Getting 720p from HVR A1 at DVinfo.net

Douglas Hockly · March 12th, 2007, 05:16 PM

Hi,

I am in PAL land and want to shoot a rock climbing doco. The A1 looks like the camera for me because of the size and XLR, but I'm wondering about converting/capturing 720p from the footage.

I'm thinking of using 720p because it's more manageable to edit, seems widely accepted and also I will do some animation over the top, it all just seems like it will be easier with square pixels.

How is it possible to get from 1080i to 720p? If I shoot in 50i, will it convert cleanly to 25p - can you just capture to FCP and it will convert, or you do you need a utility like CineForm? If so what are the rendering times like? It would be a bummer to buy what looks like the perfect camera otherwise, and then have to spend hours rendering footage just to get it to a usable state. I have a new mac pro so it'll cope, but I'd rather avoid that if possible.

I'm a relative newbie to video but have done a fair bit of reading, and I have a fair bit of animation/multimedia experience.

Thanks in advance,
Douglas

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 12th, 2007, 05:23 PM

It's all about the NLE...What NLE do you use?
Yes, getting good 720 from 1080 is easy.

Douglas Hockly · March 12th, 2007, 05:49 PM

Thanks for your quick reply.

I will be using FCP or Premiere when it comes back to the Mac.

March 12th, 2007, 05:16 PM	#1
Douglas Hockly New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 13	Getting 720p from HVR A1 Hi, I am in PAL land and want to shoot a rock climbing doco. The A1 looks like the camera for me because of the size and XLR, but I'm wondering about converting/capturing 720p from the footage. I'm thinking of using 720p because it's more manageable to edit, seems widely accepted and also I will do some animation over the top, it all just seems like it will be easier with square pixels. How is it possible to get from 1080i to 720p? If I shoot in 50i, will it convert cleanly to 25p - can you just capture to FCP and it will convert, or you do you need a utility like CineForm? If so what are the rendering times like? It would be a bummer to buy what looks like the perfect camera otherwise, and then have to spend hours rendering footage just to get it to a usable state. I have a new mac pro so it'll cope, but I'd rather avoid that if possible. I'm a relative newbie to video but have done a fair bit of reading, and I have a fair bit of animation/multimedia experience. Thanks in advance, Douglas

March 12th, 2007, 05:23 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	It's all about the NLE...What NLE do you use? Yes, getting good 720 from 1080 is easy. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 12th, 2007, 05:49 PM	#3
Douglas Hockly New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 13	Thanks for your quick reply. I will be using FCP or Premiere when it comes back to the Mac.