Trouble with picture quality

[Kevin Randall]

Pixel shift is not the same as uprezzing; they are two entirely different things. The HPX170 takes the image off the CCD block as analog data, and it is quantized at 1080; all processing is done at 1080, and recording is downsampled from that. “Uprezzing” normally refers to taking a digital image and interpolating new data to reproduce that image at a higher pixel rate.

It has been reported, repeatedly, by people such as Barry Green (who literally “wrote the book” on the HVX) that recording at 1080 gives sharper images, with less compression, than recording at 720. This would probably be why some people have said that they get better 720 results by recording at 1080 and converting to 720 themselves, vs. recording at 720.

I’m not doubting that you’re a fan of the cameras, Michael. But it is not helpful to give out erroneous information.

[Ed Ng]

Hey there!

Thank you again! Kevin, I now understand what people are saying about 720p. It is the same in photography as my clients will never get my raw file in which I edit the images but I give them a smaller jpeg corrected. It is better than shooting in a small jpeg format because there is much more information to work with in raw.

It has helped a lot and I will show everyone so new video very soon!

Cheers

Ed

[Jim Sharp]

Don’t know if this discussion is still alive or not, but here is the info I found regarding the HVX200:

The AG-HVX200 is a fixed-lens hybrid camcorder released in December 2005 for 60 Hz market and April 2006 for 50 Hz market. The camcorder allows file-based recording onto P2 cards, as well recording onto traditional MiniDV cassettes.
The imaging section employs a 3CCD system with 1/3 inch sensors, each having about 520,000 photosites. High definition resolution is achieved by both horizontal and vertical spatial offset or pixel shifting, though the effective resolution does not exceed 600 lines either horizontally or vertically.[4]
The camcorder is capable of recording in several standard-definition and high-definition video formats. The image is always scanned progressively at 1920×1080 resolution, then is downsized to target frame size.
Recording formats:
DVCPRO HD: 720p (960×720), 1080i (1280×1080 for 60 Hz regions, 1440×1080 for 50 Hz regions) at 100 Mbit/s
DVCPRO50: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 50 Mbit/s
DVCPRO: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 25 Mbit/s
DV: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 25 Mbit/s
All formats can be recorded onto P2 cards. Only standard DV video can be recorded to MiniDV tapes. In 720p mode the camcorder offers variable shooting rates for overcranking/undercranking.
The updated model, AG-HVX200A, was released in late May 2008. Among other changes, the HVX200A features improved CCDs and an adjusted lens. These changes improved image quality in addition to providing a wider angle of view.

Maybe this will shed some light….