24P To DVD

[OnTheHorizonMedia]

Hi Everyone,

I will be taping informational and training videos and I am considering purchasing either a Sony PD170 or a DVX100B. I’m leaning towards the Panasonic. Before I make my final decision, I would like to get some advice.

I have read in other forums that it is better to tape in 24 fps if the project will be going to DVD due to less compression needed…which will maintain better quality. Is this true? Is there a big difference in taping in 24fps vs. 30fps?

I am not planning on using the camera for doing a movie or event photography (weddings, concerts, etc). My main purpose is to tape in classroom settings, seminar meeting rooms and controlled environments where the talent will demonstrate something (like in a garage, basement or outdoors). Will the DVX100B serve my purpose?

The equipment I currently have is FCP 4.5, Mac G5 (dual processor), Lowell lighting. It’s now time to chose the camera, since it’s getting inconvenient on using/renting cameras.

Thank you.

 

[Kevin Dorsey]

The DVX will serve your purposes just fine. It will shoot regular 60i video just like the PD170, with excellent results. But it also gives you the option of shooting 24p for the cinematic look we all love. Some users have stated that the PD170 is slightly better in low light but that remains debatable.
Yes 24p DVDs will allow better quality because there are only 48 fields to encode as opposed to the 60 fields of regular interlaced video. But a 24p DVD must be edited in a 24p timeline. So if you want the look of regular interlaced video you'll have to edit in a 29.97 timeline and you'll lose that slight advantage. But a 29.97 DVD made with the DVX looks pretty nice. They're both nice cameras, but in my opinion the DVX offers more options when shooting, better image control, and better audio.