Uprez HVX mini-DV to HD for Disc. Channels?

M

MikeDPLD

Active member
Hi, guys?

Is this an obvious "NO!" answer? I'm gonna be in the middle of the Madagascar
rain forest in July as a one-man-doc-band. (Some zoologists & researcher types
will be with me.)

I'm planning on shooting HVX200 mini-DV in 16x9. Trying to keep it simple and
not experiment by myself. And don't have powerbook or anything else yet either.

Anyway, I just want to know if there is anyway to shoot mini-DV 16x9 with the HVX and up rez to 720 or 1080 for potential use for Discovery channel, any of
its' affiliated networks, National Geo, etc.

Too chicken to try workflow stuff by myself and haven't touched camera yet.
Too little money too (to get all necessary workflow accessories right now.)

Any workflow that permits a mini-DV uprez suitable for networks???
Thanks in advance.
Sorry if this is just a big, fat, obvious "NO" answer and I wasted your time...

Mike
 
If i was working at Discovery HD and knew you shot it on mini dv, it would say no way. Last I heard they wouldn't even accept dvcpro-HD for HD acquisitions. Good luck.
 
It is my understanding Discovery will accept DVCPRO HD. They prefer 1080i, but will reluctantly accept 720p. I'm quite certain they will not accept uprezed MiniDV footage. If you're going to go all the way out there, you really should get what you need to shoot HD. Call mom, call dad, whatever it takes to get the cash. One 4 gig card and a OTG external hard drive. About $800 total.
There's plenty of discussion on this board about OTG (on-the-go).

-J
 
HD in SD for HD networks.. Aint gonna happen..

Dude, you own a HD camera.. If your serious about what you do and have confidence in your work, spend the extra few bucks and rent the proper gear..
Otherwise plan on shooting in SD for SD networks.

I want to see your footage when you get back no matter what!

- - Justin
 
DVCPro HD is on the list of accepted formats for Discovery HD.

HDV, uprezzed HD and Super 16 can be used but cannot exceed more than 15% of a program's total content.

If I were shooting for Discovery HD and were using the HVX, I'd shoot in 1080i for maximum resolution. If slow motion were a critical consideration, then I might work in one of the 720p formats.
 
DCSensui has it right and they are lumping HVX footage into the HDV rules.
No more than 15% and there is also an individual shot length restriction.
On top of that, they have not embraced the P2 workflow at all and require that P2 media be layed off to tape to make it easier to retrieve later if necessary.

They are happy with DVCPro100, assuming it's coming from a 2/3 inch chip cam like a Varicam.
 
Sproketz,
Did I misunderstand DCSensui?
DCSensui said that DVCPRo HD with HVX is OK for Disc. Ch.
He did not say that they're lumping HVX in with HDV.
I thought he said that they were limiting HDV to more than 15% of show content,
but I didn't see any DVCPro restriction.
But it sounds like you're pretty sure of your information: Varicam only for DVCPro.
 
Mike, do a search here for 'hvx discovery' because this has been discussed and the full wording of the discovery position was posted. You can reach your own conclusions. Regardless, it doesnt cover uprezzing. It may be a case of how much they want your footage. SD uprezzed to HD is still HD, it just didn't start off as HD.
 
This is the memo I posted a couple months ago:

The Discovery memo is as follows:

Panasonic P2 technology represents the next generation of acquisition formats, cameras that record files to re-usable media and enable truly tapeless production and post production. The day for that technology is certainly coming but there are questions as to whether its time has tryly arrived. P2 cards are expensive and are in no way disposable, nor are they intended to be stored as camera masters. As DCI requires producers to deliver original camera masters for all original and comissioned projects, the concept of fixed media poses a challenge. There may be a time in the future where DCI will be prepared to handle digital file-based delivery from its producers but until that time P2 will be governed by the following restrictions.

1. Material captured using P2 for commissions and original productions must be cloned to an approved tape format for final delivery to DCI. Tapes should be cloned in such a way as to ensure that they are properly referenced in the program's final EDL or NLE project with proper timecode and tape name.

2. The program producer must demonstrate that workflow cost savings achieved by using the P2 format will cancel the expense of the transfer to tape.

3.Material for standard definition must be captured on P2 in the DVCPRO 50 codec. Material for high definition programs must be captured in the DVCPRO 100 codec.

4. The Panasonic HVX200 camera, which can record video in HD standards onto P2 media, has not been approved for unrestricted HD acquisition. While this camera records HD video onto the recording media the optical performance of the camera is closer to the performance of an HDV than to a oprofessional 2/3" camera system. Consequently, HD media captured using this camera will be governed by the HDV guidelines. The HVX200 may be used in the DVCPRO format for unrestricted Standard Definition capture.

That's the gist of the policy as it was sent to me. If there are any typos... they are mine. The bottom line here is that, as this policy states, only a small percentage of an HD production for DCI can be shot with the HVX.

Jim
 
Jim, thanks for digging up that memo again.
What does this mean: "The HVX200 may be used in the DVCPRO format for unrestricted Standard Definition capture."
Are they saying that while DVCPRO HD is very limited at this time, they WILL
use virtually unlimited content created with DVCPRO 50?
...so widescreen DVCPRO 50--approx. digibeta quality--is OK?
 
Mike,
I think that may be one way to look at it. But, to be honest with you I would suggest contacting Discovery directly. Before I purchased my Beta SX (not SP) gear five years ago I spoke with folks in Discovery's and Nat Geo's tech/production departments to make sure they would accept SX. I would suggest you do the same. If you already have a production deal worked out with the network your production contact can advise you.

If you are shooting without a production deal and in hopes a network will purchase it from you down the line... they may still take it no matter what camera or format you use. It may just mean you get less money for the finished product.

Jim
 
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