Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I also appreciate you sharing your settings, Chris.

With these settings. are you also underexposing a little to help protect the highlights?

I usually set my zebras around 70-75 and set exposure so that I start to see them in the highlights of the face. Indoors and in shaded areas it's fine, but in late afternoon out in the sun, I seem to be easily blowing out my highlights on my subject if they're side or backlit from the sun. I'm wondering if I should underexpose more and bring it up in post.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I can confirm without a doubt that the PP custom settings are ignored when the camera is set to full auto. I flipped that switch while scoping my X70 and the vector arms snap back to their stock locations.

And that you Christopher for those KNEE settings, I will apply them to all of my PP's right away. Am getting irritated with having to blow out foreheads with my dimmed down camera LED just to keep the rest of the faces of my subjects exposed properly. For things not skin (70IRE optimum?), I have gotten into the habit of setting zebras to 100+, letting my highlights clip ever so slightly in night news scenes, then applying a broadcast safe filter in FCP X. Works rather well.

Compared to my work HM790 with HAs18 f1.4 lens, yes, the X70 has much greater depth of field. That advantage disappears as you zoom in, as the 18x remains f1.4 even at maximum telephoto, while the X70 drops to f4.0 very quickly.

Paul

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

There are two Auto settings. This can be chosen within the main menu which can be assigned to the back auto button.

Full Auto

Intelligent Auto


When set to actual AUTO a picture profile set prior will still function.


When set to Intelligent auto, one will lose any picture profiles.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Holly cow, that seems backwards.....I would think the intelligent option would be smart enough to retain things you want. I will have to play around with that, as mine is set for intelligent when I go auto.

Thanks.

Paul

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I think that the main deal with Intelligent Auto is that it will try to read the shot and automatically apply the various "Scene" settings as it sees fit.
In order to do this it uses a default PP and won't allow a custom setting.
I have found Intelligent Auto to be useful with the late model Sony still cameras like the RX 100, but use only the standard auto on the videocams.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I think in iAUTO the small Sony cameras actually change the PP parameters rather than use a default set and on the consumer versions of course these settings are not available.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Correct. Not only that the stabilization mode goes to ACT (active) where the camera actually zooms in on the sensor by 1.08 x. If I'm on sticks there is no way I want any stabilization of any kind switched on. I leave the menu setting set to AUTO. That way I don't lose my PP settings.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yes Tim I understand where you are coming from. The + 4 Black level works fine for me in daylight settings where most of my work takes places. Indoors if it's an interview 90% of the time that will be lit correctly so again I have no issues with the +4. Fully understand though if it's a lower light situation where knocking down the black levels makes sense as you are lowering the noise floor into the blacks. The noise is still there but it becomes less visible.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

No not really. I just find with the knee and slope settings that I'm using control the highlights a bit more gently and give a more natural looking roll off into the extreme highs. My knee and slope do tend to bring the whole exposure range down a bit hence the lift in the black gammas and black levels to lift the exposure more in the mid and lower ranges. So in effect the higher end is down a bit but the mid range and lower values have been raised to compensate.

If exposing for skin tones, especially Caucasians, I find 70 IRE for the Zebs to be the absolute max. In fact I wish they could be set lower. Soon as I see the first sign of Zebs on the brightest part of the face at 70 that's generally it for me.

For general scenes outdoors I would generally set my Zebs at 90 IRE and as soon as the brightest parts start to show Zebs I back off. Bare in mind that I'm using a knee that's coming in at 87.5 IRE. With the settings I posted I find this little camera handles highlights pretty well. It's no fourteen stop A7s or an FS700 or FS7 but for the money it’s a great little performer and punches well above its weight.

Every situation is different of course so there are no hard and fast rules. This is where practice and experience start to pay off. 

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

There has obviously been a lot of interest in the video quality of the X70. Would anyone care to comment on the audio preamps. Are they basically on a par to others in the XDCAM system?

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

yes but if you are used to a shotgun on one channel and the internal on the other channel then the X70 won't allow that. it will be internal or XLR . So if you need ambient then you'll have to add a second XLR

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Addendum: It is useful to have those XLR inputs on my PMW200 in a pinch, although I mainly use my Sound Devices 702 and separate the audio entirely for quieter "atmospheric" scenes. For the PMW the noise floor is adequate for interviews or higher noise floor environments. My hope is that the X70 is at least comparable with the PMW-200...?

