AVCHD codec versus XDCAM EX
- Thread starter avro
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Barry_Green
Moderator
Already did this. Look in the articles section.
Without a doubt, the AVCCAM codec is more robust than the XDCAM-EX 35mbps codec.
Note -- that's not saying the same thing for the GH2's 24mbps. That's different. I tested specifically the PH mode of AVCCAM (which is what the HMC40, HMC80, HMC150, and AF100 all use).
Without a doubt, the AVCCAM codec is more robust than the XDCAM-EX 35mbps codec.
Note -- that's not saying the same thing for the GH2's 24mbps. That's different. I tested specifically the PH mode of AVCCAM (which is what the HMC40, HMC80, HMC150, and AF100 all use).
Dino
Veteran
I had Adam Wilt over yesterday to look at an AF100 and asked him about how AVCCAM PH compares to XDCAM EX. His answer was that they are comparable. We did tests and watched on my 100" projection screen. I've yet to see any obvious artifacts from the codec--can't say the same about DVCPRO HD.
Alura is lovely, but it costs a whole lot more to support it than a prime! The picture was just a temporary rig for photo purposes, while I was waiting for the AF100 Tuner Kit. Real setup has Arri dove tail, Element Technica Hybrid base plate, Hot Rod Cameras AF100 Tuner Kit, Zacuto lens support, new matte box with a big enough aperture in the rear(Alura OD is 134mm!) have to address zoom motor and controller soon, need another follow focus, but it's a lens I can use for years with lots of cameras and there's no having to change lenses all day long........unless I need to go tighter than 80mm...........uh, oh.
Alura is lovely, but it costs a whole lot more to support it than a prime! The picture was just a temporary rig for photo purposes, while I was waiting for the AF100 Tuner Kit. Real setup has Arri dove tail, Element Technica Hybrid base plate, Hot Rod Cameras AF100 Tuner Kit, Zacuto lens support, new matte box with a big enough aperture in the rear(Alura OD is 134mm!) have to address zoom motor and controller soon, need another follow focus, but it's a lens I can use for years with lots of cameras and there's no having to change lenses all day long........unless I need to go tighter than 80mm...........uh, oh.
Dino
Veteran
It's an old codec that uses a lot of its bandwidth for 4:2:2 color space and I-Frame frame structure, not leaving much when shooting native at 720/24PN, which is only around 40Mbps, using a DCT based compression scheme. The secret to DVCPRO HD not requiring more bit rate is the horizontal 3/4 sub-sampling, 1920 becomers 1280, 1280 becomes 960. Codecs using 4:2:0 and Long GOP frame structure are much more efficient, while allowing for full raster recording. AVC-Intra is twice as efficient as well. It's never good to judge a codec by bit rate. Compression type and color space sampling, frame structure are more important normally.
robertrogoz
Carbonite Member
I think the question you have to answer is: what is your delivery? Film, broadcast, DVD, BD, web? So unless you really specify how your footage will be delivered nobody can give you a straight answer. XDCAM EX is accepted even by Discovery (silver and bronze) and by BBC, I don't think AVCCAM is. If it not for TV, then also to answer your questions you should let posters know what NLE are you using for edit. In FCP AVCCAM is a major time waister, as you have to transcode it to ProRes.
Barry_Green
Moderator
XDCAM-EX is not accepted by the BBC for production work; it's only accepted for news work.