indoor setting question and what is the "P" in "BP"

[keldoe]

hi there, a few more new user questions.
1. what is the "P" in DVX 100 B-P?
2. i purchsed the DVX for my first short film as the cheapo camera we were using wasn't capturing the dark scenes and was a very low grade camera. I've had to put the shoot on hold to spend time learning how to use this thing-I'm self teaching myself camera work as we can't find a camera person to work within our non existent budget.
I read the stickie and it was immensely helpful.
We are shooting all indoors, one night bedroom scene, no, it's not porn, and one night outdoor scene.
Questions;
1. is F5 24A? We want to shoot in 24A.
2. Was planning on using everything auto and maybe just increase gain if nec. for bedroom scene.
3. GAMMA- cinelike gamma ? or cinelike-v?
4. MATRIX, was gonna set to cine-like? or leave alone?
Or are these all preset in the scene file F5 setting?
5. need to set black balance before shooting?
Any more quick tips are greatly appreciated! Starting shooting tomorrow!

 

[Inoran]

The P stands for the america version, not sure why, just all american versions have a P after them.

F5 is 24P, F6 is 24Pa, aka 30p.

If i were you i would refrain from using gain. instead i would try lowering the shutter speed.

Cine-like V is for a more "video look" Cine-like D and regular Cine-like are for more film looks.

F5 should already have the matrix set to cine-like.

Not sure about black balance but setting the white balance can be done, by simply pushing the button under the lens in the front of the camera.

Hope this helps.

 

[Inoran]

ah excuse me, 24p advance is NOT 30p. my mistake

 

[Sad Max]

1. what is the "P" in DVX 100 B-P?

"P" is for progressive (as opposed to interlaced).

I'm self teaching myself camera work as we can't find a camera person to work within our non existent budget.

You'll master it that way!

no, it's not porn

*sigh*

1. is F5 24A? We want to shoot in 24A.

24PA is the "progressive advanced" setting; unless you are planning to eventually render out to film, the popular wisdom is that you're better off sticking with the 24P (not 24PA) setting.

2. Was planning on using everything auto and maybe just increase gain if nec. for bedroom scene.

If you have the time, using the camera on manual gives you much finer control over what you're recording. If you don't have the time, shooting auto will keep you pretty safe, but you may not get the very best possible footage. Also, if you leave the iris on 'auto,' you may find weird shifts in exposure and contrast, as it hunts around during your shots...

Upping gain will gain you exposure, but at the cost of noticeably increased noise and grain. An aesthetic choice.

3. GAMMA- cinelike gamma ? or cinelike-v?

Another aesthetic choice.

4. MATRIX, was gonna set to cine-like? or leave alone?

Depends on the look you want. I usually shoot 24P in cine-like, but it depends upon what you're after.

Or are these all preset in the scene file F5 setting?

Those options are all pre-set there, yes. But not necessarily the way you want them.

5. need to set black balance before shooting?

Under normal conditions, black balance can be left alone. White balance, OTOH, is very important, changing with each new lighting setup. You probably knew that.

 

[Safford Productions]

Get Barry Green's The DVX Book. There is also a video that goes with it that you can purchase. It's a great introduction to the various features and settings on the DVX. At least it will help you to ask the right questions. That always seems to be the real challenge. It's expensive but will help you save hours in trying to read and understand the Panasonic manual that accompanies the DVX.