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Terence,

I find the audio to be as expected on an XDCam albeit a baby XDCam, quiet and clean. Bare in mind that as tiny and as cheap as this camera is Sony have seen fit to place it firmly in the XDCam family which is one of their major broadcast ranges.

I am not sure whether you are aware that In XAVC mode the audio is 24-bit 48 kHz like its bigger PDW, 700 and 800 brethren. Editing with it I see and hear no difference. Wouldn't know I wasn't working with regular XDCam disc based audio.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

This is what I had hoped and expected - which is pretty good. Thanks for the feedback, Chris.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Hope my quick test video is of use - it was recorded in AVCHD (16-bit 48k Linear PCM audio) since my editor, Sony Vegas Pro, won't handle the X70's XAVC-HD files yet, sorry.


Regards
David

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Excellent - thank you for putting this up. The noise floor is more than adequate for general use. Quiet, clean gain as Chris mentioned.

This is fairly trivial question, regarding the on-camera mic clamp. How much latitude is there for microphone diameter? I downloaded the X70 manual (still awaiting the camera) but oddly can find no technical details about this. I have a Sen MKH 8060, used mainly for boom pole work, but I might want to use it on-camera occasionally. The diameter of the 8060 is 19 mm, and I notice that your ME66/K6 gives 22.5 mm in the specs. Presumably the clamping mechanism will allow for some variance - but I have no idea the range.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yes, that would be good to know. I have the AT 4053b, and even though it's listed as 21mm in diameter, on my XF100 it's too small for the microphone clamp and I have use a couple of rubber o-rings to make it fit.

By the way, David, in the video you mention that you also have the XF200. I have an XF100 and am leaning toward the X70 as an upgrade rather than the XF200. How do you find that the X70 and XF200 compare?

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I posted this comment over on the JVC announcement thread but I figured I would work over here too....

I'm glad JVC isn't playing 4k codec games with these cameras. They are going straight to 150Mbp/s H.264 on cheap SDXC cards. Even Lumix is offering 100Mbp/s on it's $900 consumer cameras. BRAVO guys!

Lumix LX100 - 100 mbps
Lumix FZ1000 - 100 mbps
Lumix GH4 - 100+ mbps
JVC LS300 - 150 Mbps
JVC HM200 - 150 Mbps
JVC HM170 - 150 Mbps
Sony AX100 - 60 Mbps
Sony X70 - Unknown!

What is my beloved Sony doing?....a lowly 60Mbp/s. This looks "ok" if you don't need to grade it. However, if you try to stretch or bend that Sony codec, it breaks apart extremely fast. It is a very "fragile" codec in post with that low of a bit rate.

I really hope that Sony looks at it's competition and decides to give the X70 a bare minimum of 100Mbp/s. And,...moving forward with new models, Sony should give ALL it's new 4k cameras as minimum of 100Mbp/s. Doing any less would really be a disgrace considering that their competition can do 150Mbp/s over SDXC cards. I would expect that 150Mbp/s would be very durable in moderate 8 bit color grading. (yes, we know that 10bit would be the proper bit-depth for real grading)

Again,...Bravo to JVC and Panasonic for putting a respectable codec even in their cheapest 4K models!

CT

P.S. Sony, please give 100mbp/s to your new RX20 (or RX10 mkII) and let 60Mbp/s be just a space saving option.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Hi

The ME66 wasn't in the on-camera mic clamp, it was in a separate pistol grip. However, the ECM-XM1 (which is a basic top-mic I originally got with a Sony Z5) was clamped in the X70 though it has a rubber sheath around it which brought it up to the right width.

By holding up a ruler to the X70's mic clamp - see my bad photo - it appears as though the minimum width from the tip of each rubber mounting point to its opposite number is around 22-23mm so you're going to have to wrap loads of gaffer tape around that 8060 ;-)

Regards
David

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Hmm, tricky one. I really do like the XF in many ways. It's compact, light, ergonomic (I love the tilting handle), has lots of assignable buttons. It's easy to get focus and exposure etc. But the major flaw is how noisy the images are even in decent light.

