Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 5/19/2007, 9:55 AM
Don't some HDV cameras have the ability to output some sort of HD stream (prior to compression)? My FX1 certainly does not do this, but I think others do. That would certainly avoid at least one step of degradation from "broadcast quality," whatever the heck that is (he says, waiting for another "broadcast quality" discussion to erupt).
CClub wrote on 5/19/2007, 10:22 AM
I did see that, and it looked to be either the Z1 or V1. They then did switch to footage from Blake using the Sony camera, and although it didn't appear to be any different than the other camera footage, I happened to be watching it on an SD TV.
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/19/2007, 4:06 PM
All HDV camcorders (even the cheapies) output an uncompressed, 4:2:2 RGB stream (including your FX1, John). American Idol uses XDCAM HD so far as I've seen/know.
The HDV shot you refer to isn't wired in, it's a taped/captured shot.
AI has several V1 and Z1 camcorders, but the shot you're referring to is a Z1. Still the flagship of the HDV lineup....
p@mast3rs wrote on 5/19/2007, 4:22 PM
Spot, even the HC3 outputs uncompressed?
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/19/2007, 4:35 PM
yup
Patryk Rebisz wrote on 5/20/2007, 4:35 AM
"Uncompressed" -- how so?
DJPadre wrote on 5/20/2007, 4:56 AM
in aus, we sold 4 Z1 units to the Idol team. they used to use Pd150's but with the run and gun nature of teh quese and teh vox pops, the need for 16:9 really came to teh fore..

the only otpn being XL2 or Z1, and as they already had Sony accessories, teh Z1 was a anatrual progression.

By the way its all recorded to tape
farss wrote on 5/20/2007, 5:22 AM
"Uncompressed" -- how so?

The component or HDMI ports.
john-beale wrote on 5/20/2007, 5:01 PM
The Sony FX1 & Z1U do not have HDMI output ports, but apparently the component output on those models (although analog) is not compressed, when used live.
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/20/2007, 5:38 PM
It's been humorous reading all the "uncompressed output" threads all over the web. Any camcorder, SD or HD, that has an analog component output, is outputting uncompressed.
HC3/5/7 all have both HDMI and RGB, which are uncompressed/precompression when used live. V1 has HDMI and RGB, and the Canon and JVC products also have RGB.
In other words, this is nothing new, just that it takes on new meaning with HD.
Don't forget that uncompessed doesn't equal quality, just as 4:2:2 has become marketing hype, so is uncompressed. These small 1/3 and 1/4" camcorders still don't have the glass, imager size, nor processing of the bigger "uncompressed" cameras.
You *do* get a much better image using HDMI or RGB output precompression, but is it truly worth the expense? XDCAM HD is almost cheaper, and arguably similar in output. But you don't have to lug around a RAID. :-)
michaelshive wrote on 5/20/2007, 5:44 PM
So the shot of Blake filming last week was cut from Z1 HDV tape, huh? I am truly amazed at the quality of the image - especially if the shot right before and after it were XDCAM HD. I could really tell no difference.
john-beale wrote on 5/20/2007, 10:02 PM
I'm not a broadcast expert but all the HD broadcasts I know about are fairly heavily compressed MPEG2 ...in fact just like HDV is.
JJKizak wrote on 5/21/2007, 5:55 AM
As I have noticed when I playback the Z1 to HDTV even at 46" it is difficult to tell the difference between the Z1 and national broadcasts. The local live 1080i & 720P broadcasts are a bit sharper however. But the Sunday night football is the best network program in my area.

JJK
AlanC wrote on 5/21/2007, 6:17 AM

According to Wikipedia, American Idol is a "singing competition", so how come Blake is still in and Melinda Doolittle was voted out?