Panasonic P2 Pixel Aspect Ratio

[Lunchbox]

I just noticed Panasonic P2 camcorders shoot it's 1080i/p video in the resolution of

1280x1080 with 1.5 pixel aspect ratio.

Compare to HDV

1440x1080 with 1.33 pixel aspect ratio

The P2 cam seems to be a more "Pro" camcorder class than other HDV cams. I guess we shouldn't be complaining about HDV 1440x1080x1.33.

[Erik Bien]

(Don't tell the HVX guys, but their cameras use three 1/3 in 960x540 pixel (0.5 mega-pixel) progressive scan CCDs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HVX200) pixel shifted GL-2 style ...)

[Ian-T]

HVX is DVCPRO-HD @ 1280 luma pixel/ 640,640 chorma pixel/100Mbps
Its colors are magical. i think the pixel shifting technology helps to give it that more filmic look....though the pic is a little softer than the HV20.

[Lunchbox]

So what does that mean? Is it better or worst?

[Ian-T]

That's subjective...but

You will not get the same motion artifacting like with HDV...though "today's" HDV (as opposed to a few years back) looks fantabulous. I believe the HVX is also 4:2:2 out of the box (that is definately better). The softer image has its advantage (sometimes) in that it gives it a somewhat more film-like look than a video type look...right out of the box. Not saying that it's a better cam than the A1 (which also has its advantages). But I guess it's all about who you ask.

[Erik Bien]

Subjectively, I can always pick out stuff shot on the HVX due to the softness, color fringing and colorful "fiesta" noise in the shadows ... and I guess I don't mean that in a good way ... :hv20-smilie29:

[Ian-T]

You're right...it is pretty noisy... I still say the HV20 itself has a much better picture than the HVX. You would have to move up to their much more expensive HPX500 to get a crisper picture. But personally...I don't think there is a cam that matches the colors of the HVX/DVX...it's too bad they settled for pixel shifting from lower resolution images. But I hear they are coming out with a new version.(rumor only)..so....hmmm.

I also think they are way too expensive compared to what other cams can offer.

[DaFireMedic]

You're right...it is pretty noisy... I still say the HV20 itself has a much better picture than the HVX.

I also think they are way too expensive compared to what other cams can offer.


I don't know, a friend has an HVX200 and it produces a beautiful picture (as does the HV20). The big selling point is the P2 cards however. It may not be necessary for everyone, but for indie filmmakers (like him) it is a tremendous advantage over tape, as he can check each shot immediately after filming and decide if he got the shot that he needs. Thats a huge time saver, not only on location but in the post production workflow. It can also record at nearly any frame rate natively.

You are absolutely correct on the expense, both of the HVX and the P2 cards. Until P2 cards come way down in cost, they are difficult for someone such as a wedding videographer to afford. I believe the 4 gig card gives about 10 minutes of highest quality footage. Thats not a whole lot for a card that costs several hundred dollars. The 16 gig runs $900 right now at B & H.

Too much for me.......