Re: P vs PsF standard

If you're talking about any of the standard def 30P capable cameras (NTSC versions of the Pana DVX100, Sony MSW900, Pana SDX900), they all record a 30P (29.97P) capture as 60i (59.94i) by splitting the progressive scan frame into two identical fields (except that they hold the alternate lines.) Technically, that's "PsF" (progressive segmented frame) except that that is a Sony term.

Like I said, there is NO image loss in splitting a progressive-scan capture into two identical fields for recording and then recombining them into one frame later. It starts out as a progressive scan frame and it ends up as a progressive scan frame -- it's just stored as two fields in-between.

But PsF does allow you the option of editing the material as either interlaced scan or progressive scan footage. Even with the Panasonic Varicam (720/60P), once you bump it down to standard definition, it's stored as fields, not whole frames, and once you bump it up to 1080 tape formats, it's stored as fields also.