16x9 squueze on DVX & GL1

[x-angel]

I am one of the few wedding videogs in my market still shooting in 4x3.

I plan on getting another DVX here soon, but currently I will be shooting with a Canon GL1 and the DVX.

Both these cameras shoot in the Squeeze mode. I was wondering if the difference between squeeze and true 16x9 is enough that the AVERAGE person could tell. (i.e. a bride or client or some such.)

Just curious.

 

[HorseFilms]

I was wondering if the difference between squeeze and true 16x9 is enough that the AVERAGE person could tell. (i.e. a bride or client or some such.)

I really doubt it. All it does is soften the picture a bit. For weddings, that might even be a good thing.

 

[x-angel]

What I will probably do is while my kids are down (Michaela and And Angelica, the names sakes of the company) I will shoot in 16x9 on the DVX, and play around with that.

I don't have a client shoot - by design - until February 21st

 

[Markp]

I have done weddings before using both DVX100 and XM1 UK version(GL1), there where no problems that I found. just do it it will work OK

 

[x-angel]

Ok.. it seems like I am getting this answer alot.

I guess the 16x9 squeeze is an issue when you get to really big screens..

 

[Andy Olson]

For most video/film people, you always want to preserve as much resolution as possible because you can always degrade the image later.

When I use to shoot on my VX2000, I used to crop the image to 16x9 instead of using the squeeze mode because then it would give me a better final image. If you do that then you could choose to 4:3 or crop to 16:9 and you'd have flexibility to adjust the framing of the shot.

You can put the 16x9 letterbox on in your NLE. Do you usually finish in 60i/29.97 or 24p? I'm guessing you do 60i since your other camera is the GL1. Once you get your second DVX, shooting 24p will add a nice look like having a 16:9 image in the end.

You could also keep using your GL1 and use a film-look 24p conversion program like DVFilm Maker to convert your 60i footage to 24p to match with your DVX 24p footage.

Have you considered upgrading to HD? You could probably get a used Canon XHA1 for the price of a new DVX100b. You could still shoot SD on the A1 in transition to HD.

Best,
Andy