10 bit SDI from the HPX-170?

C

chrismartin

Member
I dug up some older posts on this but wasn't sure if I got the definitive answer:

If I'm streaming live to my Mac using the HPX-170, an HD-SDI cable and the Blackmagic Decklink studio card (which allows uncompressed 10 bit),

What is the output of the HPX-170 with SDI? Is it 10 bit or 8 bit?

Thanks!
 
That's a bummer, I thought it was 10 bit :(

I have a couple follow up questions then.

I'm projecting from a 16mm projector through the HPX170 >> BM Decklink Studio >> to my computer.

1) What would be the cheapest camera with SDI output and 10 bit? (I did a search but it's not a spec that is often listed)

2) What would be the image quality loss if I end of using 8 bit instead of 10 bit? I know about banding. But would that be an issue with what I'm doing (capturing film)? In the tests I've done, I have not seen any banding, but maybe I just have not run into it yet.

Besides banding what other differences would I see between 8 bit and 10 bit? Would 10 bit look richer in color to the eye? Also, if I push the contrast and color when in post, would 10 bit handle it better producing less artifacts/noise?

I guess I have a third question too. If the camera is only outputting 8 bit, would there be any advantage to capturing at 10 bit anyway? I know it would not add more color, but would the higher bit rate help at all when pushing the color and contrast in grading?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
1) Cheapest 10-bit camcorder with SDI? Probably the EX1R.
2) Depends on the camera. There are very few cameras out there that can even take advantage of 10-bit and give a discernable difference. For the record, an EX1R is not one of them, and I doubt the HPX370 is either. You probably have to get into the F3/HPX3100 price class before you're getting the true benefit of 10-bit.

The difference between 8-bit and 10-bit is all in the gradients. 10-bit has smoother gradations.
 
I'm not sure if this is a dumb question or not...

But what about the component output? Since it's analog it is not 8 bit or 10 bit, right? If I set my Blackmagic Decklink to 10 bit for capture would I then be capturing something of a better quality? (keeping in mind I am streaming live uncompressed through the camera)

Would analog digitized at 10 bit from the camera at the capture card result in 10 bit?

I guess my real question is; does the analog output actually have have more color information than 8 bit?
How does one quantify the differences between component analog, 8 bit and 10 bit as far as the amount of color information goes?

(I know in today's world digital is always considered better, but I'm not always sure that is true in all cases)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top