Chris Bell
Forum Replies Created
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Variable frame rate is only available at 720p. Not sure if there is an internal way to playback the effect in camera or if it needs to be output to FCP and played back in a 24fps timeline (like current Varicam footage).
We will all have to wait for December!
Chris Bell
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This site may be of some help:
https://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/dvcpro_hd_workflow_balis.html
Chris Bell
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I live in Seattle and I am one of “those people” who have made the investment ($100.000) in a Varicam. I really don’t see what the problem is. All you need to do is frame rate convert in FCP using a 1200a via firewire, then record out to the 1200a. You can downconvert the “converted” footage to SD for an Avid cut and use the same timecode when you online.
I seriously hope you are not telling people to avoid Varicam. It’s a great format and has been very popular with in Seattle and more cameras are being added to local rental facilities. The format is here to stay and it would be great if everyone could find the path of least resistance so we can all continue to make a living.
Christopher Bell
Cinematographer / Panasonic Varicam HD Owner-Operator -
Panasonic showed a D5 P2 camera in a short promo film for P2. I would not hold your breath, though. Solid state recording needs to go through a mini-revolution in technology before we see an HD P2 camera on the level of the SDX or Varicam. Even at 40mbs, it’s still a lot of data. Interestingly, a Panasonic Rep at NAB mentioned the possible use of H264 as compression scheme for a high end HD P2 camera.
I would guess we will see a prototype next year and maybe a production camera by 2007-08.
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I saw the image from the accuscene at NAB. Color, contrast, and sharpness were amazing. Color viewing is essential to HD cinematography. The accuscene is an excellent product, but very expensive. I wish Panasonic could see how important this issue is… their recent effort to offer a color finder was terminated. This is unfortunate… once you see the image from the accuscene, you won’t want to shoot with the B/W finder.
Every Sony camera at NAB had a color finder on it.
Chris Bell, cinematographer
http://www.spotshooter.com
varicam owner/op -
Yes, the 1200a only records DVCPROHD in either 1080i or 720p. It is not an edit deck, and cannot do insert edits. It will play back all DV formats and does a fantastic job upconverting DV and DV50 to HD.
Also note, it only records in the EX mode and cannot flag frames. I have heard rumors that the deck has the ability to flag frames, but Panasonic disabled that feature. Just a rumor, though.
Chris Bell
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Firewire is voodoo. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. I have a client with 3 G5 edit systems. 2 of the 3 systems will no longer recognize my 1200a deck. I now tell my clients that I do not offer any warrenty for firewire intake. Use at your own risk.
Uncompressed via HD-SDI is a much more solid work flow.
Chris Bell
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This site may be of some help. Be sure you have the DVCPRO HD components update installed.
https://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/dvcpro_hd_workflow_balis.html
Chris Bell
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I see a white flash in my viewfinder everytime I start my camera. I thought it was a fake flash frame panasonic had added to the camera. Not visable on tape.
Chris Bell
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I am sure panasonic has researched this issue extensively. First thing, there are no 1/3″ HD zoom lenses from Canon or Fujinon. It is unclear of what quality the JVC/Fuji lens has. I am sure Panasonic made the determination that at this price point, an interegrated lens made the most sense for 2 reasons:
1) Cost Control… a good HD lens could cost more than the camera. My Fuji 20x HD lens cost me $20k.
2) Quality control…Since Panasonic builds the lens, they are able to control the quality of image from the camera.
I think it is unrealistic to expect Pansonic to priovide everything at this price… that is why they offer the Varicam.
Chris Bell
PS: I think the only reason Canon offered a removable lens for the XL1 is because they are in the Lens business. Sony never offered a removable lens at this price point.