Producing in HD

8/2/2019 Producing in HD

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HIGHDEFINITIONFrequentlyAskedQuestions

PostedJune8,2009

ThefollowingFAQisacollectionofinterviewexcerptscombinedwithdatafromITVSandPBSonthetopicofhighdefinition(HD)productionandprogramming.Theinterviewswereconductedinearly2009withanumberofindustryprofessionals:

POSTPRODUCTIONHOUSES-PillartoPost(PP)-JimPowell,GeneralManager-VideoArts(VA)-DavidWeissman,GeneralManager-SpliceHere(SH)-HeidiShuster,ProductionManager

CINEMATOGRAPHERS-VicenteFranco(VF)-JonShenk(JS)

-MichaelCanzoniero(MC)

EDITOR-HeatherWeaver(HW)

PRODUCERS-DavidGrabias(DG)-JohnKabasakalis(JK)-PeterRosen(PR)-JuanMandelbaum(JM)-DougHawesDavis(DHD)-MarcoRicci(MR)

REFERENCESTOPRODUCTION-Doculink-CreativeCow

CAVEATS

Pleasenotethatwherepossiblewehavetriedtosynthesizeanswers,althoughwehavedonethiswithaminimumamountofediting.

Answerstoquestionsaretheopinionsoftheintervieweesandshouldbereadaccordingly.Sometimesanswersmayreflectcontradictoryopinions.

NothingwithinthisdocumentshouldbeconstruedasarecommendationbyITVS

orITVSstaff.

1HIGHDEFINITIONfrequentlyaskedquestionsjune2009

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CATEGORIESPAGE


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TRENDS

PBS/ITVS/Broadcasters.........................3

Industry..................................................6

TECHNICAL

Tips..........................................................7

Upconverting..........................................8

WORKFLOW

ProductionandPostProduction.......10

BUDGETIMPACTS

Production...........................................14

PostProduction...................................15


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TRENDSPBS/ITVS/Broadcasters

ITVS:WhatquestionsdoproducersaskITVSmostofteninregardstoHD?

ITVS:SomeofthefrequentlyaskedquestionsaddressedtotheITVSproductionte

aminclude:IsittruethatPBSisrequiringdeliveryonlyinHD?Answer:No,asofearly2009,PBSisstillreceivingStandardDefinition(SD)ProgramMasters.IsmasteringinHDgoingtomakemyshowlookbetter?Answer:IfyourshowwasshotinStandardDefinition,masteringinHDwillnotincreaseimagequality.Ontheotherhand,ifyourshowwasshotinHD,masteringinStandardDefinitionwillhurtimagequality.HDmasteringwillretainthemostaccuraterepresentationofth

eimagequalitythatashowwasoriginallyshotin.HowmanyHDprogramsisITVSreceiving?Answer:Seenextpage.ShouldIdotheupconversion?Answer:SeeUpconversionsection.CanIgetanextensionondeliverydeadlinesandbudgetduetotechnicaldifficultieswithmyHDshow?Answer:Thisscenarioisdeterminedonacase-by-casebasis.


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WhatdoesPBSconsiderfullHD?Answer:Seebelow.

ITVS:WhatdoesPBSconsiderHD?

PBS:HDisdefined,perindustrystandards,asthepictureformats1920x1080(iorp)and1280x720pwithanaspectratioof16x9atanyframerate.

HighDefinitionAcquisitions:Videoacquiredintheimageformatsnotedabove(1920x1080(iorp)and1280x720p)atanyframerate.35mmfilmisacceptedasanHDacquisitionformatifconvertedtovideoonahighresolutionminimum2k-telecine.

HDprogramsmaycontainnon-HDcontent.Examplesofnon-HDfootageincludearchivalfootage,upconvertedSDfootageandHDVfootage.ConsumergrademodelsarenotacceptableforHDVacquisition.Thetotalamountofnon-HDcontentfromallsourcesinanHDprogramshallnotexceed30percent.

HighDefinitionPrograms:Thoseprogramswithcontentthatmeetthecriteriaassetforthforhere

in.Programswithmorethan30percentnon-HDcontentshallbeconsideredSDWidescreenprograms.

HighDefinitionProgramSubmissionFormat:HighDefinitionprogramsshouldbesubmittedonSonyHDCAM1080i/29.97.Regardlessoftheacquisitionformatorframerateallprogramsubmissionsmustbeconvertedtothesubmissionformat.

ITVS:WhatistheHDformatthatPBSacceptsastheirHDstandardtapedeliver

yofprograms?


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Editor,HeatherWeaver(HW):PBStakesHDCAM,whichisaparticularHDformat108060i.

ITVS:HowmanyapplicationsreceivedthroughITVSOpenCallwerenotedas

beingshotoriginallyinHD?

ITVS:In2008OpenCallPhaseII,outof368applications,148wereinHD(40percent).In2008,PhaseIII,9programsoutof31wereinHD.In2009,inPhaseIII,21programsoutof31wereinHD.

ITVS:HowmanyfilmsarebeingdeliveredtoIndependentLensinHD?


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ITVS:IndependentLens2008-2009seasonhas11HDprogramsoutof26totalprograms.AccordingtotheIndieLensteam,PBShastakenonthejobofupconvertingallILprogramsnotdeliveredinHDtoHighDefinitionbypillarboxingthem.

ITVS:HowmanyITVSDomesticprogramshavebeendeliveredinHD?

