Digital beta or HVX ?

M

Mouayed Zabtia

Member
I have Digital beta Camcorder and HVX on my hands and I will start for big TV drama , is any one know which one is better quality when will show in SD broadcast here in Libya , I know that DOF is beater in Dig Beta that because the camcorder is 2/3 but not so into 4 that as Aim so into 4 quality of pitchers , any one have any experience for those two camcorders ?
 
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Unless you need HD or a really small form factor, Go with DigiBeta. I like the HVX/DVX cameras and all, but DigiBeta is pretty much the best SD acquisition format you can get. The HVX can do DVCPro50, which is a great format, but I'd still choose the DigiBeta cam hands down.

[Edit]Oh, and I don't think that the DVW-790 does 24p. If that was something you wanted to do then you might not have to opt for the HVX.
 
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Alex iam in Pal land so no 24p here, We have only 25p that is near from 24 and Dig Beta have that also, any way so thanks for you answer .

 
I disagree, I have shot both and each have strong points and weak points. The digibeta with the larger sensor has a bit more lattitude, the HVX has more resolution. Even though you are finishing in SD it depends on your circumstance. For instance if I were shooting green screen or a composite I'd rather have the HVX, you'll get a cleaner key, especially if there is movement. But other wise I'd opt for a little more lattitude. There are many more considerations, for instance the reuse of P2 media can make your production much cheaper. Either way bith cameras can produce a great picture when optimized.
 
If when you said you had both on your hands, as in, you can use both, then bring both. Intercut them. While you certainly shouldn't film 50% Digibeta and 50% HVX, you could use the HVX as a wide cam/B cam. It'll give you more options.

If you must only use one format then I couldn't really help.
 
I agree with most of the previous posts, but if you have both cameras simply shoot a test and see what you like better.
 
I own both cameras. Digibeta hands down for SD.

-More latitude
-More DOF
-Much more internal play (my DIT loves it)
-great for keying as well
-Interchangeable lens
-lower s/n ratio.....and so on

For reference get your hands on the latest Dr. Who series (2007-2008) it's all shot on Digibeta. I also enjoy the 200 as well, its a great camera.

Emre Tufekci
www.productionpit.com
 
Digibeta- If you have a good lens, the HVX can never compare to it. You can use a software like Instant HD, from Red Giant Software, uprezz the DIgibeta footage, and compare it to native HVX HD footage, to see which one looks better.
 
Even if they show it in SD, they might want to shoot 16:9. If so, the HVX DVCPROHD picture quality is superior to DigiBeta.
Tests between DigiBeta and Varicam show the superiority of DVCPROHD, even if the tested Varicam is a better camera than the HVX, DVCPROHD is superior to DigiBeta.


Please someone post a frame from DigiBeta and HVX DVCPRO50. I guess the picture quality is very close.

Lenses and the professional look of a huge camera may be a factor, but I doubt DigiBetas SD picture quality is really better.
 
daktulus said:
Tests between DigiBeta and Varicam show the superiority of DVCPROHD, even if the tested Varicam is a better camera than the HVX, DVCPROHD is superior to DigiBeta.
Click to expand...
The quality of compression used by the Varicam is higher than that on the HVX. It gives less noise in the blacks. I think it may assign more bits to the low end of the histogram, or it may just have better processing on camera.

Just reading the specs, I'd guess that DigiBeta was a better codec. It's 10-bit at the same chroma subsampling.
 
Digibeta is the de-facto "Broadcast standard" for SD Digital Television (4:3 or 16:9, it does both). Not much of a question for me.


- Mikko
 
The HVX in DVCpro50 delivers great SD, it´s our main shooting format...
Would I choose a 2/3 16:9 DigiBeta if costs wouldn´t be an issue - for sure!
The HVX formfactor often wins for me, but having a nice broadcast SD lens with a FF is a no brainer for dramatic work...
 
ProfessorU said:
The quality of compression used by the Varicam is higher than that on the HVX. It gives less noise in the blacks. I think it may assign more bits to the low end of the histogram, or it may just have better processing on camera.

Just reading the specs, I'd guess that DigiBeta was a better codec. It's 10-bit at the same chroma subsampling.
Click to expand...

I'd guess that it's the larger chips in the varicam compared to HVX that equals less noise, not the compression. Infact I'd hazard a guess that the compression is pretty much the same.
 
I think I've seen it posted here that it uses a slightly different compression. But the chip size is definitely an important part of this argument.
 
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