HDCAM and CFHD
 

The HDCAM format records 1440x1080 resolution on the tape with a 3:1:1 compression as 8 bit with the data rate of around 22 MB/sec. This compression cannot be edited in anything but a SONY XPRi editing system if I understand this correctly…now is it possible to capture from the HDCAM into uncompressed avi via Decklink HD for example and than convert it to CFHD . The resolution , the bit is the same so I think there will be no big time loss since the data rate of CFHD is about 22 MB/sec as well ! The only thing might be a problem is Aspect HD only supports 50i and not 25p .

So am I completely off track here or not ??? If it works than it would be so nice to edit a feature shoot in HDCAM even on a laptop….

Gabor

With Prospect HD you can capture to 1920x1080 4:2:2 (HD-SDI standard.) You can use other capture solutions with a two step process, capture uncompressed, then convert. However, your uncompressed with 1920x1080 4:2:2 not 1440x1080 3:1:1 (HDCAM internal only format.) You will have to handle the conversion to 1440x1080 for input into CFHD in you intend to use Aspect HD only. Basically I would recommend Prospect HD not Aspect HD for HDCAM over HDSDI solution.

Note: Aspect HD can run at 25p (and 24p) you simply need to create a preset.

David,
but why I need to capture to 1920x1080 4:2:2 if the HDCAM internal tape format records at 1440x1080 3:1:1 anyway...I am not going to gain anything if I capture from the tape into the computer at higher resolution wont I ???
Prospect HD would be great but I do have 3 great computers already so I am not intended to buy another just for Prospect HD...if it would be a standalone app like Aspect Hd I might consider buying it...

Prospect HD will be available separately for self integration before NAB. There is a link on cineform.com so you request information when this happens.

Regarding way capture 1920x1080 4:2:2, because 1440x1080 3:1:1 is not an HDSDI format. When you output HDCAM over HDSDI you get 1920x1080, so that is what you have to capture.