Posted by doc on 09/20/05 15:01

hmmmmm. this is some very interesting information. if i read you correctly
John, i believe your saying that the Z1U is markedly in a different class
that either the XL2 or the DVX100A; correct? moreover, great to hear this
clearification of "lines of resolution" and CCD sizing. one thing that
isn't clear from the manufacturer's websites is TOTAL specifications AND
when i call them on the phone the people that answer customer service
questions haven't a clue about their products. in fact, i went through 3
levels of support at Sony and into their pro group and they couldn't even
confirm whether or not the camera produced native 16:9 or converted, let
alone, they weren't sure if it could do 4:3. these are spec's that i want
to know before making a $10,000+ decision - - AND it's this kind of
information that will help me discern WHICH is the right one.

thanks for the input and if you don't mind digressing on some of your
comments for educational purposes here for other readers, i'd be most
pleased to read on and/or ask further questions while i try desperately to
make an educated decision whereas i began a babe in this subject :o)

thanks,

doc

"Moving Vision" <mv@movingvision.co.uk> wrote in message
news:vcFADlFh59LDFwaV@movingvision.demon.co.uk...
>
> 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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