SDI > CFHD direct convert vs from ExpressCard
 

David or anyone familiar with the SDI workflow, we have a question as to actual benefits. Besides the CF intermediate 1920p workflow (which we already use with up-res V1 footage and with hi res stills), we are thinking seriously of going to a SDI workflow. A major question we have is as to realworld benefits.

Let me describe quickly our productions: We do everything at 1920x1080p, using CFHD (actually Prospect 4K and NEO 4K). We use AE extensively, for both final color and VFX. We do quite a bit of chroma work as well. All sound is done separately, except for rough editing/comp syncs.

A major question is: with a camera like the new Sony EX3, what are the real advantages of capturing SDI directly from the cam and converting on the fly to CF (before any compression is done, as opposed to converting from the SxS ExpressCard files?

Are the issues the same as with compressed V1 HDV, with MPEG compression artifacts limiting the quality of chromakeyed material? I know there is a slight resolution gain, but how does real material actually compare?

For keying work the benefits are large. Also there advance that once capture you can edit immediately, vs ingesting the MPEG compressed ExpressCard.

Thanks David. Figured chroma was the real bottom line. I guess the rest is a matter of getting a decent lense with that cam. Maybe the EX1 would be a good deal right now...