Memory Stick Mattes

Richard Edwards · April 5th, 2004, 07:29 PM

Recieved them, thanks a lot for that. :)

Linda Schodowsky · May 24th, 2004, 08:51 AM

Hi guys...

I have customized my video settings to give me a more "filmy" look through suggestions on this board and now I am wondering if anyone customizes their Memory Stick settings.

I like using the Memory Stick to take still pictures with my camera. I like the results... although they are a bit rich in color and can be a little sharp looking at times.

I suppose I could play with the settings a little on my own but was wondering if anyone else has done this and what they think of the results. Also, how many of you actually use the Memory Stick to take still pictures?

Lou Bruno · May 25th, 2004, 06:10 AM

The only way to acomplish any change to the memory stick is either by manually adjusting the camera-iris, shutter etc OR saving your setting in custom pre-set.

Linda Schodowsky · May 25th, 2004, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the response Lou...

I am familiar with the custom pre-set feature and have customized my video settings to produce a more "filmy" look.

I guess I was just curious to know how others have customized their memory stick features, if at all. Also, how many out there use the memory stick to take still pictures.

Like I said... one thing I noticed about my VX2000 is that the colors seem to be heavily saturated and the image kind of sharp.

Alan Christensen · May 26th, 2004, 09:49 AM

I haven't used the memory stick to take pictures. However, I do find the camera to overly saturate and in many situations to overexpose. I find the custom presets to be great for adjusting the levels to my liking.

In our business we use progressive scan mode on occasion to take pictures. The advantage of progressive scan is that you have a lot of stills to pick from, rather than the one still that you get from taking stills to the memory card. Of course, the frames collected this way are 720x480 and would appear stretched if printed. We use the frames in video montages, so the stretching is desirable as it matches the internal video format.

I've never compared the quality of stills (sent to the memory card) and the individual frames shot using progressive scan. Have you done a comparison to see if one is superior to the other from a quality perspective?

Linda Schodowsky · May 26th, 2004, 01:24 PM

Alan...

No, I haven't compared progressive scan stills with memory stick pics. Seems like when I am in Memory Stick mode images and looking through the viewfinder, it kind of acts like progressive scan (real choppy images).

I used memory stick when I first got my cam (about 2 years ago). Just of the family pets, etc. The quality was "okay". Probably because I just got the camera and wasn't used to digital equipment.

Still curious to see who else is out there using Memory Stick and how they customized their memory settings.

Steve McDonald · June 4th, 2004, 02:53 AM

Linda, as I mentioned on another thread, it does appear your observation is correct about the VX2000/VX2100 going into progressive scan in memory mode.
It also uses a mechanical "progressive-shutter" in this type of still-picture capture.

As far as customizing camera settings in memory, I never do it. Every series of shots is different in lighting and I like to start from scratch each time, to get the best results.

As far as comparing the quality of memory mode stills to those captured later from progressive-scan tape footage, I'm still trying to see much difference. However, two factors are important: Since the memory mode uses a very fast mechanical shutter, the light level needs to be higher for good results. This means not getting the best pictures in memory mode, in dim light. Also, since you'd have 15 frames per second from progressive video from which to choose, the chances of getting the one special shot you want are immensely greater than from the one frame at a time memory mode.

However, with my 128Mb stick, I've been rattling-off dozens of still shots, then transfering them to Zip disks later. My peripheral Zip drive has a C. Flash slot and with a multi-card Flash adaptor, it's easy to slide the stick pictures onto it with one punch of the Copy button. It's amazing how many 640 X 480 pictures will fit onto one 250Mb Zip disk.

Thinking about what still photographers have to go through to get just one keeper shot, capture from progressive videotape seems like cheating. Imagine what nice stills could be captured if we ever get 1080p Hi-Def camcorders? Ones we can afford, that is. Even frames from 720p models would be very good, if they had 3 big CCDs and low-loss compression.

Linda Schodowsky · June 4th, 2004, 08:09 AM

Thanks Steve...

I have been playing around with the memory mode. So far, not much... just things like adjusting white balance, etc. Still haven't tried to take still in progressive mode.

The color saturation is still pretty intense, but seems to look okay when taking photo shots in darker lighting (towars sunset, etc.).

Not quite sure what you mean by zip drive, C, etc., but I don't want to get off topic!

Steve McDonald · June 4th, 2004, 08:39 AM

Linda, a Zip drive is a unit by Iomega that magnetically records on a flexible disk contained in a holder. Typically, the disks have a 250 Mb capacity, but they also have 100 Mb sizes and probably even larger by now. They are sometimes described as a super floppy disk, but are much more dependable. They often use USB connections and can be tied to a computer, but some are stand-alone. Some have camera-card slots and adaptors let you insert Memory-Sticks into their Compact Flash slots. I use my stand-alone model to store my pictures from Memory-Sticks and Smart-Media cards.
I can get more than 650 pictures on a 250 Mb disk, of a 640 X 480 size, double-recorded, one recording prepared for video output to a TV on S-Video for easy viewing. The disks cost about $6. to $8., less in bulk from a discounter. I've never had a single picture go bad in 4 years. You can get about as many double-recorded pictures on one disk as on a $75, 128 Mb Memory-Stick. Twice as many, if you don't double-record them for TV display.

