Not knowing your stuff, I can't say if it looks like home video or not. But I know what looks good to me, and it nearly always says something about the competency of the videographer rather than the equipment he or she was using. I'm always over-critical of my own stuff - often asking myself "when will I learn not to do . . . ."?

What is your definition of looking like a home video? Using inappropriate equipment or techniques or camera settings? Not using a tripod? Or just not getting the shot looking the way you want?

If 60i always looked like home video, it wouldn't be used as a broadcast quality standard.

Ive seen 60i footage that had a nice film look to it after post. Im still trying to decide whether im going to shoot in 60 24 or 30.

Why not test those modes and see what you mesh with best?

Maybe that's my problem. I see some news interviews that look like a home video, so maybe I'm overly picky.

See, my recordings are basically man-on-the-street interviews; not a whole lot different than a news field interview. I'm just starting to add a light-screen person when I can, and I see that helping a bit.

I guess I don't know really what it is... Maybe it's just me.

Yep, Mike. That's what I'm doing now.

I plan on making these interviews into a DVD series, so what I do on DVD #1 should be what I'm still using on DVD #20, otherwise that WOULD look bad for sure.

It looks like it's probably going to be 60i since I can't seem to get 24f right. I'm still getting all my samples together, but I need to draw the line soon and just go with what is working.

Yeah so far ive gotton pretty good results from the 24f sd but with hd its going to take alot more tweaking and im still getting used to the a1.

My friends love the camera though and so do i. Cant wait to play around with it more.

What kinds of techniques contribute to 24P looking good?

Not moving the camera too fast and all over the place for one... This I DO know.

Chris, I'm curious to hear techniques to make 24p or 24f (I have an XH-A1) look its best? Or any other sources?

Same as any other video: Good composition, good lighting, decent camera moves.

I'm also curious about why 24p specifically is noted as more challenging.

I have found (in my limited experience) you have to be careful panning the camera - it isn't very forgiving. But I can't say knowledgably that it isn't a challenge in all formats.

And for footage you may want to do slow motion effects on - even if you shoot 24p regularily - is it best practice to shoot those scenes at 30p or 60i?

Trish

Hi Trish. Movement of the subject can also look bad in 24p if care is not taken. For example, a car moving quickly from left to right is just as juddery as a fast pan. So if you pan with the movement the car would look fine and only the background would judder, which should be less obvious.

And if you know you are going to apply slo-mo, it is much better to shoot 60i to begin with, for that shot.

Richard

Thanks Richard!

That's exactly the kind of info the newbies could use more of (such as myself).

A shooting mode hints and tips primer would make a great sticky.

This forum, thanks to the generous sharing of knowledge and experience is an educational goldmine.

However, the more I learn around here, the more I realize how much more there is to know. : )

Trish

Are there any techniques unique to 24p/f, other than being careful when panning? Also, strobing while panning can happen with other 30p too, no?