Optura 300 various questions

Patrick Smith · August 26th, 2004, 01:57 PM

its not on the auto. and i don't ever klnow what shutters to use.

im having toruble with night/low light/fast moving objects.

Rus May · September 20th, 2004, 10:43 PM

I'm actually downgrading from a GL2 to an XI... mostly because I haven't seen the justification, plus I'd like to help pay for a Canon 20D SLR!

I hope I can sell the GL2 by 9/30 to take advantage of the $200 rebates on the Xi.

I've used the Xi and it's a great little cam. Rebate makes it even more of a deal.

Kevin A. Sturges · September 24th, 2004, 09:29 AM

I’ve had my Xi since June, and have been very happy with it. To have this much resolution at such a low price point is pretty amazing. I shoot everything in 16/9 for my HDTV, and there’s a surprise waiting inside when you shoot in TV30 mode: 30 fps progressive scan! You’ll believe it when you see it.

Make sure you get a Neutral Density filter for shooting in bright light. The Xi’s ccd bleaches out very badly outdoors, and everything turns an ugly shade of green. Once you find the right setting though, it can look as good as anything I see on SD broadcast TV.

I use a monopod, and carry mine around like a walking stick. It also works pretty well if you close the pod up most of the way, so it looks like you are holding some kind of cool laser pistol. Also, the optical stabilizer in this thing is awesome. The sound quality with the built in mic is also surprisingly good. Much better than my older Sony cam, and you get manual level control. Keep in mind that if you buy an external mic, it has to have a built in self powered pre-amp, or the camera won’t recognize it.

Marko Xorg · October 23rd, 2004, 02:44 AM

Hi,
I just bought my optura 300 (mvx10i), and I can't get my videos recorded on a SD memory card in MPEG4 format. Instead, I get it in ASF format.
What I'm doing wrong ?
Please help.

Marko

Kin Kwan · October 25th, 2004, 12:28 AM

Don't worry, you're not doing anything wrong. ASF is already in the MPEG 4 format. ASF is based on Microsoft's MPEG4 v3 codec which they used as a streaming format.

Marko Xorg · October 25th, 2004, 06:13 AM

Yes, I figured that out, after a few hours of internet search, but I still can't find solution for playing, or even better, converting ASF format. I can play the videos, but the sound is always missing. What softvare is awailable for converting ? I realised i need a special codec for sound, but I have trouble installing it, my XP refuse to do so. If you heve any suggestions...
Thx,
Marko

Rob Lohman · October 25th, 2004, 06:34 AM

Well, ASF is another container format by Microsoft. It might be
MPEG4, but it doesn't have to be. But it appears yours is.

You can try the free www.virtualdub.org. That might
right the file and allow you to convert it to uncompressed.

Otherwise get a demo of the great editing application Vegas 5,
get it at: http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com.

It can read and edit ASF files on my system!

Marko Xorg · October 25th, 2004, 08:17 AM

Thanks Rob.
Virtual dub can not handle asf files due to microsoft restriction, but i heared some older versions can.
I have vegas 4 and it too has problems playng audio stream in asf files. Still searching for a solution.

John Snoddy · March 15th, 2005, 02:45 PM

Reading posts here, I'm envious of you Xi owners. Unfortunately, the $400 price difference was the determining factor. Seems to me that for $450, the Optura 30 is a lot of camera. I've only had it for a week, but the clips I've shot just playing around sure look good in my home theater.

The Optura 30 has no zebra pattern, no TV mode. I can set the shutter to 1/60. I can shoot in night mode and I can adjust the exposure a little. But that's about it.

Most of my filming will be outdoors, so perhaps some of the tweaking the Xi allows for won't matter too much?

My only complaint so far is a slight "over sharpness." You can't see it on a TV, but my screen is roughly 4 by 7 feet & obviously the least little flaw is going to be magnified. While this sharpness isn't as bad as the edge enhancement you see in some DVDs, it sure would be nice if it wasn't there. Any sugestions on how to minimize it?

As I said, for $450, the camera is a keeper. It is so cool to pull footage into Final Cut Express in 16:9. Now to build a water proof housing & put this baby to work!

Kevin A. Sturges · March 15th, 2005, 04:57 PM

Congrats on your new camera, John. For a relatively low cost consumer camera, you’ve got something that is capable of taking fine video. To be realistic, you have to remember that you are trying to watch consumer SD resolution footage blown up to a huge size. I have a 38” HDTV at home, and believe me, even though the screen is much smaller than what you have, every edge and shortcoming of an SD video shows up with irritating detail. With a system like that, hopefully you are poised on the edge of your seat for future semi-affordable HD cams? :)

I would suggest a low to medium strength diffusion filter. The image will still look clean, but it will prevent those harsh video edges from kicking in. You may need to add some extra contrast in post after shooting in bright daylight with them. I would suggest a Cokin Diffuser 2, or a Tiffen Soft/FX3.

