HDX-900 vs Varicam test

[Tony]

try inserting varicam tape into HDX-900 and vice versa.

but seriously.

overexposure latitude tests comparing film rec to film gamma modes in HDX-900, white shading manual setups versus the lame auto white shading in Varicam, lens files storage on HDX-900.

Menu protocol and ease of access via EC-3. Can VTR menu be accessed on HDX-900 via EC-3 instead of having to activate it at camera head on Varicam (have to disconnect EC-3 to do so).

Matching Varicam to HDX-900 (varicam in Video rec mode).

Operational use and feature set of new RCP unit for HDX-900 versus the underpowered EC-3.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Oh I forgot a real important test.

What is the image quality for the 1080 recording versus shooting at 720P and then uprezzing via a Kona or BMD card to 1080?

How exactly Panasonic has chosen to derive the 1080 internally in the camera head is still a mystery and many would like to know the technical specs on how this is accomplished (magically voodoo or via a sophicated uprezzing process.)

I’ll give you five bucks and a lunch coupon at Subway for the test results.

I believe Michael Brennan would also donate a small token gift for the results also.

Tony Salgado

[Bchsiao]

Thanks Tony,

Methinks you have a white shading fetish!

I’m not sure if the EC-3 will work with the HDX-900, since they have a new RC10G for it?

Also, I was told by Birns and Sawyer that the setup cards for the Varicam “H” models are compatible with the HDX-900.

Bruce Hsiao

[John Sharaf]

EC3 will not work with the HVX900, and I very much doubt that the “H” setup cards are transferable, there are many functions that are unique to the Varicam that would only corrupt the HVX900 (Dynamic level, frame rate, Film Rec, Video Rec, etc.)

JS

[Bchsiao]

Subway! Blech. Whenever production wants to feed us subway for lunch, I have an old saying: I work hard just to NOT eat subway, and today, I’m working my ass off AND you want me to eat subway?

Tony, what’s your email address? I have an early xmas gift for you…

Bruce Hsiao

[Tony]

Bruce,

The importance of white shading and significant role it plays in improving the optical quality of the lenses you use on the camera is paramount in my opinion which is why I posed the question.

Tony Salgado

[Bobby Holbrook ii]

Subway……….yummy

[Bchsiao]

Hi Tony,

Won’t the Panny 1400 spit out 1080i?

Bruce Hsiao

[Jeff Merritt]

Hello All,

All of the DVCPRO HD VTRs going back to the original HD130DC and HD150 as well as the newer AJ-HD1700, HD1200A and HD1400 have had the capability to cross-convert from 720p to 1080i and visa versa, but in some cases like the HD1200A required an option card. Now the AJ-HD1400 has that capability built-in, no option.

This format conversion is designed on a similar platform as was originally set up in the Panasonic AJ-UFC1800, a very high-end format converter and the first on the market to do so at the time. It is still of the highest quality for this type of format conversion. In fact, we sold a ton of these units into the post community and they are still going strong 24/7 after all these years. Since this technology is built-in to the current VTRs, there is no need to spend money at a post house just to make conversions. In fact, for example, shooting in 720p with the VariCam or HDX900, editing in 720p and going back to tape on the HD1400/HD1200A is really a piece of cake. In this case, for delivery in 1080i, the deck can do the conversion for you. So delivery on a D5-HD or HDCAM is no problem for those networks and cable companies like Discovery Networks that require HD delivery in 1080i.

Basically in the world today, an acquisition format may have nothing all to do with the delivery format. I’m reminded that several years ago the CBS Network when broadcasting in HD 1080i, their preferred transmission standard, actually produced the pre-game of the Super Bowl entirely with the VariCam and converted all the material to 1080i for broadcast. It happens all the time; one format converted to another.

Please let me know your thoughts on this subject as your feedback is important.

Thanks,

Jeff Merritt
Product Line Business Manager
High Definition Products
Panasonic Broadcast
323-436-3676

[Tony]

Today I was able to get some of my own pressing technical questions answered by personally spending some time with the HDX-900.

I discovered the HDX-900 does not offer Vmod (disappointing not to see this critical maintance adjustment).

The manual lens shading saw and para for red, green and blue are a welcome feature compared to the automatic white shading feature found on the varicam and sdx.

I was able to rate the overexposure capabilities of the camera as well as record in both 720p and 1080i.

The downconverter for SD-SDI and VBS if used means you will lose one of the HDSDI outputs the remaining HDSDI output is on the side of the camera which is labeled mon out. It would have been much more beneficial to retain the two HDSDI outputs at all times and offer a third video output for the downconverted signals (ie which is what the Sony F900R can do).

The 1200A vtr will autosense what mode the camera recorded at which is great however the HDX-900 itself needs to have the system mode match the recording mode (ie you cannot record in 1080 and playback a 720p recording until you switch the system systems to reflect the original recording mode.)

However the internal 720 to 1080 uprezzing still needs a detailed explanation. Jeff I am sure others would appreciate a response on this question.

If you are not able or qualified to answer the specifics regarding the 720 to 1080 uprezzing can you direct me to someone who can?

Thank you,

Tony Salgado