Steve McDonald · June 4th, 2004, 05:45 PM

The Sony website and the manual for the VX2100 have ambiguous translations about the compatibility of their various sizes and types of Memory-Sticks for this and similar camcorders. I have a standard, 128Mb stick in mine now, but am wondering about the X2 128Mb stick (128Mb X 2, for 256Mb total). The website says a flip of a switch changes from one storage compartment to the other and implies that camcorders could use it. But where is the switch?
On the stick? It says in the VX2100 manual that Duo Memory-Sticks can also be used, but what size and type of these will this camcorder accept? Might I be better off to just buy another one or two of the standard 128Mb capacity sticks?

Michael Perry · July 29th, 2004, 10:37 AM

Question re the VX2100: Is there any way to upload the memory stick images to a Mac using only the camera and a FireWire connection? Or do I need to purchase a reader (unfortunately my iomega Zip doesn’t have one). Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

TIA (thanks in advance).

Kevin Lee · July 29th, 2004, 11:43 AM

I don't think firewire communicates with the memory stick.
Any usb on the cam?

I thought most new cams come with a usb memory card reader.

Steve LaClair · July 30th, 2004, 07:16 AM

No, there isn't a way. Shoot progressive scan and take video grabs.

George Ellis · July 30th, 2004, 09:18 AM

I don't know if they translate to the Macsphere, but there are USB memory card readers. Some support almost all of the memory types.

Boyd Ostroff · July 30th, 2004, 02:41 PM

Yes, AFAIK most of the USB card readers are cross platform. I have a Dazzle reader that takes PC cards, type 1 & 2 compact flash cards, SD memory cards, Sony memory sticks and probaby some others as well. It wasn't expensive. Sony included a USB memory stick reader with the VX-2000, don't they do this anymore? I never even used it since I had the other reader however. They didn't provide any Mac drivers, but I suspect OS X would work with it right out of the box.

I also use the same Dazzle USB reader on my old Windows PC to read and write data on both SD and CF cards for my GPS units. If you want to take stills with the VX-2100 (this never interested me on the VX-2000 due to the low res) then you should just pick up a card reader. Eventually you'll own some other gadgets and will find new uses for it.

May 24th, 2004, 08:51 AM	#17
Linda Schodowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Berea, Ohio Posts: 139	VX2000 - Custom settings for the Memory Stick mode Hi guys... I have customized my video settings to give me a more "filmy" look through suggestions on this board and now I am wondering if anyone customizes their Memory Stick settings. I like using the Memory Stick to take still pictures with my camera. I like the results... although they are a bit rich in color and can be a little sharp looking at times. I suppose I could play with the settings a little on my own but was wondering if anyone else has done this and what they think of the results. Also, how many of you actually use the Memory Stick to take still pictures?

May 25th, 2004, 06:10 AM	#18
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	The only way to acomplish any change to the memory stick is either by manually adjusting the camera-iris, shutter etc OR saving your setting in custom pre-set. __________________ Lou Bruno

June 4th, 2004, 02:53 AM	#22
Steve McDonald Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 366	Linda, as I mentioned on another thread, it does appear your observation is correct about the VX2000/VX2100 going into progressive scan in memory mode. It also uses a mechanical "progressive-shutter" in this type of still-picture capture. As far as customizing camera settings in memory, I never do it. Every series of shots is different in lighting and I like to start from scratch each time, to get the best results. As far as comparing the quality of memory mode stills to those captured later from progressive-scan tape footage, I'm still trying to see much difference. However, two factors are important: Since the memory mode uses a very fast mechanical shutter, the light level needs to be higher for good results. This means not getting the best pictures in memory mode, in dim light. Also, since you'd have 15 frames per second from progressive video from which to choose, the chances of getting the one special shot you want are immensely greater than from the one frame at a time memory mode. However, with my 128Mb stick, I've been rattling-off dozens of still shots, then transfering them to Zip disks later. My peripheral Zip drive has a C. Flash slot and with a multi-card Flash adaptor, it's easy to slide the stick pictures onto it with one punch of the Copy button. It's amazing how many 640 X 480 pictures will fit onto one 250Mb Zip disk. Thinking about what still photographers have to go through to get just one keeper shot, capture from progressive videotape seems like cheating. Imagine what nice stills could be captured if we ever get 1080p Hi-Def camcorders? Ones we can afford, that is. Even frames from 720p models would be very good, if they had 3 big CCDs and low-loss compression. __________________ Steve McDonald

June 4th, 2004, 08:39 AM	#24
Steve McDonald Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 366	Linda, a Zip drive is a unit by Iomega that magnetically records on a flexible disk contained in a holder. Typically, the disks have a 250 Mb capacity, but they also have 100 Mb sizes and probably even larger by now. They are sometimes described as a super floppy disk, but are much more dependable. They often use USB connections and can be tied to a computer, but some are stand-alone. Some have camera-card slots and adaptors let you insert Memory-Sticks into their Compact Flash slots. I use my stand-alone model to store my pictures from Memory-Sticks and Smart-Media cards. I can get more than 650 pictures on a 250 Mb disk, of a 640 X 480 size, double-recorded, one recording prepared for video output to a TV on S-Video for easy viewing. The disks cost about $6. to $8., less in bulk from a discounter. I've never had a single picture go bad in 4 years. You can get about as many double-recorded pictures on one disk as on a $75, 128 Mb Memory-Stick. Twice as many, if you don't double-record them for TV display. __________________ Steve McDonald

