Total Noob Questions Regarding the Switch to HD Production

1. Candid Cam Video
   Member

   
   Hey...long time lurker...first time poster!! I did a search on this topic but didn't find any answers that addressed my questions. (Mods...please provide a link or merge me into the proper thread if need be).
   
   My question has to do with the transition from being an SD miniDV production to an HD miniDV production facility.
   
   I currently shoot on SD miniDV with a Canon XL1...I have a SD Panasonic miniDV deck that I use to ingest my footage into my Mac G5 (and an external LaCia drive)...and I edit on Final Cut Pro...then we output the finished product back to SD miniDV tape...OR...we author a DVD via DVD Studio Pro...which is finalized in Toast for easier duplication.
   
   Currently, we are investigating switching from SD to producing in HD. We are looking at buying a Panasonic HVX200 camera.
   
   Questions:
   1. What will I need to upgrade in order to achieve the best possible HD product?
   2. Will I also need an new HD deck for encoding and output?
   3. Will I need different software or a newer version of Final Cut Pro for editing (I have the most recent version of FCP)?
   4. Will I need special upgrades/applications to author HD DVD's?
   5. What, if any, mass HD DVD duplication hardware will we need to invest in? Blu-Ray?
   6. Can you still shoot on SD miniDV tape with your HD camera...(if you are shooting something you don't necessarily need to be in HD)?
   7. Simply...Is all the equipment I'm using now rendered useless by switching to HD?
   
   What we are really looking to decide is...is it budgetarily sound for us, right now, to upgrade to HD production. Have any of you faced these same concerns?
   
   Thanks in advance...any help you could throw my way would be a huge help! Sorry for such noob questions!!

   Posted 5 years ago #

2. compusolver
   Member

   
   I'm not an Apple guy, so can't help with many of your questions but -
   
   Your mini DV deck almost certainly will NOT do HD. It would not only have to be able to read the tapes, but it would require HD outputs.
   
   Your software probably does do HD, since most all do nowadays, but you can check Apple's FCP website to make sure. That will also list the computer requirements.
   
   Blu-Ray or HD DVD? That topic won't be decided for some time yet. If you're serious about HD production, you'll probably need both.
   
   As for whether or not your camera will shoot SD and HD - that's up to the camera. My Sony FX1 will shoot either, and if I shoot HD, it still gives the option of outputting SD. Again, check the manufacturer's website for specific details on your camera model.
   
   We're all in the same boat, though on varying timelines, in that we're all going to have to switch to HD sooner or later, if we haven't already.

   Posted 5 years ago #

3. Candid Cam Video
   Member

   
   Thanks for your reply, Compu! That does offer insight I didn't have before. Since we do a lot of DVD output...I'm wondering if we should just wait to switch to HD production until AFTER the Blu-Ray/HD DVD format battle has settled. Thanks, again!
   
   Any other Apple users do the HD production conversion yet?

   Posted 5 years ago #

4. elderban
   Member

   

   Candid Cam Video Wrote:

   Thanks for your reply, Compu! That does offer insight I didn't have before. Since we do a lot of DVD output...I'm wondering if we should just wait to switch to HD production until AFTER the Blu-Ray/HD DVD format battle has settled. Thanks, again!

   
   
   You also have to consider how many people even own HD-DVD/Blue-ray players to date. Sure, anyone that has a PS3 has one, but how many will actually use it for watching blue-ray DVD's?
   
   If I had to guess, I would say that MAYBE 5% of the US market (if that) has either.
   
   There's also the possibility that neither format will win or another format may come out as well.

   Posted 5 years ago #

5. compusolver
   Member

   

   If I had to guess, I would say that MAYBE 5% of the US market (if that) has either.

   
   Me too, until I stop to think that the X-Box plays HD-DVD and Playstation plays Blu-Ray. That should up the odds quite a bit, don't you think?

   Posted 5 years ago #

6. elderban
   Member

   
   The questions you have to ask, though, is how many will actually go out and buy a BR disc or HD-DVD to watch them on their consoles? And, then how many would actually request either format from you in regards to their video production? The number, IMHO, would be very low at this point in time.
   
   And the HD-DVD is optional on the X-Box. Plus, they're another $200. I don't see that many people rushing out to get them.

   Posted 5 years ago #

7. Candid Cam Video
   Member

   
   I agree, elderban. I would have to say the demand for either format right now is nil. And...most people, I would think, already own such huge movie libraries on SD DVD's...that switching to either format would cause most consumers to opt for a system that plays both kinds...like the HD DVD players now that mimic an "upconversion" of your SD DVD's for playback on your HDTV.
   
   It won't be until the HD DVD/Blu-Ray player's cost comes down to the level of current SD DVD players before the typical consumer will start buying ONLY HD DVD releases. But...unlike the Betamax/VHS format war of the early 80's...I could see both formats actually becoming widespread with no clear "winner". And movies would be released for both formats...like how the video games are released. We'll see, I suppose.
   
   OK...I'm starting to lean towards the Sony HDR-FXI...just from the reviews online...and here on this forum...and the fact that it accepts both Mini DV and HDV formats...may be the ideal camera for a smooth transition into HD production. I produce a lot of content for satellite PPV and VOD...and while the ramp up for HD programming (ie, those DirecTV "Back to the Future" ads, anyone?) is moving forward...HDTV saturation across the country still isn't quite high enough to justify the demand. So, I'm planning on shooting in HDV and mastering to SD Mini DV so that when the big switch-a-roo does happen...I will already have a library of HD content under my belt to pull footage from....but will still be able to output to SD for the time being.
   
   Anyone else have a similar plan...or am I crazy? lol

   Posted 5 years ago #

8. compusolver
   Member

   
   Yeah, similiar plan, but I haven't had time to test things out with my FX1 yet. I have concerns about being able to properly edit HDV that is recorded in compressed mpeg4 format. I think Rodney has done this - are you there Rodney??? Or anyone else who has edited their FX1's mpeg4 tapes?

   Posted 5 years ago #

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