4:3 SD video going to Bride with 50" HDTV....what to do?

[Sly Ry]

Just to be clear here, you do lose vertical detail when you matte a 4:3 clip to a widescreen image ratio, whether or not you render that to a widescreen clip when you're done.  A 4:3 clip has 480 lines of image information from top to bottom, while a matted clip only has 360 lines of detail (plus 120 lines of blank matting).  If you then play such a clip on an HDTV in "zoom" mode, those 360 lines of detail have to be expanded to fill all 720 or 1080 lines of the display.  But if you keep the clip in its original 4:3 form there are still 480 vertical lines of detail which will look a littel clearer when played on an HDTV, and the user can choose whether to play that in 4:3 or widescreen format.

That some good information and thanks for clarifying.  I think its a sign we should be all be using HD cams soon so we can avoid having to use these techniques in the first place. 

[Superfly]

Yes, and just to restate. 

My 1st generation DVX100 uses the same cropping technique that I would need to use in post to create the 16:9.  It does not use the squeeze mode which stretches and utilizes the entire square CCD to create higher res 16:9.

If it had squeeze like my older Sonys and other Panny I might keep the camera a bit longer.

I'm on my way to HD land as we speak....already have one and the rest this month....this is the last DV video and I am feeling badly about it.

Cheers,

Todd.

[kwshaw1]

I'm on my way to HD land as we speak....already have one and the rest this month....this is the last DV video and I am feeling badly about it.

Bad as in nostalgic, or as in you wish you had another HD camera now for projects you're doing this month?

Ironically, I just got hired to shoot some footage to be used in TV commercials which needs to be in Beta SP format, so I have to rent a camera designed for that. I'll be glad when SD is dead and buried...

[Cole]

A few more thoughts about shooting 24p.

I have the Pani DVX 100B and as you switch from 60i to 24p you lose light sensitivity. Even more so when you switch to 24p Advanced. It doesn't do badly with low light but it isn't great either. So unless you are shooting with light to spare you are hurting yourself. I do feel 24p has a place though. Maybe not during the ceremony and reception but if you are shooting some supplemental footage for dramatic effect it could add a nice touch. It lets you do things with slow motion that stand out from shooting interlaced.

Should you decide to shoot progressive during the ceremony it shouldn't hurt you though. Unless you have very minimal lighting and Re-Run from "What's Happening" is pop locking behind the Bride  Groom (how's that for a visual) strobing should not come into play. I shot a Jazz performance in a theater a few weeks ago. The lighting was pretty good but not optimal. I shot the act I was hired for in 60i and the next performer in 24p and the 24p looked nice. Nothing "Jaw Dropping" between the formats, but no strobing at all. And at times the drummer’s arms were flailing like Animal from the Muppets (it's 70's day for examples).

I am not sure where the running and gunning would matter. Correct me if I am wrong but even if you are in 60i you are not going to use footage taken while you set up your shot. If it is steady enough to use in your project it should be steady enough to not show the jitter of any strobing due to camera motion. I could see dancing at the reception being an issue (see Re-Run reference) with that kind of movement and lighting. And maybe if the Bride happens to bolt at the ceremony, she might strobe a little.

I am not sure what to expect from a dimly lit reception with it though. And if you did shoot the ceremony in progressive you would want the reception to match and then you are back to the lighting issue. So I guess the question remains;
To P or not to P?
Definitely Maybe!

Cole

[osbornes5]

If your drummer's arms didn't "strobe" then I can't imagine a reception dance causing it unless they were break dancing and even then I refer to the wild drummer. I must say that I'm shocked that it didn't cause it. Is 24p less likely to cause the herkey jerkeys than the 30i? Because I can guarantee you that they are plentiful with little movement in 30i. The only time I shoot in 30 is if I really need the extra light and the subject is still. If light is not an issue, I just never could see the risk beig worth it.