Cheap HD vs High-end Std.

[joegideon]

I have a Canon XL-H1 and a Sony Digital Betacam DVW-790WS. I am somewhat at a loss as to the "fit" of these two cameras; how is it thatthe standard def. digi-beta somehow looks better in many instances than a "high-definition" camcorder. I realize that, generally, the big Sony has better components, etc... Part II. Why spend $35,000 for a Digi-Beta instead of $8-9,000 for the Canon? If my assignment is, simply to shoot 'Show X' in HD, am I better off shooting with the Canon or up-converting the Digi-Beta?

Thanks!

[JohnnyMalaria]

Digital Betacam records I-frames only at 4:2:2 YUV with 10-bit resolution.

HDV 1080i records MPEG2 at 4:2:0 with 8-bit resolution.

So, there are three contributing factors:

1. Motion compensation
2. Less color resolution (50% less!)
3. Less signal resolution (factor of 4)

Not to mention the quality of the optics, sensors etc. Also, the audio is compressed with HDV whereas Digital Betacam supports uncompressed PCM audio.

[Cornucopia]

Yep, that and (to expand):

1. Much less dropouts/error compensation (diff. in tape size & speed).
2. 2/3" imaging chip vs. 1/3"
3. BIG difference in lenses--to get that kind of resolving power for an HD signal would require just the lens alone to cost ~$20-60k


Which isn't to say that the XLH1 is not a very good camera...

Scott