Hi – High! (Hi-Squared?)
Yes, the HDX900 uses the same CCDs as the VariCam, also much of the same DSP processing. You can shoot at 720p 24 or 1080p 24, the latter will give a slight increase in horizontal resolution due to the differences in CODEC sampling structure (960 vs 1280)
As for 1080p 24 or 24PA, that’s a choice you have to make when choosing your edit workflow. If you intend to edit 24p native, 24PA is usually a better choice, you can extract the 2:3 tape pulldown whilst ingesting over 1394, it’s fast and lossless. If you use 1080p 24,(non PA) you have to ingest the clip and then remove the 2:3 pulldown, this is CPU intensive and it does processes the video as it has to merge fields, not lossless, but not bad.
Alternatively, shoot either and use the AJ-HD1200 / 1400 / 1700 DVCPRO HD decks to play the tape and remove the 2:3 pulldown for you. In the special 23HD mode, the deck will spit out 1080 23.976PsF with correct TC / Audio etc via HD-SDI. Obviously the latter will require LARGE storage as its uncompressed.
WRT Gamma, knee, black levels etc, Those are aesthetic choices that you need to make AFTER testing, to determine the look(S) you like best for the project. Many of the experts on this forum can help you with setups / looks, but it comes down to you choosing a couple that are appropriate.
Many choices, all vaid, just depends upon you post workflow. With regards the 1080p 24 vs 720p 24, test it and decide for yourself. Questions to my e-mail if required.
Good luck!
Steve Mahrer – Panasonic.