DVCPro50 compared to DVCAM

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daktulus

Well-known member
Has anybody compared DVCPro50 from HVX200 to DVCAM from Z1 (V1) ?


I´m still wondering which camera to get. I´ll be doing 16:9 but also a lot of tv stuff, PAL 4:3.


Is the DVCPro50 4:2:2 picture quality really superior to DVCAM?

Can anybody provide samples?


(Or should I shoot everything 16:9 and downconvert to 4:3? Is this easily done on Avid Xpress? Don´t want the converting hassle all the time)
 
Yes, 4:2:2 will beat 4:1:1 everytime.

16:9/4:3 has nothing to do with it...you can shoot either aspect ratio in DvcPro50 on the HVX.
 
What about sharpness (compared to Z1´s DVCAM)?

Is HVX200´s DVCPro50 as sharp as a DigiBetacam?

Seems that the problem of the HVX200 in 1080 mode compared to other cams is sharpness, is the DVCPro50 picture blurrier than a DigiBetacam picture?


Any DVCPro50 4:3 samples?
 
Technically speaking, the DVCPRO50 codec is superior to DVCAM, since DVCAM's only advantage over miniDV is higher tape speed for drop-out resistance and locked 48KHz audio. I can't vouch for Z1's DVCAM output, but I would imagine that the HVX looks superior, given proper lighting. DigiBeta is another step above DVCPRO50, with a milder compression ratio. DigiBeta also has some 10-bit stages, as opposed to the straight 8-bit of DV, DVCPRO50, etc. which should in theory provide more color resolution.

I think something that may be confusing to you is that we're talking about codecs here, not the rest of the recording stage. The sony 16:9 switchable DigiBeta camcorders have top of the line 2/3" chips, record at 24p, use quality canon or fujinon glass, and are generally superior in every way to consumer or prosumer camera components. A DSR 450 will outperform an HVX in Standard Definition, especially in low-light. A dsr 450 is a DVCAM recorder. A Pdx 10 is also a 16:9 DVCAM camera, and the HVX outperforms it in resolution, color rendition, and just about every other measure of video quality. There's more to the camera than the recording format.
 
daktulus said:
What about sharpness (compared to Z1´s DVCAM)?

Is HVX200´s DVCPro50 as sharp as a DigiBetacam?

Seems that the problem of the HVX200 in 1080 mode compared to other cams is sharpness, is the DVCPro50 picture blurrier than a DigiBetacam picture?


Any DVCPro50 4:3 samples?
Click to expand...

DVCAM is DV. Its DV25 captured to the tape at a higher speed, the "improvement" over DV has nothing to do with picture quality, sharpness or colour so really you should be comparing the HVX DV tape outout to the Z1 DVCAM.

ITs just not even fair to compare DVCAM with DV50. Trust me, the image quality of DV50 blows DV out of the water. If I had the option I would never shoot DV(CAM) and always shoot DV50.

I have no problem with sharpness on the HVX, I think there are two positions, one is the technical broadcast scientist (I made up that occupation) position which relates to the chip size, issues of pixel shifting colour specs etc etc and the other is the aesthetic side. I have only ever had positive comments about the pictures that come out of the HVX, it produces a beautiful image, incredible given its limitations. And the only limitation that I actually give a hoot about is the fixed lens, if you want to compare it to a betacam thats the main difference in the image right there, the glass that goes on the front.

Rent a HVX and some P2 cards, shoot some comparison footage and see for yourself.
 
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