Confused on Codec/compression issues

H

hatsoff2halford

Well-known member
Hey everyone,

I'm in the process of deciding which camera I am going to purchase in probably five or so months. I have been using my DVX100B for ages, and It's time to upgrade. I haven't been following the updates of new technology very much at all, which means i'm pretty confused when it comes to all the new recording formats/codecs being introduced.

Does anyone have a link that outlines the different kinds of codecs and how they are used? I.E. the difference between the AF100 recording vs the Hpx250. These are pretty much the two cameras I'm looking at.

I mostly do short film work and expect it to stay that way with the exception of some commercials here and there.

Any help would really be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
No single link that I know of but you're really comparing apples and oranges and the AF-100 is VASTLY different than an HPX250. First, you're comparing a 1/3" fixed lens camera with a 4/3" sensor camera. As far as the codec, the HPX can record 10-bit AVC-Intra 100 which is about as good as it gets but you'll need P2 media which will run you about $625 for an hour of recording.

On the other hand, the AF-100 records to "cheap" SD cards and uses AVCHD which I've heard equates to about the "quality" of 50mb/s MPeg2 for those of us use to using mpeg2. And you also get shallow DOF and the ability to change lenses.

Watch video samples shot with both cameras and decide which "look" you prefer as well as form factor, fixed or changable lenses etc... Personally, I still think the footage from the AF-100 blows away the HPX250 despite the AVCIntra codec.
 
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I have a HDX900 as well as a AF100 and I keep going to the 100. The image is very good and with a Nanoflash attached you can pull alot video information out of the sensor. I am not a huge P2 fan, it is a great medium, but I often hand off my media when I am done. P2 is an expensive medium, if you need to hand off your footage it might run you into problems Tape and the Nanoflash seem to work for me. I really like the HDSDI out of the AF100, I believe the 250 has that. As far as sensor size there is a big difference between 1/3 and 4/3. If you are using a DVX100B I imagine you are used to the DOF that sensor provides. The AF100 has a larger sensor, and with a fast lens F2 and below, gives you a wonderful cinematic feel. If you do alot of documentary handheld work, the 250 may work better because of less blown out of focus shots. I recommend renting both if you can. They are two totally different cameras.
 
Also the AF100 is not exactly the ENG/EFP camera you are probably used to. It requires considerable practice to operate in that mode. Not impossible, but requires a whole new skill set. I find myself using the AF-100 for interviews and a HVX200 for b-roll.
 
Thanks a lot for the response, guys. It helped. I eventually found what I needed to know- and I'm going with the AF100. Despite being used to a totally different kind of camera, the af100 workflow is something I'm willing to put in hours to understand/learn. In the end, I think shooting with a sensor camera and using lenses is going to to be something I need to learn. I prefer the look exponentially, and I think it's worth the time it takes to learn- anyone have thoughts on that?
 
Good choice. I was in a similar boat moving from a DVX100 to an AF-100 and though the learning curve is steep it's not "that" difficult. Read and memorize Barry's book on the AF-100 and just follow his lead when it comes to setting the scene file, aperture, white balance, black balance etc... Getting the image on the AF-100 to look fantastic is easy; the hardest part for me was learning to pull focus. It's an entirely new skill that requires lots of practice, but again, it's not "that" difficult. As a result, I prefer the redrock micro V3 follow focus because you can set hard stops on the wheel to focus from one point to another flawlessly. It's one of the few FFs I've seen that feature that.

I find that the shooting style with the Af-100 also differs drastically from ENG style shooting as in, I find myself doing little to no handheld shooting now. Instead I use sliders, track dollies and cranes to get smooth, slow moving filmic shots as opposed to the run-n-gunning filming I use to do with the DVX100. Shooting with the Af-100 will require more time on set and more retakes but in the end, your footage will look 1000x better.

FYI: In regards to pulling focus, this may become a thing of the pass for some shooters when the rumored fast X lenses come out by Panasonic with power zoom and auto/push to focus which will change how you could potentially chose to shoot and makes things a LOT easier for a beginner.
 
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