Film transfers, 60i, 50i, or Xl2? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Gibbs · August 15th, 2005, 10:26 AM

DVFilm says 60i.
Duart says 50i but prefers the Xl2 to HDV.
Anyone here actually done a test transfer to film?
For me its between 60i and 50i Sony HDV and the XL2 24p which has a great lense. The DVX100 is not for documentary filming, I have seen enough test transfers to know that...

Bill Pryor · August 15th, 2005, 12:40 PM

I had a 35mm transfer done at DVfilm a month or so ago. It was great. I shoot mostly with a DSR500, in 16:9 mode, but some closeups and slow shutter effect shots were done with the DSR250. I watched the print at a local theater with a 30 foot screen and was really impressed with what a good job DVfilm did. The end use was for an event at a drive in theater with a building-size screen. I didn't attend the event, but those who did said the print looked great. So, if you're using DVfilm, I would do as they say and give them 60i. I didn't send them a tape master, instead I sent them an Avid codec uncompressed QuickTime on a hard drive. I was also impressed with the audio quality--it was much better than I expected too.

Also before you shoot, it would be worthwhile to buy their book which tells you everything you need to know about transfers. And if you're doing something long, it would pay to do a test before you get into the project. I understand they will apply that cost to the final bill if you go with them.

If you haven't decided on the camera yet, you might want to give them a call. They seem to like HDV because of the high res. The guy I talked with was very helpful and prompt in returning phone calls and email.

Patrick Swinnea · August 15th, 2005, 12:58 PM

Great info! I just got my FX1 a couple of days ago. I have a long form project that I'd love to see transfered to film, but also needed something that I could shoot NTSC corporate video with. The Z1 was out of my immediate price range so shooting PAL isn't even an option for me. Nice to hear 60i looked so good.

Jerry Waters · August 27th, 2005, 11:04 PM

I did their class on shooting digital for film transfer 2 weeks ago. It was well worth the money. All kinds of questions were answered. We were given the book with the class. I read it afterward and it is excellent. I consider it a must if you are transferring to film.

Gints Klimanis · September 23rd, 2006, 07:02 AM

I was looking forward to ordering this book, but the order page says that the book is being updated with the latest HDV camera info.

http://www.dvfilm.com/book.htm

Mack Fisher · September 23rd, 2006, 10:56 AM

For me frame rate would come second to resolution. I just watched Jackass 2 haha yes I know with some friends where they spliced 24p DVX footage with 24p HDCAM footage and back to back the DVX looked really grainy like bad 16mm with less of the atmosphere. but hey thats my opinion.

Jerry Waters · September 23rd, 2006, 04:52 PM

Glad they are updating the book. A lot has changed since then and I got conflicting info later.

Mark Utley · September 23rd, 2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack Fisher

For me frame rate would come second to resolution. I just watched Jackass 2 haha yes I know with some friends where they spliced 24p DVX footage with 24p HDCAM footage and back to back the DVX looked really grainy like bad 16mm with less of the atmosphere. but hey thats my opinion.

I saw it last night. You can sure tell the difference, though the DVX would've looked a lot better if they weren't cutting between the two sources.

Bill Pryor · September 23rd, 2006, 08:01 PM

That's true with any 1/3" chip camera. If you shoot the whole movie with it, there's nothing better for the eye to compare it to, and it will look fine. But intercutting with a 2/3" chip camera, it always looks softer and grainier.

Mack Fisher · September 23rd, 2006, 09:33 PM

I think if I saw SD DVX footage blown up 35mm I would still be dissapointed, aside from comparison it still looked bad.

Bill Pryor · September 24th, 2006, 08:55 AM

Actually, you might find it looked amazingly good, depending on the original footage and who did the transfer and what lab did the print.

Mack Fisher · September 24th, 2006, 10:19 AM

Honestly from what I have seen I dont think 480p can hold up blown up to 35mm.

