FX1 or DVXE???

L

lahenhessu

New member
Hi Folks!
I´m new here and quite new to digital video filming also.
I´ve read the discussion about the cons and pros of these camera models as I´m going to buy one of them. I have to say that I´m if possible even more confused now...
Which one should I choose and why?
The situation is this:
-I want an easy to use camera with good automatics, like a reliable autofocus
-I shoot a lot of freehand and fast movement
-I hate noise, in picture that is
-I do not need XLR
-I edit on FCP and I´m willing to learn all needed tricks to get the best final result
-computer capasity is no matter (G5 + 2 P4)
-the publishing format is DVD
-I want the "FILM LOOK"
-I`ll use 16:9 format
I was allready going to buy the DVX, but there is two things that bothers me:
1. The lack of 16:9; a big % of the televisions sold today are HDV ready, and almost all are 16:9. Will SD shot in 4:3 give a good result shown on a wide screen tv in letterbox? Isn´t the Sony then a better choise?
2. the autofocus in 24P mode? I´ve understood that that will not work properly?
THANKS FOR ANY COMMENTS!
And: A great forum, the best I´ve seen. Very much informative stuff!
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

Been there, so I know what you mean when you say that you are "Confused"...

This is a DVX user forum so a lot of people here will tell you to get the DVX100, which is a wonderfull camera no doubt about it.

Keep in mind that no camera is perfect today. The technologie is here but hey, those giants (panasonic, sony etc...) needs to make money.

I had the same problem as you are having, and after reading this forum, I have opted for the Sony HDV. still waiting to make my mind Up between FX1E and Z1 but that's more of a money problem...

as I said DVX100 is great but true when shooting in progressive, there is no autofocus. You could get a nice 16:9 but you need an anamorphic lens adaptor, because the letter box won't leave you with a lot of resolution but still it won't be that bad. the DVX will give a very nice FILMLIKE picture.

But trust me on this one, having the FILMLIKE isn't everything.

the FX1E will give you HDV, which is 4 times the resolution of the DVX and also it's true 16:9, and also wonderfull autofocus from what I read.

the picture is stunnig and when reduced to SD for TV program you will have more details on you picture.

http://www.vasst.com/HDV/FX-1_images.htm

on the FX1E you have CF25, which electonically imitate the film look. Seen some footage and I must that this is not bad at all.

Sony has made a great camera, and it seems that the future is HD. so I'm not gonna try to push you either way, I can only tell you what I have decided after months of reading, I'm going to go for sony knowing that I'm taking the risk that panasonic will probably release its HD soon with maybe better tools who knows. but you can spend your all life waiting for a better camera... At the end of the day what really matters is what you are going to shoot and how well, and will people like it...

Anthony
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

Thank you Anthony!
You just confirmed what I´ve been thinking about.
I´ll probably order the Sony fx1 this week. Can´t wait for something that is not even announced yet. Especially when the price tag is open...
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

Well a big % of the tv sets are HDTV compatible not HDV ready.

HDV = HDTV

HDTV is not = HDV

But these sets can in most cases just show a NTSC DVD in widescreen mode but they dont have HDTV resolution.

If you only going to produce DVDs with filmlook, the FX is not my most recommended chooise. First of all resolution isnt everything that makes a great picture. Latitude, colors etc are at least important. If you shoot cf25 you half the resolution of HDV. And the cam doesnt seems to give full HDV resolution either.

So if you are going to DVD and want filmlook buy either XL2 or DVX. And because you are in Finland you will shoot 25P not 24P. And autofocus works with the DVX100A.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

I have the FX1 and recently I've used it only in Cineframe 25. As I learn to use it, I am starting to see how great it is. When I output to DVD in 16:9, I can't believe my eyes how nice the picture is sometimes. Cineframe25 might not be as high res as interlaced, but it's certaibly not half the resolution. The picture I posted actualy show you how nice CF25 looks compared to progressive. I think I will post a few more frame grabs soon. I get incredible colors with the camera, and it behaves very well in most situations. Editing with the Intermediate Codec will help you a lot on your P5, if you don't capture with IMovie. The controls on the camera are great, and since I started using better Panasonic tapes I haven't seen any freezes at all. The camera is a little darker in low light situations, but then that doesn't bother me because the noise is low and when present, the grain is tiny and doesn't look like video noise. In Finland, if I am correct most people have 16/9 TV sets, so why not get a camera that's real 16/9?

When I do now I edit HDV Intermediate Codec and output directly to MPEG2 for DVD, 25fps progressive. Works great.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

CineFrame 25 isn't half the resolution, it's more like 75%. Regular interlaced 1080i gives you about 775 lines of res, and CF25 gives you about 575.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

Barry_Green, that actually seems to make sense. Your numbers seem to be in line with all my findings. I suppose it's not much better than a progressive scan SD camera, but you have the extra horizontal resolution.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

I´ve made the decision; tomorrow I´ll order the FX1.
A big Thank you to everyone for your comments!

Mr Princigally:
HDV Intermediate Codec = ??? were can I find that codec?
Can you please tell your workflow in a few words;
1. camera in Cineframe 25 mode
2. capture with ???
3. edit + output with ???
I use Premiere Pro and FCP HD, but I plan to stay in the Apple world with this HD stuff..
Today I tried the free MPEG Streamclip software and I managed to do some test editing in FCP on FX1 videoclips in full resolution uncompressed. It may be quite slow on my singel prosessor G5 in big scale so I think I have to go for some compressing before editing..?
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

I edit on a G4 with Intermediate codec. It's not as responsive as SD, but it's OK. Things have improved since I ordered a big, fast, FW800 drive(I'm on a powerbook). I would not go back to the PC world. If you want to have a detailed workflow and everything else write me an email at micheleprincigalli@mac.com or the main address at www.smashmyphone.com
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

[quote author=MovieSwede link=board=sony;num=1108952457;start=0#3 date=02/21/05 at 11:46:39]Well a big % of the tv sets are HDTV compatible not HDV ready.

HDV = HDTV

HDTV is not = HDV

But these sets can in most cases just show a NTSC DVD in widescreen mode but they dont have HDTV resolution. [/quote]

Are these sets DVCPRO-HD ready? Is HDTV = DVCPRO-HD? Because if not than I'm not going to buy the new Panasonic. :P
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

All the HD spec calls for is a specific image size. You can use any codec to get get there so long as it fits.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

[quote author=princigalli link=board=sony;num=1108952457;start=0#11 date=02/24/05 at 03:40:21]SergejIvanovits, do you need that codec for any particular reason? Compatibility issues?
[/quote]
NO.
I was just wondering - If I advise others not to buy Sony HDV camcorder because there isn't any comsumer tv/dvd to watch my movie in real HD than why should I tell others to wait for the DVCPRO-HD? The resolution of the DVCPRO-HD isn't HD or why? I just can't find any logic in these argumentations. ;D
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

Both HDV and DVCPRO-HD (and HDCAM and HDCAM-SR) are all recording systems for high-definition video. Any of them can record a high-def signal, and play it back on a high-definition television.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

A. Listen to Barry

B. Listen to Barry

and

C. well...you know C

He knows what he is talking about. I know people try to help, but it's painfull hearing them give out wrong information.
 
Re: FX1 or DVXE???

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=sony;num=1108952457;start=0#13 date=02/24/05 at 09:28:54]Both HDV and DVCPRO-HD (and HDCAM and HDCAM-SR) are all recording systems for high-definition video.  Any of them can record a high-def signal, and play it back on a high-definition television.

[/quote] :) :D ;D
;)
 
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