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Is HVX200 a Native 1080p Camera?
Hi Guys,
Just wanted your thoughts on the question: Is the Panasonic HVX200 a native 1080p camera? I hear many discussions about the issue and have not found any conclusions to it. I am of the understanding that when recording in 720p it is native and is actually recording 720p. But when it comes to 1080p I have heard that it records in a 1080i stream and uses that stream to convert/record to 1080p. First of all is this true and if so does that show that it’s not a native 1080p camera?
Your thoughts will be very much appreciated!
James
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4 Replies
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By all means the HVX200 is a true progressive camera: other than the current Sonys or the Canon it has true progressive CCDs.
What it actually does is interpolate and scale everything internally to 1080p50 or 60 (European or American model). From that format, everything else is derived. While it does not have the same resolution off the chip as the Canon H1 (more like the Sony), it is a very well-balanced camera with a very cinematic image.
In 1080 you have two options: get your images re-interlaced from 50/60p to 50/60i or have every other frame thrown away and the remaining one distributed over two fields, which makes it 25 or 30 psf (progressive segmented frames). The European version is very much like film on video, the two fields come from the same moment in time. We all know that things are more complicated in America or Japan, where you have 2:3 pulldown for film.
But the HVX200 is definitely a progressive camera. It’s a very different question if it makes sense to record in 1080. IMHO, you get only about 10-20 % more perceived resolution but need much more space on your media. I tend to use it in 720p, which feels more like the format this camera was made for.
Regards,
Uli
Author of “DVDs gestalten und produzieren”, a book on professional DVD-authoring in German.
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Hi,
So I assume that 720p24 is nativley recording rather than using the 1080p50? We’re making an independant film using the camera and we’re in the middle of debating whether to use 720p24 or 1080p24.
That brings me to another question how is 1080p24 recorded? Do you guys recommend using 720p24?
James
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Hi.
Because of the lack of FCP “out of the box” support for 720 p50/25, I’ve recorded 1080 sp far.
I am surprised to see hw much these 10-20% bothers me, when I now have the opportunity to record at 720.
I’d say: Go for 1080, all the way!
Gunleik
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As it’s been explained to me, the camera does it’s sampling in 1080p60 at 14 bit, regardless of the mode you’ve chosen. In addition, internal processing is done at 19 bit. This would certainly explain why the 720 and 480 formats look so good. The 200 does better DV than our full sized DVCAMs.
If it’s all sampled at 1080p60, then I’d have to say that yes it’s 1080p native. Someone else explained how you achieve interlaced formats. Does FCP 5.1.2 now support 720 p50/25? I haven’t had time to check.
FWIW, we use 720pN almost exclusively. We like the simplicity of only recording the actual frames, since it saves media space and eliminates the whole “pulldown” process. Basically it’s a no-brainer bringing the footage in. We also use over-crank quite often, so 720p24N is our preferred choice.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut Pro 5
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