General HD information
Producers and production managers
Note: ALL HD FORMATS ARE 16:9 (1:178) Only.
Questions from production to the client.
1-What HD format do you want to shoot?
The formats are:
HDCAM SR highest quality high definition (1080/1920PsF/i at 4:4:4 or 4:2:2)
HDCAM Medium quality high definition (1080/1920PsF/i)
XDCAM average quality high definition (1080/1440 or 1920PsF/i) with option for 60fps
Average quality high definition (720/1280 P) with option for 60fps
Like film the frame rate will influence post production.
Be sure to shoot the base frame rate (non FX stuff) at the rate everyone has agreed on.
If you shoot the wrong rate it will be costly to sort out after the fact.
The frame rate will also influence the video assist.
|
24fps Progressive/PsF |
(23.976p) electronic video |
Rush/Video Assist-NTSC* |
|
24fps Progressive film based/Telecine |
(59.94i/23.976p/PsF) |
Rush/Video Assist-NTSC |
|
25fps PsF |
(25p/PsF) |
Rush/Video Assist-PAL |
|
25fps interlaced |
(25i) |
Rush/Video Assist-PAL |
|
29.976fps interlaced/progressive/PsF |
(59.940i/P/PsF) |
Rush/Video Assist-NTSC |
|
30fps Progressive/PsF |
(29.970p/PsF) |
Rush/Video Assist-NTSC |
|
50fps Progressive/PsF |
(50p/PsF) |
Rush Video Assist-PAL |
|
60i interlaced/P/PsF |
(29.970i/59.94i/P/PsF) |
Rush/Video Assist-NTSC |
3- Do you require rushes/dailies?
If the client does want DVD or Tape dailies, then they will be locked to the
Frame rate and frequency they shot. Refer to table above.
(PAL625 is 25fps) and (NTSC 525 is 29.970)
It is possible to do standards conversion IE: 24fps to PAL or 25fps to NTSC
in 4:3 (1:133 letter box also known as edge crop) or 16:9 anamorphic.*
Note: standards conversions add to the budget!
4-Where will you be editing?
Ensure if they are posting in South Africa; that the post facility can deal with
Multi format and can do the necessary standards conversions to the deliver the
Client requirements in HD or SD.
Some facts:
Lighting depends on the DOP, HD does NOT require LESS light.
HD stock is less expensive than 16 mm/35mm Film.
HD Camera hire is more expensive than 16mm film camera hire.
Grips, lighting and sound are the same price.
Film DOES have a better dynamic range and colour fidelity than HD.
Film does NOT have better high speed ability than HD/2K cameras.
HD is NOT a replacement for film...yet and hopefully for a long time to come.
HD RGB 4:4:4 for CGI is clean, fast and steady.
E mail Tony for Sales or Julian for training and support.
