Photo Mode + FireStore = 30p/25p? at DVinfo.net

Jed Williamson · March 1st, 2005, 04:38 PM

Has anyone had a chance to try the photo mode while using a firestore or similar device.

I've been using my laptop but it's very impractical for shooting. But I sure do like the progressive video :)

Michael Wisniewski · March 3rd, 2005, 09:39 AM

It's just like recording to a PC, press record on the firestore device while the Optura is in photo mode and it records anything the cam sees and hears. The Opturas support Canon's firestore devices, so it should work fine.

fyi: DVInfo has it's very own Firestore forum:
Direct-to-Disk (Tapeless) Recording Solutions
>> Focus Enhancements FireStore D.T.E. Recorders

Jason J. Gullickson · July 12th, 2005, 01:49 PM

Which camera are you able to do this with?

I'm considering a Optura Pi for it's ability to do progressive but if I can get it out of a 60 using a disk recorder, that would be more attractive...

Philip Williams · July 12th, 2005, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason J. Gullickson

Which camera are you able to do this with?

I'm considering a Optura Pi for it's ability to do progressive but if I can get it out of a 60 using a disk recorder, that would be more attractive...

In photo mode the Optura 30/40 and I presume 50/60 seem to ouput progressive video. However it is limited to 4:3 aspect ratio and I'm not totally sure if you'll get audio in photo mode.

Michael Wisniewski · July 13th, 2005, 04:33 PM

If you can find one, an Optura Pi is the way to go if you want inexpensive progressive.

Regarding the new Opturas:
You do get audio when recording in photo mode. I've never been able to truly confirm, what is happening to the video. But, as far as Vegas is concerned, the resulting file is progressive.

Phillip's right the photo mode video is 4:3 but it also uses a larger field of view, so you could crop it and still get the same sized 16:9 frame.

FWIW: Here's are some frame grabs for comparison (click here) ** excuse the jaggies, the conversion to JPEG caused that.

Jason J. Gullickson · July 14th, 2005, 11:51 AM

Michael, those stills look pretty good. So when the camera is in photo mode, it still streams images down the firewire port?

This might be exactly what I'm looking for.

Do you think the 60 can do this as well or just the Xi?

Michael Wisniewski · July 14th, 2005, 02:01 PM

Yes, all the current Opturas, can output video/sound, via firewire, in video & photo mode. These are the current Opturas (newest to oldest): 60, 50, 40, 500, 400, 30, 300, Xi.

I use Vegas Video Capture for the hard disk recording, but I'm sure other NLEs have the same feature.

Tommy Haupfear · July 15th, 2005, 10:40 AM

I tried this a few years back with the Sony DSR-PDX10 (3CCD MiniDV) and it turned out to be not so great. It also had a larger field of view but reduced overall resolution. Judging by the frame grabs it would appear its also the case here.

Here are two examples from the PDX10 test.

From photo mode using firewire out

Click here

From video mode using firewire out

Click here

Jason J. Gullickson · July 26th, 2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Williams

In photo mode the Optura 30/40 and I presume 50/60 seem to ouput progressive video. However it is limited to 4:3 aspect ratio and I'm not totally sure if you'll get audio in photo mode.

Now that I actually have one of these cameras I can give this a try...

Philip, when you say "photo mode" do you mean "card mode" vs. "tape mode"?

Philip Williams · July 26th, 2005, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason J. Gullickson

Now that I actually have one of these cameras I can give this a try...

Philip, when you say "photo mode" do you mean "card mode" vs. "tape mode"?

Yes, Card Mode is correct.

March 1st, 2005, 04:38 PM	#1
Jed Williamson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 175	Photo Mode + FireStore = 30p/25p? Has anyone had a chance to try the photo mode while using a firestore or similar device. I've been using my laptop but it's very impractical for shooting. But I sure do like the progressive video :)

July 14th, 2005, 11:51 AM	#6
Jason J. Gullickson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 170	Michael, those stills look pretty good. So when the camera is in photo mode, it still streams images down the firewire port? This might be exactly what I'm looking for. Do you think the 60 can do this as well or just the Xi? __________________ Jason J. Gullickson Producer the second society http://2soc.net

March 3rd, 2005, 09:39 AM	#2
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	It's just like recording to a PC, press record on the firestore device while the Optura is in photo mode and it records anything the cam sees and hears. The Opturas support Canon's firestore devices, so it should work fine. fyi: DVInfo has it's very own Firestore forum: Direct-to-Disk (Tapeless) Recording Solutions >> Focus Enhancements FireStore D.T.E. Recorders

July 12th, 2005, 01:49 PM	#3
Jason J. Gullickson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 170	Which camera are you able to do this with? I'm considering a Optura Pi for it's ability to do progressive but if I can get it out of a 60 using a disk recorder, that would be more attractive...

July 13th, 2005, 04:33 PM	#5
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	If you can find one, an Optura Pi is the way to go if you want inexpensive progressive. Regarding the new Opturas: You do get audio when recording in photo mode. I've never been able to truly confirm, what is happening to the video. But, as far as Vegas is concerned, the resulting file is progressive. Phillip's right the photo mode video is 4:3 but it also uses a larger field of view, so you could crop it and still get the same sized 16:9 frame. FWIW: Here's are some frame grabs for comparison (click here) ** excuse the jaggies, the conversion to JPEG caused that.

July 14th, 2005, 02:01 PM	#7
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Yes, all the current Opturas, can output video/sound, via firewire, in video & photo mode. These are the current Opturas (newest to oldest): 60, 50, 40, 500, 400, 30, 300, Xi. I use Vegas Video Capture for the hard disk recording, but I'm sure other NLEs have the same feature.

July 15th, 2005, 10:40 AM	#8
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	I tried this a few years back with the Sony DSR-PDX10 (3CCD MiniDV) and it turned out to be not so great. It also had a larger field of view but reduced overall resolution. Judging by the frame grabs it would appear its also the case here. Here are two examples from the PDX10 test. From photo mode using firewire out Click here From video mode using firewire out Click here