1080p or 720p for effects shots

ghostcar

ghostcar

New member
Hi HVX200 Users I am in the process of sorting out a production for a feature that will be shot entirely on the HVX200. I understand the 1080p size and rez is higher than the 720p / all frames must be progressive in the event of a 35mm transfer to keep it simple.

I have shot before on a JVC GY DV 700 we Pal which is considered a 4:2:0 chroma sampler at 25 fps. That feature was transferred to 35mm and screened at the AFM at the AMC theatre. There were no digital artifacts.

I was very pleased with the film and the digital DVD edited in FCP5 on a G5. By the way the Nattress film effects really did make a difference in the final DVD look. As a writer/director/producer I sincerely appreciate the hours of engineering behind those filters. :-Happy(DBG): This was a special thing for me as a first time filmmaker.

For the new project RED is considered but my gut feeling and with no post experience with the formats, data size, and no doubt a deadline by investors for the delivery time I will have to factor RED out. Believe me when I say that I am a RED wanna be. And I will have a RED someday - dreams be dammed.

This film will still be very experimental (but in a safer post world) Having the tools we now have and using the HVX200, and knowing I can move the data around on the current platforms.

I want to take advantage of the frame rates at 720p during the bulk of the film mostly at 24fps.

In a few special moments 60fps for slow motion shots, but those 60fps shots I think may be better served in the 1080p format because they will be the green screen special effects shots.

Or - Should I shoot the entire feature in 1080p and try to slow down the 1080p footage in FCP5 to get that slow motion look?

Or will FCP5 lose the 1080p resolution?

Sorry for the long wind. :lipsrseal
 
hmmm... I'll "KISS" and just say this.....

If you were happy with the transfer/blowup from the JVC, you'll be more than happy with shooting 720pN 24p on the HVX, thats really the cameras flagship format

1080 will yield about 15% more rez "to the eye" (I read that here somehwere, correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall Barry saying this)
 
1080 is about 15% or so more rez, but it's also cleaner -- fewer compression artifacts. However, that's only really relevant when comparing 24p to 24p. You can't really compare 60i to 60p, as 60p blows 60i away in any head-to-head comparison.

If you need slow-mo greenscreen, go for 720p. If you need normal-speed greenscreen, 1080/24pA is the preferred format.
 
1080/24pA and 720p for slow-mo. Take advantage of both why don't ya?

I PM'd you as well, Ghostcar.
 
Like Barry said, 1080p offers only about 15% more resolution but the compression is much milder so it's much better for effects and green screen work (there were some tests on the technical board that showed how much less compression 1080p had). However, if you're going for slow motion then you'll pretty much lose any advantage you gain. From what I've heard, to try to achieve slow mo with 1080 requires that you shoot in 60i first and then double the fields which produces some serious stair stepping, something you really want to avoid with greenscreen work. As others said, it's best you just stick with 720 in that kind of situation. However, I'd suggest not taking our word for it but doing some tests. Find out how you plan to slow down the footage then try a slow mo shot both in 720 60p and 1080 60i. Go with the result that makes you happier. Also, if you don't care about silky smooth slow motion, you could just shoot 1080 24p and then double or tripple every frame. This would result in the strobing slow motion that can actually look pretty cool if used right.
 
720p or 1080p

720p or 1080p

Thank you Hoofandmouf, Barry, Kholi and David. I truly love this site and will post work here as soon possible. Its you and everyone else here thats pushing the envelope of digital and making breakthroughs I can`t stress this enough.
Sincerely:
ghostcar:dankk2:
 
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