The MX02 Mini has component and DVI inputs only. How does capturing the video signal from the HXA1s "HD/SD Component Out" to the MX02 compare to capturing HDV through firewire? In other words, which is the purer signal?

Hi Alex. I hadn't come across this device before. It looks really interesting, especially if Cineform support becomes available.

As for your question, the analogue component output should be pre-HDV compression and therefore should be higher quality than the firewire output. Unfortunately, nobody seems able to confirm this, or should I say I haven't been able to find a definite answer anywhere.

Richard

Only live, once you go to tape you get HDV compression.

"Only live, once you go to tape you get HDV compression. "

Hi David. Well yes, I don't think there is any doubt about that.

Richard

So, if I capture HDV taped footage through the Canon's component port, is that not an analog signal? Either way, is it better to capture HDV over firewire or throught the MX02 Mini? Tha MX02 creates "Matrox AVI" files from the played back tapes. Wouldn't it seem that it is being compressed twice?

Hi Alex. The only benefit of using the analogue component signal in this way is if you are bypassing the tape during shooting. As I mentioned, it is possible that this signal is without any HDV compression so it would give better image quality.

If you are talking about capturing from tape, you will get the best results using the FW port, because the video on the tape is already digitised and the FW capture is simply a way to transfer the digital data to hard disk without further conversion or loss. Using the component output for this would give slightly worse results because it means another D/A and A/D conversion and also a video compression stage.

Note that if you do want to convert the HDV data to a different format for ease of editing, you can actually do it as a digital operation during capturing. For example, in Sony Vegas you can capture to Cineform codec and in Edius you can capture to the Canopus HQ codec. Both of these methods avoid any unnecessary D/A and A/D conversions.

Richard

I can capture HDV footage at 25 Mbps over firewire. The Matrox allows me to capture video via component port at up to 300 Mbps, but it involves a D/A and A/D conversion from tape to the Matrox codec. Do you think it is wise to do so? In other words, how badly is the signal degraded by the D/A conversion?

Hi Alex. Even if the signal is only degraded a little bit, why would you want to do that? I thought FW is much more convenient for capture than buying a separate box.

Richard

The MX02 Mini also has an HDMI output that can go to a monitor. Apart from that, I don't know any other benefits for using it except maybe the Matrox AVI codec is better for editing than HDV and has a much higher data rate. I may have wasted some money.

I was thinking of using it with a laptop to bypass the camera's HDV compression and recording higher quality video. Would be interesting to know if anybody's tried this yet with an XH-A1.

Richard

I'd be interested in knowing that too, as that would be the only thing I would want the a1s over the a1 for.

In the user's manual, the firewire port is called the "HDV/DV Terminal". I assumed it is HDV compression with tape or no tape. I was hoping the component output would be of better or equal quality than HDV.

I guess you can get a Firestore to record directly without tape, but it would be HDV compression. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The Matrox MXO2 Mini has HDMI, Component and composite inputs and outputs. I use it to monitor HDV footage from FCP. I work in PAL land which causes problems with 60Hz screens. The MXO solves it all and also you can colour grade your monitor. Basically it gives you something approaching professional monitoring at a fraction of normal cost. I highly recommend it. Never tried using it to record so not sure how this works but the thought of lugging a laptop etc around when trying to film makes it pointless to me.

In the user's manual, the firewire port is called the "HDV/DV Terminal". I assumed it is HDV compression with tape or no tape. I was hoping the component output would be of better or equal quality than HDV.

I guess you can get a Firestore to record directly without tape, but it would be HDV compression. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hi Alex. Yes you are right, the FW output is always compressed. I was thinking about shooting and capturing video using the component out from the XH-A1 into the component input on the MXO2Mini. The idea is to bypass the HDV compression, not just to avoid using tape.

Richard

Anyone have any further information on this?

Page 151 of the user manual says the "HD/SD Component Out" is "1080i (D3)/480i (D1) compatible". Only the XHG1s model is uncompressed. It doesn't mention any difference between playing back from tape or live playback. SO, back to my original question: How does the HD/SD output compare with the HDV captured from tape? Which is technically better for editing?

Hi Alex. I think you are misinterpreting what you read in the manual. The analogue component video outputs are identical for A1 and G1, and complying with 1080i D3 specification does not mean that the signal is compressed. The G1 also has an SDI output, which is digital, but I think this is not supported on the MX02.

As for your original question, I would just refer you back to the answer that I gave you in post #6 above. I believe it is still correct, but if it is not clear, please let me know and I will try to elaborate on it.

Richard