Best way to get HD vidcaps?
 

Any of you video experts know the best vidcam / vidcap setup to get HD (1600x1200) frames from a video? Is it possible?

Steve Lightspeed

Good question.

I just placed my order for a new HD digicam. Can't wait to get down to business. :thumbsup

Well, since you aren't attacking me (for a change), I'll chat with you. Which one did you order? Can the GL2 do what I want?

I think you might have me confused with someone else. I don't think I've ever attacked anyone from Lightspeed. :Oh crap

I didn't want to get to deep into the HD stuff without dipping my feet in the water first...so, we ordered the JVC GR-HD1. If all goes as planned we'll upgrade from there.

We are completely green when it comes to shooting content, but feel that maybe we can get a leg up with regards to HD.

The GL2 isn't an HD camera. Like I said, I'm a newb to this...but I think you need an HD cam to get those dimensions.

Then again...I could be wrong.

I am curious the result of this, my guy has the best equipment out there and all the caps always suck.
Everytime I update our site with a video and a set of screencaps for the pic sets rather than digitals I lose members.
Steve if you guys can get it down and they look good please post some samples here, so I can beat my guy for not getting good results. ;)

Steve talk to the guys from www.givemepink.com their vidcaps look like digital shots and they're fucking amazing. let me know if you need their email

Fuck yeah they do. Nice.

Is they're content all shot in HD?

We're going to try the solution from this place soon:

http://www.redhawkvision.com/

Used to only provide a plug in for adobe premiere, but they now have a standalone solution. We're going to give it a shot.

:1orglaugh I was just asking about these guys screen caps last night on GFY and was told "it's easy". lol The screen caps for Perfect Gonzo are the best I have ever seen.

Hmmm... Let us know how that works for you. The samples they show look pretty good.

I do know that running the grabs through Neat Image helps clean them up some.

Damn I love that site, I thought the pics were digitals with some great lighting. Damn those are screencaps.

WOW

I own a sony FX1 and the quality of the video is top notch 1080i. But it has no picture capture feature, and you would have to grab the pics through Final Cut Pro for the mac, or sony Vegas/premier on the PC. The resolution is equivelent to a 1.5 megapixel camera, so not as good as professional still cameras but pretty darn good and certainly good enough for the web.

The FX1 is also true widescreen 16/9. This camera will lead the way into HD. Its bigger brother the ZU1 has just come out this week with more professional audio features, at around $4900. The FX1 is about $1200 less.

Steve - if you're specifically looking for screen caps, you might consider the JVC because it does 720p (vs 1080i for the Sony). The progressive capture is going to be much clearer than an interlaced cap, even with de-interlacing.

This is not my area of expertise so please excuse my newb question...

If you have raw AVI footage that you logged right from the mini DVD, how do you know if it's interlaced or not? I shoot with a Canon GL2.

I know the difference when I rip a DVD because I have to de-interlace that, but I'm at a lose with raw data.

Thanks.



:upsidedow

to get hd screen caps you need a hd camera and you have to shoot progressive. Progressive gives you the best screen caps.

I believe adobe premier has a new version coming out for HD. I wonder if pinicle has anything coming.

when you shoot the video there should be a menu that allows you to choose between progressive mode and interlaced. Progressive scan gives the video a choppier look or Film look, but It allows for much better screen caps.


If you use proper lighting and progressive mode you can get some great looking screen grabs, like the ones at givemepink.com

Ahhhhhhhhhh... Got ya. I understand. Thank you for answering that. :thumbsup

I am smiling, since someone recommended the JVC unit.

I can sleep tonight knowing that I made a good choice for a change. :1orglaugh

Steve... I don't think it is possible to get 1600 x 1200

720p will get you 1280x720 pixels

Yep 1280x720 is what you can shoot with the latest Sony HDV's.
You can get stills out of the digitized footage very easily from that.

We are setting up a shoot with Melissa Lincoln(hotmelissa.com) in March here in Boston that we are really excited about. She's super hot!!! :thumbsup
We use Final Cut Pro for editing and a Dual G5.

Yes, they have.

Apple has also incorporated HD support into the new Final Cut Pro AND their consumer level iMovie product.

HD porn is going to give makeup artists a new lease on life ;)

Put the GL2 in "Movie Mode". It's not true progressive, but it will produce better still caps than regular de-interlaced stills.

I'd say, hire someone who does it professionally .....

Progressive is the way to go for better screen caps but remember when shooting in progressive mode that the lux goes way up so you will definately need very good light as well as a much steadier hand as to keep the jerkiness to a minimum.