V resolution, and Super V mode on SDX900

[John Sharaf]

Lunch,

Don’t worry about posting SDX (or for that matter HVX) questions here, as all these cameras are cousins to the Varicam and it’s likely you’ll get some good answers!

While I don’t specifically know about the Super V function in the SDX, I’m familiar with it in Ikegami cameras, and since thes designers are from Ike, I’d imagine that there are similarities. I always found the Super V to look artificially enhanced. There really is a difference between actual sharpness, resolution and enhancement. It seems like you’re going for a film-like look, so I think you’re better off without the Super V!

To know for sure you’d need to test it out to the HD upres and a-b the two looks on an HD monitor like the one you’ll be presenting the finished product on.

JS

[Steve Mahrer]

Hi “Lunch”…..

The SDX900 camera shoots at your choice of 24p, 30p or 60i SD. It records DVCPRO 25 or 50 to tape and is very widely used for docos, commercials, indies etc. When we designed the 900, we added the option of Prgressive Vertical detail mode, this is a vertical filter choice designed for those who intend to shoot 24p for a 24p edit and film out. DO NOT use it for 60i SD (Video) work, it will generate lots of nasty vertical interlace alias problems and create a very “busy” video look.

If you intend to edit 24p then upconvert, the Progressive filter mode will significantly increase the vertical resolution of the camera and provide a very nice look once upconverted. As most folks do, don’t use too much H or V enhancement if you intend a film out, HD is subtle and it doesn;t look too good if it’s over enhanced. I’d recommed you do some testing and see how much it helps your project. Expect a 25-30% increase in vertical resoltion over the usual “SD” interlaced filter mode. Test, Test, test…. and use a good lens / monitor!

Hope it makes sense.

Good shooting!

Steve Mahrer (Panasonic Broadcast)

[Greg Mcdonald]

Ok, I guess that pretty much answers my questions in a general sort of way, although I was hoping for more direct information regarding these specific menu settings.

So the story is if “V Res” is set to “progressive” keep all the “V DTL LEVEL” and “H DTL LEVEL” settings low, but they don’t necessarily need to be set to zero, like the manual says. And that’s the H & V Detail settings in the “Low Settings”, “Med Settings” and “High Settings” options under the main “Paint” option. Is that what you’re saying Steve?

And the Super V Mode might be doing some kind of sharpness enhancement, but you’re not sure that’s what is really going on in the SDX900, right John?

I understand about doing tests, I’m just trying to figure out what I need to test and what I don’t need to test. For example, if the Super V mode is indeed doing some kind of sharpness enhancement similar to sharpening a photo in Photoshop, then I know right away that I don’t need to spend any time testing that because I don’t want that result.

I know I’m probably being way to anal about this, but I’m at that point where I need to get to the bottom of this or I’m going to go crazy. It’s kind of like when you’re trying to remember the name of the band who sang some song, and you can’t rest until you come up with the group’s name.

The manual says and I quote, “In the SUPER V mode, the signals of the photodiodes in the vertical direction of the CCDs are not mixed with the output signals so that the vertical resolution is enhanced.” Then it says, when you’re in the SUPER V mode, your options are either 1/30 sec, or 1/60 sec for shutter speed.

Can anyone tell me what that means? How does it affect the picture?

[Steve Mahrer]

“Lunch”

Drop note with your telphone number and we can chat, e-mail is so slow….
The subject needs explaining in detail (no pun intended)

E-mail is mahrers@us.panasonic.com

Steve