Hello FCP users. I'm a new producer and FCP user (thank you Lynda.com) and am about to acquire my first camera, which I'm eyeing as the new Panasonic AG-HPX170. I have some FCP questions with regard to this camera and was hoping the experienced folks on this forum could offer up their expertise:1
1. can the formats on the AG-HPX170 be edited on FCP (I think the answer is yes, I believe I'll be shooting in DVCPRO HD 1080/5995i just in case a PBS opportunity arrises down the road)
2. it seems the AG-HPX170 only shoots in 24 fps, would I need to transcode at all, and if so, would I do this during capture, after capture but before edit, or after output (I think the answer is after capture but before edit in FCP)
If anyone is using the AG-HPX170, how do ya like it?
Welcome, Thomas! by Scott Anderson on Sep 24, 2008 at 5:56:22 pm
Hey, Thomas - Scott Anderson here. Email me privately if you want to be added to the AZFCPUG email list.
1. Absolutely, the footage from the HPX170 works just like the footage from the HVX-200, which has a mature and well-developed workflow.
2. The HPX170 shoots in many frame rates, but only in 720. I believe in 720p you can select 12-60fps in 20 steps. The 720/24PN format simply states that 24p is the NATIVE playback rate (thus the designation PN). The fact is that you can set a capture frame rate at 12-60fps, then the footage will be overcranked or undercranked on a 24p timeline.
In 1080/60i, you can choose to either shoot 30p over 60i, 24p over 60i, 24pA over 60i. Shooting either 24p or 24pa will allow you to reconstruct the original 24p frames, and use a 24p timeline in FCP. I believe you can use Cinema Tools to reconstruct those original frames with no re-rendering (somebody familiar with the workflow help me out on this). I'm surprised that PBS wouldn't want a 24p over 60i program. That seems to have emerged as the defacto standard these days. The word I've heard is that if you want to be universally compatible with everybody, shoot/edit in 1080/24p, then transcode/convert to anything else after the program is finished.
You'll see Sequence Settings in FCP to support all the modes available with this camera - no transcoding needed! Be aware that you won't be using the Log & Capture window anymore, as there's no tape to capture from. You'll use the Log & Transfer window instead, which is used for all the formats that are tapeless. It's more of an interface for file copying, but with a logging interface.
I think the camera is a fantastic choice - all the versatility the HVX-200 is known for, but with improved signal processing and an all tapeless, all the time workflow.
Re: Ag-Hpx170 by Ray Palmer on Sep 25, 2008 at 5:41:28 pm
[Thomas WACHOWSKI]"it seems the AG-HPX170 only shoots in 24 fps,"
Scott is correct in his post. I would caution you when shooting 24p though. It doesn't always work for fast action. Sports and aerials are the two that I have found to really hate 24p.
It works great for drama and talking heads.
So, don't switch it to 24p and leave it there.
Ray Palmer, Engineer
Salt River Project
Phoenix, AZ
602-236-8224 office
There are three types of people in this world, those that can count and those that can't.