There's 12 steps of noise reduction available but anything over 8 mushes up the image (see the test on my YouTube channel). There's also lots of tweaks you can do to the black levels etc though I'm not enough of an expert to really know what's the best combination of settings.

I've taken to shooting with -6dB gain in which helps but obviously you take a real hit in anything other than bright light :-(

The X70 I've only had on loan for a week so it's early to say but it's also (obviously) light and compact; has sufficient assignable buttons which are accessible when shooting. Pictures look good apart from a tendency to overblow the highlights (but there's knee settings etc to help with that) and it's much, much better than its CX900 consumer cousin.

But it does have its foibles too - trying to focus when zoomed in is ridiculous, you have to spin the wheel like a mad hamster trying to go round in its cage; the grip really needs to rotate a bit, I find holding the cam level requires your wrist to bend backwards and the camera's (albeit slight) weight makes that uncomfortable very quickly. The fact that it switches on every time you flip open the LCD (eg to take a card out) gets really tiresome!

Overall though, I suspect that if I'd had the X70 on test before I got the XF, I'd have gone for the X70 not least because of its amazing price...(but I'd still be eyeing the XF for its form factor and controls)

Regards
Dave

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Thanks, David for taking the time to do that. Yup - gaffer tape should do the trick. Or better, I'll see if I can make some sort of "O" ring from a piece of rubber tubing. Very professional indeed!

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yes I also find the 19mm mics need padding out. I have three of those great Ramsa mics that were labled AJ-700P that were the standard onboard camera mic for the AJ-D900-910 DVC Pro 50 cameras. Grabbed one of those and stuck it on X70 with one of genuine Sony mic spacer rubbers and it works a treat.

Another thing that I like on the X70 is that the XLR inputs actually have a mechanical three way attenuation selector switch when using mics. Selectable levels of 0dB:-60dBu, 10dB:-50dBu and 20dB:-40dBu.. Something you don't see to often on cameras these days.

Re the mic padding if your mic is too thin and needs padding. In years gone by I have cut out padding sections out of those black foamed neoprene mouse mats. The type of mousemats made from the same material as wetsuits. Works beautifully and does not look out of place.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I've got an old worn Panasonic MC700 shotgun on my X70, very clean and quite audio for sure.

Christopher, I put my X70 back on the scope, and got the best PP color correction settings I could. I added your gamma, black level, and knee settings, and did some "by eye" adjustments of the color depth settings. I have had a horrendous time getting blue/red LED lights on police cars to look good, but with my new settings, they look very accurate. Not only flashing lights, but skin tone is perfect as well. Here is a test clip I sjot this morning, let me know your opinion on it. :-)

It was shot at 720 p60 on AVCHD, YT 30p conversion is awful!

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Your right...those skin tones and colors look great! Would you mind sharing your settings?

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Hi Paul,

I had a good listen to the raw footage you shot.

Are you getting hassled because you've got this tiny little camera and don't look like a proper TV news dude any more? :-P

Andrew

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Paul,
This is a very good low light PP.
It would be great if you could post the complete settings.
Thanks

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yeah, let me just nail down some variables first and I will post a new post in the XAVC forum with my finalized settings. I had to play around with the white balance correction fields and either move everything to magenta in LL or mess with R and B in the RB menu. I shot that footage with an LED, and if you look on the scope, you will see the whites are all shifted to magenta slightly. Not terribly noticeable, but I need to spray some video with the same IDlight I used for the DSC chart to verify first.

Also, for a short time, my YouTube clip was showing a 720p60 option on YT! It's gone now, and back to regular 720p. It looked soooo smooth for a brief moment. :(

Paul

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

OK, apparently 720p60 is only an option if you are using an HTML5 browser, such as Chrome..

Paul

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Been looking for a couple years to upgrade, and just have not been able to pull the trigger. But I am really interested in this cam due to the 4K upgrade, large sensor, good price, etc.

So I am coming from a Sony FX1, and had a couple questions I did not see answered in this thread:

1. Since I do not have any recording cards, would like to purchase cards that will work with the current recording options, and when I get the 4K upgrade - can anyone recommend which one's will work?

