Why not single chip ?

Mark Donnell · June 5th, 2008, 02:25 PM

Could someone with the technical background please explain to me why top-of-the-line digital SLRs can shoot 10 megapixel or larger photos with excellent color at frame rates of up to 9 FPS using single chip blocks, while $10,000 HD camcorders can't shoot 1900x1200 at 60 FPS without three chips ? I realize that the RED and SI-2K cameras use single chip technology, but why haven't the major camcorder producers jumped on board yet ?

David Heath · June 5th, 2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Donnell

.........why top-of-the-line digital SLRs can shoot ........using single chip blocks, while $10,000 HD camcorders can't shoot 1900x1200 at 60 FPS without three chips ? .........why haven't the major camcorder producers jumped on board yet ?

In two words, chip size. The DSLRs you mention have far larger chips than the average $10,000 camcorder you talk about, and generally use either prime lenses or zooms with much lower ratios than most video cameras - hence keep a reasonable size/weight/cost. Build a camcorder with a single chip of the size of that in a DSLR, and with the features most people expect in a video camera (such as at least 10x zoom) and it would be big and expensive. Simpler generally to use three smaller chips.

You can get small cameras with single chips - but they are inherently less sensitive than those with three chips of the same size (all else equal).

Tim Polster · June 5th, 2008, 03:11 PM

I have heard it is a factor of heat as well.

The DSLR chips generate a lot of heat and in a constant video type application would not be easy to cool.

Please correct if I am wrong.

Jad Meouchy · June 5th, 2008, 03:13 PM

Convergence!

We may see 24fps DSLR offerings from major manufacturers in the next few years.

Robert M Wright · June 6th, 2008, 08:46 AM

Another factor is shutter speeds. While sometimes you may compensate for low light conditions by setting shutter speed fairly low on a still camera, it usually just wouldn't be practical with a video camera.

Brian Drysdale · June 9th, 2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jad Meouchy

Convergence!

We may see 24fps DSLR offerings from major manufacturers in the next few years.

You could say they're already here in the form of RED and SI 2k both of which record RAW.

Craig Chartier · June 9th, 2008, 12:43 PM

and both have problems dealing with the heat.

Jeff Kellam · July 9th, 2008, 11:14 AM

I wonder if the forthcoming UHD cameras will be single or three chip?

Probably a very advanced single to follow the Red groundwork.

June 5th, 2008, 02:25 PM	#1
Mark Donnell Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 213	Why not single chip ? Could someone with the technical background please explain to me why top-of-the-line digital SLRs can shoot 10 megapixel or larger photos with excellent color at frame rates of up to 9 FPS using single chip blocks, while $10,000 HD camcorders can't shoot 1900x1200 at 60 FPS without three chips ? I realize that the RED and SI-2K cameras use single chip technology, but why haven't the major camcorder producers jumped on board yet ?

June 5th, 2008, 03:11 PM	#3
Tim Polster Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 673	I have heard it is a factor of heat as well. The DSLR chips generate a lot of heat and in a constant video type application would not be easy to cool. Please correct if I am wrong. __________________ Tim Polster www.metroplexmultimedia.com

June 5th, 2008, 03:13 PM	#4
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fairfax County, VA Posts: 408	Convergence! We may see 24fps DSLR offerings from major manufacturers in the next few years. __________________ Canon XH-A1 tapeless, JVC HD10 *for sale Arrisun 12, Arri AD 1200

July 9th, 2008, 11:14 AM	#8
Jeff Kellam Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 179	I wonder if the forthcoming UHD cameras will be single or three chip? Probably a very advanced single to follow the Red groundwork. __________________ Panasonic HMC150/Canon A1/JVC HD1/Sony Vegas 8.0c

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June 6th, 2008, 08:46 AM	#5
Robert M Wright Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Watkins, Minnesota (USA) Posts: 1,294	Another factor is shutter speeds. While sometimes you may compensate for low light conditions by setting shutter speed fairly low on a still camera, it usually just wouldn't be practical with a video camera.

June 9th, 2008, 12:43 PM	#7
Craig Chartier GEAR Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 212	and both have problems dealing with the heat.