Jody Eldred
Forum Replies Created
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Matt:
Sorry to hear of your nightmares with the PHU-60K. I see it was some time ago and hopefully all has been made right.
For what it’s worth, I got one of the very first units, have used it (and 2 others) extensively with zero problems. So it’s not systemic. I don’t have a solution, but Sony did not deliver a problematic product, though there are always units with problems. That’s unavoidable.
Sony has asked me for several years (since before the release of the Z1U) to test various HD cameras BEFORE they are released to see how they work and what needs tweaking. Some of my input has been applied to cameras such as the F350 XDCAM HD, the PDW 700 and F800 XDCAM HD, the EX1 and the EX3. (I was the first person to shoot and edit with a pre-production EX1, working with the Japanese designers.)
I say this to let you know that Sony really does do significant testing on their gear before it’s sold, and they don’t use paying customers for that purpose– though it may feel that way some times. I personally know this as I have been one of their primary crash-test dummies.
I also know that we DPs often pay a price for being early adopters of new technologies (ask any RED owner with a serial number under 500). Sony is very cutting edge, and to remain so requires them to introduce sometime revolutionary products (the EX line comes to mind) aggressively into the marketplace. Because those products are so sophisticated and complex, and are aggressively marketed in the cutthroat business we work in, occasionally the production environment informs Sony of needed changes in ways that pre-testing cannot fully accomplish.
I know these Sony guys well, and they truly care about repeat business. They know that requires them to personally care about their customers. It’s a mammoth organization and of course there will be some who are more compassionate than others. It IS a money-making business, after all. But my experience has been that they are upfront, honest, and truly working to provide excellent, reliable tools for professionals. Yes there are issues from time to time. But they aren’t the number one HD camera company in the world for nothing. They make great products that are reliable and make great images reliably. That’s why guys like James Cameron, George Lucas, Robert Rodriguez and Michael Mann use and own a whole range of their cameras, from EX1s to F900s, F23s and up.
Hope things are working out well for you.
Sincerely,
Jody Eldred
Producer/Director/DP
Los Angeles -
Hi Craig,
Thanks for the info.
I was a beta tester for Sony on the camera and software (you’d think I’d know more!) so I’ve had “development” versions until recently. I was simply trying to upgrade to the “real deal”, but my uninstall of the older one clearly wasn’t thorough.
Can you recommend a methodology to get all the old stuff off there so I can do a clean install of the software? I don’t even know where to look for receipts or whatever…
Many thanks,
Jody
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I uninstalled a previous version of the SxS driver, downloaded a newer one and it will not install. I get the message, “Nothing to install”.
This happens with downloaded driver installers and the one on the CD that came with my EX3.
MacBook Pro, everything updated properly, was working fine before this, now it will not recognize my cards.
HELP!
Thanks.
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BTW, The CBS O&Os are buying the XDCAM HD and several (KCBS included) have already received theirs. The net news ops can’t be far behind.
I wish ABC would go ahead with the current XDCAM HD. They could be archiving important stories in HD– they’re missing out (VA Tech shooting comes to mind.) F350 has more features and lesser price than the 2/3 will be. And staggeringly good picture in a great, light form factor, with as you said cost-effective and robust media. My F350 has taken a beating worldwide and in over 200 disks shots, I’ve not lost a single frame. I wish my F900R recorded to disk…
Interesting and fun days ahead.
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Hey Johnny,
What is the “HD EXDCAM” you referred to that ABC News has chosen to replace Betacam? I’m guessing it was a typo and you meant XDCAM HD? There is the new XDCAM EX (which I have tested and edited with) but it’s the PD-170-sized PC Express card camera…can’t imagine they’d go for that.
When are they switching over? Any word? I’ve not been down there for a while…shooting lots of other stuff– -almost all of it XDCAM HD, of course…the “new Betacam”.
–Jody
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Luis said: “Thanks for adding to the discussion here.
It’s always much better to hear stuff form the source than a third party. I think your quotes that started this discussion were taken out of context a bit, and quite honestly made your comments seem as ‘laughable’ as mine may seem to you. Your comments make a lot of sense though…I mean, who can really argue if it’s being done? Like I said in my post earlier, quality isn’t in the specs, it’s in the eye of the beholder. And, in the end, it’s perceived quality that matters. I suppose that signal goes through the wash pretty heavily by the time it’s broadcast. How do you feel the Z1 footage holds up against F900 straight off the tape? I think that’s what most people were reacting to…seeing as the quote we read was taken out of context. And by the way, I think we’re all pretty calm here. 🙂 “Hi Luis,
Compared to some of the rabid postings in many other forums, you guys are fairly comatose!
