[Chris Oben]

Gary,

Just to clarify . . . the SONY F900/3 camera ‘IS’ capable of recording in true 24PsF straight to on-board tape. This is our normal process on the USA NETWORK series ‘The 4400’. The reason for shooting 24PsF as opposed to 23.98 is to avoid potential issues with HMI’s and magnetic ballasts. In the end it is less expensive to rent magnetic ballasts than flicker free square wave ballasts which you need to shoot 23.98.

Hope this helps . . .

http://www.chrisoben.com

Chris M. Oben

[Chris Oben]

Steve,

Thank you for the thorough response to my query. This does help clarify what is actually happening to the signal. If I understand well, the signal is combined onto a 1920 x 1080 ‘array’ regardless of the recording format chosen by the user. It is how the DVCPROHD CODEC samples the 1920 x 1080 array data that determines the end resolution. The 1080 DVCPRO HD CODEC reproduces the ‘array’ data more accurately than the 720 DVCPROHD CODEC. Hence the superior 1080 quality. Would it be accurate to say that the HVX200 uses a ‘native’ 1920 x 1080 array regardless of the recording format?

Chris M. Oben

[Chris Oben]

test images can be found here:

https://www.chrisoben.com/hvx200.htm

Chris M. Oben

[Chris Oben]

Shane,

We are using the HVX on Monday so I thought I’d test the 720 24PN vs. 1080 24PA – using the ‘scaling’ method you suggested. My results are as follows:

1080 24PA via Cinema Tools 3.0.3 Reverse Telecine yields slightly higher resolution.

I was able to do a very controlled test in the following manner:

Set up a resolution chart (line pairs) in a lock-off shot
Shoot 1080 24PA
Shoot 720 24PN

Import the p2 data into FCP 5.04
Reverse Telecine the 1080 24PA footage in Cinema Tools to remove the 2:3:3:2 pulldown
Create a 1080 23.98 DVCProHD sequence in FCP
Drop the Reverse Telecine 1080 24PA footage onto the timeline
Drop the 720 24PN footage onto the timeline
In the ‘Modify’ menu select Scale to Sequence

Render the sequence

Compare frames on a Sony MultiFormat 23″ HD-SDI Monitor

Although the scaled 720 24PN material looked very good, the 1080 footage was clearly higher resolution in the ‘line pair chart’.

On Monday I will post some stills of my test on COW P2 forum . . .

Until then thanks for your info and feedback.

Chris O.

Chris M. Oben

[Chris Oben]

Shane,

Thank you for your response. Can you describe the step by step process of re-sizing in FCP? We are using FCP 5.04 with a Decklink HD card.

Thank you.

Chris Oben

Chris M. Oben

[Chris Oben]

Tony,

I have used the High Colour setting in Film Rec Mode with pleasing results so far – however, my saving grace may be that this show is destined for DVD release only. Before I go on shooting with High Color in Film Rec mode waht are the concerns and caveats? The only problem I see so far is a tendency towards over saturated blacks with I anticipate will be correctable in timing.

Sincerely.

Chris Oben