OT: Sony pmw-ex1 general questions

essami wrote on 9/24/2007, 4:45 PM
Hi all!

I'm new to the HD world and Im thinking about bying the Sony pmw-ex1 camera. I would like to ask a few questions that might have obvious answers to some (hopefully!).

Does the analogue composite AV output mean normal RCA cable output?

Using that or the S-video output I should be able to playback the material on my 16:9 television. I dont need an HD television just to view the material from the camera do I?

Is it as easy as drag and drop the recorded files from the SxS cards to Vegas 6 and start editing? Do I need Vegas 8?

Thanks!

Sami

Comments

Serena wrote on 9/25/2007, 12:28 AM
I'm thinking that you would buy an HD TV if you were going to buy the rather more expensive ex1, but check out http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=103962&highlight=Sony+pmw-ex1Digital Video Information[/link]

However the camera comes with all connectors needed to output, S-video, composite, component, in addition to the digital outputs. Check http://www.videoguys.com.au/pdfs/PMW-EX1-XDCAM-HD-EX.pdfbrochure[/link]
essami wrote on 9/25/2007, 2:23 AM
Hi,

Yes, Ive read all that but I'm not very familiar with the digital world. I've been shooting super 8 and 16mm for the past 10 years. Thats why my questions may seem easy but I havent been able to find a yes or no answer to them yet. Gotta start somewhere :) And in the digital world I've come to the conclusion that there are no certainties on how something will work. Check the 4GB ram thread for example :)

I might buy an HD TV eventually but being on a very tight budget that will all come a bit later. But assuming from your answer digital output is used for HD and the others are normal analog outputs that I would be able to use with my analogue tv.

Thanks!

Sami
farss wrote on 9/25/2007, 2:56 AM
The digital output which is SDI can carry either a standard or high definition signal. It includes audio and timecode. Devices with matching inputs are more expensive as they're mostly used in the broadcast world.

The analogue component outputs can also be either HD or SD, generally devices that accept those outputs are cheaper but a component connection is slightly lower quality than SDI and is harder to use over long distances. Also it doesn't include audio or timecode.

The composite and S-Video connections are only standard definition. Again they carry only vision and I don't think the camera includes timecode in the composite video.

If you've come from a film background you might face a bit of a learning curve with any video camera but this camera should give you an image you'll be happy with.

Bob.
essami wrote on 9/26/2007, 12:44 PM

Thanks Bob! Yes I hope the quality will match with the rich colors and the depth of field of film cameras. What Ive seen done with Panasonic hvx-200 comes already as close as need be for me if you use a 35mm adapter (Im only basing this opinion on footage I've seen posted on the internet). Im hoping that with this the DOF would be shallow enough so I dont have to buy an adapter although Im prepared to buy one if need be.

No one has commented on whether one could just drag and drop the files from the SxS cards to Vegas or will it need converting?

I find it strange that in the official sony pmw-ex1 brochure there is not one mention of Vegas, but there is a full page on excam transfer application software for Final Cut Pro.

Thanks for the comments!

Sami
Cheesehole wrote on 9/26/2007, 5:54 PM
>No one has commented on whether one could just drag and drop the files from the SxS cards to Vegas or will it need converting?

We should be able to but so far none of us have been able to get hold of footage to test to make sure... and see if the performance is reasonable...
jaegersing wrote on 9/27/2007, 3:53 AM
The EX1 comes with converter software that you have to run on all your captured clips before Vegas can open them. Most likely it will be well into next year, possibly Vegas 9, before there is native support for the EX1 files.
FuTz wrote on 9/27/2007, 7:13 AM
Wouldn't it be a blessing to have it in V8.0c ?
Not that I shoot HD but from reading the numerous threads, Sony could seize the oportunity to *lead*, in some way... ; )
Cheesehole wrote on 9/27/2007, 10:43 PM
The EX1 comes with converter software that you have to run on all your captured clips before Vegas can open them.

Do you know if the conversion process recompresses? Or is it just reformatting the data?

Yeah they should definitely make it native sooner rather than later. Obviously the camera isn't even out yet so I'm not expecting support for a while but it would be so cool if it was 8.0c and as smooth as HDV. :)