BBC Accepts XF300 and XF305

Alister Chapman · January 12th, 2011, 03:21 PM

You should read through the commissioning guidelines to get a better idea of what's allowed and what's not. While you will most likely be fine using a 305 for a low budget documentary or news, don't expect the BBC to accept it for everything. The bigger discrepancy is the inclusion on the list of 720P cameras while the BBC are no longer commissioning 720P productions. I know that the Natural History unit still uses a lot of Varicams because of the slo-mo but that's an exception to the general rule of everything must be 1080.

Jonathan Shaw · January 12th, 2011, 05:14 PM

I have also heard two interesting things from the beeb today (from a friend) and that is that they are trying to get rid of nano (or equiv) captured footage as they have had issues with it. Plus I do a great deal of underwater work and the normal 50 m/bits does not work for underwater they want 100 m/bits. So as Alister states yes it may be accepted but definitely not for everything.

Robert Turchick · January 12th, 2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

That would be a great camera! A good follow-up to the XL-H1 line.

In the meantime, I've slightly modded my dslr shoulder mount and it works great!
I believe there is someone on the forum who's making a very nice shoulder mount specific to the 300/305. Can't remember who though!
Interchangeable lens version would be cool but I haven't had the need to change as it's quite good. I would love a constant aperture though!

Michael Galvan · January 12th, 2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Parrish

I am really hoping Canon comes out with a shoulder mount version of this.. The quality of a 305 in a shoulder mount 50mbps 422 with cheap memory, a 20x lens, HD/SDI, less than 1 lux mi, 2 XLR's, and a 1.5mp VF. Just a dream :(

I hope NAB reveals something like this. You forgot interchangeable lenses :)

Andy Wilkinson · January 13th, 2011, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Shaw

I have also heard two interesting things from the beeb today (from a friend) and that is that they are trying to get rid of nano (or equiv) captured footage as they have had issues with it.

This would basically kill the Sony XDCAM EX line (and a few others) for BBC work - any chance you can (via your friend) find out and elaborate more. Specifically, what are the issues with the Nanoflash (and equivalents)?

Mike Beckett · January 13th, 2011, 04:28 AM

I noticed Gordon Buchanan using an EX-3 with Nanoflash on "The Bear Family and Me" last week, and BBC NI were introducing it as "also on BBC HD". I must admit I was surprised. Maybe they wanted something cheaper that wouldn't matter so much if a bear mauled it. As it was, he got away with just a few chewed mic covers.

Presumably the second camera wasn't "just" an EX3.

Brian Drysdale · January 13th, 2011, 07:06 AM

The EX3 with Nanoflash has been accepted by a number of broadcasters for HD. Although, I expect it will depend on the nature of the production which type of camera you're expected to use. Also, as mentioned above, there may be certain types of material which they demand you use a better codec.

Alister Chapman · January 13th, 2011, 08:22 AM

The Bear Family and Me is on iplayer in HD. I watched it in HD when broadcast and you wouldn't know it was shot on a small camera.

I think the NanoFlash issues have been largely user errors such as using the wrong bit rate, so then Avid doesn't recognise the files or wrong wrapper etc. Avid only really works with 50Mb/s files. Using an external recorder isn't as convenient or straight forward as internal recordings and I can understand the BBC's preference for a one piece device hence less use of the EX/NanoFlash and more use of the XF305, but that doesn't rule out the usage of the EX/Nano.

Jonathan Shaw · January 13th, 2011, 08:19 PM

I think with all broadcasters content is king and rules can be broken and enforced depending on needs / contract

January 12th, 2011, 03:21 PM	#16
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	You should read through the commissioning guidelines to get a better idea of what's allowed and what's not. While you will most likely be fine using a 305 for a low budget documentary or news, don't expect the BBC to accept it for everything. The bigger discrepancy is the inclusion on the list of 720P cameras while the BBC are no longer commissioning 720P productions. I know that the Natural History unit still uses a lot of Varicams because of the slo-mo but that's an exception to the general rule of everything must be 1080. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

January 12th, 2011, 05:14 PM	#17
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	I have also heard two interesting things from the beeb today (from a friend) and that is that they are trying to get rid of nano (or equiv) captured footage as they have had issues with it. Plus I do a great deal of underwater work and the normal 50 m/bits does not work for underwater they want 100 m/bits. So as Alister states yes it may be accepted but definitely not for everything. __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

January 13th, 2011, 08:22 AM	#23
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	The Bear Family and Me is on iplayer in HD. I watched it in HD when broadcast and you wouldn't know it was shot on a small camera. I think the NanoFlash issues have been largely user errors such as using the wrong bit rate, so then Avid doesn't recognise the files or wrong wrapper etc. Avid only really works with 50Mb/s files. Using an external recorder isn't as convenient or straight forward as internal recordings and I can understand the BBC's preference for a one piece device hence less use of the EX/NanoFlash and more use of the XF305, but that doesn't rule out the usage of the EX/Nano. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

January 13th, 2011, 08:19 PM	#24
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	I think with all broadcasters content is king and rules can be broken and enforced depending on needs / contract __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

January 13th, 2011, 04:28 AM	#21
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	I noticed Gordon Buchanan using an EX-3 with Nanoflash on "The Bear Family and Me" last week, and BBC NI were introducing it as "also on BBC HD". I must admit I was surprised. Maybe they wanted something cheaper that wouldn't matter so much if a bear mauled it. As it was, he got away with just a few chewed mic covers. Presumably the second camera wasn't "just" an EX3.

January 13th, 2011, 07:06 AM	#22
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	The EX3 with Nanoflash has been accepted by a number of broadcasters for HD. Although, I expect it will depend on the nature of the production which type of camera you're expected to use. Also, as mentioned above, there may be certain types of material which they demand you use a better codec.