XDCAM EX noise level? at DVinfo.net

Steven Thomas · September 19th, 2007, 08:52 PM

repeat post.. To much coffee.

Steven Thomas · September 19th, 2007, 09:01 PM

The F330 is rated as having a signal/noise ratio of 54db, while the PDW-510/530 are both rated at 63db. From the EX specs, I believe it is 54db, just like the F330.

I have not personally used the 330, but I have read several responses regarding noise F330 noise levels. Many were wishing it faired better.

The EX is rated at (54db) f10 at 2000 lux and the F330 is rated at (54db) f9 at 2000 lux.
Numbers aside, will the noise levels appears less on the EX. I'm sure these sensitivity numbers do not tell us the whole story. I guess we'll know soon.

Greg Boston · September 19th, 2007, 10:34 PM

That's part of the CMOS advantage... greater sensitivity leading to lower noise. Many of the noise complaints that come up are from folks who have been shooting in SD where for the same sized sensor, you get much more sensitivity because individual pixels are larger and can soak up more light.

It's part of the learning curve of switching to HD cameras. In general, they don't perform as well as their SD counterparts.

-gb-

Alister Chapman · September 20th, 2007, 11:06 AM

Gregs comments are quite correct. The F330/350 is more noisy than the 510, but then the 750 HDCAM is also noisier than the 510. That's the nature of HD. When I did the concert shoot with my F350 and 2x EX1's all at 0db it was very hard to tell which was which. If anything I think the EX1 is a little less noisy than the F350. However the noise on the F350 has a very fine structure and as a result I find it less objectionable than the noise you get on most SD cameras which can be a bit "blocky". I did a couple of shots at +18db on the EX1 and while there was a fair bit of noise it wasn't so bad as to make the shots un-useable.

Steven Thomas · September 20th, 2007, 12:00 PM

Alister,
Thanks for the info.

Currently, I'm using a JVC HD-100. We all know the stock lens has its CA issues.

How do you rate the HD-100 video noise level using no gain in comparison to the XDCAM EX with no gain?

I do not plan on using gain. I guess that's easy to say, but sometimes hard not to do.

Steven Thomas · September 20th, 2007, 12:13 PM

Thanks Greg.

At least the pixel noise is smaller with HD. It looks a bit like grain.

September 19th, 2007, 08:52 PM	#1
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	XDCAM EX noise level? repeat post.. To much coffee. Last edited by Steven Thomas; September 19th, 2007 at 09:46 PM.

September 19th, 2007, 09:01 PM	#2
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	XDCAM EX noise level? The F330 is rated as having a signal/noise ratio of 54db, while the PDW-510/530 are both rated at 63db. From the EX specs, I believe it is 54db, just like the F330. I have not personally used the 330, but I have read several responses regarding noise F330 noise levels. Many were wishing it faired better. The EX is rated at (54db) f10 at 2000 lux and the F330 is rated at (54db) f9 at 2000 lux. Numbers aside, will the noise levels appears less on the EX. I'm sure these sensitivity numbers do not tell us the whole story. I guess we'll know soon.

September 20th, 2007, 11:06 AM	#4
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Gregs comments are quite correct. The F330/350 is more noisy than the 510, but then the 750 HDCAM is also noisier than the 510. That's the nature of HD. When I did the concert shoot with my F350 and 2x EX1's all at 0db it was very hard to tell which was which. If anything I think the EX1 is a little less noisy than the F350. However the noise on the F350 has a very fine structure and as a result I find it less objectionable than the noise you get on most SD cameras which can be a bit "blocky". I did a couple of shots at +18db on the EX1 and while there was a fair bit of noise it wasn't so bad as to make the shots un-useable. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

September 19th, 2007, 10:34 PM	#3
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	That's part of the CMOS advantage... greater sensitivity leading to lower noise. Many of the noise complaints that come up are from folks who have been shooting in SD where for the same sized sensor, you get much more sensitivity because individual pixels are larger and can soak up more light. It's part of the learning curve of switching to HD cameras. In general, they don't perform as well as their SD counterparts. -gb-

September 20th, 2007, 12:00 PM	#5
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	Alister, Thanks for the info. Currently, I'm using a JVC HD-100. We all know the stock lens has its CA issues. How do you rate the HD-100 video noise level using no gain in comparison to the XDCAM EX with no gain? I do not plan on using gain. I guess that's easy to say, but sometimes hard not to do.

September 20th, 2007, 12:13 PM	#6
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	Thanks Greg. At least the pixel noise is smaller with HD. It looks a bit like grain.