Slightly OT: capture from Sony Z1

TeeJay wrote on 4/29/2006, 9:30 AM
I have scored a job filming a school production in a large concert hall. I intend shooting the long shot (entire stage) with a Sony Z1 in DVCAM mode (SD) I figure the res will be adequate that if I did need to zoom in a little (digitally), i shouldn't drop in quality too much, or at least that's my theory.

My tight shots and pans will be done with my Sony PD170.

Now, here's the thing. I will only have the Z1 for the shoot (unfortunately it's not mine) so I am wanting to know whether the footage shot on the Z1 (shot as SD in DVCAM Mode) can be captured to my System by using my PD170 for playback.

Hopefully some of you Z1 owners can answer this?

Regards,

T

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 4/29/2006, 10:17 AM
That's a good question. Don't know.

JJK
johnmeyer wrote on 4/29/2006, 10:23 AM
Should take you exactly 60 seconds to test it yourself, which you should do regardless of what anyone says here. I'd give you 99% confidence that it will work. However, to reiterate, you should test it yourself for the simple reason that if you get the SD setting wrong, no matter what the theory, it won't work in practice.
Spot|DSE wrote on 4/29/2006, 10:25 AM
Yes. If you shoot in DVCAM or DV mode with the Z1, the PD 170 or any other DV/DVCAM deck can play it back.
PeterWright wrote on 4/29/2006, 6:33 PM
For a production wideshot I would definitely shoot HDV.

That way would give you the option to cut in to a close up of any part of the stage without losing resolution. While you're getting tight shots with your PD170, there's always the possibility that some other part of the stage will suddenly have focus, and being able to centre this up in a zoomed shot from HDV resolution means you have it covered.

This would mean you'd have to capture with the Z1, or you could consider using a laptop and external HD to capture as you shoot.
Spot|DSE wrote on 4/29/2006, 7:06 PM
Peter, while you are right, TeeJay says he only has the cam for shooting, not capture. Therefore he should only shoot in DVCAM.
TeeJay wrote on 4/29/2006, 7:47 PM
Tis true that I only have it for the shoot, but I do have the potential to capture to my laptop in realtime via DV Rack (serious magic). I have used it with my PD170 quite successfully for realtime capture but I am not sure whether I need a special 'capture deck' for capturing HDV. I know there is a HDV software addon for DV Rack which I would buy if this (shooting in HDV) is a better option.

But tell me, even if I do shoot in SD, surely the quality (due to the Z1 chips) should be better than my PD170.
Spot|DSE wrote on 4/29/2006, 7:58 PM
The image from the Z1 won't be significantly better than your PD 170. If you want better, you'll shoot HDV vs HD, and match them in post. HDV is significantly higher in resolution and color depth than DV, and if you can use HDV, then shoot HDV.
PeterWright wrote on 4/29/2006, 9:12 PM
I don't have DV Rack, but I just did a trial and captured "live" in HDV from a Z1 using the Vegas internal Capture utility, onto an external firewire HD. Looks great, no dropped frames.
Serena wrote on 4/29/2006, 11:08 PM
The thing to remember is that your SD frame is 720 x 480 pixels, and once each pixel has been assigned a digital value then that's the end of it. The value assigned will be influenced by the quality of the camera, but beyond the basic resolution of the medium there'll be no difference.