video from Panasonic SD1 hi-def

[AZ ChopperCam]

got the SD1 up and running. took me a bit to figure out how to convert the .mts file it shoots to something I could edit with.

Anyhow here's a flight from yesterday.

Love the camera but I can see where it will pick up anything that you don't want... the littlest shake/wobble will manifest itself much more pronounced.

Aside from that it's AWESOME. This clip doesn't do it justice. It needs to be seen on an HD monitor at full res.

http://azchoppercam.com/logocam/hd_test.wmv (1:40 @ 56mb)

[skeletor]

wow DJ you're right, that is AWESOME.. !!

what did you have to use to convert the .mts file ?

rich.

[Motions]

WOW! That's very high quality video and the platform is very stable. Looks almost like you have it mounted on a glider.

Hope you weren't paid for that video. :Deal

[dreslism]

DJ,

Man that is sweet video. I can't imaging how it would look plugged into my TV!

"Love the camera but I can see where it will pick up anything that you don't want... the littlest shake/wobble will manifest itself much more pronounced. "

What makes you say this? What makes this camera different than one of your other GS series cameras?

[AZ ChopperCam]

what did you have to use to convert the .mts file ?

Elecard Converter Pro. Eventually NLE's will support the native .mts format but for now that is the work around.

What makes this camera different than one of your other GS series cameras?

The increased resolution will show what were previously "sub-pixel" vibrations. Also the fact that it's so clear on a large screen makes the footage appear to show more movement. What I used to think was smooth with my other cameras has me now thinking I need to work on the gyro and add a bit more weight to the flybar.... easily done but just some more tweaks I need to do to get smoother footage.

[Tonystott]

Brilliant, DJ!

[Cryofix]

Soooo nice!!

[GGoodrum]

I wondered when we'd see some examples. I mean you've had this beast a week now! :lol:

What's it weigh?

[AZ ChopperCam]

under 500 grams ready to shoot! unless you add a wide converter (which I always do).

[GGoodrum]

Which wide-angle convertor are you using?

I notice my local Circuit City has these in stock. Looks like I've got some shopping to do tomorrow... :D

[AZ ChopperCam]

I have a bunch of converters. The one I used on the shoot posted above is a Canon .8X WC-DC10. It is 37mm threads so I used a 43-37mm adapter.

[GGoodrum]

I finally found some info about Vegas support for the format used by this new HD camera:


Note Regarding AVCHD camcorder support in Sony Vegas 7 software
Sony Vegas 7 does not currently support the AVCHD camcorder format.

In Spring 2007, Sony AVCHD camcorder file import capability will be included in a free update for all registered Vegas 7 users.


This update, if it will work with the SD1 will make it much simpler for me. I love using Vegas, especially 7.0d.


-- Gary

[DKTek]

Wow DJ, that's an image worthy of real stabilization. I'd bolt that little guy to a Wescam. :WOW You say it's only 1.1 lbs, I gotta get one of these ! And to think I needed the JVC HD250U. I can get 10 of these. Too bad they aren't compatable with the SonyXDCam.

[advoloastra]

Were you using the Logo? Excellent :D

[R Hudson]

Nice work, man:)

[AZ ChopperCam]

Were you using the Logo?

yup! Logo 10 with 550's

Nice work, man:)

thanks!

[DKTek]

Hey DJ,

My last post doesn't sit well for me after reading it again. Been a very bad week aside from the FAA ordeal and I'm very distracted. Your stabilization process is tops for what we have available in weight and that post doesn't imply that, as I meant it. I have a lot of respect for you and your skills. I've got much more to learn from you. Sorry if it came across wrong. :arggg:

[AZ ChopperCam]

no worries. I didn't take anything the wrong way

[MLaBoyteaux]

DJ I watched it the other day and that image ROCKS!

I attempted to capture some HD with Premiere Pro, but I really don't have the Processor to crunch the data. I've been capturing from my HC-1 in SD, and it still looks good, but after looking at your compressed wmv file, dang..........I think I'm missing something! My processor needs more cowbell, a lot more......

[AZ ChopperCam]

I brought some source footage into Discreet Flint at work today and played around with color correction and what not... and man! I feel so fortunate to have so much horsepower! I was color correcting, field merging,motion tracking, and compositing the clips in near real time

in 1920x1080!!

Damn I love Flint!!!

[GGoodrum]

I just picked up my HDC-SD1 this afternoon. Man, this is very small! It is a lot lighter than my A640/wide-angle combo. The Logo 10 will have zero problems with this, for sure.

-- Gary

[AZ ChopperCam]

right on Gary!!

you WILL love this camera. It's a pain in the rear right now due to lack of support in NLE's for .mts file format, but soon that'll be history.

The more I shoot with this camera the more it makes me feel like my "old" GS series Panasonics are like the old school Betamax cameras from the early 80's

[DKTek]

Damn I love Flint!!!

Sounds like a vey high end tool. :glasses2:

[GGoodrum]

I got the wide-angle lens yesterday that DJ told me to get for my SD1. The total weight is 1 pound 7 ounces, almost exactly the same as my A640/wide-angle lens/adapter combo. The video this little guy takes is every bit as amazing as DJ reports. Frankly, I can't tell the difference between it and what comes out of my Sony FX1. As you can see below, it is a ton smaller:

http://www.tppacks.com/photos/SD1-FX1%20Comparison.jpg


Based on the quality of photos that the A640 takes and now the quality of the video this little gem provides, I've decided to downsize my AP/AV fleet. I will consolidate my Raptors into one 700-bladed 3D machine and I will add a Logo 500 in place of the stretched eTitan conversion I was using. My original plan was to use the stretched Raptor as a video platform but now with this new camera, I don't need anything bigger than a Logo 10/500 with 550 blades. I plan on setting up one of the Logos for use with the A640 and the other with the SD1. The main difference is that one PanCam setup will have the portrait-compatible tilt frame and the other, one of Andrey's auto roll stabilized shock mounts, for the SD1. Each can then back up the other.

I will try and get some airborne SD1 video this weekend, but Andre needs to get me some longer legs for my Logo 10 PanCam prototype so that I have a bit more clearance. He lengthned these a bit in the production version. When I get the Logo 500, I'll get another PanCam mount.

-- Gary

[AZ ChopperCam]

I've decided to downsize my AP/AV fleet.

welcome to the club! things are about to change for the guys who fly gassers.... and especially the guys who are selling them.

;)

I shot for about 2 hours yesterday with the "little" SD1 on my Logo and the client/producer was blown away that a camera so small was able to prouce imagery nearly as good as thier larger groundbased HDV cameras.

I'm telling you what... the SD1 WILL be the camera to have for at least the next year .. maybe slightly less.

GARY, did you take off the aluminum trim ring on the front before screwing on the wide adapter? how do you like that adapter? I havent got one yet.