Mixing HDV with Panasonic DVC PRO HD
by Erin Magner
on
Jun 6, 2008 at 9:18:21 pm
So I've been offered to do a low budget film with my Canon XH A1, which is the only HD camera I've ever shot or edited footage with. I consider this to mean I'm a noob with Hi-Def stuff. The project is using Panasonic HVX 200's, which from what I've read it seems only record HD on P2 cards, and only SD on the DV tapes. So in addition to the vast differences in color vibrance, this project is being set up for post-production nightmares, correct? If both cameras shoot 1080p 24F (24p with the HVX) will all the footage have to be rendered to a compatible lossless format before editing, if that's even possible? Or is there an easier way to make the footage compatible? Also, can the HVX be used as a deck for the HDV tapes made in my Canon? Or should I just inform them that mixing the two formats is unadvisable?
Re: Mixing HDV with Panasonic DVC PRO HD by Jerry Alto on Jun 6, 2008 at 11:38:24 pm
Erin- You did not give us info on your post production workflow. If you had Final Cut and a Kona LH or LE card you could digitize your Canon footage via component and digitize with the DVCPro HD codec to match the native footage from the HVX 200.
The camera match is a whole different ball-game. Test, test, test.
Jerry
G5 Dual 3GB Ram
FCP5 Studio
External 1 TB SATA Raid 0
Kona LH, Second system w AJA ioLA
Sony Z-1
Re: Mixing HDV with Panasonic DVC PRO HD by Erin Magner on Jun 7, 2008 at 1:00:00 am
The reason I ask is because I'm not sure they've considered their post-production workflow. So far I've only been asked to be a filmer for the project. I'm almost positive they do not have a Kona card which is why I was wondering if there was a work around that would not be incredibly time-consuming as we are shooting interviews as well as architecture. I want them to be aware of the pitfalls or extra costs before I agree to do the project.
Re: Mixing HDV with Panasonic DVC PRO HD by Erin Magner on Jun 7, 2008 at 1:03:47 am
I'm also very concerned about allowing them to use my camera as a deck. I'm assuming from your response that the Panasonic cannot shoot HDV as I suspected? And therefore cannot be used as a deck to capture the footage?
Re: Mixing HDV with Panasonic DVC PRO HD by Michael Palmer on Jun 7, 2008 at 4:03:55 pm
Forget using your camera as a recording deck, it doesn't encode HDV only DV during a live recording. To get use the camera as a deck you would need to convert then conform to HDV from an EDL via firewire to archive the DVC Pro HD signal. This isn't worth the time and would completely re-compress the original media that would have marginal results. They need to use external hard drives for the P2 system or rent a DVC Pro HD deck if they want the media on a tape.
I mix HDV, XD Cam and DVC Pro HD enough to know you can, but this takes people with the knowledge and additional professional equipment. There are plenty of low cost conversion solutions available.
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
I think you should commit to only working with one camera format and if they find a solution the convert a second format that they find acceptable then great. Don't lose sight of good photography just to have a second camera rolling. Multiple camera shooting is the worst for any DP trying to make a beautiful image.
