Preferred SD camera setting for upconversion to HD

[Mark Maness]

[Simon Sommerfeld] “Camera is a SD Canon XL2 which can shoot native 16:9 in 24P, 24PA, 30P and 60i.”

Before we start, my company owned two of these cameras a couple of years ago and neither one shot 24p, 24pA, 30p or 60i. The XL2 can only shoot 29.97 and I’m not too sure that it could shoot 30 non-drop frame, I could be wrong on this one. BUT I do know that it could NOT shoot 24p, 24pA, or 30p. Canon had a special mode called Frame mode. It was a simulated 30p with no support of 24p Frame mode.

SO…. if your planning a shoot with this camera and you want a film look, the Frame mode is your only choice. But let me tell you this up front, XL2 footage that has been uprezed to HD doesn’t look good at all.

Personally, I would suggest that you get your hands on a Sony HDV camera like the A1U, FX1, FX7, Z1U or the new V1U cameras. Any of these cameras will do exactly the thing you want for the same price as the XL2 was when you purchased it. These cameras have a price range of $2500 to $5000. This is a very worthy investment for your type of video production. It is much better to shoot in HD and downconvert to SD so that later you have the option of redigitizing in HD with the proper video.

Please consider this…

_______________________________

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

[Simon Sommerfeld]

Thanks for your reply, Wayne.

Sorry, but are you sure you’re not referring to the XL1 or Xl1s? They worked in the frame mode as you mentioned. The XL2 does actually shoot in progressive (not frame) mode and lays it out to tape over 29.97. In 24PA (advanced) mode it flags the pulldown for removal in post.

The project I’m posting should be shot in HD of course, and I’ve advised that, but the director owns the camera and that is the camera he’ll shoot with. So, I’m exploring the best options for working within these parameters.

Best,
Simon.

Simon Sommefeld
Redwood City CA