Gene Crucean · September 24th, 2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

Actually, you might find it looked amazingly good, depending on the original footage and who did the transfer and what lab did the print.

Opinions opinions

August 15th, 2005, 10:26 AM	#1
Jeff Gibbs Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 38	Film transfers, 60i, 50i, or Xl2? DVFilm says 60i. Duart says 50i but prefers the Xl2 to HDV. Anyone here actually done a test transfer to film? For me its between 60i and 50i Sony HDV and the XL2 24p which has a great lense. The DVX100 is not for documentary filming, I have seen enough test transfers to know that...

August 27th, 2005, 11:04 PM	#4
Jerry Waters Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 136	I did their class on shooting digital for film transfer 2 weeks ago. It was well worth the money. All kinds of questions were answered. We were given the book with the class. I read it afterward and it is excellent. I consider it a must if you are transferring to film. __________________ Jerry Waters Arize Productions

September 23rd, 2006, 10:56 AM	#6
Mack Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 158	For me frame rate would come second to resolution. I just watched Jackass 2 haha yes I know with some friends where they spliced 24p DVX footage with 24p HDCAM footage and back to back the DVX looked really grainy like bad 16mm with less of the atmosphere. but hey thats my opinion. __________________ Northweststockfootage.com Shooting 100% HD Washington, Oregon, and Soon British Columbia

September 23rd, 2006, 04:52 PM	#7
Jerry Waters Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 136	Glad they are updating the book. A lot has changed since then and I got conflicting info later. __________________ Jerry Waters Arize Productions

September 23rd, 2006, 09:33 PM	#10
Mack Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 158	I think if I saw SD DVX footage blown up 35mm I would still be dissapointed, aside from comparison it still looked bad. __________________ Northweststockfootage.com Shooting 100% HD Washington, Oregon, and Soon British Columbia

August 15th, 2005, 12:40 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I had a 35mm transfer done at DVfilm a month or so ago. It was great. I shoot mostly with a DSR500, in 16:9 mode, but some closeups and slow shutter effect shots were done with the DSR250. I watched the print at a local theater with a 30 foot screen and was really impressed with what a good job DVfilm did. The end use was for an event at a drive in theater with a building-size screen. I didn't attend the event, but those who did said the print looked great. So, if you're using DVfilm, I would do as they say and give them 60i. I didn't send them a tape master, instead I sent them an Avid codec uncompressed QuickTime on a hard drive. I was also impressed with the audio quality--it was much better than I expected too. Also before you shoot, it would be worthwhile to buy their book which tells you everything you need to know about transfers. And if you're doing something long, it would pay to do a test before you get into the project. I understand they will apply that cost to the final bill if you go with them. If you haven't decided on the camera yet, you might want to give them a call. They seem to like HDV because of the high res. The guy I talked with was very helpful and prompt in returning phone calls and email.

August 15th, 2005, 12:58 PM	#3
Patrick Swinnea Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 93	Great info! I just got my FX1 a couple of days ago. I have a long form project that I'd love to see transfered to film, but also needed something that I could shoot NTSC corporate video with. The Z1 was out of my immediate price range so shooting PAL isn't even an option for me. Nice to hear 60i looked so good.

September 23rd, 2006, 07:02 AM	#5
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	I was looking forward to ordering this book, but the order page says that the book is being updated with the latest HDV camera info. http://www.dvfilm.com/book.htm

September 23rd, 2006, 08:01 PM	#9
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That's true with any 1/3" chip camera. If you shoot the whole movie with it, there's nothing better for the eye to compare it to, and it will look fine. But intercutting with a 2/3" chip camera, it always looks softer and grainier.

September 24th, 2006, 08:55 AM	#11
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Actually, you might find it looked amazingly good, depending on the original footage and who did the transfer and what lab did the print.

September 24th, 2006, 10:19 AM	#12
Mack Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 158	Honestly from what I have seen I dont think 480p can hold up blown up to 35mm. __________________ Northweststockfootage.com Shooting 100% HD Washington, Oregon, and Soon British Columbia