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Why So Ugly? Tale of a GL1…
Wow, I was just reviewing some video from my (personal use) GL1 (via a disc created with iDVD 6 using the OneStep DVD option) and was less than impressed with the results. It just seemed dull with limited punch… I’ve been shooting family footage for a while (years) and have rarely looked back (or edited) the footage. I guess I should be checking the results more often–yes?
So, what can I do to capture better video? I guess I need a better family cam… years ago my GL1 was considered long-in-the-tooth… I wonder what cam would make a noticeable difference (PD150, DVX100, XL-1, or an HDV ‘corder?). In short, I’d want to see better: color saturation, better color accuracy (maybe better auto WB), and more… I’m sure that the DVD encoding was not the best… 422 color may be an issue… Better glass…???
BTW: the footage that I was reviewing was from my recent European trip where my GF was primarily shooting from the car and primarily using AF… Some of the ugliness was also related to the natural lighting that was not video friendly, and I was expecting some of that; yet, the video quality seems rather low and I’m not sure exactly why?
Regarding such an observation–any thoughts?
Thanks,
Robert
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5 Replies
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I still used a GL1 in combination with my PD150.
The GL1 can look very good if you know how to adjust it.
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First look at the footage played from the tape that would tell you if it was the encoding that made it look so bad.
Another eazyer way to pur your video strate to DVD is to siplpy hook the camera up to a DVD Recorder they start at about 100 and many have a wirewire jack to hook strate to the camera
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[Robert Broussard] “Wow, I was just reviewing some video from my (personal use) GL1 (via a disc created with iDVD 6 using the OneStep DVD option”
I’ve read here before that iDVD does not do high quality encoding (or at least as high as compressor) although I don’t know if that’s true. Certainly Compressor gives you the option to up the quality depending on space. All DVD material is pretty poor really, especially footage derived from a camcorder. Those Hollywood DVD encodes really are an exercise in engineering excellence – kind of like getting 200 mph out of a push-bike. Home-made DVDs will always look shoddy in comparison.
Mind you – it could be your camerawork!
Ben
Editec Broadcast Editing Ltd
EVS & FCP specialists for live OB operations. FCP systems just used on Sky Sports coverage of the Ryder Cup – live from the K Club.
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[Ben Holmes] “All DVD material is pretty poor really, especially footage derived from a camcorder. Those Hollywood DVD encodes really are an exercise in engineering excellence”
Yes, good points guys…
BTW: I played this DVD on another system and it looked noticeably better. As I look back I think it was a better DVD player that was connected via component cables instead of composite connection. Also, this second viewing could have been affected by the display… maybe it was not accurate; but it looked better.
So, how do we get the Hollywood results–is it all in the encode?
Thanks,
Robert
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It all starts with geting the best quality video footage in the first place, then encoding. Remember that most commercial DVD are also Dual-Layer so les compression is required.
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