Will the Sony convert HD to SD on the fly? at DVinfo.net

John C. Chu · September 16th, 2004, 04:03 PM

I couldn't find the answer to this question.

Could one shoot in HDV with this camera, but then output a downsampled DV signal to any non-linear editing system?

That is...shoot in HD---but treat the footage as standard DV(I assume anamorphic 16:9) for editing in ANY editing program?

Will the camera do the conversion on the fly?

Barry Green · September 16th, 2004, 06:16 PM

Er... hmmm... interesting question. I *think* the answer's going to be no, but we won't know until we get it and try.

The FX1 will downsample HD footage to SD for output on the analog video ports, so it will downsample on the fly for viewing on a television or standard-def monitor (and I guess theoretically you could hook up a deck to those ports and capture the footage in native DV mode, but why bother...)

However, it would seem doubtful as to whether it would downsample from HDV to DV for output on the firewire port, since HDV is meant to be streamed out the firewire port...

Heath McKnight · September 16th, 2004, 10:00 PM

I agree; the fun about this board right now is the speculation, much like the HD1/HD10 board 1.5 years ago.

Once we get the cameras, like the HD1/HD10s, we'll be reporting cool stuff, problems, solutions, etc.

And don't be afraid to call tech support for answers, then report them here!

heath

Troy Lamont · September 17th, 2004, 03:06 PM

If the FX1 is anything like the HD1 then I'd say no also. I've tried that many times before on the HD1.

Troy

Edwin Hernandez · September 17th, 2004, 04:19 PM

"The FX1 will downsample HD footage to SD for output on the analog video ports, so it will downsample on the fly for viewing on a television or standard-def monitor (and I guess theoretically you could hook up a deck to those ports and capture the footage in native DV mode, but why bother...)"

BARRY: You answered a very important question that I was looking for. But... if I record in HDV and connect the HDR-FX1 to a 4:3 SD monitor, will the image look streched or will I see it letterboxed?

If I can see it letterboxed, I think it's a winner. Why? Because in event videography we sell "memories for a lifetime, so future generations can re-live the moment, etc". So, I can shoot HDV, edit on HDV, and master it on HDV. Then, if the client doesn't have HD today, we can handle them SD letterboxed versions for viewing today and an HDV master dubb so they can take full advantage of their wedding video 5 or 10 years from now when SD monitors will no longer exist. And all this, with just one version edited - no need for a SD master and a HDV master.

Is this the way it will work?

Barry Green · September 17th, 2004, 04:34 PM

Can't say for sure, but I'd be no, because I'd bet that they are expecting you to have a 16x9 monitor hooked up to the analog ports. Maybe they will provide for an automatic letterbox mode, but I don't know...

Of course, if you're mastering to DVD then it won't be a problem because you could always just give them a widescreen DVD, and the DVD player will take care of letterboxing it for you.

Heath McKnight · September 17th, 2004, 09:03 PM

When playing back HDV footage from the HD10 on a regular NTSC TV, it is indeed letterboxed. I'm 100% sure VHS and DVD copies will be in 16x9!

heath

September 16th, 2004, 04:03 PM	#1
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Will the Sony convert HD to SD on the fly? I couldn't find the answer to this question. Could one shoot in HDV with this camera, but then output a downsampled DV signal to any non-linear editing system? That is...shoot in HD---but treat the footage as standard DV(I assume anamorphic 16:9) for editing in ANY editing program? Will the camera do the conversion on the fly?

September 16th, 2004, 10:00 PM	#3
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I agree; the fun about this board right now is the speculation, much like the HD1/HD10 board 1.5 years ago. Once we get the cameras, like the HD1/HD10s, we'll be reporting cool stuff, problems, solutions, etc. And don't be afraid to call tech support for answers, then report them here! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

September 17th, 2004, 09:03 PM	#7
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	When playing back HDV footage from the HD10 on a regular NTSC TV, it is indeed letterboxed. I'm 100% sure VHS and DVD copies will be in 16x9! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

September 16th, 2004, 06:16 PM	#2
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Er... hmmm... interesting question. I think the answer's going to be no, but we won't know until we get it and try. The FX1 will downsample HD footage to SD for output on the analog video ports, so it will downsample on the fly for viewing on a television or standard-def monitor (and I guess theoretically you could hook up a deck to those ports and capture the footage in native DV mode, but why bother...) However, it would seem doubtful as to whether it would downsample from HDV to DV for output on the firewire port, since HDV is meant to be streamed out the firewire port...

September 17th, 2004, 03:06 PM	#4
Troy Lamont Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Studio City, CA Posts: 236	If the FX1 is anything like the HD1 then I'd say no also. I've tried that many times before on the HD1. Troy

September 17th, 2004, 04:19 PM	#5
Edwin Hernandez Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Panama City, Panama Posts: 162	"The FX1 will downsample HD footage to SD for output on the analog video ports, so it will downsample on the fly for viewing on a television or standard-def monitor (and I guess theoretically you could hook up a deck to those ports and capture the footage in native DV mode, but why bother...)" BARRY: You answered a very important question that I was looking for. But... if I record in HDV and connect the HDR-FX1 to a 4:3 SD monitor, will the image look streched or will I see it letterboxed? If I can see it letterboxed, I think it's a winner. Why? Because in event videography we sell "memories for a lifetime, so future generations can re-live the moment, etc". So, I can shoot HDV, edit on HDV, and master it on HDV. Then, if the client doesn't have HD today, we can handle them SD letterboxed versions for viewing today and an HDV master dubb so they can take full advantage of their wedding video 5 or 10 years from now when SD monitors will no longer exist. And all this, with just one version edited - no need for a SD master and a HDV master. Is this the way it will work?

September 17th, 2004, 04:34 PM	#6
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Can't say for sure, but I'd be no, because I'd bet that they are expecting you to have a 16x9 monitor hooked up to the analog ports. Maybe they will provide for an automatic letterbox mode, but I don't know... Of course, if you're mastering to DVD then it won't be a problem because you could always just give them a widescreen DVD, and the DVD player will take care of letterboxing it for you.