Sony EX3 4:2:2 colorspace ?

[Bastien Tribalat]

Hi there,
As some have noticed I wan't wait to get my hands on the SCARLET fixed but the fact is that two weeks ago I shot a commercial with an EX 3 XDCAM EX camera from Sony (the choice of the production office) and now I have to edit it (with Final Cut Pro 7).
I have no problem for importing my files but I was wondering if there's a way to get the same 4:2:2 colorspace with the file based workflow as we can have it by capturing from the HD SDI out into let's say a Kona 3 card.
As I have only a bunch of iMacs to edit it, I can't use a real HD SDI port to capture it. So if I convert the files to some ProRes 422 (or 4444) codec, will it make the trick ? (and by the way, why Quick Time X keeps saying that the colorspace is "HD 1:1:1" ?)

Thanks for future answers.
...XDCAM EX is nice, but can't wait the Scarlet ! REDCODE is just the best format I've ever tried !

 

[Craig W. Bickerstaff]

I don't get it, you shot the footage on EX1 using the I'm guessing HQ codec and now you want to convert it to pro res 4:2:2 for what reason?

 

[Bastien Tribalat]

The XDCAM EX codec used to get the files on the SxS cards has a 4:2:0 colorspace (as said on Sony's website) and I need it to be 4:2:2 at least.
The production office didn't get it and we had no other way that shooting on 2 SxS 8Gigs cards so it seems I'm stucked BUT, I'm wondering if I convert it into ProRes 422 files it can make it 422... Obviously it won't but of there's any chance...

(I forgot to say here that I'm french so my english might not be perfect)

 

[Stephen Williams]

The XDCAM EX codec used to get the files on the SxS cards has a 4:2:0 colorspace (as said on Sony's website) and I need it to be 4:2:2 at least.
The production office didn't get it and we had no other way that shooting on 2 SxS 8Gigs cards so it seems I'm stucked BUT, I'm wondering if I convert it into ProRes 422 files it can make it 422... Obviously it won't but of there's any chance...

(I forgot to say here that I'm french so my english might not be perfect)

Hi,

You recorded it in 4:2:0, that's what it is, rerecording in 4:2:2 will not get you 4:2:2.

Why do you desire 4:2:2? I have seen some petty good green screens pulled from 4:2:0

Stephen

 

[Dave Blackham]

You need to capture from the HDSDI to an external device say to a NanoFlash recorder. The internal 'recorder' is only 35mbit and 4.2.0 nothing you do down stream will improve this to 4.2.2 the data isnt there.

The nanoflash works perfectly well to 4.2.2 it is 8bit but is full 1920 x 1080. Perhaps try recording at 100mbit on the nanoflash or higher bitrate if its high motion.

 

[Bastien Tribalat]

Ok thanks everyone.
Now I understand. So I think I have no other way than staying with the 4:2:0 files.
It's not for green screen work, it's for a huge grading process for which I think I might need a clean and good video signal to keep image quality as good as possible.
I'm not very efficient yet for color grading I'm learning Apple Color 1.5 at the same time.

 

[Matthew Bennett]

You can't really grade XDCAM footage too aggressively... you're sort of stuck with what you shoot.

You can certainly alter colors quite well, but as far as characterizing a tonal curve for the image, you have to use the in-camera tone presets...

Best thing is shoot many, many tests on the type of subjects you'll be shooting to understand what the camera presets do. It is a very nice image from the camera, though.

 

[Liam Hall]

Edit in the native XDCAM codec, grade in Color and export as ProRes for titles, FX etc. XDCAM can look great if handled well.

Color is quite a straight forward if you are used to Photoshop and spend an hour or two learning the rudiments.

 

[Tim Sutherland]

Also, to get 4:2:2 out of the HDSDI on that camera, you have to record the HDSDI stream before its recorded onto the cards. Playing back off the camera is only going to give you 4:2:0 in a 4:2:2 container out of the HDSDI after the fact. No real benefit to that.

 

[BigLu]

It seems that you have already shot your project.
This maybe too late but for future shoots if you much use an EX3 and cannot get your hands on a RED or a camera with the 4:2:2 you desire.

check this out.
same thing dave came up with
http://www.convergent-design.com/
i personally use the
XDR not the nano flash but thats because its all i have access to.

find it ,try it, rent it, it skips the 35mb/s 4:2:0 limitations
and records to its CF card Recorder at 100mb/s 4:2:2 and high mb/s
I have shot with it @ 140mb/s it now does up to 220mb/s 4:2:2
You may be much happier with the results and more capabilities in Color for more control over your grading.

Good luck.
Luis

 

[Brigham Edgar]

The internal 'recorder' is only 35mbit

Don't forget the EX3 is a variable bit rate recorder that i have read can peak well over 100 when needed, but as little as 25 when the camera thinks it doesn't need it. Hence it being outstanding for '35'...