When recording directly into FCP can you use 720p60 and 1080i?

[seanconneryismydad]

Someone told me that you can't use these options unless you record onto a p2 card. Is that true?

 

[THoff]

The only modes you cannot record through the DV port are the native modes (i.e. those where the HVX doesn't record duplicate frames), because in native modes no data goes out the port to begin with.

 

[Barry_Green]

Is that true?

Of course not, you can record those and all other modes (except 720pN) direct to computer.

 

[seanconneryismydad]

I found a place that rents p2 cards fairly cheap, so I'm thinking about renting 24, and 4 80gb store.

What resolution should I film in? This is for a live wrestling show.

 

[THoff]

What resolution should I film in?

Depends on how you output, but my suggestion would be 720P, or 720PN so you can use overcrank and get slow motion video -- I know some wrestling moves and takedowns are extremely fast.

 

[seanconneryismydad]

Would 1080p24 not be the best mode to shoot in? I just want the best quality! I'm going to put this on DVD soon, but I also want to release this on HD-DVD or Blu Ray in the future when those become more available. Thanks for all the help.

 

[THoff]

For anything involving fast motion, I'd shoot 30fps, not 24. Film cadence is not relevant for sports, smooth motion is.

My personal preference would still be 720P over 1080i. Please note that there is no 1080p recording format because there is no 1080p broadcast format. The HVX CCD images progressively, but it still needs to create interlaced output.