Sony XDCAM EX

Created this bitmap from the bitmap 1080 30P samples of just the wine bottle alone and some of the curtains in the background. The HVX200 is on the left, the EX1 is on the right.

This is from the comparison mentioned earlier.
http://www.genkosha.co.jp/vs/sp/200712/

HVX200_EX1_Bottle.bmp
 
As much as I hated to, I sold my JVC HD100.
I could of used both, but since this was changing my workflow, I bailed on the HD100. The HD100 produced some nice stuff, but the codec can break under certain condions like shooting the seaside. Also, the HD100 noise levels could sometimes get in the way. The EX1 apparently is really clean.
 
I'd like to know more details about camera settings. The way the EX is handling the overexposure in the mirror with the car, cans, balls etc, is pretty impressive. It appears to have a really smooth roll-off.
 
At 1080p, the EX1 looks a lot sharper, at 720p, the difference seems marginal. The chroma looks more to my taste in the HVX grabs, but the EX1 looks like it may have the edge in dynamic range. If the EX1 footage can be graded without breaking up, that would be a big plus.
 
Elton said:
I'd like to know more details about camera settings. The way the EX is handling the overexposure in the (mirror?) frame with the car, cans, balls etc, is pretty impressive.
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That's the thing--there are so many chroma and gamma variables in these two cameras, that it's hard to draw any absolute conclusions from a couple of grabs. But the EX1 stills look encouraging.
 
If those images are accurate (no reason to believe they arent), then its pretty much what I expected. It is interesting that in 720 mode he preferred the HVX image.

Elton I noticed that as well. Id say one of the benefits of a larger sensor.
 
Barry_S said:
That's the thing--there are so many chroma and gamma variables in these two cameras, that it's hard to draw any absolute conclusions from a couple of grabs. But the EX1 stills look encouraging.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I don't think anyone's surprised by the resolution difference in 1080, but the question of dynamic range can't be answered unless both cameras are put in their max range mode (which is probably flat and boring looking straight outta the cams) and then both properly exposed, etc.

Things are getting interesting. I hope all the manufacturers eventually move to at least 1/2" in the small form professional HD class.
 
I'm seeing better latitude, lower noise, less compression artifacts, decent color, and sharper images even on the 720P image, but I agree, it's closer with the 720P.
The 1080 30P image from the EX1 is really good and in a different league of ANY 1/3" CCD cam i've seen.

Can't wait to see it moving.
 
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Stevet said:
Created this bitmap from the bitmap 1080 30P samples of just the wine bottle alone and some of the curtains in the background. The HVX200 is on the left, the EX1 is on the right.
Click to expand...
I looked at the images before I read the text above, and my immediate impression was that I was looking at an SD/HD comparison.

Yes, they are stills, not moving, so there is much still to be seen, but personally the difference is FAR greater than I was expecting. They certainly make me feel that native resolution is a far more important than 4:2:2 v 4:2:0!!
 
Here's another quick glimpse from the 720 60P BMPs posted from the link earlier.
The HVX200 is on the left, the EX1 on the right.
The 720P is a lot closer, although the EX1 has the edge in this shot for rez, noise, and laititude.

IMO, the 1080 stuff from the EX1 is in another league over the 1/3" cams.
HVX200_EX1_Fatty.bmp
 
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RichardVClark said:
The Sony image looks very "clean" compared the HVX.
Click to expand...
That's another trademark element of the "Sony look"; they've always had very clean footage. Even back when we did the Z1/HVX/VariCam/F900/HD100/XLH1 comparison, the Z1 was heads and shoulders better than the other 1/3" cams in terms of noise and "clean" imagery.
 
If anything this is good news...
I'm really looking forward to what's up everyones sleeves now.

This opens the door for future sub 8K cams to offer at least 1/2".

I bet Panny's next sub 10K cam is going to be awesome.
 
Okay, so I'm a little bit confused. What's the definition of a "true" HD resolution? Does it matter if the color space is 4:2:0 and the pixel resolution is 1920x1080 or the color space has to be 4:4:4 also to be considered as "true" HD? Or perhaps something else totally different that I'm not comprehending.
 
Or, does it matter what the "true" definition is for HD.

I believe HD has to do with rez. Colorspace has always been a different thing.
Even in the days of SD. Remember those day.. LOL, just kidding..
old SD DV was 4:1:1.

I believe most attach 1920x1080P to "True" HD. That's the best our at home devices offer.

Barry could "shed some light" on this subject.
 
myCharlie said:
Okay, so I'm a little bit confused. What's the definition of a "true" HD resolution? Does it matter if the color space is 4:2:0 and the pixel resolution is 1920x1080 or the color space has to be 4:4:4 also to be considered as "true" HD? Or perhaps something else totally different that I'm not comprehending.
Click to expand...

My advice is look at the images. Get the best monitor you can and look at the images. Try to pull a key.

Guys will sit around and talk about numbers until they are blue in the face. Especially marketing people. It's hocus pocus if you can't see it. Shoot a greenscreen and pull the keys and do some color correction. You'll know really fast what's going on.

Looking at those 2 pictures the HVX looks very much like they typically do and the Sony is blowing it away in sharpness, dynamic range and color rendition. There's no comparison there. If that's representative of what this Sony does for real vs. the HVX then I'd be really bummed if I bought an HVX last week.



All I know is anyone who can look at those two pictures and argue the HVX might be better needs glasses or a new monitor.

And REAL 1080P is the format of tomorrow. If you want to deliver Blue Ray then you won't be shooting an HVX.

Oh - to answer your question I'd personally say a camera that natively captures 720P or 1080P is HD. BUT there are a lot of HD cameras out there and they all produce different images which is why I say use your eyes.

If you don't trust your eyes you can always look at what Discover Channel accepts for full shows. They approve the best cameras.
 
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