[Tony Cope]

Have you tried using the import P2 function in FCP (assuming you’re using Final Cut) and try getting the footage that way? No idea if that’ll work or not, just an idea. If you’re using a Firestore drive, have you tried organizing P2 before moving the footage?

[Tony Cope]

Using the INTERVAL TIME mode – first, you can not use this in the FILM mode, you must be in video mode. Then go under the (5) RECORDING SETUP menu, make sure you use 1080i or 480i mode (I think you might be able to use the 720p/60 mode), then you can select the interval to record in (it starts at 1 frame every 2 frames(2f) – which would give you 15 fps.) If you want 2 fps, the you divide the fps you selected in the SCENE INFO menu in half (24 fps — shoot 1 frame every 12 frames to get 2 fps.)

If you’re using a Firestore drive, using the timelapse is a lot more flexible.

So, if you’re shoot in 30p, then you get 15 fps, 10 fps, 7 fps, 6 fps, 5 fps, 4 fps, 3 fps, 2 fps, 1 fps. Again, I think this would only work if you were not concerned with getting usable audio.

[Tony Cope]

I’ve read that you can use the intervelometer function to record in timelapse-type mode. I can not figure out how to do this yet – but I think it has to do with the INTERVAL TIME and/or ONE SHOT TIME in the RECORDING SETUP menu. If you can alter it to shoot 1 frame every 30 frames (if you are shooting in 30p mode) – then you end up with 1 fps. Using this function, you could shoot 1 frame every 2 frames and end up with 15 fps, or 10 fps, etc. Seems to make sense, but 2 concerns… how is audio treated with the (recording someone on camera talking at 1 fps would be unusable. Also, how does this interact with the fps you select in the SCENE FILE?

Thoughts?
T

[Tony Cope]

Thanks for the response.

I just started going through the HVX book. Wow – very technical, but also very enlightening. This camera is very impressive — as far as applying my film techniques to video. Many of the tricks I loved using with 16mm now apply.

I’ve been playing around a lot with time-lapse (Firestore.) One issue is that the trees and water movement are distracting, very spastic – wanting to blur it. I was wondering if I used the 350d shutter, and then planned on recording twice as many frames as needed, then in FCP — cut the speed in half and use the frame blending… would that help make things look more fluid? Just a thought…

Thanks
T

[Tony Cope]

I still help (if possible) with recording this type stuff to the Firestore… but as far as getting the film smearing effect on quick camera movement… I found that you change the shutter (under the SCENE FILE menu) to 350 degress. This keeps the shutter open as long as possible, which would also help in low light conditions – and the result is that fast camera movement smears, but the static images are crisp.

I think this will also help with making my timelapse shots more fluid.

Thoughts?

T

[Tony Cope]

One problem is that in order for the camera to recognize the Firestore HD files, you must be in the P2 mode. As far as I can tell, the miniDV tape will only operate in the TAPE mode – and it will only record in DV resolution… so you would not be able to transfer the HD resolution to miniDV tape.

If you need to make a miniDV copy of the footage, you might try loading it onto a computer with firewire, convert the file to standard def. – then run the firewire into your camera and record to tape using the firewire input with the camera in TAPE mode.

Hope this helps,
Tony