ITVS:SincetheinceptionofITVSin1990,approximately52programshavebeendeliveredinHDoutof890totalprogramsdelivered.

ITVS:HowmanyITVSInternationalprogramshavebeendeliveredinHD?

ITVS:SincetheinceptionoftheITVSInternationalinitiativein2004,10programshavebeendeliveredinHDoutof43totalprogramsdelivered.

ITVS:WhatisthepreferenceofHDoverSDprogramming?WhathappenstoSDprogramsdelivered?TowhatextentwillPBSacceptSD?

ITVS:Currently,manyPBSshowssuchasAmericanExperience,NovaandAntiquesRoadshowarebeingproducedinHD(90percent),sothereisarealpushfrom

PBSProgrammingtowardHD.However,PBSwillcontinuetobroadcastnativeHDalongsideSDprogramsthatareupconvertedastheymovetoprioritizeHD.PBShasstatedthatitwillcontinuetoacceptSDfortheforeseeablefuture,especiallyfromtheindependentproducersandITVSinparticular.

ITVS:HowmanyPBSstationshaveanHDchannel?

ITVS:ThemajorityoflocalPBSaffiliatestationshaveanHDchannel.

ITVS:WilldeliveringinSDhurtthechancesofashowgoingtoPBS?

ITVS:DespitemovingtowardsmakingtheirHDchanneltheprimaryPBSchannel,PBSwillcontinuetosimulcastnativeHDshowsalongwithupconvertedSDshows.PBSProgrammingexecutiveshavesaidthatinthecaseofIndependentLens,andworkingwithindependentproducers,theywillalwayslookatthecontentfirstwhenmakingprogrammingdecisions.

ITVS:IfIdoahomevideodealwithPBS,cantheydistributemyHDprogramonBlu-Ray?

ITVS:Yes,PBSDVDsarenowavailableintheBlu-Rayformat

ITVS:Ofallshowsbeingbroadcastonnetworksandcable,whatpercentarebeingdeliveredinHD?



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ITVS:Atthispoint,mostofthenon-PTVbroadcastersthatareworkingwithdocumentaryfilmmakersaremakingstrongmovestowardHDproduction.Forexample,theNationalGeographicChannelhassaidthatitwillonlybroadcast10percentofitsprogramsinSD.Inaddition,theysaidtheydontacceptHDVandHDCamformats.ThisissimilartoinformationwevebeengettingfromDiscoveryandA&EwherethereareveryspecificdeliveryrequirementsinvolvingHD(seebelow).

ITVS:Othernon-PTVbroadcastersrequirespecificHDcamerastobeusedfortheirproductions,inorderfortheirproductionstoqualifyashavingoriginatedinnativeHD.WhenyousaythatDiscoveryandA&ErequirespecificcamerasfortheirHDproduction,howdotheyknowwhatcamerayouareusingtoshootthoseproductions?

ProducerDavidGrabias(DG):

Youtellthemwhatcamerayoureusing;thebudgetisinthecontractyouhave.Thatsallworkedoutandstipulated,butwhatendsuphappeningisafterIdeliverthemasteritendsupgoingtoqualitycontrol(QC])Theyputitthroughawholesetoftests:tomakesuretherearenoglitches,tomakesurethetimecodeissolid,therearenodrops,therearenoweirdblacks,thattheresolutioniswhatitisconsistentlyacrossthepiece,theyputitthroughascopetomakesurethewhitesandblacksareallbroadcastsa

feandthatkindofstuff.Andoftentimesthoseguyssay,Hey,thisshowlooksreallygummyorItdoesntlooklikeitwasshotonaVericamorwhateverelse,andthatswhereyoucangetintotrouble.BecauseifyougetintoissueswithQC;ifQCissayingitsnotexactlytheresolutionoritdoesntlooklikeitwasshotintheresolutionthatyousaiditwas,theoreticallyyoureinviolationofthecontract,andbadthingshappen.

ITVS:AreA&EandtheNationalGeographicChannelcurrentlyreceivinganything

butHD?

DG:Theyare.Basically,itallcomesdowntohowmuchtheywantthefilm.(Laughing)Howmuchtheywanttheproject.AndiftheyloveitanditsshotinDV,thentheydontcare.Butnowadays,iftheyarecommissioning,ortheideatheoriginofthefilmcomesprimarilyfromtheirsidethentheyprettymuchmandateHD.


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ITVS:WhenyousayA&EandtheNationalGeographicChannelmandateHD,whatformatspecifically?Aretheytalkingabout1080iforthemostpart?

DG:Theylltake1080i.Theylltake1080,theylltake720,butithastobedeliveredonHDCam,andtheshowhastobeatleast80percentor90percentshotona2/3inchchipcamera.AndthatdoesnotincludeforthemostpartHDVorhand-heldcameras.Ithastobeashoulder-mountcameraforthemostpart.


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TRENDSIndustry

ITVS:WhatkindsoftrendshaveyoubeennoticingintermsofshootersadaptingtoHD?

CinematographerVicenteFranco(VF):Thereseemstobeagrowinggapbetweenprosumerandprofessionalequipmentandformatsoutthere,thatsforsure,especiallyinthelackoftechnologicalexpertise.ButIdobelievethatthebasicsarenotgoingtochange.Wearejustdiscussingtools.Thefolksthatusethosetoolsaregoingtobedifferent.Thereareprofessionalsusingprosumerequipment,aswellasbeginnersusingprofessionalgear.Whenfilmwasking,therewereanumberoffolksstillshootingonSuper8.

