HDV Video Quality Question

[bSkiem19]

Hi, I just got a canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder and have filmed a few things with it. I also have a older canon GL2. Anyways, I've noticed that the HDV video dosn't look any better than the GL2's SD video. I'm not new to any of this stuff but is there anything i need to do different or change on importing/editing/exporting/camera. I only have a 17 inch apple monitor from a couple years a ago so I'm wondering if thats some of it(how i'm viewing it). The video is clearer than SD, but it just looks like SD thats been compressed to look like hd. All the HDV footage i've seen has looked like the hi-def content on tv. I'm working with Final Cut 4.5 and all the other pro apps. I've ordered Final Cut Studio 2, so hopefully working with fcp 6 should fix some of it since its HDV native. So I'm open to any suggestions.

 

[pdpfilms]

Hi, I just got a canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder and have filmed a few things with it. I also have a older canon GL2. Anyways, I've noticed that the HDV video dosn't look any better than the GL2's SD video. I'm not new to any of this stuff but is there anything i need to do different or change on importing/editing/exporting/camera. I only have a 17 inch apple monitor from a couple years a ago so I'm wondering if thats some of it(how i'm viewing it). The video is clearer than SD, but it just looks like SD thats been compressed to look like hd. All the HDV footage i've seen has looked like the hi-def content on tv. I'm working with Final Cut 4.5 and all the other pro apps. I've ordered Final Cut Studio 2, so hopefully working with fcp 6 should fix some of it since its HDV native. So I'm open to any suggestions.

Have you watched the footage on an HDTV yet? When you're editing in FCP, you're not getting full quality unless you're using a broadcast monitor or similar device (MXO, etc.). I'd suggest shooting some test footage, driving over to a buddy's and hooking up the GL2 and XH-A1 to their HDTV for a side-by-side comparison.

I owned a GL2 a few cams before my A1, and I've got to say, this thing is surprisingly powerful. A pretty amazing tool given the price. Don't give up yet!

 

[bSkiem19]

Thanks, yeah I have watched the video on my hdtv but just using the AV video cable. So if I bought a component out cable for the camera it would be viewable in hd,right?

 

[dave@toastmedia]

what was the FCP video settings?
what was the final output?
what codec did you crunch it out with?

both of these play a major role in the final video content quality.

 

[pdpfilms]

Thanks, yeah I have watched the video on my hdtv but just using the AV video cable. So if I bought a component out cable for the camera it would be viewable in hd,right?

The standard kit comes with a component, so you should already have one. But i strongly urge you to try this. Strongly.

 

[bSkiem19]

The
Settings:
sequence preset-dvcpro hd 1080i60, Don't have HDV because don't have FCP6 yet.
Sequence settings:
Frame size-custom 1440x1080
Pixel Aspect ratio-dvcpro hd 1080i60
Compresser-HDV 1080i60

Final Output:HDV 1080i60

Codec:Quicktime

 

[bSkiem19]

oh wow, totally missed that. thanks alot.

 

[zioxide]

The
Settings:
sequence preset-dvcpro hd 1080i60, Don't have HDV because don't have FCP6 yet.
Sequence settings:
Frame size-custom 1440x1080
Pixel Aspect ratio-dvcpro hd 1080i60
Compresser-HDV 1080i60

Final Output:HDV 1080i60

Codec:Quicktime

Something is wrong with that. You shouldn't have DVCPRO HD settings mixed with HDV settings.. they are completely different codecs.

Frame size: 1440x1080
Pixel aspect ratio: HDV 1080i

It shouldn't be DVCPRO HD. 1080i/p DVCPRO HD is 1280x1080.
HDV 1080i/p is 1440x1080. They use different pixel aspect ratios. That's probably why your footage doesn't look right.

Just go in to the sequence settings and load the HDV 1080i60 Easy Setup.

 

[bSkiem19]

I only have FCP 4.5 so I don't have HDV as a sequence setting thats why I have been doing it that way, but I will be getting FCP6 in a couple days so then I will be able to do that.