Which recording format should we use for our doc?

P

pekar1876

Active member
Were shooting a doc next month and trying to decide which shooting format to use.

Were going to have four 16gb cards and would like to be able to shoot between 1-2 hours of footage per day and then dump the footage onto our external hard drive at night.

It's all going to be shot in natural daylight in Miami.

Which recording format would you use?
 
Probably the first question you should ask yourself is what is the destination of the documentary. Where will it be viewed or broadcast and what delivery specifications are required by that outlet.
Jim
 
If You are delivering to DVD or Standard broadcast only then shoot in DvcPro50 or DvcPro HD in 720pn to save some space and still be HD then down-convert to SD.

If you are delivering to broadcast in HD then shoot in 720 or 1080, I suggest 1080 24pa or 30p since it has a little more resolution than 720 but 720 is a fine choice if you need the space.

I would shoot anything at the cameras highest quality 1080 at 24pA as long as storage space wasn't an issue.


If you might be delivering to film shoot in 1080 24pa or 30p no question, you'll need the extra resolution.
 
I'd go with the highest resolution you can afford to shoot - if that's only 720 due to space or offloading then so be it. But why sacrifice resolution if you've got the space and can offload the cards when necessary. With 4 16's and 1-2 hours a day I would go 720p 24pn or find a way to dump to a laptop while shooting. And dont forget that plenty of SD documentaries have made it to the big screen. I wouldnt let that drive your decision with a doc. If its good it will make it. If not... it wont.
 
Jim Carswell said:
Probably the first question you should ask yourself is what is the destination of the documentary. Where will it be viewed or broadcast and what delivery specifications are required by that outlet.
Jim
Click to expand...


Our aim is for television broadcast and possibly a small run in digital cinemas. I'm hoping the rental house we use in London will have the new 32gb cards by the time we go to Miami in three weeks and we can shoot 1080i 24p, if not we will be shooting 720 24pn.

Were editing on Premiere Pro CS3. For the sound, grading including digi beta playouts we have two days for each in a studio. What would you deliver on to the post houses?

What would you say is the best work flow when shooting on the HVX?
 
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