😉
To respond, I’m not so certain the signal goes through the wash so bad by the time it’s broadcast. It looks pretty darn good at my house on HD (off the air and on DirecTV HD) Certainly not as good as in the HD edit bay watching uncompressed on a $40,000 HD CRT montor, but that’s not reality, as you and I know. If the signal was deteriorated, then then F900 footage would look worse, as would the already slightly-less-impacting Z1U footage, but the quality “distance” between the two would remain the same.
I have looked at the F900 vs. Z1U footage on that monitor in that edit bay, and they both really look terrific. There is more color depth and information, more richness in the F900 footage, of course. (My editor also is a DP and DIT with the F900, and has regularly works for LucasFilms– including today. He thinks the Z1U footage is truly remarkable and is constantly surprised at how beautiful it looks, compared to their F900/3.)
The question really is, “Does the Z1U produce images that are worthy of broadcast in HD or transfer to film?” That is authoritatively answerable by persons at networks who decide to air it, and film distributors and theater owners who decide to screen films shot with the Z1U. It’s their call, not mine. They are airing it and there are films in the pipeline already, by the way.
I can say (with authority) that the camera looks really, really good, and I will be intercutting it with footage I shoot with my F900 for documentaries and other programs. (Not to toot my horn, but I’ve recently won an Emmy for my work as a cameraman and received a DGA nomination as best documentary director, so folks generally do seem to like my work.) That’s not to say it’s right for everyone, but it’s sure been working for me so far.
Everyone needs to make their own choices. But if so many people are thrilled with what this tool (the Z1U) can do for them, and it’s getting airtime on networks in primetime in HD, and rave reviews from people at the top of the food chain who are actually using it in Hollywood on a daily basis, then what’s the point in dismissing it on grounds of technical specifications, supposed MPEG artifacting (which I have yet to see), etc. , etc.?
Just like folks who still think the F900 is so inferior to film, yet refuse to accept the fact that great visual filmmakers like Michael Mann, George Lucas, Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron absolutely LOVE shooting in HD… are those critics’ work so far superior to those filmmakers’ that they can make such cavalier comments? Have they earned that right to be so stubborn? Something to think about…
Everyone has a right to his or her opinion… but that does not mean that opinion is the best one to embrace just because it’s theirs!
“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (Proverbs 13:10)
Choose your advisors wisely.
🙂
–Jody Eldred
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“I went to a preprogrammed preset that gives a film look and let it go. Detail in teh highlights. Detail in the shadows. Practically no visible grain even at 12db (!) and still holding detail in the bright areas. Rich color. No bleeding in the reds. And great 24 frame motion artifacting (when selected). All in 1080i…..
…..No, this isn’t a replacement for the F900! That camera still gives you twice as sharp an image, much deeper color and detail, and far more control over gamma and other set ups. Plus critical lens control you need desperately in HD (if you’re out of focus everybody knows). But as a second camera or when you don’t want to lug in the F900 – … … – it’s a godsend.” Jody Eldred quoted in the BandPro advert p35 American Cinematographer April 2005.
compare with “when the Z1U… …clearly holding up to comparisons to F900 CineAlta and even 35mm film”.
Affordable HD seems worse than religion. ”
I guess it’s time for me to pipe in again and clarify whether or not I truly am some nutcase who believes that you can actually intercut 35mm film and F900 footage with that of a Z1U, and not appear to be a fool doing so.
So you don’t have to hunt for my bio on the web, I do own and operate an F900, and I have shot 35mm, and I own a Z1U (as well as D600 Betacam SP, PD150, etc.) I have worked on CBS’ primetime drama “J.A.G.” for 9 years, and CBS’ “N.C.I.S.” for both seasons thus far, both of which are boradcast in HD. I have shot first and second unit HDCAM with the F900, as well as with the Z1U, though boths shows shoot in film (JAG has just ended it’s run after 10 seasons.)
Yes, the producers of those highly rated shows with high production values and a great look (thanks largely to DP Billy Webb) have indeed– by their own choice– intercut my footage from the Z1U with 35mm, and yes it looked very good. You might have seen it and not known at all.
This posturing as to the ridiculousness of such a possibility is itself laughable. I suppose that until some of the posters here own and regualrly shoot with an F900 AND a Z1U and have that footage on primetime network dramas aired in HD, they just won’t believe it can be done. But it is being done, so get over it guys. It works fine. Remain calm. Do not panic.
It will never replace my F900 (as I’ve said a million times) but refuse to use it at your own peril. It doesn’t matter to me.
🙂
–Jody Eldred
Los Angeles