4:2:2 or 4:1:1

[Don Greening]

[Pablo Hill] ” Are the EX1’s 4:2:2 or 4:1:1″

Neither. It’s 4:2:0 recording to the cards unless you record using HD SDI out. Then it’s 4:2:2.

– Don

[Pablo Hill]

It’s a bit expensive considering you can get 4:2:2 with a panasonic HVX200 for less cash. I do love all of sony’s in camera features, like the smooth transition effect and depth of field indicator. I’ve rented a EX1 few times and love the fact that I can use it as my own, since I own a Z1U the work basically the same way. But I see the EX1’s 35mb/s and true 1920 horizontal resolution as a small upgrade from HDV. Considering HVX’s 4:2:2 and 50mb/s for less cash.

Is there something I’m missing?

[Noah Kadner]

These cameras are quite evenly matched IMHO.

EX1’s advantages-
1920×1080 resolution
SxS cards can be had for less and fit into current MacBook Pros with Expresscard slot without an adapter.
Codec is pretty amazing for 4:2:0 35 Mbit

Disadvantages
Closer to HDV than DVCPROHD in terms of image quality
Rolling Shutter- CMOS artifacts
Long-GOP file format

HVX200 Advantages
higher bitrate
Better image quality in the codec
Better gamma options
Better audio quality and options

HVX200 Disadvantages
P2 cards get expensive and are slow to transfer

Hope that helps. I think it’s worth renting both cameras to see what you like about each. When it comes down to it I prefer the HVX200’s ergonomics and menus over the EX1’s. It still feels a bit too consumery in the way the menus work for my tastes.

Noah

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[Craig Seeman]

EX 1920×1080 4:2:0
vs
HVX 960×540 uprezed 4:2:2

You can not directly compare 4:2:0 to 4:2:2 and bit rates without taking in to account what the codec is being handed to work with. I have done chroma keys with EX’s 4:2:0 and they look clean because the pixels are packed very tightly together. Don’t forget if you really need it, the EX can give you 10 (or 8 bit some debate on that) bit Uncompressed 4:2:2 out of HD-SDI and their are recording devices that can handle that.

EX 4:2:0 handles very well at its pixel count.

[Craig Seeman]

BTW it seems non mention the chip size itself.

EX is 1/2″
HVX is 1/3″

EX depth of field control is significantly better and it’s light sensitivity is amazing. The resolution tests also are “off the chart” compared to the HVX.

The EX looks to have a better picture than an F355 and some people even look at it as sort of a “poor man’s” 900.

When you have those kinds of results the 4:2:0 vs 4:2:2 really isn’t at issue in THIS case. One could say if all other things were equal, but they’re not equal.

[Steve Connor]

[Noah Kadner] “EX1’s advantages-

HVX200 Advantages
Better image quality in the codec
Better gamma options
Better audio quality and options

Disagree with all these, it’s technically a better codec but the image quality from the front of the camera is nowhere near as good as the EX1.

How is the audio quality better, aren’t they both the same audio?

The technical people at Discovery also agree as the HVX is only allowed to be used in productions at the same percentage rate as HDV, the EX1 is approved for 100% production.

Steve Connor
Adrenalin Television

Have you tried “Search Posts”? Enlightenment may be there.

[Dean Sensui]

The only comments I’ve ever received about the quality of the EX1 images are positive ones.

Even professionals have mentioned being impressed by the look the camera provides.

I owned an HVX prior to the EX1 and have to say that in terms of overall color quality, both are on par. However, the EX1 does seem to have slightly better dynamic range and it definitely captures more detail than the HVX.

Dean Sensui — Hawaii Goes Fishing

[Bob Mark]

Keep in mind that the HVX200 has SD chips that are up rezed. Same with the HPX500.