Michael Slowe
Forum Replies Created
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Jim, to answer your question on the audio ‘hum’ I got it from any mic I fixed on the camera and obviously connected to one of the XLR inputs. To a lesser extent I got a different noise (mechanical I think) when I switched to the built in mic which has to use both channels which means that you can’t use that for ambiant sound with primary audio from another mic into an XLR, which is another nuisance.
Tom, in answer to your query I am convinced from many tests that if you shoot on HDV and downconvert to DV you get a better picture than shooting in DVCAM mode. Whetther either picture is as good as from my old DSR 300 is open to debate, I am thinking that it is, but with different characteristics. It is sharper but with less exposure latitude and does not handle contrast quite so well.
Jim, when you talk about editing solutions coming along are you including Media 100 in this? I particularly want to stick with them and am prepared to upgrade to the HD version 10 when and if it can properly support HDV edting.Michael Slowe
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Jim, I have had this camera for a month now having changed from my old faithful DSR 300 DVCAM.
The Z1 feels like a toy after that but I must agree the pictures are good. Main fault is th NOISE HUM from any mic bolted on, no matter how good. I have to use the NR facility all the time. It’s only a buzz with the built in mic but who wants to use that. The camera has to be handled very gently if you are not to get bad rumble and the shooting position is awful unless you are using a tripod. The screen is too close for shoulder use and the viewfinder, rather than mounted to the side as on the DSR 300 is at the rear so you can’t shoulder mount and use the finder. Also focussing, even with the good screen, is much more difficult in bright sun than the DSR 300. Finally the main worry is the editing. Media 100 are struggling to overcome the MPEG compression and the fact that you don’t import complete frames! It’s a funny old format! DV will be fine but we are meant to be taking a step forward with HDV.Michael Slowe
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Certainly do Greg, I intend to stay with it ’til I die! (providing they adapt to firewire & HDV for version 10 HD).
Michael Slowe
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You must have missed the extensive chat on this. I have been in touch with Media 100 on this because I will need firewire for digitizing HDV as well as DV and they are hopeful that this can be managed later this year. How did you not discover the lack of firewire before you purhased the HD version? I attended two wonderful demos here in the UK and they made it clear that firewire is not an option at present. The editing of HDV is altogether a much harder problem to solve due to its unusual configuration but here again there is hope on the distant horizon.
Michael Slowe
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Mike, good to hear this but what about firewire? At present my media goes in/out this way with machine control as well. Also most Media 100 users are on Mac, will this be OK?
Michael Slowe
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Thanks Floh, that would be a good start but would Version 10 HD, even with firewire, be able to take in HDV, allow us to edit in the normal way, and master back an HDV programme? The format has pretty darn good picture quality we are told but not much good if we have to downgrade to DV to do anything with it. Are Media 100 likely to find a way to overcome the fact that HDV is MPEG compressed?
Michael Slowe
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Floh, I am now in a muddle following your reply to the query! I have just been editing some 16:9 originated material and I thought that by setting the project preference to 16:9 I was getting genuine native 16:9 back. It is true that my Sony monitor, switched to 16:9, is giving a letterbox picture but I thought that was because it is only a 4:3 screen. What is this anamorph that you refer to?
On another subject I am now editing HDV (converted to DV for the time being) on Media100i and hope that after NAB there will be a magic solution (from somewhere, maybe not Media 100) which will make it possible to edit HDV on Media100 HD – any further thoughts on this?Michael Slowe