etiennecaron
Member
I'm reading a lot about new way of shooting video (HDV, DvcproHD on P2, HD-SDI ouput) in a way that my goal is to start a little facility service to filmmaker who want to do high-end short and low-cost features. My goal is not to direct my own movie project...
Its been 6 years that i'm a 2rd camera assistant and the things who is great with film is resolution, dynamic range, DoF and the "easier going" of the equipements because the hardware have been test for so long... no stress at all!
All the new video cameras around just look great and might be use with 35mm adapter to be a real cinematic experience. But the things is, thoses cameras are not that sensitive to light and you will end with a expensive lighting rental kit to compensatate the lack of light. Even if you wide open your lens and everythings, their is no focus puller who want to risk that adventure, HD in general is very touchy for focus and need a sharp HD monitor for acuracy. So its not a bonus after all... except if you re-create DoF without an 35mm adapter (using ND, tele, etc...).
So, the goal to achieve a real cinematic experience, in low price, is full of dissapointement.
So far, the best way to shoot so-so-HD video that ive found on the net is:
1- Andromeda's Dvx100a mod:
http://www.reel-stream.com/
9.5 Stops of dynamic range, 4:4:4 10 Bits color sampling, 1540 x 990 of max. resolution.
2- CANON XL HD1 with HD-SDI output capture.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=51063
Uncompressed 1080/60i 4:2:2 HD-SDI output at 1.485 Gbps. Capture into CineForm Intermediate codec with ProspectHD from Cineform. http://www.cineform.com/products/ProspectHD.htm or with Wafian HR1 the same company.
3- PANASONIC HVX2000 DvcproHD codec to P2 card.
4:2:2 color sampling, 1080/24p, etc...
Great product... better than HDV codec in shooting movement... great color sampling... P2 is expensive, but its great anyways and will become cheaper.
Conclusion:
Color correct is more easy cuz of 10 bits 4.4.4. Can grap 2.5 more than the average camera (read that the Arri 20D is capturing 10 stops of dynamic range?!). Andromeda is great, because dvx100a is very sensitive to light and be great with 35mm adaptor, thats why is my first pick over all the great camera... you gain 1 or 2 stops (dont know really) more light than any other HDV camera or Hvx2000.
Canon HD-SDI output is great too... more expensive, but very solid in performance to create really high resolution. The fact you got to use cable doent worry me. You always use a cable for somethings when you shoot anyways (BNC for video assist, RNB-150, etc...) so its doesnt count, execept for Steady cam or agressive hand-held style. Plus, you can take-off the lens to put directly a 35mm adaptor... might help some way. Does do progressive... but not a big problem after all.
Panasonic is great for its use of Dvcpro codec.... HDV is not really friendly (hope the best for the codec at Nab 2006). view somes Hvx2000 footage and its really beautifull. Color sampling help a lot... Progressive, etc...
Anyway, i'm not a professionnal in video field, didnt have any preference in company name or whetever... so my judgment seems fair.
Sure that youve been waiting of this moment since 2 years and youve read everything and follow all the discussion forum around... NAB2006 will probably change everythings, but:
What do you thinks ? Pros and cons of all that... money is not THAT an issue in my opinion, but of course its cool when you dont have to spend too much of course
thanks.
Its been 6 years that i'm a 2rd camera assistant and the things who is great with film is resolution, dynamic range, DoF and the "easier going" of the equipements because the hardware have been test for so long... no stress at all!
All the new video cameras around just look great and might be use with 35mm adapter to be a real cinematic experience. But the things is, thoses cameras are not that sensitive to light and you will end with a expensive lighting rental kit to compensatate the lack of light. Even if you wide open your lens and everythings, their is no focus puller who want to risk that adventure, HD in general is very touchy for focus and need a sharp HD monitor for acuracy. So its not a bonus after all... except if you re-create DoF without an 35mm adapter (using ND, tele, etc...).
So, the goal to achieve a real cinematic experience, in low price, is full of dissapointement.
So far, the best way to shoot so-so-HD video that ive found on the net is:
1- Andromeda's Dvx100a mod:
http://www.reel-stream.com/
9.5 Stops of dynamic range, 4:4:4 10 Bits color sampling, 1540 x 990 of max. resolution.
2- CANON XL HD1 with HD-SDI output capture.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=51063
Uncompressed 1080/60i 4:2:2 HD-SDI output at 1.485 Gbps. Capture into CineForm Intermediate codec with ProspectHD from Cineform. http://www.cineform.com/products/ProspectHD.htm or with Wafian HR1 the same company.
3- PANASONIC HVX2000 DvcproHD codec to P2 card.
4:2:2 color sampling, 1080/24p, etc...
Great product... better than HDV codec in shooting movement... great color sampling... P2 is expensive, but its great anyways and will become cheaper.
Conclusion:
Color correct is more easy cuz of 10 bits 4.4.4. Can grap 2.5 more than the average camera (read that the Arri 20D is capturing 10 stops of dynamic range?!). Andromeda is great, because dvx100a is very sensitive to light and be great with 35mm adaptor, thats why is my first pick over all the great camera... you gain 1 or 2 stops (dont know really) more light than any other HDV camera or Hvx2000.
Canon HD-SDI output is great too... more expensive, but very solid in performance to create really high resolution. The fact you got to use cable doent worry me. You always use a cable for somethings when you shoot anyways (BNC for video assist, RNB-150, etc...) so its doesnt count, execept for Steady cam or agressive hand-held style. Plus, you can take-off the lens to put directly a 35mm adaptor... might help some way. Does do progressive... but not a big problem after all.
Panasonic is great for its use of Dvcpro codec.... HDV is not really friendly (hope the best for the codec at Nab 2006). view somes Hvx2000 footage and its really beautifull. Color sampling help a lot... Progressive, etc...
Anyway, i'm not a professionnal in video field, didnt have any preference in company name or whetever... so my judgment seems fair.
Sure that youve been waiting of this moment since 2 years and youve read everything and follow all the discussion forum around... NAB2006 will probably change everythings, but:
What do you thinks ? Pros and cons of all that... money is not THAT an issue in my opinion, but of course its cool when you dont have to spend too much of course
thanks.