HDR-FX1E - Problems in an NTSC environment?

Hall E Woode wrote on 1/13/2006, 2:17 PM
Hello!

I'm looking at getting my HDR-FX1 replaced, and while there's a possibility I might be able to upgrade to the HVR-Z1U (which would be great), if I can't upgrade, I'm thinking about replacing my current unit with a PAL model (since I'm doing stuff primarily for film).

Are there any problems with purchasing an HDR-FX1E online and working with it in the U.S.? Will the computer recognize it without any issues? I realize there might be an issue with television monitors, but that doesn't concern me - I'll just output NTSC DVDs.

Help?

Thanks.

Comments

farss wrote on 1/13/2006, 3:15 PM
Everything will work fine computer wise, it's just digital data, I can edit NTSC down here no problem!
However, one trap. The lights in the USA flicker at 120Hz and that can be a problem at 25fps. Not all lights have that problem, anything with HF ballasts will be fine. You face the same issues down here shooting NTSC, our lights flicker at 100Hz which is problem shooting at 30fps.
The Z1 incorporates an effective flicker filter to cope with this. If you only have the FX1 then I think you can get around this by careful selection of shutter speed but that may not sit well with your desire for a film look.
For my money the Z1 is the camera to own, I've had HDV 25i footage shot in the USA without any issues at all.
Still I cannot quite see why you want to use a PAL HDV camera in a NTSC country. HDV is the same res at 25 or 30i, unlike SD. Although shooting 25CF might be the attraction.
Bob.
Hall E Woode wrote on 1/13/2006, 3:24 PM
Yeah, the CF25 is the attraction. DVFilm Maker works okay as a 60i->24p converter, but because it's doing the de-interlace and conversion after the initial video was recorded and compressed in-camera, a lot of artifacts get brought to the surface.

So I'm looking for the PAL solution. But hopefully I do get the Z1U.

As far as the lights flickering, is that an issue in the CF25 mode?
farss wrote on 1/13/2006, 4:14 PM
Personally I haven't tried that, not easy to get lights to run at 60Hz down here. I did do a test shooting 60i down here and yes there was flicker. I can't say with 100% certainty that the reverse is true and I've no way of trying CF25 in a 60Hz environment.

I'm pretty certain DSE would have tried this or else anyone in the USA with a Z1 should be able to help you with hands on advice.

The issue tends not to occur with tungsten lights unless they're very low wattage. Fluro lights are the biggest source of this issue, they even cause problems for film. That's why all pro fluro lights use HF ballasts that run the light at very high frequencies. It's the ones with iron ballasts that you find in most places that'll cause you grief.

Bob.