Frame mode XL1s vs. Sony PD-150 at DVinfo.net

Fenn Jacob · December 11th, 2003, 06:18 PM

I, like so many brave videographers before me, am deciding on a camera. I have narrowed my choice down to the XL1s and PD-150. I'm leaning toward the PD-150, more of a personal taste thing than anything... but something somewhat puzzles me.
I've read so many reviews/clashes between Sony and Canon die-hards, but one feature I find little info on is the progressive scan. Is 30 fps a real plus, or nothing that special? The image quality comparisons seem to prefer the PD-150, which has no "frame" mode, just 60i. Does the "frame" mode decrese image quality? Is it used often, or more of a gimmick? Does it significantly improve that "film look."
Thanks!

Jean-Philippe Archibald · December 11th, 2003, 06:30 PM

Have you missed the Panasonic DVX-100 ? If you don't have a need for interchangable lenes (like XL1) or great low light performances (like PD-150), the DVX-100 sould be the way to go for "film look" with it's 24p mode true progressive (unlike frame mode wich is not true progresive).

Fenn Jacob · December 11th, 2003, 06:41 PM

Now I am confused. It seems from what I have read recently that the PD-150 DOES support "frame" mode. I previously read otherwise...
So then, what is the difference between frame mode and true progressive? I have read several negative reviews on the Panasonic, and ruled it out awhile ago. Does this camera work well for you?

Thanks, again!

Jean-Philippe Archibald · December 11th, 2003, 07:06 PM

The PD-150 cannot do Frame mode. Roughly, Frame mode is 60 fields / seconds but unlike interlaced (60i), both fields of each second are taken at the same time. The result is very close to true 30p but you are loosing a little bit of resolution. Personnaly I am using Fame mode exclusively and have greats results.

Each of thoses 3 camcorders are great and you will be hapy with any of them, continu to read about them on this board. There is plenty of threads about the pros and cons of each of them. And choose the one that best fits your needs

Boyd Ostroff · December 11th, 2003, 07:50 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jean-Philippe Archibald : The PD-150 cannot do Frame mode. -->>>

I hate to nitpick, but that isn't really true. The VX-2000 and PD-150 both can shoot true progressive scan, but with a big caveat: it only works at 15 frames per second. Obviously this limits its usefulness.

Another approach however is to shoot regular 60i and use an adaptive deinterlacing program in post. This can yield pretty decent results, although it requires significant render time. See these threads:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ht=deinterlace
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ht=deinterlace
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=3997

December 11th, 2003, 06:18 PM	#1
Fenn Jacob New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Thatcher UT Posts: 14	Frame mode XL1s vs. Sony PD-150 I, like so many brave videographers before me, am deciding on a camera. I have narrowed my choice down to the XL1s and PD-150. I'm leaning toward the PD-150, more of a personal taste thing than anything... but something somewhat puzzles me. I've read so many reviews/clashes between Sony and Canon die-hards, but one feature I find little info on is the progressive scan. Is 30 fps a real plus, or nothing that special? The image quality comparisons seem to prefer the PD-150, which has no "frame" mode, just 60i. Does the "frame" mode decrese image quality? Is it used often, or more of a gimmick? Does it significantly improve that "film look." Thanks!

December 11th, 2003, 06:30 PM	#2
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Have you missed the Panasonic DVX-100 ? If you don't have a need for interchangable lenes (like XL1) or great low light performances (like PD-150), the DVX-100 sould be the way to go for "film look" with it's 24p mode true progressive (unlike frame mode wich is not true progresive). __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

December 11th, 2003, 06:41 PM	#3
Fenn Jacob New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Thatcher UT Posts: 14	Correction... Now I am confused. It seems from what I have read recently that the PD-150 DOES support "frame" mode. I previously read otherwise... So then, what is the difference between frame mode and true progressive? I have read several negative reviews on the Panasonic, and ruled it out awhile ago. Does this camera work well for you? Thanks, again!

December 11th, 2003, 07:06 PM	#4
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	The PD-150 cannot do Frame mode. Roughly, Frame mode is 60 fields / seconds but unlike interlaced (60i), both fields of each second are taken at the same time. The result is very close to true 30p but you are loosing a little bit of resolution. Personnaly I am using Fame mode exclusively and have greats results. Each of thoses 3 camcorders are great and you will be hapy with any of them, continu to read about them on this board. There is plenty of threads about the pros and cons of each of them. And choose the one that best fits your needs __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

December 11th, 2003, 07:50 PM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	<<<-- Originally posted by Jean-Philippe Archibald : The PD-150 cannot do Frame mode. -->>> I hate to nitpick, but that isn't really true. The VX-2000 and PD-150 both can shoot true progressive scan, but with a big caveat: it only works at 15 frames per second. Obviously this limits its usefulness. Another approach however is to shoot regular 60i and use an adaptive deinterlacing program in post. This can yield pretty decent results, although it requires significant render time. See these threads: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ht=deinterlace http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ht=deinterlace http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=3997