Need Help - Video Guru's Look Here

[Jake]

I've always been a fan of Sony and currently shoot with 2 of their 3-chip cameras (VX-2000 & HC-1000). I'm looking at making the move to HD and I've been holding out for the introduction of the HDR-FX1.

I really want to pick-up one of these things but the lack of a progressive scan mode is really disappointing to say the least. I need to get the highest quality screen caps possible from our videos. So my question is: Will screen caps shot in 1080i on this camera come close to screen caps shot in 720p on something like JVC's prosumer HD camera?

Anyone have sample screen caps from vid shot with an HDR-FX1?

Oh yeah, this is a long shot but does anyone know if Sony has plans to incorporate progressive scan in their next generation HD cameras?

[TurboAngel]

I can't help but here's a bump.

[PrivateIvy]

Here's a bump for an actual business post on GFY


Ivy

[DEA - banned for life]

Bump to see how many poeple who post in this thread and dont know what the fuck there talkig about

[Peter Romero]

Originally Posted by Jake

I've always been a fan of Sony and currently shoot with 2 of their 3-chip cameras (VX-2000 & HC-1000). I'm looking at making the move to HD and I've been holding out for the introduction of the HDR-FX1.

I really want to pick-up one of these things but the lack of a progressive scan mode is really disappointing to say the least. I need to get the highest quality screen caps possible from our videos. So my question is: Will screen caps shot in 1080i on this camera come close to screen caps shot in 720p on something like JVC's prosumer HD camera?

Anyone have sample screen caps from vid shot with an HDR-FX1?

Oh yeah, this is a long shot but does anyone know if Sony has plans to incorporate progressive scan in their next generation HD cameras?

That's my baby!!! Buying it this week. Everything I shoot now will be on HDTV from now on. POV HDTV!!! HA!!!! Now everyone is going to have to cast & shoot better with this much detail showing.

[Peter Romero]

Originally Posted by DEA

Bump to see how many poeple who post in this thread and dont know what the fuck there talkig about

Spent plenty of time researching this - trust me. You can always go down in quality on reproduction - but rarely - UP! Taking orders now.

[Jake]

Thanks for the bumps...still hoping for some answers to these questions.

[TurboAngel]

It's a shame you know those of us that can't help. Here's one more bump for someone that knows.

[Jake]

bumping again...Someone here has to have this camera?

[Mutt]

there are lots of boards/websites for digital video pros and hobbyists where I'm sure you'll find an answer.

only questions you'll get answered here are 'when's the last time you shit your pants?' and 'where can I get fresh proxies?'.

[Mutt]

what software do you use to pull off screencaps now?

i

[newbreed]

I think AlienQ is using that camera.

[newbreed]

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hlight=HDR-FX1

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hlight=HDR-FX1

and

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=411701

[BV]

HD frame caps are still not going to give you the near the quality as photos taken with a good still camera.

[Tat2Jr]

I also shoot in progressive mode on my VX2100 because I like to grab crystal clear video grabs (which look nothing like video grabs). I was wondering the same thing with that HD camera since I expect to get both videos and pics out of the same shoot. I've seen some of the video grabs from that Sony HD, and while they look way better then other interlaced grabs they still look like a video grab. Doesn't have the still photo quailty that taking stills from 740p has. I don't have a link to those HD grabs. Sorry. I'm sure I probably found them through google.

To get my stills from the progressive video I first run the DV-AVI through Thumbnailer v5. No resize, and grabbing every 3rd frame. Then I go through the folder and quickly grab the good ones. Then do resizing (from the native DV 740x480 to the correct aspect ratio of 640x480), levels, and touchups in Photoshop CS.

Here's some video grabs from my VX2100:

[MikeXAMO]

If you have enough money to buy the camera, invest in a good photo camera like the Nikon D100 (average price) as well. You will never get the same quality pics/screen caps as you will with a good Digital still camera (pro quality) and flash. Your pics will be crisper and better lit than with the CCD's used on most (ok, ALL) digital video cameras today. The HDR-FX1 is a great camera, but will not drastically improve your screen cap quality, even with progressive scan. Most video cameras still only have 1-3 Megapixel capability when compared to digital still cams, the CCD's are much smaller than in a pro digital still camera.

Trust me on this, if you want to have good pics to go with your video, use a real digital still camera, with a solid flash. You can always take pics during your shoot and edit out the flashes (not the best way, too much editing), or after your done the video, recreate the shoot specifically for pics. It requires more planning, but all good productions need planning and organization. It cuts down on your editing too!

[MikeXAMO]

Originally Posted by Tat2Jr

I also shoot in progressive mode on my VX2100 because I like to grab crystal clear video grabs (which look nothing like video grabs).

Those are some pretty good grabs off the VX2100! I use the PD150 (which is basically the same camera with XLR inputs), and I must say you do a good job at lighting to get those stills.

For reference, Sony will have a 720p camera within the next 10 months, and probably a 1080p camera within the 2 years (unless you have $100,000 to spend right now). This is what sony told me a month ago anyways ;)

[BV]

Originally Posted by Tat2Jr

I also shoot in progressive mode on my VX2100 because I like to grab crystal clear video grabs (which look nothing like video grabs). I was wondering the same thing with that HD camera since I expect to get both videos and pics out of the same shoot. I've seen some of the video grabs from that Sony HD, and while they look way better then other interlaced grabs they still look like a video grab. Doesn't have the still photo quailty that taking stills from 740p has. I don't have a link to those HD grabs. Sorry. I'm sure I probably found them through google.

