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Going to HD with HPX500 – 720pn or 1080p? (PAL)
So, we’re in for HD.
I’m told to stay away from shooting interlaced. Not having the manual at hand, I believe the HPX500 can shoot both 720p (and native) and 1080p.
Is 1080 alway better than 720? Can I shoot 1080pN ? 720pN25 seems to give same recording time as 576i, i.e. 34 mins per 16 GB. So 1080pN would perhaps also give 34 min per 16 GB?
Any tips/thoughts/recommendations are (as always) highly appreciated!
replied 16 years, 7 months ago 3 Members · 5 Replies
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5 Replies
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Niklas-
We have the 500 as well and our cameras live 99% of the time in 720p 24pN. It all comes down to what type of projects you’re working on. 1080 isn’t necessarily better than 720, but it all depends on your situation.
Remember 720 footage will take up less space on your P2 cards. It will also take up less space on your edit suite. The 1080 is nice if you need the extra resolution (ie: scenics, television work, etc)
The best advice I can give you is look at distribution. If your videos will mainly live online or on SD DVDs, 720 is fine. If you are producing more for broadcast you may want to go to 1080.
I should also mention we shoot NTSC, but I can’t image the differences being to major with PAL.
Hope this helps.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Thank you for your helpful information. Yes, our productions ends up on either DVD and/or web. No broadcasts (at least not for the moment…)
I think I start out with 720pN/25.
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If you have a Kona 3 or similar you can easily transcode from 720 to 1080. Many docs are shot with 720 and then mastered to 1080 if required.
John
MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.8 QT7.6.4 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 3 (FCP 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Comp 3.5.1, DVDSP 4.2.2, Color 1.5.1)Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN
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So, now I’m doing some tests…
Shooting progressive is all new… and my, I don’t like it. Stuttery motion. Yikes! How can most companies shoot 720P? Are we all that used to stuttery motion or are there tricks up the sleeve?
I’m all in the interlaced world (started with U-Matic low band).
And sure, 1080 has extra resolution.
What do you guys think? Is it just a question about getting used to the new “look”?
The HPX500 has two modes: video cam and film cam. Looks like I can use either (it is set as video cam now). Should I set the HPX500 to Film cam now when I’m in HD land?
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There are a number of things that can affect stutter. Stutter will appear worse the sharper the image, and the increased depth of field of HD cameras can make stutter worse. Use some ND and open up your exposure to reduce the depth of field. The faster the pan, the more stutter. The American Cinematographer’s Handbook has charts with recommended pan speeds for different frame rates. Shutter angle settings will also affect stutter. Typical setting for 24P would be 1/48. But you can experiment with that a bit.
John
MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.8 QT7.6.4 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 3 (FCP 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Comp 3.5.1, DVDSP 4.2.2, Color 1.5.1)Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN
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