You going High Def?

D

dstevens

Well-known member
Hi-
Im sure this question has been addressed to some degree in other threads, but here's a broad question.....

From the film maker's perspective, how important do think it is to go high def? Besides getting one of the snazzy new cameras, it looks like there will be an additional investment (hardware, software, etc) to really get the benefit of high def. If you're a digital filmmaker, do you figure you just _have_ to go high def as soon as you can, or is it something you'll do somewhere down the road?

How about event videography? Must do as soon as you can?

Just curious what the thought was. I have that gene that makes want the latest technology, but some voice in my head mentions I should probably build my skill set with my existing setup, before running my credit rating down further.
 
As a film maker, I think I will go hi-def eventually. I think I will probably buy and HVX before I really need it, but I don't feel it important as far as my "future proofing" my films. The DVX right now is still an exceptional cam, and until I start hearing complaints from people about my footage not looking "good enough" to be projected on that big screen, I don't think that I will "have" to shoot hi-def. But like I said, I'm sure i will succomb to the "new toyness" of the HVX, and get one before I really have to:).
 
Obviously, this is very subjective and wholly depends on your applications, clients' needs (if applicable), and, most importantly, your own preferences. Some hard-core professionals who make their living in video (unlike myself) might disagree with this, but I certainly wouldn't feel that you "must" be HD proficient or have HD equipment to feel or appear professional. I, for one, can't justify (or afford, frankly) the cost of all the extra expenses. I personally couldn't be happier with 24p SD and still have LOADS to learn on that front, anyhow.
 
I'll go HD when there is a convienent, popular, cheap way to deliver an HD "tape""DVD""whatever" to my clients.

I Can't wait for the BlueRay/HD-DVD war to begin and get over.
 
I would go HD if I was only making films to be transferred to 35mm. Right now, I am just playing with my DVX and I most of the work I do is SD, so if I was going to buy an HVX it would be mostly to shoot at DVCPRO50.
 
Only two years ago we were entirely SD. In today's market, we've already transitioned to originating in HD. There is still a budget provision for NTSC SD master dupes at the end of the process, but we're not otherwise looking back.

To satisfy this situation for the moment - at least until Panasonic's full-line solution hits the market - we're using Z1U and CineAlta F900 exclusively.

For independent film, I humbly suggest that you can still get away with uprezzed ED. Write a good story or treatment and see where it takes you. I am a big believer in letting the technology take a back seat to the associated work. Use the tools to get what you need, but lavish your attention on the creative and not the engineering - unless you want to be a standards enforcer and not a filmmaker.

You'll continue to see a good crop of DVX films prior to the predicted exodus to the HVX next year. We still use the DVX100a to pitch with - it satisfies the needs of the network for understanding concept and visual treatment.

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overlandfilms said:
For independent film, I humbly suggest that you can still get away with uprezzed ED. Write a good story or treatment and see where it takes you. I am a big believer in letting the technology take a back seat to the associated work. Use the tools to get what you need, but lavish your attention on the creative and not the engineering - unless you want to be a standards enforcer and not a filmmaker.
Click to expand...

I completely agree.

That said, I'm sure whatever film I make next will be with an HVX. Either rented or bought. :thumbsup:
 
Well...since my parents have been talking about buying a HD LCD tv for the past few months...I'm prolly going to upgrade to HD. I'll buy the HVX...but...my main concern is the pricing of those P2 cards...they are maddd exspensive!!! but in the long run...they will eventually get more Gigs and the lower space cards will go down in price.

Plus...by 2010 by law..all broadcast stations are going to have to switch to HD and people without HD tvs are gonna have to buy a transformer or watever they called so it makes the signal analog so its viewable on SD tvs...So i wanna keep up with the future...plus with such an investment like $5,000...you wanna most definitly make sure your buying something for the future that will also last too.
 
Actually, I don't think that there is any requirement for broadcasting HD in the near or distant future. The only requirement is that all stations be up and running the broadcast of SD digital TV. HD is digital but digital is not necessarily HD. 4x3 SD digital broadcasts will be with us for a long long time. There are now and will continue to be some Enhanced Definition ED broadcasts. Most primetime and subscription movie services have HD digital braodcasts. I don't think we will see all TV being broadcast in HD for a very long time if ever. Do we really need Judge Judy in HD :grin: .

johnc :beer:
 
johnc is correct -- there is not any law or mandate or even recommendation that says anybody has to ever switch to HD. The only mandate is to switch to digital broadcasting; broadcasters can use any of the 18 ATSC digital broadcast standards and they'll be in full compliance. Only 6 of the 18 are HD, the other 12 are standard-def or EDTV. So we could be watching standard-def broadcasts for far into the future...
 
i wish that comsumers woudl be aducated more on the difference between HDTV and DTV.. i get this alot.. *sigh*

What most peopel don't realize is that come 2008 (or was it '09 ..the FCC can't make up their mind) all analog TVs (without a converter) will go black!

- Mikko
 
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