A1 HDV vs. Uncompressed Color

Elton

Elton

Veteran
Just out of curiosity I shot a simple test today comparing the color sampling of the A1's HDV codec vs. the uncompressed 4:2:2 output of the live component HD analog signal.

I captured the analog signal through the camera's D4 component cable connected to the KonaLH card/FCP combo, and recorded with the Sheer lossless HD codec. I rolled HDV simultaneously.

Will have grabs soon
 
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The short of it: differences are much more subtle than you would think.

Edit: DNS issues with the server. Should be up sometime today or tomorrow.
 
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Now this I am very excited to see. By chance would you have some footage that is very detailed, complex and contains a lot of movement?


Barlow Rocks...
 
These are uncorrected btw. There is a slight brightness difference between the two for some reason. You'll especially notice it in the reds.

HDV:

1168189847.jpg


Analog Uncompressed:

1168189950.jpg
 
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Richer...yes, but *that much* at least perceptually? To me, it's close enough to not care too much unless you really really need the extra acquisition color.
 
Hi Elton,
Are you sure that the anolog component out is pre hdv compression? I was told by a local dealer that it was after hdv compression, and thus if I wanted uncompressed I would have to move up to the XH G1. Is the sales guy trying to sell me up ( or mis-informed), or is he correct--no UC out?

If the component out is pre hdv compression (I thought that the anolog out would be pre compression to avoid latency), then the A1 is the cam for me. I can live with the DA-AD loss if I need UC 4:2:2. I just can't justify the extra cost of the G1 for a feature I expect to rarely use.
 
The analog seems more noisy.


It would be intresting to se a greenscreen comparision and something like waterfall/stormy weather footage.

This footage is not pushing the HDV codec to its limits.
 
It's interesting. This test reminds me of another comparing an F900's native HDCAM recording vs its HDSDI output.

http://hd24.com/hdsdi_vs_hdcam.htm

The HDCAM footage seemed to hold more contrast and I actually preferred it over the HDSDI. But HDCAM is by all technical regards a more robust codec than HDV, so it's nice to see how well Canon's HDV implementation holds up when compared to its component out.
 
MovieSwede said:
The analog seems more noisy.
Click to expand...

Perceptually, I think it may actually be more noisy. I've noticed how the HDV compression in a very subtle way softens noisy areas, whereas the uncompressed shows the fine grit in all its glory/infamy. I personally like the pattern of the uncompressed noise better, but they're both acceptable to me.

This footage is not pushing the HDV codec to its limits.
Click to expand...

That wasn't my intent; I was simply trying to compare color, not possible motion artifacts.
 
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Elton said:
Yes, it's pre-compression and full raster 4:2:2.
Click to expand...

Trying to get this answer in the HVX forum: Component out is pre compression for A1. Is it also for the HVX? And by full raster you mean it's not 1440, it's 1920? Same would be for the HVX?
 
A1 live camera signal through component is pre-compression, (i.e. non VTR mode) and I believe the HVX is too.

Also, I believe both A1 and HVX would be full raster as far as displaying 1920 x 1080. The A1's live output is the full horizontally pixel-shifted pre-HDV 1920 output. Additionally, I believe the HVX's live 1080 signal bypasses DVCPRO HD, but uses pixel shift in both axes to fill in the frame.
 
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Thanks Elton--.

Do you know of any cables, converters that will convert the RGB ends into HDMI?
 
Would seem that there would have to be a way to take the component out and send it direct to something like a Firestore like device, recording the uncompressed 1920x1080 signal, and if there isn't, there perhaps should be for all you DIYer's looking to make a chunk 'o' change selling something gear related.
 
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