obvious Pixelation on black surfaces at DVinfo.net

March 17th, 2002, 08:54 PM

Hi,

I have an XL-1 and when I playback footage, anything black has alot of noise in it. Just like a cheap 1 CCD camera filming in the dark.

Is it a setting I am missing or a problem with the camera?

I normally shoot with gain set to either 0 or +3.

Thanks in advance,
The Shlook

Ken Tanaka · March 17th, 2002, 11:31 PM

Without more information I would guess that your +3 gain is putting noise in the frame. The XL-1 tends to be a bit hot so many professionals use -3dB as their standard setting for most shots.

John Klein · March 18th, 2002, 05:52 PM

Is it a straight XL1? Or the 1S?

On the 1S, there are a lot of playful settings which can contribute. I know that with my setup, the output is sharper and more colorful but a little noisier through s-video and kind of sensitive to having the brightness set too bright.

My 1S is quite clean in the blacks. Is the rest of the pic A-OK? What about the AE compensation dial? Is that in the null position?

Chris Hurd · March 18th, 2002, 10:29 PM

Also make sure you're not shooting in "Green Box" (easy recording) mode. Doing so will override your gain settings; even if you've dialed in -3db, it'll automatically gain up in Green Box mode.

March 18th, 2002, 11:21 PM

Thanks guys,

Will look into it, and report back.

Cheers,
The Shlook

Don Palomaki · March 19th, 2002, 07:27 PM

Also, how are you viewing it? and is the noise in all-black images or mainly in dark objects in an otherwise average lit scene?

March 17th, 2002, 08:54 PM	#1
The Shlook Posts: n/a	obvious Pixelation on black surfaces Hi, I have an XL-1 and when I playback footage, anything black has alot of noise in it. Just like a cheap 1 CCD camera filming in the dark. Is it a setting I am missing or a problem with the camera? I normally shoot with gain set to either 0 or +3. Thanks in advance, The Shlook

March 17th, 2002, 11:31 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Without more information I would guess that your +3 gain is putting noise in the frame. The XL-1 tends to be a bit hot so many professionals use -3dB as their standard setting for most shots. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 18th, 2002, 05:52 PM	#3
John Klein Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 182	Is it a straight XL1? Or the 1S? On the 1S, there are a lot of playful settings which can contribute. I know that with my setup, the output is sharper and more colorful but a little noisier through s-video and kind of sensitive to having the brightness set too bright. My 1S is quite clean in the blacks. Is the rest of the pic A-OK? What about the AE compensation dial? Is that in the null position? __________________ < >< . . . . . < >< . . . . . < ><

March 18th, 2002, 10:29 PM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Also make sure you're not shooting in "Green Box" (easy recording) mode. Doing so will override your gain settings; even if you've dialed in -3db, it'll automatically gain up in Green Box mode. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 18th, 2002, 11:21 PM	#5
The Shlook Posts: n/a	Thanks guys, Will look into it, and report back. Cheers, The Shlook

March 19th, 2002, 07:27 PM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Also, how are you viewing it? and is the noise in all-black images or mainly in dark objects in an otherwise average lit scene?