OT: XDCAM HD or DVC PRO HD

[Mark Raudonis]

In my experience, the camera has more to do with the perceived “quality” than the recording format. In other words, do you like the look of a Sony camera or a Panasonic camera?

We have two different shows in progress: one uses Sony XD-CAM (Standard def IMX) the other Panasonic DVC-pro (Standard def). I can certainly tell the difference between the two, but it’s a subjective choice, not an objective one. They’re both good formats, and in HD, you’ll certainly be able to Key, layer and do whatever you need. It just comes down to which “look” you prefer.

We’ve used IMX XDcam discs for three years now, and they perform as promised. However, since we work in off-line RT, we’ve NOT been able to take advantage of the low res proxies.

There’s many other factors that go into this decision: archiving, storage, delivery requirements, etc. Do your research.

Mark

[Nick B]

Rent both cameras and see which one is best for your needs.

[Walter Biscardi]

One is not better than the other, it just depends on your client’s needs. I prefer DVCPro HD because the Post workflow is very simple and straight forward and the quality is outstanding. But all of my HD clients use the Varicam so that’s a no brainer. I don’t know anyone using the XDCAM or even have thoughts of purchasing that.

It’s either HDCAM, HDV or DVCPro HD around here.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Frank Nolan]

[Donato M. Rondinelli] ” I thought I heard someone saying that XDCAM was MPEG 2?”

You heard right! This from Sony’s website:

“This new XDCAM HD lineup includes the PDW-F330 1/2-inch-type three-CCD camcorder, the PDW-F70 recording deck, and the PDW-F30 viewing deck. They are capable of recording 1080i video lines of multiple frame rates at a high bit rate of up to 35 Mb/s using the

[Hector Silva]

[Frank Nolan] “”This new XDCAM HD lineup includes the PDW-F330 1/2-inch-type three-CCD camcorder, the PDW-F70 recording deck, and the PDW-F30 viewing deck. They are capable of recording 1080i video lines of multiple frame rates at a high bit rate of up to 35 Mb/s using the

[Mark Maness]

So far, everybody is right. It’s a subjective thing when it comes to the looks. You can pick apart each camera until you’re blue in the face. But the real thing to consider is what is best for your needs. My house is using XDCAM HD and has been using XDCAM for the past year with absolutely no problems at all. A tapeless format has many, many advantages of standard tape stock. One is ease of shuttling media while previewing. Another… Ability to shoot without having to cue up your tape. And there are many more…

Yes, XDCAM HD is a type of MPEG2 and it has a 1/2″ chip and it records 35 mb/s.

And DVCPRO HD is a 2/3″ chip camera and it’s 100 mb/s.

But here’s somethng else to consider… XDCAM HD is 1440×1080 (in camera) and DVCPRO HD is 1280×1080 (inside of FCP).

As of the current moment, FCP doesn’t really have support for XDCAM HD without the Sony software and its only 25 mb/s. BUT who says you can’t capture it at 8-bit or 10-bit Uncompressed. Or, in my case, we digitize it using DVCPRO HD. Yeah, I know… But its the only solution at the moment and if you are really wondering about the features for keying, then you should be editing in 10-bit Uncompressed anyway.

So… basically it comes down to what you like best. Sony or Panasonic

_______________________________

Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com

[Devin Crane]

I tend to lean more towards Sony when it comes to broadcast quality, but I’ve got to say that DVCpro HD has the upper hand for Workflow and keeping things in their native form in HD right now. I personally would like to see Sony come out with a 100mb/s MPeg2 4:2:2 Full Raster HD codec that can tranfer over IP like Sony IMX. But for now if you want to stay away from Uncompressed DVCProHD is where it’s at.

[Frank Nolan]

[hector66] “I haven’t heard if this is wrong, but doesn’t DVCpro HD use 4:2:2 colour sampling, and Mpeg2-based codecs use 4:2:0?”

That is correct! Several people that are using the mpeg2 formats like the XDCam HD and HDV are using a capture card and transferring the footage into FCP using the DVCProHD codec. Makes for better keying and it is less taxing on the CPU for editing.

[Andy Mees]

[hector66] “doesn’t DVCpro HD use 4:2:2 colour sampling, and Mpeg2-based codecs use 4:2:0”

thats right … DVCPRO HD records 8-bit, 4:2:2, XDCAM HD is 4:2:0

[hector66] ” I am wondering how much of a visual improvement there is in 35Mb/s over 25 when one of the advantages is uncompressed audio (ie is the data rate increase more for audio information then video).”

the improvement is quite significant, and I think most shooters will prefer the 35mbps VBR codec (just as soon as we get a working solution for using it in FCP). one thing to note is that Sony’s 25mbps CBR codec for XDCAM HD already has uncompressed audio … afaik this is the specific difference between XDCAM HD at 25mbps and HDV

cheers
Andy

this is the bit where I reserve the right to be wrong 🙂

[Joel Strickland]

I have owned an SD- XD Cam loved it for SD. At the same time owning several DVC Pro Cameras SD. Picture awesome with both. Workflow- incredible with the XD Cam, and also works incredible in high humidity (fog etc…) because it is tapeless. In February I bought 3 DVC Pro HD Cameras. After much research, diliberating, demos, etc…(In fact the real choice is between the Sony HD Cam and Panasonic DVCPro HD) The sony HD Cam may be a little better quality but the Panasonic is so much less.

Back to XDCam Vs. DVCPro HD:
I feel that the DVC Pro HD is much better quality then the 1/2 inch XD Cam. There is really no question about it- if your end product is HD. If you downconvert to SD than the XD Cam might be a decent option. I hear that Sony will come out with a 2/3 version in a year or so.

Hope this helps