Panasonic Varicam HD to SD
by Bill Seville
on
Sep 22, 2009 at 7:30:03 pm
Have an odd issue, shooting tomorrow using the Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 Varicam and unfortunately the end result is going to be SD. Since the 2700 doesn't shoot SD, trying to figure out the best mode to shoot in to make the downcovert best. 720p60, 1080?
Use Premiere CS4 and have the Blackmagic HD Extreme 3. Thanks!
Re: Panasonic Varicam HD to SD by Bill Seville on Sep 23, 2009 at 3:23:11 am
Sorry Noah...didn't mean "best" in terms of the downconvert. I think I meant "preferred" - as if you had to choose a mode on the Varicam to shoot in and then downconvert to SD, what mode would you shoot in?
Re: Panasonic Varicam HD to SD by Ernie Santella on Sep 23, 2009 at 1:19:28 pm
All formats have their use. Frame size and field/progressive (720p vs 1080i) isn't as important as frame rates. 24fps for a more theatrical, film-like look with motion blur vs. 60fps for crisper action and better slow-mo (if needed). Resizing either 1080i or 720p down to SD is easy and really doesn't matter, they both resize well. It's more of the frame-rate look you wanting.
Ernie Santella
Santella Productions Inc.
www.santellaproductions.com
Re: Panasonic Varicam HD to SD by Jesse Rosen on Sep 25, 2009 at 2:04:16 am
I assume that you did your shoot already, but I figured I'd answer for the sake of posterity -- I personally would shoot 720PN in AVCi for downconvert. There won't be an appreciable quality difference between 1080 and 720, but the files in 720 will be half the size, which means the cards last twice as long.
Re: Panasonic Varicam HD to SD by Mark D'Agostino on Sep 25, 2009 at 2:35:52 pm
If file size and storage are not a real issue I'd recommend shooting 1080 anyhow. We do this to protect for the possibility of the client wanting to reuse it for HD down the road. This could happen as local stations slowly switch to HD. On a more local level, clients to tend to reuse footage for years.
Re: Panasonic Varicam HD to SD by Bill Seville on Oct 3, 2009 at 7:41:50 am
Did end up shooting in 720pn at 24fps. Did some overcranking and undercranking with it as well. Footage came out outstanding. Actually used the 2700 again yesterday for some more shooting using the Canon 33x11 long lens. Great lens on the Varicam. Was very happy with it. I'll end up cutting all the footage in 720 then downcovert when project is complete. Sounds good in theory at least.