Also, if you are shooting outside in broad daylight, it is mandatory to use an ND filter, and watch your exposure levels carefully. Over-driven video will have all those nasty edge effects.

John Snoddy · March 15th, 2005, 05:47 PM

Thanks Kevin. I do a lot of digital still photography & I've learned to keep the highlights from washing out. You can do a lot in Photoshop with a slightly under exposed imaged. But if you let the highlights get away from you, your options are limited. I imagine it's much the same with video.

I was watching a widescreen SD broadcast on PBS the other night and I didn't think it looked any better than what I captured with the Optura. HD material blows everything else away, of course, even including well mastered DVDs. But I'll have to leave HD to the pros for now.

I drive my projector with a HD cable box and a HTPC. As I expected, I get better resullts from the Optura by capturing the video into Final Cut & then using iDVD to build an image file. Then I use my Windows based HTPC to scale the video to the projector. This produces a much better picture than a direct S video connection from the Optura to the projector.

Question: Is it better to use a ND filter or can I get away with using the EV control? Or will I need to do both. Most of my work will be on the water in (hopefully) broad daylight -- although you can get some dramatic shots during a summer thunderstorm!

Kevin A. Sturges · March 16th, 2005, 08:33 AM

Hi John, If you are shooting in open water on a sunny day, I would say it’s mandatory to use an ND filter. With that many photons roaring into the front of the lens, there is no way the cameras internal circuitry can knock it down far enough to prevent blowouts. Also, you don’t want the iris to be closed down so far that you’re not taking advantage of the lens. I’m no expert at this, but I would use a circular polarizer, and an ND 4. The polarizer will work great on the water, and give you nice deep blue skies as well.

I’ve done a lot of comparative test shots, and I’ve gotten very good results this way. The nice thing is that these filters are so cheap, but they can make it look like you used twice the camera.

August 26th, 2004, 01:57 PM	#16
Patrick Smith Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 208	its not on the auto. and i don't ever klnow what shutters to use. im having toruble with night/low light/fast moving objects. __________________ patricksmith04@hotmail.com

September 20th, 2004, 10:43 PM	#17
Rus May Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 29	I'm actually downgrading from a GL2 to an XI... mostly because I haven't seen the justification, plus I'd like to help pay for a Canon 20D SLR! I hope I can sell the GL2 by 9/30 to take advantage of the $200 rebates on the Xi. I've used the Xi and it's a great little cam. Rebate makes it even more of a deal. __________________ Canon GL2 - Canon WD58 - Sony 1.7X - Varizoom Stealth

October 23rd, 2004, 02:44 AM	#19
Marko Xorg New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Serbia Posts: 16	Opptura 300-movies on SD card- .ASF instead of .MPEG4 ??? Please help Hi, I just bought my optura 300 (mvx10i), and I can't get my videos recorded on a SD memory card in MPEG4 format. Instead, I get it in ASF format. What I'm doing wrong ? Please help. Marko

October 25th, 2004, 06:34 AM	#22
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Well, ASF is another container format by Microsoft. It might be MPEG4, but it doesn't have to be. But it appears yours is. You can try the free www.virtualdub.org. That might right the file and allow you to convert it to uncompressed. Otherwise get a demo of the great editing application Vegas 5, get it at: http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com. It can read and edit ASF files on my system! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 15th, 2005, 02:45 PM	#24
John Snoddy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 41	Optura 30 vs Xi Reading posts here, I'm envious of you Xi owners. Unfortunately, the $400 price difference was the determining factor. Seems to me that for $450, the Optura 30 is a lot of camera. I've only had it for a week, but the clips I've shot just playing around sure look good in my home theater. The Optura 30 has no zebra pattern, no TV mode. I can set the shutter to 1/60. I can shoot in night mode and I can adjust the exposure a little. But that's about it. Most of my filming will be outdoors, so perhaps some of the tweaking the Xi allows for won't matter too much? My only complaint so far is a slight "over sharpness." You can't see it on a TV, but my screen is roughly 4 by 7 feet & obviously the least little flaw is going to be magnified. While this sharpness isn't as bad as the edge enhancement you see in some DVDs, it sure would be nice if it wasn't there. Any sugestions on how to minimize it? As I said, for $450, the camera is a keeper. It is so cool to pull footage into Final Cut Express in 16:9. Now to build a water proof housing & put this baby to work!

