Will 720p be the preferred format?

[John Trent]

I hope I'm wrong but I have a hard time believing we're going to get 1080p that is a noticible improvement over 720p out of a 1/3 chip camcorder with a prosumer fixed lens. 1080i and 720p look equal in quality and both max out at 800 lines. I've seen resolution charts where the FX1/Z1 closely matched the Cine - Alta (yeah, I couldn't believe it) so where can the HVX200 go?

Jan said awhile back she thought a lot of people would use the 720p format and besides getting more time on the P2 cards I would like to know what benefits there would be editing - wise? CPU power and hard drive space would be less taxed. Rendering and real - time performance improved. You'd be dealing with smaller files and not have to deal with the extra frames that 1080p records to give you 24p, right? Maybe some of us could handle the load on our current computers and not have the added expense of buying a top of the line pc and raid array -- or is this just wishful thinking?

I'm not a tech guy, so tell me why this wouldn't be so. Thanks.

 

[Gang_Green]

Another thing to consider is that most people who have HDTVs' = have models that cant do 1080p anyway. 1080p HDTVs are sold in stores as True HD' which is just some marketing stradigy. I went to the store yester day and they only had 5 models that had 1080p out of like 50 HDTVs on the floor and all of them were upwards of 4 grand or more. -

 

[alpi69]

in the HVX 720p allows different framerates. that is a huge feature. but having it in 1080p would be even better for the bid screen.

 

[Stevet]

I went to the store yester day and they only had 5 models that had 1080p out of like 50 HDTVs on the floor and all of them were upwards of 4 grand or more. -

1080P are new since this Summer. I believe, most all new model HDTV sets in 2006 will offer 1080P

 

[khmuse]

in the HVX 720p allows different framerates...

For me, that alone is enough the reason to purchase the HVX.

I will wait to test the camera before making a final judgment, but I seriously doubt that there will be a "large" difference in perceived quality between the 720p and 1080p modes for most projects.

 

[Emanuel]

If until now Cinealta has been option to film-out rather than Varicam, that's because 720p is not the same than 1080p to big screen...

 

[Stevet]

I will wait to test the camera before making a final judgment, but I seriously doubt that there will be a "large" difference in perceived quality between the 720p and 1080p modes for most projects.

True, it will be interesting when we get some resolution shots from both 720P and 1080P. Hopefully one of the first HVX200 takers, Barry and Jarred will provide this test.


Steve

 

[Barry_Green]

I expect that both modes will probably be able to resolve about as much detail as the lens and chips can produce, but -- can they record it? If the 720p mode records and retains as much detail as the 1080p mode, then yes 1080p would appear to be rather superfluous. I suspect that the 1080 mode will retain more res; if for no other reason because it subsamples down to 1280 across, vs. 960 for the 720p mode.

Comparative resolution charts are of course going to be shot when the opportunity arises!

 

[harddrive]

Another thing to consider is that most people who have HDTVs' = have models that cant do 1080p anyway.

Well - in Europe much high end work will be originated 1080p/25, but transmitted 1080psf/25 (psf=progressive, segmented field). For drama etc that gives the optimum possible reolution, the "flicker" is considered "film look", and it can be received on an interlace TV. It also gives transmission compatability with normal 1080i/25, considered more suitable for such as sport.

I suspect much of it is rather academic when talking about 1/3" cameras, as the limiting factors are far more likely to be sensor/lens than format, partly due to laws of physics.