FS700 and "broadcast quality"

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dmitrizigany

Veteran
Hey!

Might have a job coming up where they request that "cameras must be broadcast quality at least Canons (5D, 1D or 7D)"

I'm not familiar with the Canon cameras they mention, but they don't have codecs better than that of the FS700 internally, do they?
 
None of the Canons you mentioned or the FS700 internal have broadcast ready codecs. I believe it needs to be 422 50mbps, which none of those cameras do without a recorder. All those cameras are 420.
 
Yes, that's what I suspected... But if they are happy with files from those cameras they should be happy with the files from a FS700, shouldn't they?
 
The technical guidelines for HDTV-productions of German broadcasters are here:
http://www.irt.de/en/publications/technical-guidelines.html

Suitable recording formats are: XDCAM-HD422 with MPEG2, 4:2:2 long GOP, 50 MBit/s or P2 with AVC-I 100, 4:2:2 I-Frame, 112 MBit/s.

You may use a non-broadcast-standard equipment, if you operate in an area of conflict like East Ukraine.

The internal recording of a Sony FS700 will not match the specifications under normal circumstances. Using the 4K RAW-signal and Odyssee7Q 4K to HD ProRes would match the codec specifications, but you might also have to check the lens e.g.

If your client orders and pays a broadcast-safe production standard, you should better comply. That's how the business is running in Germany.
 
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sometimes these pen pushers are clutching sth they don't know - be sure if they want your footage they will use it.
German broadcaster introduced rigged iPhones for interviews during sport events already in 2012

Sportschau-iPhone-9587_PIC1-400.jpg
 
Clermond said:
sometimes these pen pushers are clutching sth they don't know - be sure if they want your footage they will use it.
German broadcaster introduced rigged iPhones for interviews during sport events already in 2012

Sportschau-iPhone-9587_PIC1-400.jpg
Click to expand...

Well it's worth noting that apps like Filmic Pro actually let you increase the iPhone's bit rate to 50mbps, I don't know if it meets the 422 requirement, but the bit rate requirement is met.
 
Non broadcast cameras are used for broadcast all the time. GoPro's for example.

But if it's an A-Cam, then it really should be broadcast standard. DSLR's simply don't cut it and neither does the internal codec from the FS700. Oh, and that isn't a coincidence by the way. That was a deliberate move on Sony's part. I'd recommend an external recorder like the 7Q.
 
"Broadcast Quality" is sadly becoming a generic term like "pro" or "sport" that doesn't have the same technical meaning that it used to. Yes, each station has a broadcast standard, some even stick to it, but too often it's just thrown around as a term to mean "good". If you're going to be doing a paid gig for the first time with this station, I'd recommend getting more specific information about what formats, cameras, and deliverables will be acceptable. Because of their edit workflow, it very might well be ok to shoot Canon 5D H264 and not ok to shoot Sony AVCHD. Stranger things happen all the time.
 
Prendi said:
Non broadcast cameras are used for broadcast all the time. GoPro's for example.

But if it's an A-Cam, then it really should be broadcast standard. DSLR's simply don't cut it and neither does the internal codec from the FS700. Oh, and that isn't a coincidence by the way. That was a deliberate move on Sony's part. I'd recommend an external recorder like the 7Q.
Click to expand...

Most stations have allowances for % of footage from non broadcast quality cameras, e.g. 2% of finished product (gopro). Very few would be ok with any ol thing you handed in. Shot entirely on Gopro! That's why they have the standards...
 
They are doing a few things each shot by different person in different countries. Each clip will only be one minute long. From their technical brief it sounds like it will mostly be shot on DSLRs.
But yeah, asking is the best way to go. Could mean I loose the gig but then so be it.
 
If in doubt, you could record to a Ninja 2 or something similar in ProRes 422? That's how I've shot/delivered stuff for broadcast via the FS100/700.
 
dmitrizigany said:
But does using a Ninja 2 really give the FS700 footage 422?
Click to expand...

yes it does. It's 4:2:2 8bit in a 10bit wrapper with very very little difference to internal AVCHD. You will only see a small difference when you push in grading to the maximum. But don't go for the Ninja as it's only HMDI. Samurai or Samurai Blade with SDI is the better way to go.
 
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