ITVS:Ontheprogramdeliveryside,asanon-lineposthouse,whatpercentagesofHDdeliveryareyouseeingrightnow?

PostProductionHousePillartoPost(PP):Offthetopofmyhead:10-15percent.Andatthispointweregoingtoseethenumbergofrom15percenttowellover50percentwithinthenextsixmonths.ThatsthetrendImseeing.Itsbeenhitormiss:justwatchingtheprogramsontheshelfandseeingthenumbers.Plus,Ivebeenspeakingto

producersaboutupcomingprojects,andastheyremovingintothefuture,everyonespreparingforHDdelivery,whethertheyreshootingonHDVorHDCamorVericamorDVCPro100.TherearealotmoreproducerswhoaredoingtheiracquisitioninHD,andtheyrefeelingalittlemorecomfortableaboutcuttingtogethertheirprogramonFinalCut,inHD,andweregivingthemthe


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opportunitytodelivertheprogramsthroughusonaharddrive,oranothermethodsotheydonthavetorunoutandbuyanHDCamdeck.

ITVS:Willtheotherformats(non-HD)beobsolete?Ifsowhen,andwhoknowsthisinformation?

DG:Itishardtotellwhentheformatswillbeobsolete.Thedigitaltransitionforbroadcastersspeedsuptherequirementsprogrammersimposeonproducersdeliveringtothem(NationalGeographic,HistoryChannel,ESPN,thenetworksandDiscoveryallprogramstrictlyonHD).Ontheotherhand,PublicAccessstationsandCorporateVideofortheWebstilluselowerendStandardDefinitioncamerasfortheirfastturnaround,lowcostprojects.

PP:Don teverexpectanyformattobecomeobsoletesoon:lookatBetaSP.Peoplehavebeenusingitsince1988.EvenDV,hasbeenaroundsince1996.Of

course,someformatshavegonebythewayside,suchasD-VHSandD-9.

ITVS:ArethereanyonlinestreamingordownloadsitesdeliveringinHD?

ITVS:Yes,manywebsitesarestartingtomovetostreaminginHD.ThereareparticularIPTVset-topboxtechnologiesandserviceslikeVuduandNetflixsRokuthatdeliverHDprogramstoyourHDtelevisionoveranInternetconnection.


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TECHNICALTips

ITVS:IfaproducerdecidestoshootinHD,whatHDformatwouldyourecommend?

HW:WhenproducersareconsideringHDformats,Iwouldconsidershootingatleast60i,soyoudonthavetodealwiththeweirdcadenceissuesofshooting24p.Orifyouaredyingtouse24p,or30p,goandseewhatitlooks

likewhenitsgoingtobeHDCam108060i,tomakesureyoulikethewayitlooks.Soyourenotthinking,Oh,my,whyisitlookingstubbyandweird?.

ITVS:WhatshouldproducersconsideraboutshootinginHDV?

HW:WhenconsideringHDVthereareissues.TheBBCdoesntrecognizeHDVasHD,exceptforextremecases.Afewyearsago,PBSdidcomeoutp


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ubliclyandsaid,well,wellacceptit.ButHDVhasissues.Firstofall,becauseitsMPEGencoded,youactuallydonthavealltheframesthatyoureworkingwith.Thecomputerhastothinktomakeuptheframes.So,inanoff-lineprocessthatcouldreallybogdownyoursystem;sincetheframesarentactuallythere,themachinehastothinktomakethatframeup.Youreaskingthecomputertodoalotmorework.Youalsohavetoconsiderthewaythingslook.Ifsomebodyhasalreadystarted,whatcanyoudo?Butifyouhavent,youshouldlookatitverycarefully,especiallywhatitdoesinregardstomotion.HDVisparticularlybadifyourepanningordriving,becauseeverythingismovingconstantly,thatsalotofpredictingtodo.Aninterviewsubjectisnotgoingtobeasbad.

ITVS:Whataresomeoftheissuesintermsofdecidingwhichframeratetouse?

PP:Forsomebodysittingtheretalking,youdontnoticeabigdifferencebet

ween24pand30i.Atrainedeyecankindofpickitoutandseetheframerate.Youcannoticetheframerate.Somepeoplelike24pbecauseitsabetterwaytoconverttofilmforatheatricalrelease.Ifyourelookingforareasontodo24pvs.30ionyouracquisitionandyourediting,itwouldbeifyouwereplanningondoingtheatricalreleaseandgoingtofilm,ormixingwithfilmmaterialstogiveyouaconsistentlook.

ITVS:Arethereanyissues,inthepost-productionside,intermsofmixingformats?

PostProductionHouseVideoArts(VA):It sbettertonotmixformatslesscostlypost,possiblybetterpicture.OurmantraatVideoArtsis:Pickaframerateandstickwithit.ForPBSHDprojects,theeasiestwaytogoistoshoot1080i,acquirestockfootagethatiseither1080i,orstandarddefatregular29.97fpsvideospeed.Allofyourfootagewillthenbeatthesameframerate,anditwillallbeinterlaced.All

willgoprettyeasilyandcheaplythisway,unlessanduntilyoudecideyouwanttotrytoqualifyforanAcademyAwardnomination.Nowyouvegotaproblem,becausetheAcademy(ofMotionPictureArtsandSciences]willrequirethatyouconvertyourprogramto24fpsprogressive.Andthatsadaunting,quality-compromisingtask.


