View Full Version : Preliminary testing result with FX1 HDV mode and Glidecam.


Kaku Ito
November 2nd, 2004, 09:14 AM
Gawd....beautiful....
Please wait until tomorrow for the footage.

Kevin Dooley
November 6th, 2004, 08:25 AM
Hey Kaku,

Did you ever get a chance to capture this footage?

Oh and by the way...thanks for posting all the footage...it's amazing.

Maheel Perera
November 7th, 2004, 04:20 AM
We are waiting to see your footage with the Glidecam. What was the model you used with the FX-1.

And thanks for all the trouble you have taken to help us evaulate this camera.

Kaku Ito
November 7th, 2004, 06:10 AM
I tested them in the house and the footage looked great, but I thought I have to shoot something better to share it here.

My glidecam is V8.

Zack Birlew
November 7th, 2004, 11:22 AM
Well, you know, the "posted" footage was so good that I vomitted! 0.0;;;

Now seriously dude, where's that footage? >=)

Kaku Ito
November 7th, 2004, 08:12 PM
I'm totally out of practice with my Glidecam.

I'm posting a footage with Glidecam V8/FX1 with no reharsal, so disregard any of my operation flaws for the sake of the equipment.

Footage (http://www.hdvinfo.net/media/kakugyo/GlidecamTest)

Donal Briard
November 8th, 2004, 05:32 AM
Do you realise that just because of the FX1, Kaku Ito and his mountain bike are now known around the world?

Kaku Ito
November 8th, 2004, 07:21 AM
Donal,

I think it just happens here and it is pretty much just nothing but hype of the highly anticipated product.

But to provide insights and adoption of this new technology (format) in already established editing envoironment, I have been in business long enough to have all of the necessary resources.

I would say, it happened because all of the members here encouraged me to contribute my findings. I wouldn't have done that otherwise.

I hope Sony and mountainbike companies realize the power of "positive" internet community.

Donal Briard
November 8th, 2004, 08:34 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by Kaku Ito : Donal,

I think it just happens here and it is pretty much just nothing but hype of the highly anticipated product.

But to provide insights and adoption of this new technology (format) in already established editing envoironment, I have been in business long enough to have all of the necessary resources.

I would say, it happened because all of the members here encouraged me to contribute my findings. I wouldn't have done that otherwise.

I hope Sony and mountainbike companies realize the power of "positive" internet community. -->>>

I think you should sell advertising space on your bike ;-)

John Jay
November 8th, 2004, 03:14 PM
Kaku

Could you repeat your glidecam test 'move for move' down the stairs but this time have the camera in DV mode

The reason I ask is that the HDV footage looks very soft in all but the nearly stationary camera moments and I would like to see a direct comparison in DV mode

Domo Arigato

Kaku Ito
November 10th, 2004, 06:22 AM
John,

I might be able to do it this weekend, but things are hecktic because it is right before InterBEE.

John Jay
November 10th, 2004, 07:20 AM
Kaku

Sometime over the next few weeks will be fine and much appreciated

D.A.

Edmond Chan
December 16th, 2004, 02:23 AM
Dear Kaku Ito San,

I download all your image with your NTSC FX1 version,
and find out that your image is sharper than my PAL FX1/E version.

Can you kindly tell me what is your Picture setting...
Are you using the default setting PP1, PP2, PP3 etc...
OR you re-adjust all the setting AGAIN?

I try to use the PP1 setting (which say to be good for HDV)
and the image is kind of blur... compare to yours...

Once again, thanks for your post...
without your post, i don't think i will jump in so fast...

Edmond

Kaku Ito
December 16th, 2004, 05:37 AM
Edmond,

I pretty much used PP1 for the 60i shooting.

No special techniques beside, trying to be steady as possible, use good tripod. What software are you using to capture into the software?

And John, I haven't forgotten about testing Glidecam on DV!! Please wait for a little while more.

Davi Dortas
December 16th, 2004, 06:18 AM
So Kaku, what is you final impression of the FX1?

John Jay
December 16th, 2004, 09:34 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by Kaku Ito :
And John, I haven't forgotten about testing Glidecam on DV!! Please wait for a little while more. -->>>

Hi Kaku,

Its Ok now not needed.

I have seen some footage shot on FX1E with an ABC Handyman 1000, and it looks fine. I think the secret is to avoid fast angular movement

Kaku Ito
December 16th, 2004, 10:52 AM
I went to a BMX park and shot some footage yesterday. I had shot footage with DSR-PDX10 before and had spent a lot of time editing, so I'm used to watching the location with PDX10 quality. Then watching the same place on footage shot by FX1 is better on interlaced monitor. It's the least quality I need to produce DVD titles. I was always afraid to be pointed out with the quality of mastered DVD clips from footage shot with DSR-PDX10, but I nolonger have to worry about that most of the time.

Why most of the time? Because FX1 does terrible with some situations like fast moving downhiller passing in front of the camera with trees and plants in the back ground. It seems to exceed the limit of the compression, so the video breaks up for a couple of seconds. If you are panning and are not able to pan the camera stricktly sideway (wubble vertically), the picture would be broken even worse. This you can see the problem in playing back with regular speed, so it is horrible. In another example, I had a BMX rider passing in front of me, then the shape of the wheel is broken depending on the situation on the ground. If the ground is solid, it is not much problem, but the ground color changes from, say, asphalt to dirt, then on the boarderline, the shape of the wheel was out of shape a bit (you won't probably notice if you are watching it in reagular speed). I used Manfrotto 503 video head and carefully shot this footage, but this problem happened.

I will probably have NV-GS400 on the side, placing it on a small tripod and shoot fast moving object along with the panning work of FX1 to make sure I can use the footage from GS400 if the panning shot of FX1 is bad.

The good points of FX1 exceeds the few problems that can be solved by having a sub-camera, so I am happy with FX1 and just have to be creative and equipped with good tripod to shoot better video.

I noticed that FX1 feels heavy shooting with hands, so I probably have to get one of those shoulder attachment.

You can adjust 503 video head well and works great with FX1. It could be adjusted to keep the balance in most angle, but not all of the angle up and down. I would say 20% is not usable.

Canon Lanc remote really works well with FX1.

I will probalby post some of the footage from the BMX park later in my site. LumiereHD is getting better and better as we speak, so it won't be too long to see my edited clips from FX1 on my site.

Overall, I'm happy with more resolution most of the time, so I will be more creative to cover the problems with FX1.

I mentioned the expectation of the quality on DV format with FX1, but reading from other thread, it seems that is disappointing result. I ended up not shooting with DV format on FX1 all this time (besides the one I shot for the testing). I will probalby stick to HDV with FX1 and utilize NV-GS400 well to cover the weekness of FX1.

Heath McKnight
December 16th, 2004, 10:55 AM
The short film I co-shot (I did hand-held and sticks) with the FX1 is GREAT! The DoP used a GlideCam V16 (much like a SteadiCam) to great results! I'll have a link to the site in a week or two that is hosting raw clips!

heath

Maheel Perera
December 17th, 2004, 10:30 AM
Was Jon the DOP?. hope he could write a review like what he has written about HD10.

Heath McKnight
December 17th, 2004, 10:46 PM
No, I was the co-DP with a guy named Psych Stevens.

Jon and I are shooting a short film the day after X-Mas and we'll both have full reviews ASAP.

heath

Adam Rench
December 24th, 2004, 01:26 AM
Kaku,

is your clip still available somewhere? i got here late and can't seem to have missed it.

Kaku Ito
December 24th, 2004, 06:05 AM
I'm setting up a folder in my company's ftp soon. I will let you know.