September 24th, 2004, 09:29 AM	#18
Kevin A. Sturges Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	I’ve had my Xi since June, and have been very happy with it. To have this much resolution at such a low price point is pretty amazing. I shoot everything in 16/9 for my HDTV, and there’s a surprise waiting inside when you shoot in TV30 mode: 30 fps progressive scan! You’ll believe it when you see it. Make sure you get a Neutral Density filter for shooting in bright light. The Xi’s ccd bleaches out very badly outdoors, and everything turns an ugly shade of green. Once you find the right setting though, it can look as good as anything I see on SD broadcast TV. I use a monopod, and carry mine around like a walking stick. It also works pretty well if you close the pod up most of the way, so it looks like you are holding some kind of cool laser pistol. Also, the optical stabilizer in this thing is awesome. The sound quality with the built in mic is also surprisingly good. Much better than my older Sony cam, and you get manual level control. Keep in mind that if you buy an external mic, it has to have a built in self powered pre-amp, or the camera won’t recognize it.

October 25th, 2004, 12:28 AM	#20
Kin Kwan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 120	Don't worry, you're not doing anything wrong. ASF is already in the MPEG 4 format. ASF is based on Microsoft's MPEG4 v3 codec which they used as a streaming format.

October 25th, 2004, 06:13 AM	#21
Marko Xorg New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Serbia Posts: 16	Yes, I figured that out, after a few hours of internet search, but I still can't find solution for playing, or even better, converting ASF format. I can play the videos, but the sound is always missing. What softvare is awailable for converting ? I realised i need a special codec for sound, but I have trouble installing it, my XP refuse to do so. If you heve any suggestions... Thx, Marko

October 25th, 2004, 08:17 AM	#23
Marko Xorg New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Serbia Posts: 16	Thanks Rob. Virtual dub can not handle asf files due to microsoft restriction, but i heared some older versions can. I have vegas 4 and it too has problems playng audio stream in asf files. Still searching for a solution.

March 15th, 2005, 04:57 PM	#25
Kevin A. Sturges Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	Congrats on your new camera, John. For a relatively low cost consumer camera, you’ve got something that is capable of taking fine video. To be realistic, you have to remember that you are trying to watch consumer SD resolution footage blown up to a huge size. I have a 38” HDTV at home, and believe me, even though the screen is much smaller than what you have, every edge and shortcoming of an SD video shows up with irritating detail. With a system like that, hopefully you are poised on the edge of your seat for future semi-affordable HD cams? :) I would suggest a low to medium strength diffusion filter. The image will still look clean, but it will prevent those harsh video edges from kicking in. You may need to add some extra contrast in post after shooting in bright daylight with them. I would suggest a Cokin Diffuser 2, or a Tiffen Soft/FX3. Also, if you are shooting outside in broad daylight, it is mandatory to use an ND filter, and watch your exposure levels carefully. Over-driven video will have all those nasty edge effects.

March 15th, 2005, 05:47 PM	#26
John Snoddy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 41	Thanks Kevin. I do a lot of digital still photography & I've learned to keep the highlights from washing out. You can do a lot in Photoshop with a slightly under exposed imaged. But if you let the highlights get away from you, your options are limited. I imagine it's much the same with video. I was watching a widescreen SD broadcast on PBS the other night and I didn't think it looked any better than what I captured with the Optura. HD material blows everything else away, of course, even including well mastered DVDs. But I'll have to leave HD to the pros for now. I drive my projector with a HD cable box and a HTPC. As I expected, I get better resullts from the Optura by capturing the video into Final Cut & then using iDVD to build an image file. Then I use my Windows based HTPC to scale the video to the projector. This produces a much better picture than a direct S video connection from the Optura to the projector. Question: Is it better to use a ND filter or can I get away with using the EV control? Or will I need to do both. Most of my work will be on the water in (hopefully) broad daylight -- although you can get some dramatic shots during a summer thunderstorm!

March 16th, 2005, 08:33 AM	#27
Kevin A. Sturges Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	Hi John, If you are shooting in open water on a sunny day, I would say it’s mandatory to use an ND filter. With that many photons roaring into the front of the lens, there is no way the cameras internal circuitry can knock it down far enough to prevent blowouts. Also, you don’t want the iris to be closed down so far that you’re not taking advantage of the lens. I’m no expert at this, but I would use a circular polarizer, and an ND 4. The polarizer will work great on the water, and give you nice deep blue skies as well. I’ve done a lot of comparative test shots, and I’ve gotten very good results this way. The nice thing is that these filters are so cheap, but they can make it look like you used twice the camera.