Progressive problems in Sony V1
by Digistream
on
Feb 13, 2007 at 4:51:08 am
I know this is HD high end, that's where I'm coming from, but I'm hoping for some expertise on a lower format... I'm about the take delivery of two F900s, and Sony are throwing in either Z1s or V1s as part of the deal. I'm hoping Mads can shed some light here.
The problem is that there are rumours of real problems with the V1s, PAL land model (E) specifically, when used in 25p mode, there are bad detailing artifacts and some sort of line "twitter". Does anyone know about this? Apparently Sony suggest dropping the detail level from the defaulted 7 to 3, but some are not convinced that this is worth it.
If anyone knows about this please post something. I've also posted on the HDV board, so maybe its more appropriate there, I don't know. The reason for wanting to go with a V1 is the "full res" as compared to the neo anamorphic 1440 of interlaced HDV.
Re: Progressive problems in Sony V1 by Mads Nybo Jorgensen on Feb 13, 2007 at 9:22:31 pm
Hey Digistream.
[Digistream]"I'm hoping Mads can shed some light here." About Sony, I'll be barred by the cow-dog or pull a nerve if I start (Not necessarily one of my nerves) :-)
How Sony got from a f900 to give you a Z1 or V1 to go with it is beyond me. I think some f900 owners would advice you to get a third f900 (or Sony to guarantee a 24 Hour swap in case of problems) - there has been reports on the vtr side one or two instances where the new lead-free versions couldn't deal with the heat - I would expect the same to be the case with the cameras.
Anyway, turning the detail down will help your compression in that there will be less to compress - Smearing Vaseline on your Sony lens should pretty much give you the same effect ;-) However, matching that footage up to your f900 is not going to be easy.
There is a number of observations that is worth making a note of; In my opinion HDV looks bad transferred to HD-CAM, with added artefacts - those two codecs does not like each other. Early reports on the Z1 camera was that the Sony HDV codec also "compresses" the Time-code, so it is not possible to do an accurate Auto Conform - don't know whether this small issue has been fixed, we always advice our clients to transfer or go HDV codec in the "off-line".
Talking of clients and compression, my current office HDV circus act involves me, a client (PAL) in search of an introduction and two small DV-CAM tapes "One can hold 40 Minutes of DV-CAM, and the other 62 Minutes of HDV" - always brings out the confusion, who said compression couldn't be fun? :-)
If you must have something small to take home, go for PS-3, flat screen or maybe even a XPRI-SDTI - I have a written promise from Sony, that the XPRI will go to version 8 and get all of the continued support from Sony senior management (OK, that was in 2003 - still waiting, but they're cheap to buy as B-Stock). Or if you have humour, using the V1 filming your Sony rep, ask 'em for a X-Box 360, a Samsung true HD-TV set and a HD-DVD player - that should bring a smile to their face, and U-Tube will pay you for it :-)
Enough!!! Or shall self-erase :-D
All the Best
Mads
London, UK
Mac Million Ltd. - HD Production & Editing
Blog: http://blog.myspace.com/bigflopproductions
Re: Progressive problems in Sony V1 by Digistream on Feb 14, 2007 at 5:06:16 am
Hey, thanks for the response! I had a good chuckle.
When we purchased the 900s, we expressed interest in more compact units that I could, for example, shove down an aardvark burrow or something like that, just stuff that its hard to do with a camera the size and value of a 900. So Sony responded with a choice of either a Z1 or V1 as an added sweetner I guess. I'd hear a few bad things about both, but particularly the V1.
I'm used to Varicams, and I'm with you on the compromise of HDV, can be nasty stuff. I had a really bad experience with HDX200 though, so what else is there for compact units in documentary?
Re: Progressive problems in Sony V1 by Rob Ikenberry on Mar 5, 2007 at 1:56:51 pm
Curious as to your bad experience with the HVX-200... Workflow, technical issues or image quality? We have found that the HVX-200's footage cuts well with the Varicam (and OK with the F900 for that matter) when you need to go down an aardvark burrow, or in our case, hang off the side of a bridge.