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TECHNICALUpconverting

ITVS:Whataresomeofthebasicissueswithupconversion?

PBS-HDDeliveryVideo:Perhapsthemostcriticalconsiderationwhentalkingaboutupconvertingvideofootageisthevideoquality,orresolution.Thefactorsthatdetermineresolutiondeterminethecrispness,varietyofcolorsandoverallqualityoftheimage.

Akeydifferencebetweenanimationandvideoisthewaystraightlinesarecreated.VideousesaRasteralgorithm,whichcalculatesandinterpolatespixelsthroughhorizontalandverticallines.Itisunabletocalculateonthediagonal,thereforethereisajaggedorstair-steppingeffect.

Whenvideoisupconverted,theseinterpolationsandestimationsmustbemadeinordertocompensateforthelowerresolution.

Whenweconvertstandarddeffootagetohighdef,wearecreatingnewpictureinformationthatwasnottheretobeginwith.Thehorizontalandverticallinesofthe720x540imageareinterpolatedtothenewdimensions,1920x1080.Thelimitationsoftheoriginalformatbecomeapparent,evenmagnified.

Addedtotheinherentproblemsofstandarddefinitionfootageupconvertedtohighdefinitionfootage,isthedistributionlifecycleofPBSshows,ortheircodeccycle.Ourshowscanstartatthehighestresolutionlevelatingest,whichis145Mbpersecond,andyetendupairingatanoticeablylowerquality.

ITVS:Howdoesupconversionaffectthebudgets?

DG:ThebigissueisifyourecombiningHDandstandarddefinition.OrifyourereallysillyyouwouldalsogetHDVinvolvedinthemix.Thenwhenyougettothatfinalstage,afteryouvedoneyoureditingandyougotoanon-linefacility,likeVideoArts,andtheyredoingthatfinalconformingthentheyhavetositthereandupconvertandconformalltheclipstoHD.Thatcan


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takealotoftimeanditcanbecostly,dependingonhowyouupconvertthestandarddefinitionclips(therearedifferentwaystodoit,usingsoftwareorhardware).Youcouldspendalotofmoneydoingthat.TheyhavethismachinecalledtheTeranex,whichupconvertsfromstandarddefinitiontoHD,andits$300or$400anhour.So,itsapriceyprocess.

VA:Upconversionissomethingyouwanttoavoidifpossible.Someofourcustomersthinkthatupconversionissomesortofalchemicalprocess,wheretheyhandustheirprogramanditsmadeofsilverandtheythinkthatupconversionmakesitgold.Anditdoesntdothat.Itjustmakesitabiggerpicture,andhopefullydoesnotexaggerateanypieceofexistingartifacts.Butforadocumentaryproducerthathasaprojecttheyaregoingtostartthisyear,IdontthinktheyshouldhesitatetoomuchtodecidetoproduceitinHD.Theobstaclesarenotthatbigthesedays.Dependinguponthespecific

needstheyhave,itmightbemorechallenging,butingeneralitisnt.WeworkwithalotofpeoplewhohaveverysmallbudgetsandtheyvebeenabletoswitchovertoHD.

VA:Whenyouupconvert,yourebasicallyinventingpixelsthatwerentthere.Youremultiplyingthepixelcountbysix.SowhenyoustartwithananamorphicSDimage,yourestartingwithanimagethatactuallyhassortofsqueezedintoit,greaterresolutionthana4x3SDimage,anditsaspectratio

isidenticaltoHDaspectratio.Soyourenothavingtochangetheaspect


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ratio,whichisabigdealwhenyouupconvert;andyourestartingwiththemaximumamountofresolutionthatstandarddefcanhandle.Soyourenot

reallypushingitupasmuchasif,forinstance,youstartedwithaletterboxedimage.Thatsabigdeal,totakealetterboxedprogramandmakeitfull-screenHD1080,isconsiderablymoreenlargementthanstartingwithananamorphicimage.

VA:Theissueswithupconversionareverysimilartotheissueswithtakingavideotapeandtransferringitto35mmfilmandshowingitinamoviethe


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atre.Itsputtingitonagiantscreeninsteadofonatelevisionset,youknow.So,youhavetoreallyhaveagoodeyeoneverythingthatsgoingonintheframe.Becauseifyouseesomethingthatlooksstrange,youcanjustknowthatitsgoingtobeveryobviouswhenyouupconvert.Oneoftheissueswesticktowithupconversion,isifyoumixframeratesinstandarddef,whichyoucando,youcanshootwithcertainPanasoniccameras,youcanshootsocalled24p,whichisactuallyverygood,butifyoumixthatwithnon-24pmaterialtheupconversionbecomesmuchmoreproblematicandhastobedoneinmultiplepassestodoareallynicejob.Sothatsanotherissue.IfyoureusingStandardDefinitionfootageinyourHDprogram,yougetthebestqualitystockfootage,thehighestqualityformatyoucanafford.Butalmostasimportant,ormaybemoreimportantagainistheconsistency.


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WORKFLOWProductionandPostProduction

ITVS:CanwegetanoverviewofthepostworkflowforHDandSDandcontrast?

