TAPE FORMAT

While it is important that you have broadcast cameras, it is even more important that you have broadcast format tape medium to record what the broadcast cameras capture and a way to transfer that picture without loss.

Lets take an example of what your photographer will use as his FORMAT for documenting your event. Large format use 4"x5" and larger negatives. Medium format photography refers to 2.25 X 2.25 inch film negatives photography. While small format refers to 35mm film. Now it only goes to reason that the larger format negative can have more detail because it is putting the image on a larger area of film. The grain of the chemicals in the film is only so fine. Try and describe your week vacation in the Bahamas with just one word as opposed to many words. The more information the better the details. The same happens with video. But it happens in more than just one place in the chain of steps it takes to make your final video. (Camera to Tape to Editing to Digital Effects to Final format to etc.)

Lets start with the cameras because you will hear most videographers brag about this single piece of equipment. All modern semipro and professional color cameras have 3 chips. (The chip is the transducer made of pixels that converts light to electronic data. 1 chip each for Red, Green, and Blue.) The SIZE of the chips makes the difference just like in the film size. The pixel is like the grain of the chemistry in the film. The bigger the number of pixels in an area the image falls on the better the resolution! If your videographer mentions he has 3 chip cameras ask for the size of the chips. He probably doesn't know or will lie. So get the model number and then call me or the manufacturer for the correct size.

Which now brings us to our next question. What is the videographer using for his recording format. WHY have a broadcast camera with large chips if you are not using a broadcast format (Large format) recording medium? For example... what do you think will sound better?? A CD or a cassette. Videographers figure you will not know enough about the format he uses. Or you are not smart enough to ask if there is a difference. Or maybe you are blind and can't see a difference or you just don't care. Ask your videographer what tape format he is using. Ask for "Beta Cam SP" or "Digi Bata". Broadcast cameras coupled to these tape formats is the best you can buy for field acquisition and it is what we use here at K&R. HI-8, consumer DV like in the XL-1and 2, and S-VHS tape formats do not need the exacting quality that the professional tape formats need.

Next in the chain is to ask about the editing facilities. A simple fact is that composite editing is not as good as component or QSDI editing. We transfer the image from one piece of equipment to the other using QSDI and Component. Composite is the combination of Luma (light and dark) and the Chroma (color information) of the picture. Component separates this into two or three parts. Y/C Luma/Chroma or R/G/B Red/Green/Blue. QSDI is un compressed digital full bandwidth transfer. Obviously component and QSDI switching increases the cost of equipment but it is better. Ask your videographer if he uses component or composite editing. We are the only wedding videographer that use full bandwidth digital editing. We do not use firewire because it is at a lower data rate than QSDI. Usually computers are used for special effects but be aware, you need a very high sample rate to reproduce a good picture with special and expensive video card interfaces.

Here is a good one to ask. Find out if in the editing process the videographer is using a wave form or vector scope to monitor picture quality? These are important test devices that are used to calibrate all audio and video equipment. Ask to see them and how they work. They are not complex. The vector scope is for monitoring the color vectors of a picture and is used to correct color discrepancies and to perfectly set the color balance of camera equipment. You can be guaranteed the best color quality a shot can produce if you have a vector scope. The wave form monitor is for checking the levels and details of video. Now you know this is important. What happens if you scream into a microphone on your audio recorder. Too loud distorts the sound. You went into the RED. Or not enough and you fall into the noise floor of the medium. Well! Same goes for a picture. The correct levels always maximizes the quality. Wouldn't you like to know your videographer has professional equipment throughout the entire recording chain??

Please let me know if this information is helpful, too complex, or whatever. I want you to know about the ways you can get fooled. Cheap sometimes is not better!!! Click your back button to return where you left off.


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