Best Resolution for the HMC150?

toddgeer

toddgeer

Active member
I've seen a bunch of posts about actual resolution versus pixel shifted resolution. Which makes me curious.

Considering most of my projects end up as 1280x720 or DVD anyway, the only "thing" I'm using the full HD setting for is to be able to crop as needed for proper framing and avoid losing pixels.

In the end, considering everything, from the light through the lens to saving onto the card, what is the best resolution to shoot at? Am I doing myself an injustice by shooting full instead of 720?
 
best resolution - one man's understanding

best resolution - one man's understanding

okay. what i've been reading is that both 1080i and 720p are HD - and of top-notch quality. What I read is that if you're shooting moving images...go with the 720p because since it's not "dropping pixels" the way that interlaced does...it does better with moving images than 1080i does. I've heard if you're NOT moving...and you want the best color quality - go with 1080i because it's got the most (overall) color information in it.

i may be wrong - i'm hoping some other more experienced HMC 150 users will come along here and correct me if I am...interestingly - I THINK that 720p files are actually HEAVIER than 1080i ones....which is counter-intuitive because one would think that the 1080 would be much more information.
 
I did hear that because 1280-720 and 1920-1080 are both 25Mbps, one should use 720 for the most data. Same with 24p, 6 less frames to use up data. Heard of that?

Makes me want to shoot tomorrow's gig in 720p ...
 
Shooting at a lower frame rate doesn't affect the image quality much in a long-GOP codec. Although there are fewer frames per second, the image changes from frame to frame are larger, so more data is required to represent them. The net result is that it takes about the same number of bits per second for an equal-quality picture.

I like 1080p30 as a good compromise of resolution and frame rate for general shooting. It is easily converted to 1080i60 for broadcast or Blu-Ray without loss of data, and shooting progressive is much better for web or computer file distribution. I use 720p60 when shooting sports and other fast action. I'm not a big fan of 24 fps modes -- yes, it looks more "film like," but is that a good thing? It has a unique look because it is introducing motion artifacts that we have come to associate with viewing movies on a big screen in the theatre, but given the opportunity to reduce those artifacts, shooting at a faster frame rate actually gives a more realistic rendering of movement (which we associate with the "video" look, but why is that bad?).

If there were a good universal 1080p60 standard so that it could be used throughout the production and distribution chain, I'm pretty sure I would jump on it. I think we'll get there eventually, but it will be a generation (or two) of equipment down the line from where we are now.

- Greg
 
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The only time I look at 60 p or i is if I'm shooting something that I want to reduce the speed of in editing and still retain frame by frame action - certain wedding moments, etc. What's a good reason to shoot action in 60?
 
I've tried every mode and for me, 720 24p looks best. Also, the slightly slower shutter speed when shooting 24p lets in a tad bit more light.
 
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