EX-1 shortcomings

[Randy Strome]

You may all have seen this, but Juan from Sony sounded in on this here:

https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/142/856265

[Rafael Amador]

hi John,
Even in the chipper 1 CCD digital cameras, you have a full 444 YCbCr signal available.
The RGB signal that you get from the sensors is converted to a Y’CbCr (4:4:4. Bit-depth depending of the processor) before any color down-sampling or compression. That would be the place to extract a 422 signal to output through the HDI-SDI.
If the EX-1 do not output a full 10b Unc 422 through HDI-SDI, is because the people of SONY just don’t want.
Rafael

PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE

[Ron Shook]

Randy, Mark, John, Craig,

[randy Strome] “You may all have seen this, but Juan from Sony sounded in on this here:”

I’ve been watching this debate with great interest. Juan from Sony seems pretty much unequivocal here:

[Juan Martinez] “Yes, it is possible to capture recorded data via the HDSDI. IN case of 24P recordings please note that the Ex1 always adds 3-2 pulldown when outputting 24p footage via the HDSDI. This is to allow monitoring with a wide array of displays. The NLE can remove 3-2 and extract the 24P cadence as the A frames always fall on the 0 and 5 frame. You can also capture EE (live video) via HDSDI. Please note that the EE signal is full HD resolution 1920×1080 or 1280×720 4:2:2, 10-bit.”

Note that he makes a distinction here between monitoring recording via HDSDI and capturing the EE signal via HDSDI. Could it be that the camcorder handles things differently through the HDSDI spigot depending on whether the EX1 is in record mode to SxS, or is just spitting out HDSDI EE when not in record mode? If so, could it be that John has run all his direct capture to NLE tests while simultaneously recording to SxS with the probably less than optimum upconverted of the EX1 MPEG2 to HDSDI? There is some logic to Sony setting things up this way in that monitoring on location with small monitors needn’t be the best nor should we expect the camcorder cross converting to HDSDI from MPEG2 with 3-2 pull down to be top notch on such a small, relatively inexpensive device.

Should I get the EX1, I might very well want it this way some of the time, however, I can easily imagine other instances where I would want to be recording to SxS for backup while simultaneously capturing via HDSDI to an NLE or some other HDSDI device calling for the full HDSDI Magilla off the camera head. Could there be a menu setting for this in the EX1, and if not, could we get one in a firmware update?

Unlike Mark, who doesn’t anticipate using HDSDI output, I definitely do, because I am looking forward to the Convergent Design Flash XDR:

https://www.convergent-design.com/” TARGET=_blank>https://www.convergent-design.com/

This device would allow for better than XDCamHD, HDCam, Varicam, probably better than AVC Intra recording of the EX1 off the camera head and while doing so, I’d want SxS for backup.

To work with Flash XDR, the HDSDI spigot would need to interleave audio and timecode, so that leads to my question of immediate importance. Does the EX1 HDSDI spigot interleave audio and timecode with the video in all instances? If not, then Flash XDR would be almost useless with the EX1, and I keep looking.

I hope I’m not totally all wet with this post.

Ron Shook

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Ron,
I have read in some SONY docs that says the HDI-SDI of the EX1 output embed TC and audio.
Sorry, but now, with so many things that I’ve downloaded about the EX1, I can not find the doc.
However in this .pdf Convergent states that the EX1 is compatible with theyr system:

https://www.convergent-design.com/downloads/Flash%20XDR%20Spec%20and%20FAQ.pdf

Rafael

PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE

[James Carroccio]

thx for the review man, i found it to be very informative.

im thinking about buying this camera.

do u think it would be a good investment for a graduating film student who will be doing videography as well as independent art house pieces?

i just sold my hdr-fx1 and would like to shoot on a real hd format

thx

p.s is the hand holding this camera s bad as everyone says? do i really need a shoulder brace?

[Craig Seeman]

James, it really depends on your target goals.

You’d need to buy a workflow, not just a camera.

If you become a freelance shooter what would your clients expect for delivery, optical disc with files, blu-ray, XDCAM disc, video tape, Standard definition, etc.?

If you’re starting your own business, what kind of clients with what kind of budgets are you pursuing?

It’s a SPECTACULAR camera but you need to know you can make enough money to justify the expense and make a living.

If your school didn’t teach you about the business aspects of video/film you may find your business education more expensive than the tuition you paid for school.

[Mark Palmos]

[James Carroccio] ”
p.s is the hand holding this camera s bad as everyone says? do i really need a shoulder brace?”

Depends on if you are using the viewfinder or the LCD monitor. If the LCD and you are holding the camera by the handle on top of the camera, its pretty easy to hand hold, but then your hand is not on the variable speed zoom, just one (variable by setting and switch) speed zoom.

If you are using the viewfinder it is simply by far the worst hand held camera i have every tried. Balance, weight – yes a brace is a necessity for more than 5 minutes of shooting.

mark.

[James Carroccio]

thx for the advice Craig.

[Steven Thomas]

This is an old thread, but it been confirmed by Sony and also Cineform that the EX1 captured “live” IS using all 10 bits, not 8.