PP:Ontheon-lineside,weaccepteitherHDCamoraharddrivefromaFin

alCutoranAvidsystem.UsuallywellasktheproducertocreateaQuickTimeversionusingthehighestqualitycodecavailableintheirsystem.So,forFinalCuttheymightbeusingaPro-ResHQcodecandtheylloftendotwothings:theylltaketheirfullFinalCutprojectandputthatontoaUSBorFirewiredrivealongwitharenderedQuickTimeusingtheApplecodec.

ITVS:WhatissuesarisewhenshootinginnativeHD?

JonShenk(JS):

Icanspeaktotworealms.AtActualFilms,weboughttheVariCamandweboughtaDVCProHDDeck.Eventhoughthosethingsareexpensive,therealityisforus,itsarelativelyeasy,fairlystraightforwardmeansofproduction.YoushootontapeandyoudigitizeinFinalCutPro(FCP).AbigpartofthisisFCPandthewayithasmaturedovertheyears.NowtheDVCPROHDcodecisreallynice.Itcanwithstandacouplegeneration


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sofdubbingandtransferringinandoutofFinalCut,straightfromthedeckintoyourmachineatnativeres,at24.Youcaneitherstayin-houseforthecolorcorrectionorputitbackontoaharddriveandbringthattoacolorcorrectionfacility,anditsjustawesome.Youreworkingatyournativerestheentiretime.ItskindofliketheworkflowthatwasinventedwhenDVcameout:therestheMiniDV,youputthatintoFinalCut.InDV,younevergobacktothetape,andthatskindofwhatwedowiththeVariCam.Now,itstrickierwhenyoureshootingtheSonyHDCAMstuffbecausethatcodecissomuchmorememoryintensive,ittakessomuchmoreharddrivespace,andyouneedfaster,biggerdrivesbecauseitssuchabeefiercodec.NowsomepeoplearguethatitsworthitbecausetheHDCAMisjustabetter,cleanercodec:its1920x1080vs.1260x720.ButwefoundforustheVariCamlooksgreat,

andwevehaditconvertedtofilmandforusitskindofanicemiddleground.Itsnotthesuperhigh-endHDCAM,but,ontheotherhand,itswaynicerthansomeofthesesmallerHDcameras.Itsarealcamerainthesensethatyoucanhavereallensesanditsnotalittlepalm-cordertypething.

Thatsworkedforus,butthereareallkindsofpeopleoutthere.TherearepeoplewhodontwanttoshootontheVariCambecauseitsnotcleanenough,thecodecistoocompressedforthem,andtheywouldrathershootwith

theSonyHDCAM.Andnowtheresawholeotherrealmofthought,thatthesecodecsthatwereinventedfiveorsixyearsagoarenolongergoodenough.SonowyouhavetheApplePro-ResandtheWebcamera,andtheresawholesecondgenerationofHDcamerascomingoutthatareinthenextcoupleyears,thatareprobablygoingtotakehold.Andreally,whatIconsiderthefirstgenerationofHDliketheVariCamandtheSonyHDCAM,theF-900cameras,Ithinkthosecamerasaregoingtogoawayandyouregoingtoseethesenicercodeccamerasanddifferentoptionscomingout.

InawaywereataplacerightnowwhereweresortofattheendofthefirstgenerationofHDandyouhaveallthistapelessstuffthatscomingout,thatofferscertainoptions.

ITVS:ItseemslikeifyoureworkingwithyourVariCamoryourHDCAMs,theworkflowisstillprettymuchthesame,whereyouproduceyourcameramasterson


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totapeandthosetapesgetdigitized.Isthiscorrect?

JS:Ineithercase,theVariCamortheHDCAM,youhavetohavethecameraandyouhavetohavethedeck.Whetheryourentitorownitisanotherstory,butyouhavetohaveboththosethings.ThenicethingabouttheVariCamis


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thatmostpeoplecanbuyFireWiredrivesthatcanhandletheVariCam,likeDVCPROHDresolution,butHDCAMiskindofadifferentstory.MostpeopledonthavetheprocessingpowerorharddrivepowertohandleuncompressedorevenHDCAMcompressedfiles.Thenyougetintothiswholethingof

havingtodigitizeanoff-lineversionandthengoingbacktoyourtapesintheend,toon-line.

ITVS:WhataresomeoftheissueswhenshootingwithP2cards?

DG:Intheolddays,thecamerapersonwouldhandmeatapeandIwouldscribbleanumber(101,102,whateveritis)onthetapeandIdputitinmybag,andaslongasIdidntlosethetape,wewerefine.Nowitsdifferent.Ineedtobemuchmoreontopofthecardsastheycomeinmakingsurethattheyre

actuallygettingdownloadedduplicatesofthemandthatIvegotthedrivesinmybag,safeattheendoftheday.Youhavetobemuchmoreattentivetothatwholeprocess.Insomewaysitsachallenge.Itaddsmoreworkfortheproducer,butIthinkitalsomakesme,quitehonestly,paymoreattentiontowhatwereshooting.Whichdefinitelymakesmeabetterdirector,inthefield.

ITVS:WhataresomeoftheissuesintermsofpostproductionworkflowwhenusingP2cards?

