Looking for a HDV camera that can also do 4:3 SD
by Chet Wesley
on
Aug 15, 2008 at 10:16:38 pm
Hi I am looking for a miniDV HDV camera that can record in both SD and HDV for under $1000. The canon ones (HV 20 and 30) look fine, but they only shoot in "letterboxed" 16:9 to a 4:3 frame.
For versatility and simplicity I am looking for something that can do both. It seems like my options are quickly disappearing.
Re: Looking for a HDV camera that can also do 4:3 SD by Don Greening on Aug 16, 2008 at 6:03:37 am
[Chet Wesley]"It seems like my options are quickly disappearing."
Yes they are. Most everything these days in the HD world is 16:9. You're going to have to learn to shoot 16:9 but protect for your 4:3 frame. Most HD cameras these days have 4:3 guides you can activate in the viewfinder. Then in post you can create a 4:3 sequence and do a "centre-punch" of your wide screen picture. Camera operators and editors have been doing it this way for years, depending on how the client wants the project delivered.
Re: Looking for a HDV camera that can also do 4:3 SD by Chet Wesley on Aug 16, 2008 at 6:26:30 am
Thanks... well, I am looking for this for use by people who have no experience shooting or editing video. I have done the same as you suggest for projects I worked on personally, but to expect that from novices won't work in this case... maybe it is just time for novices to get used to shooting for HD!
Re: Looking for a HDV camera that can also do 4:3 SD by Don Greening on Aug 16, 2008 at 7:33:27 am
Chet, you can always mask off both sides of the viewfinder and hand the camera to the novice shooter. Tell them if they can't see the subject in the narrower picture it won't show up in the final result. Even a beginner will soon get used to that method of shooting.
Re: Looking for a HDV camera that can also do 4:3 SD by Kevin Shaw on Aug 16, 2008 at 7:54:42 am
The Sony HC9 should be abld to shoot widescreen or 4:3 DV (works on my HC1), and I'm surprised to hear the small Canon cameras may lack this option. On the Sony you have to adjust two menu items: one to select DV mode and another to choose wide or 4:3 format.
================
Kevin Shaw
Always Memorable Videos
