Shooting Mode

[John Rofrano]

[Mac McGinnis] “”Using a Sony AX2000 (AVCHD) and a Sony VR2100 (mini dv tape sd). I was curious as to what mode to shoot on the AX2000 to make the final editing process as painless as possible. Also resulting in a quality product. With one being shot in HD and the other SD. Should I shoot at the best mode with the HD camera? 1080 vs 720? Etc.”

What are you hoping to get out of this combination as a final product? HD is 16:9 and SD is 4:3 (or does the VR2100 have a 16:9 mode?) Will you deliver a 4:3 SD DVD? If so, I would be mindful of your framing more that your shooting mode.

Can your PC handle AVCHD? If not, 720 will be easier to edit that 1080 and you won’t see much of a difference once you downconvert it to 480. If your PC can handle 1080 AVCHD then always shoot at that mode.

Personally, I would have bought an HDV camera and then you could have shot the whole thing in DV until you have enough money to buy another HD camera and then start shooting in HD. I would do a lot of testing to see how your DV footage is going to intercut with the HD footage. If it’s too noticeable, the end product might suffer.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Mac Mcginnis]

Thanks for responding John

I’m pretty sure the 2100 also shoots 16:9. At this point I’m only concentrating on delivering a SD DVD.

My PC can handle AVCHD from what I’ve read on here and discussed with other experts. It’s was recently purchased. i7-930.

I’ve read your comments before about buying HDV over AVCHD. And I understand. But I need to move ahead with what I have now.

I have the capabilities to burn Blue Ray. But for this project it’s not in demand.

Based on what I’ve told you, any other advise would be welcome.

Thanks

[John Rofrano]

I think you’re good to go. I would make your project DV Widescreen since both cameras shoot 16:9 and you should be OK. As I said, do some testing. You might find that the 720 cuts better with the SD footage than the 1080 does. It pays to experiment beforehand.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Mac Mcginnis]

John,

You mentioned to watch my framing. Can you be more specific?

Mac

[John Rofrano]

[Mac McGinnis] “You mentioned to watch my framing. Can you be more specific?”

That’s when I thought you might be using a 16:9 camera with a 4:3 camera so I was going to tell you to turn on the 4:3 bars (if your camera has them) to be sure that you frame all of your shots within the 4:3 center of your 16:9 frame. But since your other camera shoots 16:9 there is no need to worry about this.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com