DG:Theclipsarecopiedoffofthep2cardontoaportableFireWiredriveinthefield.Thatdrivecomesintotheeditbay.Itscopiedontotwodifferentdrives.Theresaduplicateofit.Onecopyjustgoesontheshelfasaback-up.WiththeothercopywethenopenupthefilesinFinalCutProandimportthemintoFinalCutPro.TheP2,theoriginalfilesareMXFfiles,


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wesavethose,archivethose,incaseweeverneedtogobacktothem,andthenApplecreatestheQuickTimefiles.Basically,withFinalCutPro,weopenoneproject,weimportallofthemediaintoFinalCutPro-itsQuickTimefilesthathavethesameexactnameastheoriginalMXFfiles.Isavethat.ThatFinalCutProprojectbecomesjustouroriginalimportproject,andthenwecreateanewFinalCutProprojectthattheassistanteditor,orI,ortheeditorgoesinto,andtheyessentiallycopytheclipsoverintothenewproject,re-namethem,andkindoflogororganizethemthere.Thatway,ifthereseveranissuewiththeQuickTimeclipsbeingcorruptandweneedtogobacktotheoriginalMXFfiles,IcanopenupthatoriginalimportprojectandIknowexactlywhattheconnectionbetweentheQuickTimefilesandtheMXFfiles.Wecantrackitback,essentially.Theresarealconnectio

nthere.Itsveryeasy.Idonthavetoguesstimateordigaround.Ittakestwominutestore-capturesomethingifsomethinggoeswrong.Andthatdoeshappen.Ivehadithappenonce.ButitdoeshappenoccasionallythattheQuickTimefilesgetcorrupt;itsadiskissueorasoftwareissue,andyouhavetore-capturethem,orre-importthemintoFinalCutPro,andifyouvere-namedtheclip,theresnowayofknowingwhichMXFclipitis.

DG:Thatimportproject,asanintermediarystep,allowsustotrackitback.Andthen,onceitsin,weworkwiththeQuickTimefiles,editaway,andbasicallyedittheprojectALLinFinalCutPro,in-house.AndwhentheprojectisdoneandPictureLocked,wemediamanageitonaportabledrive.WetaketheprojectandthemediathatsassociatedwiththatspecificmediamanagedprojectintoaFinalCutProbaythathasanuncompressedoutput.Theygothrough,makesureeverythingisrocksolid,thattheresnoweirdnessinthe

project.Typicallytheydothecolorcorrection.AndthentheydoanuncompressedoutputtoHDCAM,andthenthatsourbroadcastmaster,andthentheaudiomixgetslaidbacktothataswell.So,basicallywedoeverythinguptothefinalformandoutputinmyofficeintheFinalCutProbaythatwehave.Again,withP2Ineverhavetogobacktothedecks,allIneedisalotofdiskdrivesandthatsit.Icanplugaway,happily.


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ITVS:WhataresomeoftheissuesintermsofpostproductionworkflowwhenusingtheHDVformat?

DG:Honestly,weveshotonefilmonHDVforA&E,andwehadalotofissuesinpost.Inproductionitseasy,butinpostwehadalotofissues.Forexample,wedigitizedthematerialatEresolution,alowerresolutionsothatwewoulduselessspace,sothatwewouldbeabletoeditwithouthavingtorenderallthetime.Wespent8weeksediting,andthenattheendoftheeditingprocesswewenttore-captureallofthematerialatfullHDresolution,again,inanuncompressedsituationwithadeckusinganHDMI

outputgoingdirectlyintothesystemsothatweweregettingfullHDresolutiongoingontothetape,andwehadallsortsofproblemswithtimecodematchingupwheretherewereslippages.Thatapparentlyisverycommon,thatthetimecodeisnotrocksolidinthatformat,sothatifyouregoingbacktore-captureandconformthepieceinHD,foranhourshow,theresprobably300shotsintheshowandoutofthose300shots,maybe50didntmatchup.Alot.Thenyouhavetoeyematchallofthoseshots,and

whenyoureinanon-linesituation,whereyourepayinganywherefrom$150-$200anhour,thebillgoesupquickly.AndthatsreallytheissuewithHDVinthefield,itsjustlikeshootingDVreally,thereisnobigdifference,thecamerafeelsthesame,looksthesame,thetapesarethesame.Theresnotawholelotofdifferenceintermsoftheproductionworkflow.Inpost-production,whenyoureeditinginHDVformat,sincethisisareallymemoryintensiveformat,itwillrequireyoutorenderallthetime.So,in

documentariesobviouslytherearealotofcuts;yourere-editingstuffallthetime,andrenderingslowstheprocesswaydown.Mosteditorsdontwanttoworkthatway.OryoureeditinginDVresolution,andyourelookingfortroublewhenyougotoon-linethepiece.Myadvicewouldbetostayawayfromthese.


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DG:Therendersaresuper-intense.Ihaveaprettyfastcomputer,andallthatkindofstuff,soespeciallywhenyouregettingtowardstheendoftheeditingprocesswhenyouvegotacomplexproject,theresalotofmediaattached,layersofstuff.Youregoingtohaverealsignificantrenderissues.Personally,attheendofthedayIdrathernotdealwiththat,Idratherdealwiththeconformingissuelateron,andjustplanforit.UnderstandthatworkinginHDVmeansthatyouregoingtohaveanon-lineprocessthatmaytakeyouthreeorfourdays.Itsnotjustasimplerenderandoutput,thereareotherthingsyouaregoingtohavetotakeintoaccount.Tobesafe,youshouldbudgetforit.

ITVS:Arethereanyissuesifafilmmakerdecidestoshootin24progressive?

