How much noise is acceptable? at DVinfo.net

Chris Li · August 23rd, 2006, 12:21 PM

O db is ideal, but just how noisy is the A1 at -3db and -6db? The A1 is not a great low light camera compared to sony's z1 or pd series cameras.
Z-1 looks very clean at -3db and -6db.
There are times when I just have to kick up the gain a little, but I haven't thoroughly tested/viewed the A1 gain scenario yet.

thanks,
chris

Patrick Pike · August 23rd, 2006, 06:23 PM

When I shoot weddings with it in HD, I wouldnt go over 3db of gain. When I downconvert to DV, I will take it up to 6 or 9 depending on my needs. Needless to say, when it gets dark, I use the Z1.

Prech Marton · August 24th, 2006, 01:00 AM

You can go up to 9dB, when you convert later to DV?
That would be good.
Can you post some screenshot with this setting?
thx

Mikko Lopponen · August 24th, 2006, 05:34 PM

+9 db is the max I would ever go. At +12 db it also starts to blur a lot.

Prech Marton · August 24th, 2006, 11:36 PM

With Canon GL-2 i go up to 6db.
12 is too noisy for me.

Saul Kongvongsay · August 26th, 2006, 01:36 AM

Sorry for little off topic.... where do you go on the A1u to adjust the gain?
If adjusting gain by the exposure manual - or + how do you know what dB you are at without play back what you just shot indicate in camera data.

Thanks

Prech Marton · August 26th, 2006, 01:50 AM

Someone can confirm that Sony HC1/A1 is better in lowlight than the old D8 models, like DCR-TRV-120E, etc. (this model has 1/4" ccd chip instead of today D8 1/6).

So i hope that hc1 lowlight performance is between D8 and GL2.
If yes, i buy one :)

Mikko Lopponen · August 26th, 2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Kongvongsay

Sorry for little off topic.... where do you go on the A1u to adjust the gain?
If adjusting gain by the exposure manual - or + how do you know what dB you are at without play back what you just shot indicate in camera data.

Exposure lever full right = +18 db gain.

Every stop to the left reduces gain by 3. So six stops left equals to 0 gain. After that the camera starts to close the iris.

Saul Kongvongsay · August 26th, 2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikko Lopponen

Exposure lever full right = +18 db gain.

Every stop to the left reduces gain by 3. So six stops left equals to 0 gain. After that the camera starts to close the iris.

Thanks Mikko.

August 23rd, 2006, 12:21 PM	#1
Chris Li Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wash. DC area Posts: 154	How much noise is acceptable? O db is ideal, but just how noisy is the A1 at -3db and -6db? The A1 is not a great low light camera compared to sony's z1 or pd series cameras. Z-1 looks very clean at -3db and -6db. There are times when I just have to kick up the gain a little, but I haven't thoroughly tested/viewed the A1 gain scenario yet. thanks, chris

August 24th, 2006, 01:00 AM	#3
Prech Marton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: hungary Posts: 462	You can go up to 9dB, when you convert later to DV? That would be good. Can you post some screenshot with this setting? thx __________________ Relaxing clips with waterfalls and music, 3D photos, 3D videos: www.3d-video.hu

August 24th, 2006, 11:36 PM	#5
Prech Marton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: hungary Posts: 462	With Canon GL-2 i go up to 6db. 12 is too noisy for me. __________________ Relaxing clips with waterfalls and music, 3D photos, 3D videos: www.3d-video.hu

August 26th, 2006, 01:36 AM	#6
Saul Kongvongsay New Boot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Music City USA Posts: 8	Gain adjust Sorry for little off topic.... where do you go on the A1u to adjust the gain? If adjusting gain by the exposure manual - or + how do you know what dB you are at without play back what you just shot indicate in camera data. Thanks

August 26th, 2006, 01:50 AM	#7
Prech Marton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: hungary Posts: 462	Someone can confirm that Sony HC1/A1 is better in lowlight than the old D8 models, like DCR-TRV-120E, etc. (this model has 1/4" ccd chip instead of today D8 1/6). So i hope that hc1 lowlight performance is between D8 and GL2. If yes, i buy one :) __________________ Relaxing clips with waterfalls and music, 3D photos, 3D videos: www.3d-video.hu

August 23rd, 2006, 06:23 PM	#2
Patrick Pike Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mariposa, CA Posts: 200	When I shoot weddings with it in HD, I wouldnt go over 3db of gain. When I downconvert to DV, I will take it up to 6 or 9 depending on my needs. Needless to say, when it gets dark, I use the Z1.

August 24th, 2006, 05:34 PM	#4
Mikko Lopponen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 393	+9 db is the max I would ever go. At +12 db it also starts to blur a lot.