Matching HPX170 to Varicam 2700 at DVinfo.net

Peter Richardson · March 22nd, 2009, 07:13 PM

Hey guys,

I'm in a situation where I may need to match (as best as possible) some HPX170 material with Varicam footage. I'm shooting the Varicam at 720p 24n using AVC-Intra (which looks amazing, BTW), and am using the FilmRec gamma (the footage will eventually be color corrected).

I've already shot some stuff using my HVX200 and it intercuts pretty well, but I'm looking to eke out as best an image as possible, hence the HPX170 (I also like the wider built in lens).

Anyway, if there are any suggestions for tweaking scene files, that would be great.

Lastly, I did do some Varicam/HPX170 comparo stuff a few weeks ago, and it seemed to me, just subjectively, that the HPX170 looked like it had a lot of sharpening going on, much more than the old HVX200 even. Anyone else notice this?

Thanks,

Peter

David W. Jones · March 23rd, 2009, 04:14 AM

Chart both cameras and use a waveform monitor and vector scope to match them as closely as possible. Then save the scene file.

Andy Shipsides · March 23rd, 2009, 03:21 PM

I've done matching like this for the HPX170 & Varicam before. I don't have 2700 looks because I've never done that exact pair. When matching these two cameras you are really just matching the 2700 to the 170. There is only so much you can do on the 170, but the 2700 is extremely adjustable. Where you are going to run into problems is with FilmRec. The HPX170 just doesn't have that Gamma mode and will never get close. Better to match the colors in a similar gamma mode - something like Filmlike1 on the 2700 and Cine V on the 170 - and then switch back to FilmRec. The rest of the matching will be done in post. If you want to make them exact you'll be loosing a lot of what the 2700 can do, but it will speed up post.

Peter Richardson · March 23rd, 2009, 05:46 PM

Thanks Andy and David. Unfortunately I don't have much latitude with adjusting the Varicam because everything I've shot so far with it has been Film Rec, and I'd like to stay in that space. When the project is done I'll have a full color correct, so I think some of those color and gamma issues can be addressed at this stage.

What I'm most interested in addressing are those qualities of the 170 that cannot be fixed in post, and that would best be addressed now. I'm mostly thinking of which Matrix to shoot (I'm thinking of Cine D, just from past experience with the HVX200). Additionally, I'd like to address some of the excessive detailing the 170 seems to exhibit.

If you guys have any pointers in this realm, that would be awesome (and the pointers in the other realm are great as well!)

Peter

March 22nd, 2009, 07:13 PM	#1
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Matching HPX170 to Varicam 2700 Hey guys, I'm in a situation where I may need to match (as best as possible) some HPX170 material with Varicam footage. I'm shooting the Varicam at 720p 24n using AVC-Intra (which looks amazing, BTW), and am using the FilmRec gamma (the footage will eventually be color corrected). I've already shot some stuff using my HVX200 and it intercuts pretty well, but I'm looking to eke out as best an image as possible, hence the HPX170 (I also like the wider built in lens). Anyway, if there are any suggestions for tweaking scene files, that would be great. Lastly, I did do some Varicam/HPX170 comparo stuff a few weeks ago, and it seemed to me, just subjectively, that the HPX170 looked like it had a lot of sharpening going on, much more than the old HVX200 even. Anyone else notice this? Thanks, Peter

March 23rd, 2009, 03:21 PM	#3
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	I've done matching like this for the HPX170 & Varicam before. I don't have 2700 looks because I've never done that exact pair. When matching these two cameras you are really just matching the 2700 to the 170. There is only so much you can do on the 170, but the 2700 is extremely adjustable. Where you are going to run into problems is with FilmRec. The HPX170 just doesn't have that Gamma mode and will never get close. Better to match the colors in a similar gamma mode - something like Filmlike1 on the 2700 and Cine V on the 170 - and then switch back to FilmRec. The rest of the matching will be done in post. If you want to make them exact you'll be loosing a lot of what the 2700 can do, but it will speed up post. __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com

March 23rd, 2009, 04:14 AM	#2
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	Chart both cameras and use a waveform monitor and vector scope to match them as closely as possible. Then save the scene file.

March 23rd, 2009, 05:46 PM	#4
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Thanks Andy and David. Unfortunately I don't have much latitude with adjusting the Varicam because everything I've shot so far with it has been Film Rec, and I'd like to stay in that space. When the project is done I'll have a full color correct, so I think some of those color and gamma issues can be addressed at this stage. What I'm most interested in addressing are those qualities of the 170 that cannot be fixed in post, and that would best be addressed now. I'm mostly thinking of which Matrix to shoot (I'm thinking of Cine D, just from past experience with the HVX200). Additionally, I'd like to address some of the excessive detailing the 170 seems to exhibit. If you guys have any pointers in this realm, that would be awesome (and the pointers in the other realm are great as well!) Peter