PP:Ifyoureshootingat24p,becauseyoulikethatlook,thenideallyyouwouldeditin24pandthenintheverylaststep,convertyourfinishedproductfrom

24pto1080i.OnereasonfordoingthatissothatifyoumakedigitalfilesfordistributionthroughAmazonoriTunes,oranyofthosedigitaldeliveryvenues,theyregoingtowantthosefilestobecreatedfromthenativeframerate.So,therearetwowaysyoucangettoyournativeframerate.Oneisyoucanmakeadigitalfiledirectlyfromyour24psource.Ifyouredoingthe1080iconversionasthelaststep,youcanrunaninversetelecineonthe1080iprojectandgetitbackto24p.Butthisisonlyifyouhav

entdoneanyeditingin59.94ior30i.Ifyoueditafterdoingtheconversionletssayyoutakeyoursourcematerial,youcloneittoa30itimebase,youreeditingin30ibecauseyouknowyourbroadcastcopyisgoingtoneedtobe30iwell,youredoingyourselfadisservicetherebecauseateverycutpointthecadenceofyourconversiongetsaltered.

PP:Wellsuggesttotheproducertoeditintheirnativeframerate.Therearea

coupleofreasonsforthis.Itsaloteasierontheirsystemtostickwiththeexistingframerate,andjustputtheprogramtogetherlikethat.Theonlything,thisisanotherpitfall,isincalculatingtherealrunningtime.Iftheir



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projecthappenstobeanon-dropframe,24-frameprogram,theymayhavedifficultyincalculatingwhattheactualTRToftheprogramis.

ITVS:Soasanon-lineeditor,doyouadviseproducers,Heyifyoushoot1080ifromtheget-go,youareprobablygoingtosavemoneyinthelongrunoristhatnotnecessarilythecase?

HW:Youwouldhavetositdownanddothemath.Itwouldalsodependonwhatpeoplehaveaccessto.Ithinkthatprobablytheeasiestthingwouldbewhateveryoudecidetoshoot,hopefullyitwouldbe60iformat.IwouldgetSDwindowdubs,andIwouldprobablyoff-lineinSD,andthengobacktotheon-lineandbringeverythinginhighresolution,especiallyifyouregoingtotrytodoitathome,becausetheHDtakesupsomuchharddrivespace

too.Again,itdependsontheprojectandhowmuchmoneyyouhave,ifyouhavetonsofdrivespace,maybeitsnobigdeal.

ITVS:IfyouhaveyourHDmasters,andyoumakeSDwindowburnsfromit,isthereanissueoftimecodeslippagethatcouldcomebackandcreatechallenges?

HW:Thereshouldntbe.Notiftheyredonecorrectlyatagoodfacility.Imnotsayingthatcanthappen,butifyoureworkingwithcompetentpeopleitshouldnothappen.

ITVS:Whatisthebestwaytoarchiveyoursourcematerial?

DG:SomepeoplearchivetoDLT(DigitalLinearTape).Itsadigitaltape,likeaDVD,onlyitisintapeformat.Weactuallykeepitonharddrives.For$100youcangeta500gigharddrive,andthatholdsmostoftheprojectsweshoot,(which)areprettyshort,ortheshootingratioisprettylow,soitsprettyeasytokeepitontheharddrive.WevebeenshootingP2nowfor,Iguesstwo

years,sonotterriblylong.Wedonthavetonsandtonsofdrivesinthecloset,butIprobablyhave10drivesthatarefullofstuffthatwehaveontheshelf.Andthenonceeverysixmonths,everysooften,wethrowthedriveswejustturnthemon,justtobootthemup,makesuretheywork.

VA:Theresabigdebateaboutthis.Nobodyreallyknowswhatthebestarchival


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formatisfordigitalacquisition.Ithinkyourerightaboutharddrives.Harddrivescanjustdieonyou.SomepeoplearetalkingaboutBlu-Raydiscs,becausetheycanhold50gigs.Andtheyresupposedtobealittlebitmorereliable.

PP:IfIhadaproductioncompanyandIwasdealingprimarilywithP2cardsandIwantedtobackthemup,Imightconsidergoingtoatapedriveasoneoption.Soyouvegotyourdata,and,infactitsoneofthethingsweredoinghere.ItscalledanLT03.Nowthedownsideisitsanywherefrom$6,000-$7,000foranLT03tapedrive.Nowthetapesthemselveshold400gigabytes,andtheyreabout$30-$40.So,for$40youget400gigabytes.Youcanstorequiteabitontothat,butyouvegotthatinitialhitforthedriveitself.Thegoodnewsonthesethingsthough,istheyareintelligenttapedrives.Theyrecognize

mediafileslikeMXFandtheothertypesofdigitalvideoassets.Certainonesarespecificallymadeforvideoapplication.Thelifespanofthetapesisabout40years,soitsaverysecurewayofbackingupyourdataforarchivalpurposes.

ITVS:IfIproduceinHD,shouldIalsomixin5.1sound?Areanydocumentariesbeingmixedin5.1?

ITVS:Somemightmix5.1fortheirBlu-Raydistribution,butasofthisreport,PBS

doesnotrequirea5.1soundmixforHDdeliveredprograms.


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BUDGETIMPACTSProduction

ITVS:Towhatextentisthereconflictinginformationaboutbudgetimpacts?