2. Will the 4K upgrade be something done with a software plugin, or will I have to send the camera to Sony or wherever?

3. I have a VariZoom VZ-Rock controller that works with my FX1. Would like to use with the X70. I read where you need an adapter, will the adapter work with this Zoom controller? If so, where can it be purchased, and what is name/model? I don't see under B&H accessories.

4. I read where eventually PP6 will be supported, and that is what I use. Will I be able to edit the 4K footage in PP6? My PC is about 2 years old and was wondering if my rig can handle the 4K. Is there minimum specs required for editing the XAVC and the 4K? (motherboard speed, min. RAM, how much hard drive space per hour video, etc.).

Thanks.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

1. I use two Sandisk Extreme 64GB SDXC cards in the X70. Works fine for me.
2. From what I understand, we will need to send in the X70 to Sony for the 4K upgrade
3. You will need two adapter cables. The Varizoom plugs into one adapter, which plugs into another adapter, which then plugs into the X70. Kind of a pain in the arse, but it works fine..

I purchased them from Amazon:

Sony VMCAVM1 A/V R Adapter Cable
VariZoom VZ-AV/LANC Mini Audio/Video to LANC Converter

4. It seems to only be supported in Premiere CC 2014 right now. Don't know about PP6.

Shooting AVCHD for now while waiting for FCPX support.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

About the memory cards:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw...n-ax100-9.html

Scroll down to posts 347-351 or so.

The general consensus seems to be that 64GB SDXC Class 10 U-1 cards are fine currently. Some have suggested that U-3 cards are a safer bet for 4K compatibility later, but users are reporting great results even with less expensive brands.

I've not read anywhere that the 4K upgrade might require sending it in to Sony, but in a way I hope that's true. I've also heard that the 4K will be the exact same as what's found on the AX100. If it has to be done by Sony, then there's a good chance it will be an enhancement beyond what the AX100 offers.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Transcend SD XC UHS 3 cards work fine, about £25 for a 64 GB card on Ebay.
sony make a controller- Sony Remote Control RM-VPR1 with Multi-Terminal Cable for Sony Digital Camera I bought on on Ebay from a japanese guy called yosh-set, for $60. Only controls on/0ff zoom, /record

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Presumably this in order to read the cards while they are in the camera? But isn't it simpler just to remove the cards from the camera and import the footage to the computer via a card reader. Please correct me if I'm misunderstanding what these cables are meant for...

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

The X70 has a multi /USB connector that has many functions. To access the remote one needs an adapter that goes from the multi /USB to an A/V connector, then another to go to a 2.5mm LANC connector. The other alternative is to get a Sony remote that works into the multi/ USB connector directly. Several of the Sony tripods already come with multiple cables for connecting the tripod remote to any of the Sony cameras.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Okay - thanks for enlightening me, Ron. I'm totally out of my depth on this facility. Guessing that this is a very comprehensive form of remote control functions...i.e., far in excess of the wireless remote that it can do to an iPad. Never really looked into LANC control, but it's probably something that I will never need for mostly gun & run.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Purchased exactly the two items Todd mentions and the Varizoom VZ-Rock works beautifully with them. You can have nice smooth ramped speed zoom take offs and landings without any problems. Nearly as good as a proper B4 zoom contoller and that's saying something.

Edius handles the XAVC-L codec at this time. I believe Sony Creative hinted some time in December for a general release of the decoder.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Sony Remote Control RM-VPR1 with Multi-Terminal Cable for Sony Digital Camera

I have this remote control also, but the zoom rocker on it is not as smooth as a lanc controller like the varizoom or the libec ones. The sony remote controller zoom only seems to have two speeds, slow and fast. By using a varizoom or libec lanc controller and the two adapter cables I previously mentioned, I am able to get very smooth controllable zooms.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I have this tripod and it works with all my Sony cameras http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/913260-REG/sony_vctvpr100_highend_remote_tripod.html.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Has anyone tried the "Prepare" version of Sony Catalyst (the one for $200)?

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yes, I have it, so much better than 'Browse' and easy to work with. Batch processing, preliminary rough cut, trim etc, colour adjustments if wanted.I export as Pro Res into PP CS6 and away I go. Not sure if it's worth $200 tho'! But at the moment it really is the only way to get footage into anything other than PP CC ( ?? and Edius??) at a reasonable rate. There is a 15 day trial ,worth trying out.