Flintstone
Well-known member
Any thoughts on quality differences between AVCHD and XDCAM EX (both at their highest quality)?
AVCHD vs. XDCAM EX
- Thread starter Flintstone
- Start date
Mike Harvey
Veteran
XDCam EX is essentially a high bitrate form of HDV. Same resolution as AVCHD, higher bitrate, but not nearly as compressed, or compressed as efficiantly. Both are 4:2:0 and long-GOP.
As to quality... it's kind of hard to compare. On paper, AVCHD is better due to the more efficiant compression. On paper.
On paper communism works. We all saw how that turned out.
The problem is that only the Sony EX series use XDCam EX (though JVC has a few cameras coming out soon that will use it as well), and the HMC150 is the only really "pro" camera that uses AVCHD at it's full bitrate. Two very different cameras with somewhat different philosphies behind them in different price ranges. So there really isn't a good way to do a side by side comparision. As of now, any AVCHD vs XDCam EX debate is equally a HMC150 vs EX-1/-3 debate and SDHC vs SxS debate, so it's somewhat apples to oranges.
As to quality... it's kind of hard to compare. On paper, AVCHD is better due to the more efficiant compression. On paper.
On paper communism works. We all saw how that turned out.
The problem is that only the Sony EX series use XDCam EX (though JVC has a few cameras coming out soon that will use it as well), and the HMC150 is the only really "pro" camera that uses AVCHD at it's full bitrate. Two very different cameras with somewhat different philosphies behind them in different price ranges. So there really isn't a good way to do a side by side comparision. As of now, any AVCHD vs XDCam EX debate is equally a HMC150 vs EX-1/-3 debate and SDHC vs SxS debate, so it's somewhat apples to oranges.
D.R. Gates
Well-known member
One big factor in regards to picture quality is the glass. No doubt the Fujinon lens on the EX cam is superior to the Panny.
Hidef1080
Well-known member
I think Mike, Brad and D.R. make very valid points here.
I always thought that the lens on the 150 had more to do with some of the “softness” that people see at times [that and auto-focus] than anything over AVCHD itself.
The 150 and EX models are in different classes if you ask me.
The 150 is/was to be an HD version of the DVX 100 and the Sony EX range are a new family.
Outside of current cameras I'd say AVCHD has more to offer than XDCam but with that comes the need to have a very strong CPU and some updated NLE's to deal with editing because it's compressed more like an output format.
XDCam is not as compressed but I don't think the higher compression and lower bit rate of AVCHD has been an image liability coming from the pro level 150.
I always thought that the lens on the 150 had more to do with some of the “softness” that people see at times [that and auto-focus] than anything over AVCHD itself.
The 150 and EX models are in different classes if you ask me.
The 150 is/was to be an HD version of the DVX 100 and the Sony EX range are a new family.
Outside of current cameras I'd say AVCHD has more to offer than XDCam but with that comes the need to have a very strong CPU and some updated NLE's to deal with editing because it's compressed more like an output format.
XDCam is not as compressed but I don't think the higher compression and lower bit rate of AVCHD has been an image liability coming from the pro level 150.