To get my stills from the progressive video I first run the DV-AVI through Thumbnailer v5. No resize, and grabbing every 3rd frame. Then I go through the folder and quickly grab the good ones. Then do resizing (from the native DV 740x480 to the correct aspect ratio of 640x480), levels, and touchups in Photoshop CS.

Here's some video grabs from my VX2100:

Decent quality for frame grabs but these are comparable to about a $200 point and shoot digicam quality.

what do you do with the 15fps video that the vx shoots in progressive mode? or does the vx 2100 shoot 30 fps progressive now?

i still have the vx2000

[A C]

wish i knew more about film so i could help ya

[oceania]

Be advised that if you want to shoot close-ups in HD, make-up will become more important. Pores can look like craters and pock-marks can turn her face into a relief map.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Mutt

what software do you use to pull off screencaps now?

i

I pull them directly from the raw AVI using Pinnacle Studio 9.3. They're actually pretty good quality for screen caps but I'm looking for something a lot better.

Here's an example:

[Jake]

Originally Posted by newbreed

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hlight=HDR-FX1

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hlight=HDR-FX1

and

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=411701

Thanks, I'll check these out!

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Tat2Jr

I also shoot in progressive mode on my VX2100 because I like to grab crystal clear video grabs (which look nothing like video grabs). I was wondering the same thing with that HD camera since I expect to get both videos and pics out of the same shoot. I've seen some of the video grabs from that Sony HD, and while they look way better then other interlaced grabs they still look like a video grab. Doesn't have the still photo quailty that taking stills from 740p has.....

Those grabs are incredible but the problem with Sony's progressive scan is that it only shoots at 15fps. That's not a problem if you only plan to use the video for web however we want to be able to also use the video for DVD's as well. If you've ever seen a video played on a TV at 15fps then you probably already know that it has a really freaky effect that tends to make you nauseous.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by MikeXAMO

If you have enough money to buy the camera, invest in a good photo camera like the Nikon D100 (average price) as well. You will never get the same quality pics/screen caps as you will with a good Digital still camera (pro quality) and flash. Your pics will be crisper and better lit than with the CCD's used on most (ok, ALL) digital video cameras today. The HDR-FX1 is a great camera, but will not drastically improve your screen cap quality, even with progressive scan. Most video cameras still only have 1-3 Megapixel capability when compared to digital still cams, the CCD's are much smaller than in a pro digital still camera.

Trust me on this, if you want to have good pics to go with your video, use a real digital still camera, with a solid flash. You can always take pics during your shoot and edit out the flashes (not the best way, too much editing), or after your done the video, recreate the shoot specifically for pics. It requires more planning, but all good productions need planning and organization. It cuts down on your editing too!

Agreed, screen caps will never come close to photo quality however you also need to consider the application. It's just not feasible for me to hold a still camera in my left hand and a video camera in my right and run both cameras while I'm fucking my wife.

I know that I can get much better image quality with a decent still camera (I'm currently shooting stills with and 8MP camera and a great external flash), I also know that I'm not likely to capture the cumshot with a still camera. Using screen caps, I'll never miss the cum shot and in fact I've got 30 images every second to choose from. The image quality trade off is acceptable, I'm just looking for the very best video camera to accomplish this.

[Tat2Jr]

Originally Posted by BV

Decent quality for frame grabs but these are comparable to about a $200 point and shoot digicam quality.

what do you do with the 15fps video that the vx shoots in progressive mode? or does the vx 2100 shoot 30 fps progressive now?

i still have the vx2000

Yeah, I know that stills from even a $300 digital camera are gonna beat my grabs, and I know that video on TV looks better when shot in interlace (or true 30fps progressive). This works out good for us, as there are only two of us doing everything. Shooting, promoting, updating, building new sites, converting formats, ect. ect ect. Plus when we started back in 1998, we were broke, and every dime of models fees had to count. So being able to grab 100 pics right from the scene worked great.

Originally Posted by Jake

Those grabs are incredible but the problem with Sony's progressive scan is that it only shoots at 15fps. That's not a problem if you only plan to use the video for web however we want to be able to also use the video for DVD's as well. If you've ever seen a video played on a TV at 15fps then you probably already know that it has a really freaky effect that tends to make you nauseous.

Up until now I've only shot with the web in mind, but have been converting my stuff to DVD format to get ready to start selling them. I've watched my sony progressive video on both a 27'' analog and a 65'' HDTV, and haven't had the effect you're talking about bother me. I know what you're talking about, just never had it bother me. I've given out lots of DVDs to friends too, and they never mention it. Now I DO notice a difference when I put in a interlaced DVD after watching mine, but never during. I think since I shoot niche stuff I shouldn't have any complaints on the DVDs. I'll keep you posted on if anyone ever mentions it.

[Tat2Jr]

Originally Posted by Jake

I pull them directly from the raw AVI using Pinnacle Studio 9.3. They're actually pretty good quality for screen caps but I'm looking for something a lot better.

Here's an example:

You need to Resize that grab. Photoshop's resizer is really clean. TV's use rectangle pixels, Computers use square ones. Because of that a TV will take it's 720x480 input and squish it to the proper aspect ratio of 640x480, while a computer will leave it at the native 720x480. That's why she looks a little streched sideways.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Tat2Jr

You need to Resize that grab. Photoshop's resizer is really clean. TV's use rectangle pixels, Computers use square ones. Because of that a TV will take it's 720x480 input and squish it to the proper aspect ratio of 640x480, while a computer will leave it at the native 720x480. That's why she looks a little streched sideways.

Thanks! I'll give that a try.