Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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That should have read:
XDCAM EX will output 4:2:2 if you record using the HD-SDI interface.
– Don
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Actually, the 4:2:0 thing is accurate, probably because the XDCAM EX records using the MPEG 2 codec, same as HDV. The big difference here, however, is that the bitrate is variable, whereas HDV is constant. Makes a huge difference in the final picture where there’s fast action.
XDCAM EX will output 4:4:2 if you record using the HD SDI interface to a hard drive array. Maybe that will make you feel a tad better.
– Don
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[Ryan Santos] “Since the frame mode is actually an interpolated interlaced mode, don’t you think the video loses resolution because of the interpolation?”
On the XL1, XL1S and the GL2, yes, the picture will lose a certain amount of resolution.
– Don
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I would suspect that it’s not the tape. I’ve used the same Panny AY-DVM63MQ tapes for the past 3 1/2 years in all 3 of my cameras and have not seen the types of problems you’re describing. Sure, I get the odd glitch from time to time but not like what you’re seeing. I would suggest you take your camera to an authorized repair facility and get it cleaned and adjusted. Also, any time you get a glitch in the A1 it’s going to last at least a half a second because of the nature of the HDV long GOP codec.
A word to the wise. Don’t use your aquisition camera to capture with. Buy a Canon HV10 or 20 and use that instead. Why wear out the tape transport on your primary camera? The local broadcast supply place here sells a ton of the HV10s and 20s to people that just use them as capture/playback decks.
The other thing you can try to minimize dropouts is to fast forward and rewind tapes before you record with them. This accomplishes two things:
– the tape is now pre-tentioned properly on the recording drum
– helps to get rid of any particles in the tape transport and recording/playback heads that could cause a dropout in the first place.The time to decide what type of tape to use or switch to should be after you get your A1 back from Canon Repair. Although I’ve never used them, I’m told that the Sony Master Series MiniDV tapes are equally as good as the Panny tapes.
FWIW, I use the Panny AY-DVM63MQ tapes in a GL2, XL2 and a Sony PD170 without issues.
– Don
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More info on the XDCAM EX here:
https://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?site=biz_en_EU&contentId=1187079496418
Here’s a test of a (slightly) pre-production model from two different web sites. It’s the same test report but the tester goes into more detail at his home site:
https://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?site=biz_en_EU&contentId=1187079500753
https://www.ingenioustv.com/xdcamex.asp
– Don
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Eric,
Is there anywhere else I can download that .pdf file? I’ve been trying to get it since last night and the connection to the Austrailian Sony web site is terrible. I guess it’s because so many others are trying to get it. Would you be able to email it to me?
greeningATshawDOTca
Eternally grateful
– Don
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Thanx for the info. I wasn’t aware of that. I was under the impression that only cameras that said “DVCAM” on the side of the unit could play back DVCAM material. Good to know.
– Don
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Try trashing the preference file below and see if that solves it. The path is:
Macintosh HD>Users>’yourname’>Library>Preferences>com.apple.universalaccess.plist
– Don
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Well said, David. As usual, you’re looking at the bigger picture.
– Don
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Usually, you just hold the mouse button down during start up until the drive tray opens. This is when there’s a CD/DVD in there already and you want to get it out. Whether or not this will work for you with the current state of your machine I have no idea, but you may want to give it a go.
– Don