Yup, you won't have any problems converting.
I don't use MPEG2 very often, but if you render with the DVD template, your video will end up correct be it progressive or interlaced in the begining. I think that mpeg2 is progressive by default and that the dvd player converts it to interlaced for the television, i'm not sure though.

>>>I don't use MPEG2 very often, but if you render with the DVD template, your video will end up correct be it progressive or interlaced in the begining. I think that mpeg2 is progressive by default and that the dvd player converts it to interlaced for the television, i'm not sure though. <<<

MPEG-2 on a DVD can be either progressive or interlaced. For television display it is converted to interlaced.

The PD-150 or the VX2000 record NTSC interlaced. They have a progressive mode at 15fps that is for specialty purposes only. My primary camera is a PD-150. It looks great on DVD as well as broadcast. Yes I wish it was 700 lines horizontal resolution like the 500, but I can get the PD-150 into tighter situations. If you are doing video for broadcast or DVD then do not worry about progressive mode right now. In a year or so it will be a consideration. Even HDTV is interlaced!

SideBar --- If you are going to deliver DVD's to clients then you need to check into licensing MPEG-2. There are royalties to pay when you do that.


KK

I am for 2 PD150's over the three combination.

A good book to start with is The Little Digital Video Book by Michael Rubin. It is very elementary and focused on the consumer videographer who just needs some coaching to capture their party. It has a nice simple discussion of the reverse shot and how to plan shoots in event videography for edit. VERY BASIC.

After you spend the hour it takes to read that, you can step up to The Five C's of Cinematography by Joseph V. Mascelli. It has been the bible for decades.

Dont worry about how good people are here in the forums. Most of us are as lost as you are. I have been a producer and executive producer for years, and then one day the economy went in the toilet in my part of the market. Next I found myself terrified as I became producer, writer, director, DP, grip, gaffer, editor and PA. I have done OK, but only because I am up all night studing and practicing. Practice has been the key. After 25 years producing I know what I want and through practice and reading I figure out how to get it.

Smiles!
KK

Wonderful!!!
Now another question: Do you have any personal opinion on the pre-amps in the PD150? I recently read somewhere that they produce a noticeable hiss and can't be by-passed. I realize I can remove it in post but if I'm recording, say, a classical piano concert or any solo instrument/vocal concert (very likely I will need to being tied into the music college here) I'm concerned the hiss could cover a wide enough frequency band that I would lose a lot of clarity in the signal when filtering it out.
Thanks again,
Randy

Aside from the part about " the economy going to the toilet in your market" your post made me feel much better. I will order those books today.
Assuming you have used the PD150, will you reply to the reply I sent to KK please (at 7/11/02 12:44:49).
BTW, I gotta go to my daughters B-day party so I may not be back until tomorrow morning (just in case y'all think I've lost interest when I don't reply immediately).

Thanks again everyone,great NG
Randy

The pre-amps are not as good as say a Focusrite rack mount unit. For a camcorder they are just fine and as good as anything in their price range. There was a problem with the first batch of PD-150's. The pre-amps produced a bad hiss when auto-gain was turned off. This made them worthless as a professional camera. This problem was corrected a long time ago. Cameras sold with the problem were offered a retrofit for a price. If you buy a new camera from a reputable dealer you will be fine. My camera produces solid audio for an onboard recording. If you need extra fine audio then nothing replaces outboard recording of the audio.

B&H in New York is where I get a lot of my big gear. Shopping around is reccommended, but I tend to lean toward a place with good prices and good service.

KK

Koblo : Did you have a chance to test out some high end panasonic cameras, with xlr inputs, I was wondering if the audio was ok on the panasonics since I'm thinking of buying the new ag-dvx1000.
Also, what's the zoom ratio of the pd150 ?

Thanks
Nat

More great news, thanks KK. I read about the hiss ( I don't recall where , and it could have been written "a long time ago") without paying much attention to it because at that time (3 days ago) I wasn't even considering the PD150. If I had a well paying gig that warranted a really precise sound I would lug along a PC, mixing board, and my Delta 1010 (8 in 8 out w/ spdf) but it's nice to know that the PD150 would suffice in certain situations.
Next question please: If I didn't lug the extra equipment along and wanted to use lavalier mics would I need to stay relatively stationary or do they make lavaliers that have receivers which are DC powered that one could strap onto a belt?
Thanks again,
Randy

P = Progressive and i = interlaced. 24p is 24 frames per second progressive and 60i is 60 fields per second.

I specifically wanted what the PD_150 offers which is the strong low light capabilities and a few other items. Panasonic has a strong reputation, but not have a DVCAM offerring at the time in my price range. The DVCPro units were too expensive. I was not looking for miniDV. I would be surprised if there were problems with the Panasonic audio. Traditionaly they build good hardware.

The PD-150 has a 12x lens. I use a wide angle adapter with it and I will be getting a telephoto adapter for it later, but the 12 does fine by me. I would prefer a 16x but the weigth of that much glass on the front would have made the cam hard to handle hand held.

KK

I use a hardwired lav with a long cord for most work. When I have to go mobile I use a wireless lav with a camera pack. Senhieser (sp) makes a good system with a wireless lav and a plug and a battery receiver for about $500. Most units below that are weak, but may suffice. Beware about getting a low-end wireless. They often have problems working around others, but are fine alone.