SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

bad comment. this is about sharing information and not having to pay to do it. that's what this community is about.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

Seems like numbers say this isn't much of a sharing subject...oh well, so much for the original vision :-/

I'm always playing with my settings in search of nirvana. I recently took out my color chip chart & tweaked the color phase & such through DVRack to what my eye sees. The DVX is way off. Maybe someone has an answer for this but I finally got most of the colors to reproduce a little but closer than the cameras normal settings.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

A little sum up of a few things I have learnt so far:

negative detail levels....ideal for filmic look.
postive detail levels...good for interlaced look ...for current affairs...documentaries.

higher Chroma levels ... ideal for scenic takes...Disjecta style ;)

Extreme (+15 to -15) master ped....interesting results for special effects.....try them with other combinations of chroma and other settings....see and believe.

auto.iris level ...effective tool when used in combination with the master ped level....+ values specially useful to get better detail in shadow areas...if used with the right gamma curve..for instance Low.

etc etc
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

I don't remember where I found this but Tis useful information:

1) the "Saving Private Ryan"/"Gladiator" stutter effect: try 1/500.
2) Slow motion in 60i: try 1/120. A film camera running at 60 frames
per second would have a shutter speed of about 1/120, so if you're
shooting 60i to slow down in post, you probably want to match the shutter
speed for film-style motion blur.
3) Sync'ing with monitors: use the Synchro-scan, or 1/60, to match the
DVX's refresh rate with computer monitors in the shot and stop the "rolling
dark band" syndrome.
4) Special blur effects: the opposite of the "Saving Private Ryan" effect.
Use a slower shutter speed (like 1/24 or slower) to add smear and blur to
the motion in your shot.
5) Minimize strobing: If you think there's a bit too much strobing in
your progressive footage, you can try a slower shutter speed to introduce
a little blur into your footage. 1/43 or 1/36 are popular choices.
6) Extreme low light situations: using 1/36 instead of 1/50 will buy you
alf a stop of low-light performance, and still look reasonably like film.
Using 1/24 will buy you a whole stop of light performance back, at the expense
of the footage looking quite smeary on motion.
7) To simulate additional frame rates. Use 1/24 when filming at 24P, and play
back the footage at 200% speed, and you'll have an identical simulation of film
shot 12 frames per second. Similarly, use 1/30 and shoot at 30P, play it back
twice as fast, and it'll look exactly like film would had you shot it at 15
frames per second. New frame rates, 12P and 15P!
8 ) When shooting under older magnetic-ballast fluorescents or HMI's, you may
have to select certain shutter speeds to avoid pulsing or cycling of the lights.
Similarly, when shooting NTSC under 50hz lights, or PAL under 60hz lights,
you may have to adjust the shutter speed to avoid flicker or pulsing.
9) Freezing water droplets or rain: for specific instances like shooting a
food commercial where someone squirts a lemon, etc., and you want to show
the individual droplets clearly, you might try using a very short shutter speed.
Typically these shots are done using strobe lights, but you may be able to get a
satisfactory facsimile of the effect by using a super-fast shutter speed.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

[quote author=matthewd5 link=board=news;num=1104949261;start=0#1 date=01/05/05 at 11:36:54]
just buy barry's dvx book.

matthew[/quote]
Well... I happen to think it's a "great" comment. $80 to learn in depth for investing $3500 into a camera isn't really much of an investment.

Only thing... shoulda' had a link :)
http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/dvxbook/
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

This forum is about an exchange of information.
One good bit of info is to know about the availability of a book and DVD that offers easy-to-understand information on your primary film-making tool. The DVX.
Can you put a price on this?
Yes,---'bout 80 dollars US.
Is it worth that?
Much more!
Looking for a bargain?
That's what it is,---'cause Barry and all the other contributors to this site will continue providing FREE info.
There for the pickin'.
;D
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

Is this thread a sales pitch?

Here are a few thoughts after watching this curious behavior for a few days:

Why is it that most everyone is acting a liitle strange (IMO) when someone simply suggest we share ideas... (radical idea?...no I don't think so given the circumstance)...it appears that people are trying to protect the good work Barry has done with the creation of his book, & while I applaud this noble effort it does seem strange. Certainly there are many discovers others beside Barry have come across... and are worthy of sharing.

