HDV to HD uncompress – a question

[Gary Adcock]

[Mladen] “I’m using regular Firewire capture to get HDV footage into my G5 and then, using FCP’s Media Manager, converting it all to HD uncompressed. Is this any different (in terms of quality) to using HDV-to-HD SDI converter and capturing via KONA 2 ? “

yes, there is a very, very big difference, IMHO.
I do not believe that the software up-conversion offers the user nothing but the same compression problems they already have compounded by software. These conversions are best done by hardware. all of the HDV camera offer Component video out. that is the best you are going to get out of the camera — why not use it?

I know that FW captured HDV looks like the best thing you have ever seen, and I agree that for the price the image in those cameras is amazing, but there is a reason to handle HDV with a little more respect so it will able to compete against DVCProHD.

From IBC

Gary Adcock
Studio37
HD and Film Consultation
Chicago, IL

[Mladen Erjavec]

[gary adcock] “These conversions are best done by hardware. all of the HDV camera offer Component video out. that is the best you are going to get out of the camera — why not use it? “

I’ve just got AJA HD10a just for that purpose. But am I right in assuming that I can’t transfer the timecode together with the video using component? That’s why I’m looking at hdv-to-hd sdi converters.

[Gary Adcock]

[Mladen] “‘ve just got AJA HD10a just for that purpose. But am I right in assuming that I can’t transfer the timecode together with the video using component? That’s why I’m looking at hdv-to-hd sdi converters. “

FCP does not see TC over SDI , so you would need some sort of Serial connection (or FW) for Deck control.
Addenda makes an SDI to RS422 converter that I use on set for live capture of HDSDI.

From IBC

Gary Adcock
Studio37
HD and Film Consultation
Chicago, IL

[Gary Adcock]

[Mladen] “‘ve just got AJA HD10a just for that purpose. But am I right in assuming that I can’t transfer the timecode together with the video using component? That’s why I’m looking at hdv-to-hd sdi converters. “

FCP does not see TC over SDI , so you would need some sort of Serial connection (or FW) for Deck control.
Addenda makes an SDI to RS422 converter that I use on set for live capture of HDSDI.

From IBC

Gary Adcock
Studio37
HD and Film Consultation
Chicago, IL

[Mladen Erjavec]

[gary adcock] “FCP does not see TC over SDI , so you would need some sort of Serial connection (or FW) for Deck control.”

Funny, now I am confused even more

Both Convergent ( https://convergent-design.com/CD_Products_HDConnectLE.htm ) and Miranda ( www. miranda.com ) claim that HDV gets converted to HD SDI WITH TIMECODE…. Is this FCP issue you’re talking about?