best EX format to match Pan. DVX-100A (PAL; progressive)? at DVinfo.net

Malcolm Hamilton · February 4th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Hi there,
A cameraman I haven't met has shot most of a doc with his Panasonic DVX-100A, PAL format, 720x576, progressive.
He's now in the hospital, so I've been asked to finish shooting, as well as do the editing.
(I mention the editing because I use Avid Media Composer, which may not be as format-friendly as FCP, which I know many of you use; I'm on a Mac, but use Avid).

with the EX-1, I know I can select HQ1080/50, but it's only interlaced.
So I think I have to go to HQ 1080/25p, since I want progressive, and want to stay in high-quality.
Maybe I should post this on the Avid forum, because maybe it's a question that only relates to editing, but I thought I'd post here, because you people know this camera so well.

Any suggestions?
thanks, Malcolm

Jay Gladwell · February 4th, 2009, 03:49 PM

I would think you're going to be hard pressed to get the EX to match the DVX.

Why not finish the shoot with a DVX?

Malcolm Hamilton · February 5th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Hi Jay,
Well, I own the Sony, and I'm really used to the workflow now.
Is the Panasonic picture going to be much more saturated or something? Could I lessen this effect in post? Or is the problem more complicated than this?
Malcolm

Jay Gladwell · February 5th, 2009, 02:20 PM

Hello, Malcolm. You've heard the expression "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"? In this case, the reverse will be true.

The image from the EX1 is so vastly superior to the DVX that (and I'm guessing here, never having tried it) the footage, no matter how you try to degrade it, will never match. It's like you're trying to take 70mm footage and make it look like Super 8.

You could try a test, but I think you'll be spending more time in post than it's worth. If it were me, I'd shoot using the DVX.

Malcolm Hamilton · February 6th, 2009, 09:01 AM

Jay, I appreciate the frank words. What a conundrum. I'll check into the cost of renting; if I do go ahead with what I've got (I keep thinking that if I keep the footage from the two cameras separated, which might be possible, as most of what has already been shot was in Poland, and I'm to pick up the shoot in Canada; maybe viewers will think, wow, the air in Canada is so clean and clear, the shots look better), I'll post back.
Cheers, Malcolm

February 4th, 2009, 03:43 PM	#1
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	best EX format to match Pan. DVX-100A (PAL; progressive)? Hi there, A cameraman I haven't met has shot most of a doc with his Panasonic DVX-100A, PAL format, 720x576, progressive. He's now in the hospital, so I've been asked to finish shooting, as well as do the editing. (I mention the editing because I use Avid Media Composer, which may not be as format-friendly as FCP, which I know many of you use; I'm on a Mac, but use Avid). with the EX-1, I know I can select HQ1080/50, but it's only interlaced. So I think I have to go to HQ 1080/25p, since I want progressive, and want to stay in high-quality. Maybe I should post this on the Avid forum, because maybe it's a question that only relates to editing, but I thought I'd post here, because you people know this camera so well. Any suggestions? thanks, Malcolm

February 4th, 2009, 03:49 PM	#2
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	I would think you're going to be hard pressed to get the EX to match the DVX. Why not finish the shoot with a DVX?

February 5th, 2009, 01:28 PM	#3
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	Hi Jay, Well, I own the Sony, and I'm really used to the workflow now. Is the Panasonic picture going to be much more saturated or something? Could I lessen this effect in post? Or is the problem more complicated than this? Malcolm

February 5th, 2009, 02:20 PM	#4
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	Hello, Malcolm. You've heard the expression "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"? In this case, the reverse will be true. The image from the EX1 is so vastly superior to the DVX that (and I'm guessing here, never having tried it) the footage, no matter how you try to degrade it, will never match. It's like you're trying to take 70mm footage and make it look like Super 8. You could try a test, but I think you'll be spending more time in post than it's worth. If it were me, I'd shoot using the DVX.

February 6th, 2009, 09:01 AM	#5
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	Jay, I appreciate the frank words. What a conundrum. I'll check into the cost of renting; if I do go ahead with what I've got (I keep thinking that if I keep the footage from the two cameras separated, which might be possible, as most of what has already been shot was in Poland, and I'm to pick up the shoot in Canada; maybe viewers will think, wow, the air in Canada is so clean and clear, the shots look better), I'll post back. Cheers, Malcolm