Bottom line, Barry's book is excellent & will continue to sell, it is now bundled with new cameras! what an endorsement! :) So from my perspective it's safe again to share, the book will continue to sell because it's a good value, justice is served. Barry will continue to study and lead the way with his valued research. I notice he shares quite a bit.

I would think that maybe we can get back to sharing so all DVX users will be in a better postion to create excellent work and help bring about the digital revolution.

Will you share or take?
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

I agree. The book is excellent when you want years of the best known DVX information consolidated into one source.

The DVX Forum is best to share experiences, get pointers, tips, and it's the DVX community serving the DVX community...
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

[quote author=10s link=board=news;num=1104949261;start=0#8 date=01/08/05 at 14:08:19]Is this thread a sales pitch?

Here are a few thoughts after watching this curious behavior for a few days:

Why is it that most everyone is acting a liitle strange (IMO) when someone simply suggest we share ideas... (radical idea?...no I don't think so given the circumstance)...it appears that people are trying to protect the good work Barry has done with the creation of his book, & while I applaud this noble effort it does seem strange. Certainly there are many discovers  others beside Barry have come across... and are worthy of sharing.

Bottom line, Barry's book is excellent & will continue to sell, it is now bundled with new cameras! what an endorsement! :) So from my perspective it's safe again to share, the book will continue to sell because it's a good value, justice is served. Barry will continue to study and lead the way with his valued research. I notice he shares quite a bit.

I would think that maybe we can get back to sharing so all DVX users will be in a better postion to create excellent work and help bring about the digital revolution.

Will you share or take?[/quote]

Very good points, it does resemble a sales pitch.

I doubt Barry would be totally in favour of "buy Barry's book" if you want help on the DVXUser.com site.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

So from my perspective it's safe again to share
To suggested it has somehow been UNsafe to share in this community is absurd!
No one has even intimated that!!!
How does the endorsement of a book have anything whatever to do with that?
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

Peabody, my comments are not intended to offend anyone but rather to question and see if that's all the better we can do.

Sometimes (in my experience) I've noticed that people tend to shy away ( feel unsafe) from sharing because they feel they might loose an edge to the competition, or they feel it's too much to be burdened with teaching another person ( it's up to each to learn ) or they want to protect the situation & ensure continuation of their sustanance (The Book). This may not apply to you but it appears strange to read through and see the behavior of this thread  to a simple request for sharing given the number of onlookers.

To give answers such as, just get the book, begs the question, why not answer all questions with a similair answer, i.e., cinematography question? oh go read this book, lighting question, just go read that book. This is OK to a point, but given the context of where this conversation is taking place it seems a little ironic that these sort of answers are the only thing we have to offer. I bet that you & I & others have much to offer.

Just some Food for Thought. :)
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

There is some good info in this community.
There is good info in books.
There is good info in books from people in and outside of this community.
Sometimes good info is being pointed to a good book.
Matter or fact bet much of Barry Green's DVD book was based on his many contributions to dvxuser.com.
I don't care if he has millions in a Swiss bank account.
I'm not promoting his book for gain.
You get good information where ever you can find it.
An option is to buy it in one volume.
It's called a book! And in this case a DVD too. Very convenient.
Another option is to post a question in this community where knowledge is lacking and contribute an answer when we have knowledge to share.
Nuff said.
-30-
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

Whoa -- seems like this is not a good thing happening here... please don't let anyone stifle the free flow of information and exchange of ideas!
Matter or fact bet much of Barry Green's DVD book was based on his many contributions to dvxuser.com.
Oh, most definitely.  Most things that are in it are all over this forum too.  I hope people understand that I continue to share just about everything that's in the DVX Book/DVD and answer any question that's posed.  There are some things in there on the DVD that are exclusive to it, but mainly because they have to be seen/experienced on the DVD to make sense.  It is by no means the end-all be-all of anything, it's just one source for info.

If someone wants to share or ask for info, that's totally appropriate and really a key purpose of this forum.  While I am flattered that some people may think that my product has "all the answers", that's not by any means the truth -- there is much more to be known and to share... I'm sure there are some amazing combinations and amazing settings out there to be discovered, so let's keep things open and exchanging! :)
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

As a DVX user, as a member of this forum, and as an owner of Barry's book and DVD, I must say that if someone on this forum suggests someone else to 'get Barry's book'.... I believe it has got nothing to do with any kind of sales pitch or something.

