Scott Billups' charts shot with XL-1 at DVinfo.net

Michael Rand · May 28th, 2004, 07:49 AM

Scott Billups has demonstrated some impressive results shooting his charts using an XL-1 with both auto and manual lenses and recording to tape vs. direct to disk.

I've included the link below for anyone who's interested in viewing/commenting. To my eyes, the direct to disk shots are crisper, and the chart shot using a "broadcast" lens is amazing.

Would love to hear some opinions on Billups' test.

Thanks.

http://pixelmonger.com/graphicref194

Ron Lucas · May 29th, 2004, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the images.

But I don't get it. Why does the image change using the same lens but using tape vs. disk?

Thanks,
Ron

Ken Tanaka · May 29th, 2004, 12:15 PM

It doesn't. DV is DV. To suggest a distinction based on recording medium would be directly analogous to suggest that the contents of a computer file depends on whether it's stored on your hard disk or a CD.

As a stand-alone exhibit the images are not useful for many reasons. Scott's a very savvy fellow and he certainly knows this. Since I've not seen the context in which he presents the images (i.e. an article?) I certainly would not comment further on such an out-of-context exhibit.

Luis Caffesse · May 29th, 2004, 12:57 PM

The image titled "Canon-Broadcast Lens-SDI" does indeed look significantly better, and that is because it is not DV. It was shot with Billups homemade Digibeta Direct-to-disc camera.

That isn't made completely clear on his site, but I emailed him a while back about that and he clarified it for me.

The first 4 images are from an XL-1. From what I understand, the final image is taking an RGB signal off the chips of an old Beta camera he modified. The signal is sent through a (Miranda, I think) A/D converter, and sent through SDI into his Mac for capture at 4:2:2 uncompressed.

There is a picture of his camera at the bottom of his camera page, next to Dan's VanceCam.

-Luis

Rob Lohman · May 30th, 2004, 08:50 AM

Some more thoughts on this by me in this thread.

Those pictures are useless without an explanation on how they
where "captured". As Ken also pointed out. miniDV tape and
direct-to-disk record the exact same signal.

Michael Rand · June 1st, 2004, 11:31 AM

Thanks all for the considered investigation.

Michael

May 28th, 2004, 07:49 AM	#1
Michael Rand New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 8	Scott Billups' charts shot with XL-1 Scott Billups has demonstrated some impressive results shooting his charts using an XL-1 with both auto and manual lenses and recording to tape vs. direct to disk. I've included the link below for anyone who's interested in viewing/commenting. To my eyes, the direct to disk shots are crisper, and the chart shot using a "broadcast" lens is amazing. Would love to hear some opinions on Billups' test. Thanks. http://pixelmonger.com/graphicref194 __________________ Misha

May 29th, 2004, 12:15 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	It doesn't. DV is DV. To suggest a distinction based on recording medium would be directly analogous to suggest that the contents of a computer file depends on whether it's stored on your hard disk or a CD. As a stand-alone exhibit the images are not useful for many reasons. Scott's a very savvy fellow and he certainly knows this. Since I've not seen the context in which he presents the images (i.e. an article?) I certainly would not comment further on such an out-of-context exhibit. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 30th, 2004, 08:50 AM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Some more thoughts on this by me in this thread. Those pictures are useless without an explanation on how they where "captured". As Ken also pointed out. miniDV tape and direct-to-disk record the exact same signal. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 1st, 2004, 11:31 AM	#6
Michael Rand New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 8	Thanks all for the considered investigation. Michael __________________ Misha

May 29th, 2004, 11:11 AM	#2
Ron Lucas New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 24	Thanks for the images. But I don't get it. Why does the image change using the same lens but using tape vs. disk? Thanks, Ron

May 29th, 2004, 12:57 PM	#4
Luis Caffesse Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 704	The image titled "Canon-Broadcast Lens-SDI" does indeed look significantly better, and that is because it is not DV. It was shot with Billups homemade Digibeta Direct-to-disc camera. That isn't made completely clear on his site, but I emailed him a while back about that and he clarified it for me. The first 4 images are from an XL-1. From what I understand, the final image is taking an RGB signal off the chips of an old Beta camera he modified. The signal is sent through a (Miranda, I think) A/D converter, and sent through SDI into his Mac for capture at 4:2:2 uncompressed. There is a picture of his camera at the bottom of his camera page, next to Dan's VanceCam. -Luis