I just bought the Panasonic DVX100B. I shot my first short film on the DVX100A so I am familiar with most of the basics. My problem is one many have - what is the most suitable aspect ratio for my projects?
Before everybody directs me to past threads let me say I have carefully read scores of DVXuser threads on aspect ratio (especially the pros and cons of 4:3, letterbox and squeeze). I have also studied this question in copious forums, called a film out company and contacted Panasonic directly about which mode is best for which applications.
I have gotten or read completely conflicting answers - and they all sound credible. In addition, many of the answers have only sparked more questions in my mind. I am not a cinematographer, I am a writer and a director. Here are my questions:
1 - it is difficult to separate what is said about the 100A and the 100B. Does the 100B shoot in true 16:9 or not? My guess is no, that the ONLY improvement over the 100A is the LCD display for 16:9, correct? I am assuming that the squeeze mode of the 100B is not true 16:9.
2 - I have read all the pros and cons of squeeze mode versus 4:3 with an anamorphic adaptor or letterbox. I can't afford the adaptor - that's out. So my question is - is the squeeze mode on the DVX100B the same as the 100A? I called Panasonic support and they said it was the best quality 16:9 workflow. True? Or does the DVX100B squeeze mode still degrade the image quality, like the 100A? Is it still not recommended if you want to transfer to film? If all that is true, then my only real option seems to be to shoot in 4:3, use tape on the LCD to compose for widescreen, and create a widescreen 24p DVD in Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio. Is that about the size of it? Bottom line: I'm just trying to get the highest quality widescreen 24p Advanced footage I can without the anamorphic lens.
Before everybody directs me to past threads let me say I have carefully read scores of DVXuser threads on aspect ratio (especially the pros and cons of 4:3, letterbox and squeeze). I have also studied this question in copious forums, called a film out company and contacted Panasonic directly about which mode is best for which applications.
I have gotten or read completely conflicting answers - and they all sound credible. In addition, many of the answers have only sparked more questions in my mind. I am not a cinematographer, I am a writer and a director. Here are my questions:
1 - it is difficult to separate what is said about the 100A and the 100B. Does the 100B shoot in true 16:9 or not? My guess is no, that the ONLY improvement over the 100A is the LCD display for 16:9, correct? I am assuming that the squeeze mode of the 100B is not true 16:9.
2 - I have read all the pros and cons of squeeze mode versus 4:3 with an anamorphic adaptor or letterbox. I can't afford the adaptor - that's out. So my question is - is the squeeze mode on the DVX100B the same as the 100A? I called Panasonic support and they said it was the best quality 16:9 workflow. True? Or does the DVX100B squeeze mode still degrade the image quality, like the 100A? Is it still not recommended if you want to transfer to film? If all that is true, then my only real option seems to be to shoot in 4:3, use tape on the LCD to compose for widescreen, and create a widescreen 24p DVD in Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio. Is that about the size of it? Bottom line: I'm just trying to get the highest quality widescreen 24p Advanced footage I can without the anamorphic lens.
