Eng cam?

Jan Luethje · February 2nd, 2009, 02:11 AM

I am a VJ and can only talk about the PAL version. I've been using the XH A1 for tv production since two years now. Mostly for a culture and lifestyle show, that desires quite a good image quality. I've been operating it in 4:3 SD as in 16:9 SD, since the network has changed format. No problems at all. True is: Using the factory setting, the cam produces a kind of blurred image, especially in skin tones. But if you tweak the settings in a reasonable manner, that problem is solved. The biggest 'downer' for me is a certain lack of light sensitivity. Newer cams like the Sony Z7 are better regarding that. Regarding the 'shoulder cam' comparisons: Sure, a decent -say 10.000€- shoulder cam is 'better'. But I certainly woudn't like to carry it around as a vj, together with all the rest, unless I looked like Dolph Lundgren. Also, it woud be quite difficult to amortize it, considering veejay salaries.

Jay Legere · February 4th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the response Jan.

I have made some adjustments with custom settings and 4:3 looks pretty good thus far. I have not processed any viz through my edit suite yet and then dumped to tape or burned to dvd. But when tested on my regular 'ole 4:3 sd tv the output looks nice and crisp.

Alan Craig · February 5th, 2009, 03:28 AM

I could be wrong but is 4:3 fast becoming an outdated format. I walk into a tv shop and I do not see any 4:3 format TV's they are all 16:9. I do not think that there are many film makers using a 4:3 format if any, are they not all using widescreen or 16:9 I don't think it will be long before everyone will own a flat screen digital 16:9 format tv.

Alan

Battle Vaughan · February 5th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Sooo--Jay and Jan, I have the same blurry sd problem, care to share your tweaks??? Please?? / Battle Vaughan /miamiherald.com video team

February 2nd, 2009, 02:11 AM	#31
Jan Luethje Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 89	I am a VJ and can only talk about the PAL version. I've been using the XH A1 for tv production since two years now. Mostly for a culture and lifestyle show, that desires quite a good image quality. I've been operating it in 4:3 SD as in 16:9 SD, since the network has changed format. No problems at all. True is: Using the factory setting, the cam produces a kind of blurred image, especially in skin tones. But if you tweak the settings in a reasonable manner, that problem is solved. The biggest 'downer' for me is a certain lack of light sensitivity. Newer cams like the Sony Z7 are better regarding that. Regarding the 'shoulder cam' comparisons: Sure, a decent -say 10.000€- shoulder cam is 'better'. But I certainly woudn't like to carry it around as a vj, together with all the rest, unless I looked like Dolph Lundgren. Also, it woud be quite difficult to amortize it, considering veejay salaries.

February 4th, 2009, 07:03 PM	#32
Jay Legere Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iqaluit Nunavut, Canada Posts: 98	Thanks for the response Jan. I have made some adjustments with custom settings and 4:3 looks pretty good thus far. I have not processed any viz through my edit suite yet and then dumped to tape or burned to dvd. But when tested on my regular 'ole 4:3 sd tv the output looks nice and crisp.

February 5th, 2009, 03:28 AM	#33
Alan Craig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Warrington England Posts: 143	I could be wrong but is 4:3 fast becoming an outdated format. I walk into a tv shop and I do not see any 4:3 format TV's they are all 16:9. I do not think that there are many film makers using a 4:3 format if any, are they not all using widescreen or 16:9 I don't think it will be long before everyone will own a flat screen digital 16:9 format tv. Alan

February 5th, 2009, 11:00 AM	#34
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Sooo--Jay and Jan, I have the same blurry sd problem, care to share your tweaks??? Please?? / Battle Vaughan /miamiherald.com video team