Posted by Moving Vision on 09/20/05 10:03

Let's get this 'lines of resolution' thing clear

Betacam SP being analogue is not subject to the absolute mathematical
limits of Digital. Standard Definition Digital, whether its a PD170 or
Digi Beta 790 is limited to 540 lines of resolution (forget
manufacturers specifications about 800 or 900 lines at the camera head,
the limiting factor is the recording format). Digital High Definition is
currently limited to 1080 lines of resolution. Betacam SP though is as
much limited by the differing qualities of individual cameras and VCR's
as the format. The 330 lines you keep talking about are not typical of
Betacam SP, good grief even our old Pro Hi8 cameras could exceed 400
lines! Ironically Betacam SP is typically capable of over 600 lines of
resolution and during tests in 1992 with HTV, one of the UK's main TV
broadcasters, we set up a studio trial with the then new PVW 2800 VCR
and counted 720 lines, on the STANDARD TEST CARD, RECORDED TO TAPE under
the most optimum conditions, we also counted 640 lines on a PVV1
attached to a DXC 537, all relatively cheap Beta kit at the time. But
resolution isn't everything by a long way. Signal to noise ratios,
colour and contrast latitude, low light performance, image registration,
generation loss and lens quality make as much or even more difference.

Given a well set up camera such as BVW D600 or even a BVW 400 Beta SP
with broadcast lens and compare shot for shot with a DV100 the Betacam
would out perform the DV by a significant margin, including resolution.

Of the three SD cameras you propose here, none of them have a true 16:9
CCD The XL2 does provide a 500 line ersatz anamorphic mode from it's
4:3 mega pixel CCD's but it doesn't compare with true 1/3rd inch 16:9
Super HAD CCD's of the Z1. Even in SD mode the Z1 out performs all other
compacts providing video much closer to traditional 2/3rd inch chip
quality. Personally, having worked with the XL2 and the DV100 I can only
reassert that they are both obsolete, sure they still have some inertia
going for them but if you have any aspirations to have your camera
purchase provide any sort of ongoing viability buying any of these would
be like buying a 53 Chevy, nice in a curiosity sort of way, one could
appreciate the styling of the times, but would you buy a fleet of them
for your business?

John

In article <3tLXe.7303$i86.3492@trndny01>, doc <doc@drdimento.net>
writes
>that was an interesting link. but then again, what i've found thus far in
>this whole investigation of trying to find a camcorder that will give us
>video better than sony betacamSP (330 lines of res) and audio that the best
>we can get within the confines of the limited budget which is somewhere in
>the Sony FX1 (which we've eliminted because of the 1/8" mini jack) thus Z1U,
>Panasonic DVX100A or DVC60 and Canon XL2.
>
>thoughts therein?
>
>doc
>
>"Moving Vision" <mv@movingvision.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:vbJwCeDQXrLDFw6e@movingvision.demon.co.uk...
>> >
>>>
>>>The article at
>>>http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/articles/HDV_Audio_comparisons.htm may
>>>answer some of your concerns.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>
>>
>> Thanks Mike, that was an interesting link
>> --
>> John Lubran
>
>

--
John Lubran

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