XDCAM vs. P2

[Randall Raymond]

XDCAM HD is still mpeg2 and not meant for editing – and must be converted to Cineform’s editing codec which is 4:2:2 10 bit (or something like Apples intermediate codec.) That’s the downside of XDCAM HD and HDV in general, in my opinion. The long GOP.

[John G britt]

We also are looking at at Sony XD HD. The Proxy feature is perhaps the largest incentive from a workflow perspective. Does anyone have any experience using these cameras and their proxies?

We are doing mainly 1/2 hour and 1 hour docs for local and regional Public television.

Does Panasonic have an elegant workflow that allows proxies to be edited on a laptop with Avid software?

The XD HD quality issues with Long GOP and 1/2″ chips are another interest and any experiences related here are much appreciated.

Thanks,
John Britt
IATSE 600
Sr. Editor/Director of Photography
KNME TV5 DT 35
Albuquerque, NM

[Eleventy]

We’ve only looked at the proxy workflow with XDcam SD( not HD) and DV25, and we weren’t that impressed:
-Video quality: it IS low res, and our editors weren’t keen on the quality. For example, it was impossible to see if a shot was in focus or just out of focus. We did several tests, and asked about 10 different editors to judge which clip was sharp, and which one wasn’t. No one could tell. Sometimes people thought it was sharp, when it wasn’t and vice versa.
-Audio: it’s 8Khz, and has similar issues as video. It’s sometimes difficult and tiering cutting soundbites sharply.
-The systems ( HP xw8200’s) weren’t very responsive, especially when shuttling and playing in reverse.
-Haven’t seen XDCam HD footage, but I have some serious doubts.

Panasonic does have an elegant proxy workflow in Avid: Full resolution is so fluent and easy, it doesn’t need one! XDCam needs a proxy version, not because of limiting diskspace, but for incredible slow import speeds. P2 doesn’t need any importing time, just plug in a card or a Harddisk ( like the P2-Store, or the FireStore FS-100).

Before you buy anything( Panasonic or Sony), make sure you have actually seen the whole workflow: recording, importing, editing with proxies, transcoding,…. And make sure it works with your NLE ( avid). Don’t believe brochures and salespeople, only your own eyes.

[Pierre]

Wondering how you guys are backing up your footage?
LTO?
DVD?
or ?

Details would be great… what type of system and how long are the back-ups taking?

thanks,
Michael