The suggestion is made simply out of good intentions, and with the spirit to help others.... It is in fact a sheer out pouring of this very feeling...'wow, how much I have learnt about my camera through the Book; see how my ideas have become clearer after wathcing the DVD as to 'What' I can actually and ever hope to achieve with this cam..etc etc. In fact it is with the sheer intention to help others become as aware, knowlegable and empowered in using their DVXs...and then sharing their wonderful expereinces with others...as Disjecta and many others have done over here.... that the suggestion is ever made. Otherwise why so many people with so many diverse backgrounds would ever give the same advice.

However if someone feels he/she does need the book, he may actually not need it. As Barry said almost every 'piece' of information' is there on the forum.  But for me those are jsut the pieces...and I need the 'whole' truth....or at least an appreciable part of it.

In fact I also want to appreciate the highly positive attitude manifested by Mr. Barry Green, in each and everyone of his threads, over and over and over again, without a SINGLE exception ...that I have to see.

Thanks Barry...As at least I have been able to learn much MORE than the mere technicalities of DVX and videography...from your posts.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

[quote author=10s link=board=news;num=1104949261;start=0#12 date=01/08/05 at 17:06:58]To give answers such as, just get the book, begs the question, why not answer all questions with a similair answer, i.e., cinematography question? oh go read this book, lighting question, just go read that book. This is OK to a point, but given the context of where this conversation is taking place it seems a little ironic that these sort of answers are the only thing we have to offer. I bet that you & I & others have much to offer.

Just some Food for Thought. :)[/quote]

10s

I don't remember that a new thread bringing in any new or interesting experiences, concerns, problems or opinions of the DVX community is ever responded to with a pet answer...'go to this and that book for the answer'...on this forum.  I think it is only the Qs raised and covered umpteen number of times that meet this kind of a fate. Interesting opinions have always elicited orignial responses here, and this thread illustrates this point amicably. ;)
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

"Sometimes (in my experience) I've noticed that people tend to shy away ( feel unsafe) from sharing because they feel they might loose an edge to the competition, or they feel it's too much to be burdened with teaching another person ( it's up to each to learn ) or they want to protect the situation & ensure continuation of their sustanance"


Funny you should say this. I can't tell you how many times over the years folks were shocked hat I was so free to give away information as if it's some secret. For the insecure it might be, but as I look at broadcast television I see many of my thoughts and ideas that I've shared with other pros are now standard operating procedure on the tube. Overall head shots in the last five years I see look very much better. Considering over 17,000 people have read my articles on my website from networks, affiliates, higher learning institutions and individuals I'm happy to have helped. I'd rather see everyone light well, not just a select few. There is room for everyone.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

FYI: u should just go do some tests inside or outside and jot down your settings and look you achieved in a little notebook. Thats what I did but here a few of mine. I have the 100 not the 100a.

24P SETTINGS FOR SHOOTING IN THE BRIGHT SUN:

Detail -4
Chroma -5
Chroma Phase -5
Color Temp 0
A. Iris -3
Gamma -High
Skin Tone off
MAtrix - Normal
Detail - Thin

24P SHOOTING OUTSIDE AT NIGHT DOWNTOWN AREA WITH STREET LAMPS:

Detail -3
Master Ped - between -4 and -6
chroma-4
Thin
Gamma -On
MAtrix - Off
everything else remains stock positions.

ORANGISH FILM LIKE TINT

Detail 0
Chroma Level +7
Chroma Phase -0
Color Temp -3
Master Ped -8
A. Iris -3
Gamma - Low or Cinelike

I have used my shutter on a variety of shoots but I didn't record those settings in my little book. I will have to do some tests the next time I am out.
 
Re: SETTINGS, Settings, settings....

Always toying around looking for something different.

Last week's tweaking:

24P

chroma +7,
chroma phase -7, (to get it close to what my eye sees using a colorchip chart), These chroma settings seem too extreme but it looks most like the chip chart, (GretagMacbeth)
master pedistal to 5, to deepen the blacks
gamma: cine,
thick & thin (depending) thick, reduces moire better than thin, or thin/neg. detail
all others 0.
shutter1/48.
 
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