Safe zone issue at DVinfo.net

Daniel H. Buchmann · January 9th, 2003, 12:08 AM

Hey all,
I just shot some still photos with my xl1, making certain that the entire photo filled the frame, but to my dismay, in reviewing some of the shots, the outlying background was in plain view. I could have resolved the issue with a monitor, but if I'm out in the field, that's not always an option. Is there some sort of reference point that can be used or is this just a "getting a feel for the camera" kinda thing?

Ken Tanaka · January 9th, 2003, 01:12 AM

Hi Daniel,
If I understand correctly, you were dismayed to discover that stuff outside of your viewfinder frame appeared in your footage?

If so, yes, that is part of getting the feeling for the camera. The color viewfinder on the XL1 and XL1s has a rather dramatic "underscan" area, meaning that it does not display the entire frame as it's being recorded to tape. So you'll have to make sure that mic booms and other distractions are well out of the frame. Using only the color viewfinder, it will just take some practice.

The alternatives are (a) to buy the b&w viewfinder, which has a much higher resolution and shows the entire frame, or (b) use a professional field monitor that enables you to display the underscan area. Neither option is inexpensive.

Don Palomaki · January 9th, 2003, 05:13 AM

FWIW, most 35mm still cameras also have a significant 'underscan' in their viewfinders, about 10% is typical.

A workaround at this time may be to use a image editing program such as Photoshop or PhotoPaint to crop and rescale the images you have captured.

Rob Lohman · January 9th, 2003, 10:04 AM

Althought Ken remarks are very good, if you ONLY want to see
what signal you can get you might also get a cheap (LCD) monitor
that SHOWS you the complete image. Doesn't have to be a
reference monitor if you only use it for that. If you want to judge
quality and exposure etc. as well a professional reference monitor
is a good thing to get ofcourse!

Ken Tanaka · January 9th, 2003, 11:50 AM

Actually, I'm not sure that there are many, if any, truly inexpensive lcd's that display the underscan area. I know that my 5" Marshall does not, nor did a 5" Varizoom I used to have.

The 7" Panasonic lcd (and Nebtek's adaptation of that unit) is an exception, and displays the wall-to-wall signal (and is gorgeous, to boot). I have one myself and love it. But, at $600 it's not really inexpensive. Although that's certainly less of a bank-breaker than the $1,200-$1,500 that the b&w viewfinder will set you back.

Rob Lohman · January 11th, 2003, 03:38 PM

I thought there were more, my bad. I'll do some more research
in the future before posting such a statement. At least it was
partially true. Thanks Ken!

January 9th, 2003, 12:08 AM	#1
Daniel H. Buchmann Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 57	Safe zone issue Hey all, I just shot some still photos with my xl1, making certain that the entire photo filled the frame, but to my dismay, in reviewing some of the shots, the outlying background was in plain view. I could have resolved the issue with a monitor, but if I'm out in the field, that's not always an option. Is there some sort of reference point that can be used or is this just a "getting a feel for the camera" kinda thing?

January 9th, 2003, 01:12 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Hi Daniel, If I understand correctly, you were dismayed to discover that stuff outside of your viewfinder frame appeared in your footage? If so, yes, that is part of getting the feeling for the camera. The color viewfinder on the XL1 and XL1s has a rather dramatic "underscan" area, meaning that it does not display the entire frame as it's being recorded to tape. So you'll have to make sure that mic booms and other distractions are well out of the frame. Using only the color viewfinder, it will just take some practice. The alternatives are (a) to buy the b&w viewfinder, which has a much higher resolution and shows the entire frame, or (b) use a professional field monitor that enables you to display the underscan area. Neither option is inexpensive. __________________ 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

January 9th, 2003, 10:04 AM	#4
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Althought Ken remarks are very good, if you ONLY want to see what signal you can get you might also get a cheap (LCD) monitor that SHOWS you the complete image. Doesn't have to be a reference monitor if you only use it for that. If you want to judge quality and exposure etc. as well a professional reference monitor is a good thing to get ofcourse! __________________ 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

January 9th, 2003, 11:50 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Actually, I'm not sure that there are many, if any, truly inexpensive lcd's that display the underscan area. I know that my 5" Marshall does not, nor did a 5" Varizoom I used to have. The 7" Panasonic lcd (and Nebtek's adaptation of that unit) is an exception, and displays the wall-to-wall signal (and is gorgeous, to boot). I have one myself and love it. But, at $600 it's not really inexpensive. Although that's certainly less of a bank-breaker than the $1,200-$1,500 that the b&w viewfinder will set you back. __________________ 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

January 11th, 2003, 03:38 PM	#6
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I thought there were more, my bad. I'll do some more research in the future before posting such a statement. At least it was partially true. Thanks Ken! __________________ 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

January 9th, 2003, 05:13 AM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	FWIW, most 35mm still cameras also have a significant 'underscan' in their viewfinders, about 10% is typical. A workaround at this time may be to use a image editing program such as Photoshop or PhotoPaint to crop and rescale the images you have captured.