I have both DSR500 and XHA1. If you're delivering for the web or SD, the DSR wins hands-down due to the audio being so much better, and at the same SD resolution, the image is better, too. It's also better in low light. But once you go past 853x480, the XHA1 wins.
Batteries play a big part in the equation, too. One little 970 in the Canon lasts all day vs. hauling around 140 Hytrons and a charger.... But the audio difference is huge... it's the only reason I still use the DSR. |
yes, I know about the size and weight. How long do you think the plastic cameras would last in the field? NOT VERY LONG. The first time an important event was missed because the plastic battery door or spring breaks, that will be the end of that experiment.
The emphasis nowadays is more about imagers and file formats than anything. Notice very little discussion about lens quality, build and durability. These parameters used to be important when purchasing a camera. However, we do live in a disposable society more than ever. |
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Our market is changing rapidly every 12-18 months. This is no longer a field where you can buy a $30k camera and expect it to be viable in 3-6 years. Even glass is like this now. We are quickly moving away from the 1/3" and 2/3" cameras. So those lenses will become boat anchors in short order. Unlike you, I've heard PLENTY of talk about lens quality. But frankly, the common person participating here isn't buying a $20k 2/3" lens, or PL mount lens. Some are, but most are not. The truth of the matter is that the medium we are recording to is not capable of resolving the differences between decent glass and excellent glass. This isn't film. Yes, distortion and C.A. are readily seen. But for most people, spending half a year's salary on a lens to correct issues that their clients don't see isn't a good investment. |
So you are saying that a tape camera is inherently more reliable than one with little to no moving parts (ie EX1/3)?
At least in the Chicago HD broadcast market, I can easily tell when a news channel has used an SD camera because it looks horrendous due to their up-sizing it. As far as the EX1's reliability, these cameras can take a serious beating. I rented one a few months ago that had some serious cosmetic damage but still functioned flawlessly. Something else to consider: getting an EX3 is a long-term investment whereas the DSR-400 is more a stop-gap. |
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I deliver our in-house videos at 720p, I deliver my movies at 1080 or 720, I deliver for the web at 720. I bought the EX1 shortly after they were released and I've never even had it in an SD mode. HDV mode once, but never SD. I can downres to SD in-camera or outboard in real time if I really want that, all while writing HD to SxS. I've done it once at a conference when they wanted to piggyback my recording for the projector at a conference. SD is all but dead in the US. Walk into Best Buy and see how many SD televisions you can buy. |
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Well Ok,......I'm going to casually slip out the back door. Drinks are on me. You boys enjoy the evening.....
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I know HDV cameras which are used for broadcast work and they only shoot SD, not HD.
There was a review I read on Amazon for Paul Wheeler's book on HD Cinematography about 3 or 4 years ago that said HDCAM was obsolete, for a format in that condition it still seems to be live and kicking and probably is still used more than the mentioned replacement. It's off spring, HDCAM SR, is being used with the new Arri Alexa on one TV drama series, one advantage being they didn't need a data wrangler. People may buy HD televisions, but how many people are actually watching HD on them? Some people are confused and believe they are watching HD, but in fact are only watching SD. In many parts of the world you can only get SD. BTW PAL can look pretty good on a HD television as long as the screen isn't too large or you sit too close. |
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I tend to agree with just about everything Perrone has posted in this thread.
This includes his thoughts about prosumer type cameras are going to be prone to breaking with field use - I think most of them are well upto it unless you hammer nails in with them. The old Canon EX-1 Hi8 camera was very plasticky but just went on and on and on. Steve |
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[/QUOTE]HDCamSR bears practically zero resemblance to HDCam other than the name.[/QUOTE] True, but it's still in that bigger camera, 1/2" tape, non data style of kit derived from Betacam origins. [/QUOTE] And Joe Blow home viewer is going to see it instantly.[/QUOTE] Indeed, but Blu Ray isn't doing that well against the ye olde DVDs. [/QUOTE]Many things look pretty good if maintain your distance from them... ;)[/QUOTE] Same with HD televisions, after a certain distance there mightn't be much to choose because the eye can't resolve the extra detail. I'm not saying SD is better, but it's easy on forums to forget that many people and even companies don't jump at the latest gadget or format on the market. |
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The HDCAM SR currently has advantages on tight schedule TV dramas and that's where you often find it. On these the recorder is just another bit of camera kit that doesn't require another person just to carry it. Mostly it's used in 4:2;2, the 4:4:4 being used more for effects. In the longer term the ProRes option on the Alexa and possibly the RED cameras should replace the HDCAM SR on these productions, but who knows.
Everything has advantages and disadvantages, one cost can be off laid by another, perhaps not helped by an industry that is conservative and risk averse. With Blu Ray the problem may be the higher cost of the discs rather than the players - just looking at a top UK site selling both. Blu Ray is around 50% more expensive, the DVDs being the same price they've been for some time. In the longer term they should catch up, but the prices will have to drop for the sales volume to increase significantly, especially in a recession. It could be the higher profit margins that interest the retailer than the volume. http://www.digitaltrends.com/enterta...-expectations/ |
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