HVX200 vs HVX200a -- a side-by-side low-light comparison

I don't know how much is the weird codec, but there are strange and ugly things happening in the 200a footage that are not in the 200 footage... for example, watch the right-rear (unlit) light in the first two scene files... strange artifacts and blurring; the outline of the globe actually pulses.
 
VLC is the best player for any format/codec you are not used too.

I like the comparison, I see the "a" is a bit brighter and it looks good.

But I still see quite a bit of noise on both the cameras, maybe it's just your compression.

anyway, u can post screen caps from the raw dvcpro video?
 
Wow. Lots to respond to here. So in no particular order:

* Looking at the raw footage, I do notice a bit of strobing on that back light. But it actually shows up on both the HVX200 and the HVX200a, in almost all the scene files. I think it's just the noise providing an optical illusion.

* The reason for posting in Ogg Theora, to be honest, is because I knew that people would be interested in this comparison, and would therefore find a way to play it. Incidentally, that's what GNU/Linux users have to do in order to utilize all of the proprietary file formats that Microsoft spits out: adapt. While h.264 is indeed a good codec, it is "protected" by software patents, and so cannot be legally used under Linux unless you have a valid patent license. I have no interest in perpetuating the use of a file format that would make you pay to use it, and does not protect one's freedom. Ogg Theora, on the other hand, is free of patent issues, and is freely used, modified, and distributed.

* VLC is indeed an amazing program. Unfortunately, it seems to package llibdvdcss, which allows it to play DVDs. This bypasses the CSS encryption on the discs, and is therefore illegal in the United States under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. So use with caution. I recommend just installing the directshow codecs instead, which are 100% legal. Then you can playback Ogg Theora, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC in Windows Media Player, or any other directshow-based player you have.

* Barry: I'd be glad to do a split-screen version of the comparison, but am not sure how to do so within Sony Vegas 6. Any suggestions?

* For those of you interested in my theater, thanks! The theater was built by myself and two friends, and consists of a variety of bizzare components. The lights on the walls are actually $3.95 outdoor porch lights from Home Depot, with $10 glass globes from totally different fixtures attached. The platform was created from steel raised flooring tiles out of a server room. There is room for four seats up top, and four below -- all seats were purchased for about $75 each from Office Max. The black things in the back are indeed speakers -- they are JBL tower units, actually advertised as right and left speakers from a entire surround package, but I just bought six of them and used them for all the channels (except the center one, of course). The TV is a 65" Mitsubishi rear-projection CRT HDTV. For those of you curious, I did a quick flyby of the room when I finished recording these tests. You can see the whole thing here:
Tony Lovasco's Home Theater. And yes, for those of you wondering, Ogg Theora does support audio, I just didn't include it because it was just me muttering to myself anyway...

* There was a few requests for still shots prior to compression. I don't have time to post stills from each scene file right now, but here are shots from scene file 5 (Cine D), which we all seem to agree looks the worst as far as noise is concerned:
HVX-200 -- Scene File 5 / HVX-200a -- Scene File 5

* Anyone looking to buy an HVX (even after seeing this...), checkout the link in my signature... :cheesy:
 
For splitscreen: just put the 200 on the top track, the 200A on the bottom track, and then go into pan/crop and drag the rectangle down to half width on the top track.
 
Looks like the noise pattern closely resembles that of the A1 and EX-1. Less "Chroma" and more "Luma" which always looks a LOT better to mine own eyes. I'm definitely happy with it.

My 200A arrives tomorrow morning. w00t
 
Kholi said:
Looks like the noise pattern closely resembles that of the A1 and EX-1. Less "Chroma" and more "Luma" which always looks a LOT better to mine own eyes. I'm definitely happy with it.

My 200A arrives tomorrow morning. w00t
Click to expand...

Kholi:

Don't you have to be a registered Canadian to say "wOOt"? ;-)

Dan
 
Sweet comparison. I have sold my HVX and I'm in the middle of deciding which way to go now. I really like the EX-1 sharpness and better (shorter) DOF, but a less noisy and more light sensitive HVX is hard to beat.
I have some time to make my final decision and will wait until I have to.
 
there was mention of a list that Barry did that compares the hvx 200 vs the hvx 200a

what exactly the upgrades are

where is that list please?

and is there a new firmware update that goes with the hvx200 to upgrade some things?
 
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Who said I'm not gettin' a 170? That's six months off. :B I'd rather be gettin' a 170 image NOW than later.
 
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