ram...

It's funny really. Because in 4-5 years we will probably see proffessional 3ccd cameras everywhere and it will be impossible to buy a 1ccd camera to record footage from vacation :)

and then hdv and so on and so on... Around that time we will be using dvx9000000a with a phonomenal resolution 7200x4080....

Anyway I hope maybe we will reach a satisfying level someday...
//but then we will think of something else. probably...

To sum up :) I think that the bigger our expectations are the better product we will be offered. I mean 10 years ago it was impossible to fill up 1GB hard drive. Now I've got 400GB and I'm almost full...

[johnnyspacecommand]

This is a "toys" board, where people talk about their toys. Nothing wrong with that..It's all an effort to hope that someday there will be an affordable camera that looks exactly like film with its unmatched resolution, latitude, and dynamic range...But then again, I have seen plenty of bad looking movies on film stock, and plenty of crappy movies on 35mm film that belong on that rotten tomatoes website.

The XL2 fitted with the right lenses and with all the cine modes switched on similar to the "Technicolor" settings of Barry Goyette yields better footage than the DVX100a by virtue that it is identical with higher resolution.

However, rest assured that Canon will have an HD, then JVC, then Pana, then Sony, then endless infinite ad infinitum, until the day that everyone who used to have a video camera is working in real film.

[MattC]

Or until everyone who used to have a 35mm film camera is working in some form of "video". ;)

[Isaac_Brody]

(for the information of those interested, after considerable experience with both cameras, the XL2 is superior.)

C'mon. That's not necessary. These are just tools. And they're only as good as the people operating them.

[MattC]

Hey Mac, since you're a "mac guy" can I assume that you're editing on Final Cut Pro? If so I have a question.

I'm shooting native 16:9, 24p Advanced Pulldown. I am able to bring in my 24p footage into a 24p timeline in Final Cut Pro HD and all works well when displaying in my editor. The pulldown seems to work fine and my image is displayed in the proper ratio, albeit with black bars top and bottom (as opposed to just seeing a 16:9 sized quicktime window) which I guess makes sense for working in the editor.

My problems arise anytime I try to export this footage. I can't seem to export it properly. Every time I export (using both quicktime and compressor) It "squeezes" my footage, so that, the candlestick on the table is now about twice as "fat" as it should be. On top of this the black bars are still there, in many cases covering an even greater area.

I did not experience this problem when shooting in 24p (2:3), although I still did have the black bars, so my thought is that I'm selecting the wrong conversion filter but for the life of me I cant figure out the right way to this with these settings on this camera.

Could you please be so kind as to tell me how to get my exported footage to be displayed properly, in the right aspect ration and without the bars (in quicktime, I understand that when played on a 4:3 television the black bars will be added).

Thanks in advance!!

Matt

[Mac]

To mattc - sorry, but I've actually never tried to export an advanced pull down file using QT, in fact, since I produce for TV, I only use the std 24p which I output directly to a DSR 40... I'm sure someone here must have the anwer to your problem...

to isaac brody - stating that the XL2 is superior to the DVX is not meant to denegrate the Panasonic cameras. they are excellent and the cine image may in fact be slightly better - my comment is based on personal experience (shooting a film, not shooting tests) and overall use - 16x9, the lens (I use the excellent 16x manual), ergonomics (I handhold 90% of the time) and drop outs (many with the DVX using high end Panasonic tapes, virtually none with the XL2 using Sony PDVM-40Ns). Hey, I still own a 100A with an anamorph, Chroziel matte box, Century focus adapter and don't intend to sell it - just for those considering one over the other, I recommend the Canon.

I do, admittedly, wish I could break out a hacksaw and cut the best parts off all these cameras and make one perfect one... FrankenDV.

As I said originaly, until some manufacturer essentially makes that camera - practical HD 16x9 format (hopefully Panasonic), interchangeable long focal length manual lens (Canon), extensive cine settings (Panasonic), well balanced ergonomics (Canon), logically placed controls (Panasonic), zero drop outs (Sony), I'm keeping what I've got.