Panasonic's AJ-SDX900

[Joe Carney]

On windows.. most dv50 based systems are based on proprietary capture boards and proprietary codecs locked to those boards using SDI. using existing firewire to capture and output would be great.

I know Quicktime has some 8bit:4:2:2 codecs available, but don't know of any Directshow filters/codecs.


Jan... does Panasonic provide the codecs needed to edit the footage? Any recomended capture utilities available for windows users?

[Jan Crittenden Livingston]

<<<-- Originally posted by Joe Carney : On windows.. most dv50 based systems are based on proprietary capture boards and proprietary codecs locked to those boards using SDI. using existing firewire to capture and output would be great.

Actually anytime you come into an SDI i/O you are at an uncompressed level and thus you can edit on virtually any system that works in an uncompressed domain. We just had a music video cut for us on an Accom Infinity at 60i. You can edit on a Media Composer or Adreniline today.


Jan... does Panasonic provide the codecs needed to edit the footage? Any recomended capture utilities available for windows users?

To edit in native DVCPRO50 Codecs, both Apple and Avid have paid for the use of our codec as it is not a public domain codec. The advantage of this is that the file sizes a vastly smaller, and in the case of 24P extraction it can happen on the fly in real time rather than having to render it out.

Hope that helps,

Jan

[Joe Carney]

Thanks. I going to have to email a petition to Sony/sofo and hope they keep an open mind and add support.

[Joe Carney]

I posted over at the sofo forum and was met with.....
silence. Drat.

[Jan Crittenden Livingston]

<<<-- Originally posted by Joe Carney : I posted over at the sofo forum and was met with.....
silence. Drat. -->>>

Joe,

I imagine that they, SOFO, will be supporting the DV25 portion of the camera, they currently support the DVX100. Not sure about the DV50 portion as that requires them to enter into an arena that their parent company my not like. But you never know, it is a strange business.

Best regards,

Jan

[Steven-Marc Couchouron]

Probably better luck with Premiere Pro on the PC side, I'd guess...

[Ken Tanaka]

A related announcement today regarding a FCP 4 update.

[Joe Carney]

I'm hoping no answer doesn't mean no way. Vegas already supports 8bit 4:2:2 color space for it's various effects.

As far as Premier Pro? Adobe usually doesn't include any special codecs with Premier, instead relying on third party companies (Canopus, Matrox...) to provide them. I heard they broke with tradition and included the MainConcept DV codec with Premier Pro
since the MS codec has gotten such a bad rep.

I wonder if either Canopus or Matrox would offer affordable dv50 options that would interfere with their more profitable component/SDI offerings.

I still haven't found anyone offering a stand alone, commercial, high quality DV50 codec for sale that works under DirectShow. The only thing close is the freeware Huffy YUV codec.

[Jan Crittenden Livingston]

<<<-- Originally posted by Joe Carney : I'm hoping no answer doesn't mean no way. Vegas already supports 8bit 4:2:2 color space for it's various effects.

Sonic is working to insure the DVCPRO25 initially, and they may also move toward the DVCPRO50.

Best regards,

Jan

[Ken Tanaka]

I just received the September, 2003 issue and noticed that the AJ-SDX900 is the cover story (by Mark Foley). (And Jan is quoted several times in the article.) Darn, this camera is just too intriguing to ignore.

[Chris Hurd]

Well Ken, Jan offered to arrange a demo for you -- I think you should take her up on it (here comes a whole new side to DV Info)!

[Christopher Go]

I agree, if only to see it in person even. A short write-up of your own would be interesting, along with photos/video if time permits. Otherwise, here is the link for the Mark Foley review: Panasonic AJ-SDX900.

[Ken Tanaka]

I know myself too well. If I take Jan's gracious offer to help arrange a demo it I'll buy it. But, of course, that implies a cascade of precipitant expenses such as a good lens, a DVCPRO50-compatible deck, batteries, insurance, etc. Best guess, net of current equipment sales: $40-50K.

But my principal dilemma is really size and weight. Although this is a smaller camera than the big ol' ENG Beta's it's still a large camera, and rather heavy when rigged to roll. While it presents what seems to be remarkable opportunities for imaging, a camera this size also presents some formidable limitations. Bottom line: what could I do with this camera that I could not do with smaller, or my current, equipment?

I am still ponderin' it, though.

[Michael Struthers]

Well, one thing you could do with the camera is LET ME BORROW IF FOR A LOW BUDGET SHOOT LOL...

I've seen some sdx900 footage on an ntsc monitor and indoor stuff with good lighting and it LOOKS LIKE film, no kidding. Blows the dvx100 out of the water, which I guess it should...

never seen outdoor or distance footage, so I can't say anything about that.

Waiting for it to hit the 500 daily rental rate.

[Ken Tanaka]

Michael,
You're the first to report actually seeing footage from the camera...and your observations aren't helping my budget <g>.

What are you seeing the SDX900 renting for in your area?