Re: Sony Ex and nanoflash, is it worth it?

OK, I have a LOT of experience with the EX-1, pre and post use of the nanoFlash (I cannot and will not comment on the two new less pricy technologies out there, as it would be just more blather, uninformed opinion, without experience!). I would say I'm sorry for that last comment, but I'm not!

In any event, I am an absolute fan of the nanoFlash on the EX-1 (running DVI out at 1080x1920 30p, 100Mbps Long GOP, edited on Adobe Premiere CS5, and set up and burned to disc with AME and Encore CS5). This is not theory, this is experience.

BUT, I must tell you about my output and customer base before I site the two MAJOR improvements I've seen with the nanoFlash, as they may not apply to you at all. First, I am producing ONLY BDs and DVDs, with the DVD content downrezzed in AME from the hi-def, edited content. I hope to start using Cineform's NEO HD4 soon (I've had Cineform for years) as soon as I can test out its now apparently available coding with Premiere CS5 - it just wasn't possible, to the best of my knowledge, with CS4, the way I want'd to use it. But back on topic - I am NOT producing for broadcast or web, nor have I been conducting any greenscreen projects lately - I just produce BDs
and DVDs.

Given that, here's why I am an over the top, enthusiastic supporter of nanoFlash:
1)The unit I have is absolutely reliable and easy to set up.
2)The customer service, when I have questions about off beat set up, id awesomely quick, informative, and dependable!
3)The results using the nano in combo with the EX1 are VERY
notably better to ME (and even to some of my customers!) when it comes to shooting in VERY dark, but contrasty venues - the evident noise in the final product I consider to be as good as it can get!
4) Where my results REALLY shine, using the nano with the EX-1 is with the DVDs I produce. Prior to use of the nano on the EX-1, my DVD content (720x480 30p)was unacceptable to me on a number of my LCD "TV" test platforms, and to MOST of my customers - not so with the nano in use, following the aforementioned set up. Specifically, before the nano, my DVDs received complaints from my customers because of notable interline twitter (unless unacceptable degrees of softening was instituted) with ANY fine horizontal line or horizontal sharp edges in the scenes shot), and all kinds of artifacts. The DVD results with the nano do not exhibit this to any objectionable degree. I know there are other (what are to me complex and convoluted) ways of downrezzing from hi def to 720x480 for DVD production which have produced for many very successful results - I just never got that to work.

What I've had to say about the EX-1 nanoFlash combo may not be applicable to your market, but that's my experience.