Re: XDCAM HD, HDCAM and DVCPRO HD formats by gary adcock on Feb 29, 2008 at 3:01:37 pm
[Sangwoo Kim]"Actually, I'm researching about XDCAM HD, HDCAM and DVCPRO HD formats and I got some questions for these. "
These are not formats - all 3 support both 720p and 1080 format workflows. XDcam and DVCproHD are codecs, HDCam is sony's proprietary tape format for the F-series cameras and as HDCAM SR as the highest level recording and delivery tape format currently available.
"If there is not, what's the differences between them?"
the differences are vast - Xdcam is long GOP mpeg, DVCPROHD is intraframe compressed and can be recorded in camera by all panasonic Hd cameras, and can be used as a working post codec when editing with 3rd party hardware like Aja's Kona cards. HDCAM cannot be seen as a native file format on any current hardware other than Quantel systems.
What are you doing and where are you going with it?
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Inside look at the IoHD
Re: XDCAM HD, HDCAM and DVCPRO HD formats by David Issko on Mar 13, 2008 at 3:50:20 pm
I was able to view about 1/2 hr of footage from the upcoming PDW-700 XDCAM HD422 camera. The footage was recorded at 50Mb and considering the camera was a pre production model, there weren't any optical filters attached and the images looked stunning. Dynamic range was superb.
This 422 format is, according to Sony, placed just under HDCAM in terms of picture quality. The camera has 4 separate audio inputs as well, 2 under the viewfinder and 2 at the back.
XDCAM is primarily file based, while HDCAM is tape based.
Sony use the tried, trusted, mature and proven MPEG 2 long GOP format, while the DVCPRO uses a different system, each claiming superiority over the other. You should see and test the formats/codecs for yourself before deciding on what suits you best.
Further, Sony do basically suggest what camera format is best suited to certain applications. Take for instance the new PDW-700, a camera "...for applications such as news, European TV drama, documentary and mainstream entertainment programmes that required a high quality look."
HDCAM is suggested for different types of productions and no doubt DVCPRO for others.
You have to decide what your main client base is, your budget, your editing capabilities and then audition the cameras & decide what works best for you.