June 4th, 2004, 05:45 PM	#25
Steve McDonald Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 366	Maximum Capacity Memory Stick for VX2100? The Sony website and the manual for the VX2100 have ambiguous translations about the compatibility of their various sizes and types of Memory-Sticks for this and similar camcorders. I have a standard, 128Mb stick in mine now, but am wondering about the X2 128Mb stick (128Mb X 2, for 256Mb total). The website says a flip of a switch changes from one storage compartment to the other and implies that camcorders could use it. But where is the switch? On the stick? It says in the VX2100 manual that Duo Memory-Sticks can also be used, but what size and type of these will this camcorder accept? Might I be better off to just buy another one or two of the standard 128Mb capacity sticks? __________________ Steve McDonald

April 5th, 2004, 07:29 PM	#16
Richard Edwards New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 6	Recieved them, thanks a lot for that. :)

May 25th, 2004, 08:22 AM	#19
Linda Schodowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Berea, Ohio Posts: 139	Thanks for the response Lou... I am familiar with the custom pre-set feature and have customized my video settings to produce a more "filmy" look. I guess I was just curious to know how others have customized their memory stick features, if at all. Also, how many out there use the memory stick to take still pictures. Like I said... one thing I noticed about my VX2000 is that the colors seem to be heavily saturated and the image kind of sharp.

May 26th, 2004, 09:49 AM	#20
Alan Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: California Posts: 139	I haven't used the memory stick to take pictures. However, I do find the camera to overly saturate and in many situations to overexpose. I find the custom presets to be great for adjusting the levels to my liking. In our business we use progressive scan mode on occasion to take pictures. The advantage of progressive scan is that you have a lot of stills to pick from, rather than the one still that you get from taking stills to the memory card. Of course, the frames collected this way are 720x480 and would appear stretched if printed. We use the frames in video montages, so the stretching is desirable as it matches the internal video format. I've never compared the quality of stills (sent to the memory card) and the individual frames shot using progressive scan. Have you done a comparison to see if one is superior to the other from a quality perspective?

May 26th, 2004, 01:24 PM	#21
Linda Schodowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Berea, Ohio Posts: 139	Alan... No, I haven't compared progressive scan stills with memory stick pics. Seems like when I am in Memory Stick mode images and looking through the viewfinder, it kind of acts like progressive scan (real choppy images). I used memory stick when I first got my cam (about 2 years ago). Just of the family pets, etc. The quality was "okay". Probably because I just got the camera and wasn't used to digital equipment. Still curious to see who else is out there using Memory Stick and how they customized their memory settings.

June 4th, 2004, 08:09 AM	#23
Linda Schodowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Berea, Ohio Posts: 139	Thanks Steve... I have been playing around with the memory mode. So far, not much... just things like adjusting white balance, etc. Still haven't tried to take still in progressive mode. The color saturation is still pretty intense, but seems to look okay when taking photo shots in darker lighting (towars sunset, etc.). Not quite sure what you mean by zip drive, C, etc., but I don't want to get off topic!

July 29th, 2004, 10:37 AM	#26
Michael Perry Tourist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1	Memory Stick Images Question re the VX2100: Is there any way to upload the memory stick images to a Mac using only the camera and a FireWire connection? Or do I need to purchase a reader (unfortunately my iomega Zip doesn’t have one). Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. TIA (thanks in advance). __________________ Mike P.

July 29th, 2004, 11:43 AM	#27
Kevin Lee Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 224	I don't think firewire communicates with the memory stick. Any usb on the cam? I thought most new cams come with a usb memory card reader.

July 30th, 2004, 07:16 AM	#28
Steve LaClair Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina/ Upstate NY Posts: 40	No, there isn't a way. Shoot progressive scan and take video grabs. __________________ -Steve LaClair http://www.skateperception.com/

July 30th, 2004, 09:18 AM	#29
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	I don't know if they translate to the Macsphere, but there are USB memory card readers. Some support almost all of the memory types.

July 30th, 2004, 02:41 PM	#30
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Yes, AFAIK most of the USB card readers are cross platform. I have a Dazzle reader that takes PC cards, type 1 & 2 compact flash cards, SD memory cards, Sony memory sticks and probaby some others as well. It wasn't expensive. Sony included a USB memory stick reader with the VX-2000, don't they do this anymore? I never even used it since I had the other reader however. They didn't provide any Mac drivers, but I suspect OS X would work with it right out of the box. I also use the same Dazzle USB reader on my old Windows PC to read and write data on both SD and CF cards for my GPS units. If you want to take stills with the VX-2100 (this never interested me on the VX-2000 due to the low res) then you should just pick up a card reader. Eventually you'll own some other gadgets and will find new uses for it.