What kind of cameras are those that are used to tape shows like American Chopper, Monster Garage, etc? Are those Beta Cameras? Why do they use those, verus using something like the XL2?

Anything and everything is used for professional broadcast these days. From the Sony PD150, Panasonic DVX100 and Canon GL2 up to DigiBeta, Varicam and F900. You name it, somebody has put something on television with it. If the content is compelling, nobody cares what it was shot with anymore.

Thanks. They did some behind the scenes show of American Chopper. One of the camera guys stated "I have to lug this 30 pound camera around all day" It got me to thinking, why does everyone use these big cameras, instead of something lighter and compact?

AC perhaps uses whatever's to hand. If you've ever watched "Myth Busters" you'll see, in some shots, one guy lugging a full-size camcorder and others toting what I call "handycams". It all comes out of the drier the same shade!

Broadcast Quality is whatever is shown.

i recently had some footage used on monster garage, but they could only use it on the sd version of the show; they shoot everything in hi-def.

Adam, they are using the Panasonic Varicam as the primary cameras and for the BTS special the cast shot with the Sony Z1. I bet they use that thing all the time on the typical episodes too because it intercuts with the Varicam footage very well.

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