EX1, Should I shoot 1280 x 720/50p
 

Because all my work is going to DVD or Web should I shoot 1280 x 720/50p shutter 100.
The reason I ask. This format is closer to SD than 1920 x 1080p. I’ve been thinking for a while to try this format on a job but for some reason I have cold feet.
I have a job shooting ten corporate interviews and the turn around is short. If using 720/50p will this be easier on the MBP?
Does anyone shoot in this format as their native size?
I know Full rez is beautiful but I don’t need it yet
I have done a few small tests but nothing serious so I don’t have a real life experience to compare to.

Nick

There have been lots of threads about SD conversions from 1080 which people have not been happy with or struggled to find a good method especially with Final Cut.
I have not had any major disappointment with Vegas but have not done much.
In my job I download 720p24 movie trailers and render them to SD for DVDs.
They look pretty good to me and might be less prone to issues such as line twitter.
I think you would be best to do some tests yourself before you commit to a paying job.

Malcolm

Hi,

I shoot 720p/50 all day every day, no need to go any bigger, i use FCP, if your footage is going to SD just use compressor and turn on see pic att.

Rob

Thanks Robert,
I was just looking at your web site and blog page.
What shutter setting are you using?

Nick

The simple answer to your question is "probably yes", but lifes often a lot more complicated than that..... For starters 720p/50 and 1080p/25 are very different things.

First question to ask is whether you want smooth motion, or "film look".

If the former, then 720p/50 is almost certainly your best route for primary SD final output. The main reason is that it has 50 unique frames which are fairly easy to turn into 50 unique SD fields. 1080i/25 will give the same "smooth motion", 50fps, look, but requires deinterlacing before scaling down to SD, then reinterlacing - a more messy process.

720 24p is better than 1080 24p
 

Couse EX1 is 35mbs VBR, is easier for the codec to shrink the video info of this format than the biger one. Thats why you can overcrank 720 at 60fps and 1080 at 30fps only.

So I always use 720p. best compresion.
I don't know how is 720 50p compared to 1080 50i. I guess could be the same codec intensive. smaler frame but progresive vs biger but interlaced.

But all this is resolution, and codec related.
The "look" is just try it and see if you like.

The reason I shoot 1080 is to prepare for the future. I produce local television commercials and right now the local broadcast stations only accept DV standard def. But someday they will start accepting HD and I'd like to have a bunch of HD commercials "ready to go" when this happens.

I edit everything in Adobe AfterEffects (except long format productions which I do in FCP) and at least in AE I have a good quality solution to convert from HD to SD (letterbox).

Another option is to shoot HD and import it as DV using clip browser. I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard it looks pretty good. But then you wouldn't be building a log of finished HD productions (as I discussed above)

Just my $0.02. :)

One last question and it's to do with the shutter.
If shooting 1280x720 @ 50p what should my shutter be.
Should I set it for 100 shutter or 60? or 180 deg.

Thanks

I have tried all shutter settings, found its better to leave it off.

rob.

Technically it should be 1/50th (to match the frequency of your power - 50Hz) But you'll loose light sensitivity using a shutter.

I think it's a matter of taste.

If you like the "film look" where you can see each frame (some call it flicker) then use a shutter.
If you're going for the super sharp video look (like you're actually there) then shoot without a shutter.
If you're planning to slow down the speed of your footage, you'll get less "frame blur" when you shoot with a shutter. If this is the case you might want to try even higher settings (1/250 or 1/500)

It's all a matter of taste in my opinion. :)

Basket Ball Game
 

oK,

If i was filming a basket ball game any one want to through a idea on a good setting for filming the fast paced game.??

Rob

Shutter should be double the frame rate for progressive and off if in interlaced.
I could be wrong?
Vortex DVD explaines it.

Faster the shutter speed less blur but less light gets through, shouldn't be a problem though, i presume the game will be well lit.

Paul.

I'd vote for either 1/125 or 1/250 for basketball. But you might not have enough light for that high of a shutter speed. Worst case shoot at 1/50.

Compared to shooting 1920x1080 which is the native resolution of the EX1, I find 720 looks very poor.

Paul