Sony EX1-EX3 video banding

[Loic Forget]

Hi there,

I am in need of a solution to a potential problem with both the Sony EX1, EX3 and was wondering if anyone had a solution/alternative.

I mainly shoot premieres which include shots with high amounts of photo flashes. I have been using both cameras on various jobs but have not yet used it at a premiere. Recently I have been doing research regarding the video banding problems both these cameras have and am quite concerned. Because these shoots are relatively unique, it would be difficult for me to test the cameras in the same environments beforehand.

Because I mainly shoot then edit premieres the EX1 and EX3 offer excellent rapid transfer and editing times which are vital when the edits have to be completed quickly.

Can anyone elaborate on the video banding problems I might encounter using these cameras? Any suggestions to other cameras that use SxS memory cards with equivalent 1080p capabilities? Does the banding only occur when the camera is on auto settings?

I've read as much as possible about the subject on this forum but little in the way of a solution so far.

Many thanks in advance.

Loic

[Alister Chapman]

There is no cure I'm afraid. The banding is caused by the way CMOS sensors are read and it is a problem that is far from unique to the EX range. All CMOS sensors suffer from it and we are likely to see CMOS being used more and more in video cameras, in fact IMHO CCD's are likely to become very scarce in low cost camcorders.

There are only two things you can do really. One is to shoot using the lowest possible shutter speed, this reduces the severity of the effect, so shooting at 25P with no shutter will give fewer bad frames than 50i. The other is to replace or modify the frames in the edit by making the entire frame bright by raising the black level or similar.