HMC150 to Final Cut Studio to Standard DVD

[Red Jacket Mike]

With my Sony V1U, I've always shot in 1080i, edited in FCS2, and used Compressor to convert my sequences for widescreen standard DVDs.

I'm just wondering if shooting in a different format with the HMC150 would yield better looking results, such as 720p/30, or 1080p.

I was never satisfied with the quality of my DVDs with the V1U, but part of the problem may have been its poor low light performance; I usually shoot indoors, and often in dark theaters with stage lighting only.

Is anyone else making standard DVDs with their 150 footage in FCS2, and if so, what format are you shooting in, and how do you like the final results?

 

[grinner]

Well of course your resolution will be better shooting 720 letterboxed. It's just a question of if letterboxed 4X3 is an option for you or not. It is for me and that's all I shoot. Gives me much better image quality than any of my betaSp competitors and I have never had a problem with a letterbox.

 

[Red Jacket Mike]

Yes, my standard DVDs are letterboxed. Lots of my customers have widescreen HDTVs with either Blu Ray or upconverting standard DVD players, so it's one format that works for everyone.

You're saying that shooting in 720 with the HMC150, and converting to SD DVD MPEG2 in Compressor will end up looking better, then?

Is it because less compression is required going from 720 to standard def than with 1080, or is it just because the original footage shot with this camera is that good?

Thanks for the reply.