I have recently learnt that Discovery HD have changed the formats they accept for HD programmes.

They have 3 tiers of programmes, Gold, Silver and Bronze

The bronze category is for productions where the use of full size cameras represents a risk to the crew, presents safety issues or there is a risk of damage to the camera, then several HDV cameras are allowed. Including Z1, V1, XL-H1, XH-A1, HD200/250. Most notable is that the HD100/101 is NOT permitted. The Panasonic HVX200 is also listed as bronze.

The A1u, HV10 and HV20 are also permitted for POV, talent cam and stunt work on a limited basis.

Silver is for general HD production and includes all DVCPro HD cameras available in March 2007 (except the HVX200) and Sony XDCAM HD cameras. All must have HD lenses. If using Varicam off-speed the workflow must be approved by DCI. If using P2 you must prove that it is cost effective given that you must supply tape backups and XDCAM HD must be at 35Mb

Gold is for high end production and includes HDCAM and HDCAM SR.

These are NOT the very latest guidelines. I do know that the EX1 is now also included in the Silver category.

Alister,
Thanks again for the wealth of info you bring to this site.
Is the HPX500 included in the DVCPRO HD Silver category? I've heard no.
If the EX1 makes Silver, so must the EX3, I assume.

Alistair, thanks for the great info! Is there a link or .pdf that consolidates that info? I checked the Discovery.ca site for updates and didn't see any.

Again thanks!

I got this information through a back door source. The HPX500 and the EX1 are not listed in this particular copy of the document. But I do know the EX1 is now approved in Silver and have heard that the HPX500 is Bronze, although I have not been able to categorically confirm the HPX500 status.

Alister, I've also heard from another source that the HPX500 was in the Bronze category. Oh well, all the better for Sony's EX line.