Chris Bierlein
Forum Replies Created
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A few answers: I shoot lots of chromakey stuff with the Varicam, recording in the camera. The post guys I work with are always able to pull a great key with the DVCPRO HD compression. Obviously appropriate lighting is essential, but that goes for all formats.
Yes, you can use the 1200 to capture on set to a Powerbook.
Now, as far as question 3-you definitely should use a DP who’s familiar with the camera, or at least have someone on set who knows it well. You’d be wasting your money otherwise. The SDX900 has a built-in setup that’s pretty decent as a starting point, but the Varicam doesn’t. I’ve rented bodies before that are set up really bad and had I used them straight from the shop, I would have been in trouble. Also, if you don’t have someone around who fully understands what the camera is capable of, you may really be missing out. I highly recommend a tech, or a DP with some great looking setups and a command of the camera.
I hope this helps!
Chris B.
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What about Abel Cine Tech? Don’t they have a facility out there?
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If your SDX has the SDI board installed, the LH900 isn’t that bad of an option. The picture is quite a bit better using the SDI input rather than the composite, though it’s still a little soft and mushy. It also looks better displaying 16X9 than 4:3 in SD mode. For your purposes, the monitor is small and light, the color is accurate, it can run off a camera battery and it fits in a small Pelican case. The built in wave-form is pretty useful too. I’m a big fan of this monitor, all things considered.
Just presenting an alternative point of view.
Chris B.
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And NOW I read Jeff Merritt’s post. Sorry to be redundant.
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Actually, the 1200a will only record in DVCPRO-HD LP mode. This was just brought to my attention after owning the deck for three months. It will playback both SP and LP.
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There is a free plug-in for Final Cut Pro available on the Panasonic website that converts the footage for you, bypassing the need for the FRC27. This can be done in the field using the 1200a deck. Go to the Varicam page, and you’ll find the plug-in under “Support and Resources”.
Chris B