ITVS:HDisaformatundergoinganevolution.SecondgenerationHDc

amerasarenowhittingthemarketandmanufacturersareinafrenziedbattleformarketshare,hencetheinstabilityofthetechnology,workflowandbudgets.Oneofthebiggestconflicts,intermsofproductionbudgets,comesfromthewiderangeofproducerstechnicalexpertise.ProducersthataredivingintoHDproductionwithouttheappropriateresearcharerunningintobudgetary


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overageswellintotheirproductionschedule.Thelargenumberofformats(HDandothers)andformatinconsistenciescreategreaterpostproductioncostsfortheon-linesession.

ITVS:WhatadditionalcostsintermsofspecificlineitemsareinvolvedinHDproductionvs.SDproduction?

ITVS:Thelineitemsthatgetaffectedthemostare1)ontheproductionside:camerarental/purchaseratesandstock(videotapes,P2cards,opticaldisks)and2)onthepostproductionside:deckrentals/purchase,stockfootageandfasterharddrivesfordigitization.

ITVS:ForP2cardcameras,thereisaspecificcostdifferenceduringproductionifthereisanextrapersondownloadingP2cardsonsite.Forpostproduction,assistanteditorsneedtobemoreknowledgeableonformatspecifics,soahigherknowledgebaseisneeded(training).Theextracostcom

esdowntoinfrastructure(camerarentals,deckrentals,on-linecost).Theworkflowstaysprettymuchthesame.

ITVS:WhatdoyouseeasthebenefitsofshootingwithP2cardsasopposedtoshootingontape-ordisc-basedformat?

DG:Itsafinancialbenefit.Thebigbenefitisthat,ifImrentingthecamerapackage,thepriceofthecardsisincludedinthecamerapackagerentalprice.

So,Imnothavingtopayanytapestockcharge.ImshootingHD,soitsatleast$15or20atape.Andifyoureshootingalongprojectthataddsupprettyquicklytohundredsofthousandsofdollars.


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BUDGETIMPACTSPostProduction

ITVS:Whatkindofcomputerwouldbebestforeditingoff-lineHD?Whatarethespecrequirements?

HW:ApplesFinalCutPro(FCP)editsystemsareregardedastheindustrystandardforoff-linevideoediting(similarcostAvidsystemsarealsoanoption).ThisisduetothefactthatApplehasbeenproducinghardware/softwaresolutionsforvideoeditingforsometime(since2000


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).Eventhoughlowercostsolutionsareavailable,systemreliabilityisatrisk.Incontrast,FCPsystemshavehardware,operatingsystemsandeditingsoftwareengineeredbythesamecompany,andarethereforemorereliable.Inaddition,editorandmaintenancetalentpoolsaremuchlargerforFCPsystems.InordertoeditHD,youwouldneedatopofthelineFCPsystem.

DG:Deckrental,tapestockrental.Yourelookingat$500apop.

ITVS:Whatabouton-linecostsofHDcomparedtoSD?

VA:Therangeinincreasingbudgetissometimesaslittleasa20percentincrease,butitcanbeasmuchasa50percentincrease.Therearealotofdifferentfactorsthatgointotheincrease.Oneofthosefactorsishowmanydifferentformatsdidtheytrytomixtogetherintheprogram.(Duetotechnologicalrestrictions,whendifferenttypesofmediaarebeingmixed,theyeachhaveto

betreatedseparatelytoup-sampletoanHDprogram;thisaddstoeditorsandmachinesprocessingtime.)Themoredifferentformats,especiallyframeratesthattheytrytomixtogether,thelongeritsgoingtoprobablytaketoreallymakeitlookgood.20to50percent,Iknowitsabigrange.ItsjustthatHDpostproductioncanbemuchmorecomplicated,asaprocess.

Everyformathasaparticularwaytogettotheendproduct.Eachoneeveryframerate,everyframesize,everyframeaspect,everycolorspaceandevery

codechasabestwayandalessoptimalwaytogetfromAtoB,andoftentimespeoplegowayouttoCandallthewayouttoFbeforecomingbacktoB.

Againitgetsbacktotryingtomixlotsofdifferentformatstogether.Andwithadocumentary,itsnotuncommontomaybeshootsomewherebetween25percenttoone-thirdoftheprogramwithsomesortofHDCAM.Andtherestisjustallthisfootagethattheyacquired:somebodyshomemovies,something

recordedfromalocaltelevisionnewsstation,somestockfootagethattheyboughtfromGetty,somestillimages,somePALfromDVD.MoreofthatstuffthatdoesntfitthefinalmasteringformatforPBS,whichis1080,1920x1080,59.94interlacedfieldspersecond.Themorestuffthatdoesntconformtothat,thelongeritsgoingtotake,andthemoreexpensiveitsgoingtobe.


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Nowinregardstopost,wehavefoundthatHDpostcanbeanywherefrom20to100percenthigher.Herearesomeofthefactors:1.CostofHDstock/archivalfootageishigherthanSDstockfootage.2.Costofupgradingyoureditsystem(theCPU,thedrives,themonitor).3.IncreasedrendertimescomparedtoDV.4.AndthebiggestfactorislackofknowledgeaboutusingFinalCutforHDediting,especiallywhenmixingformats,duetocomputerrenderingandeditorstimeinadjustingframesize,frameratios,etc.5.ThebestwaytosavemoneyinHDproductionandpostistoshootwithaformatthatiseasyforFCPtoingest,andtoworkonlyathigh-res,fromoff-linethroughon-line.Dontconsideroff-liningwithdownconverts,


-----------------------Page16-----------------------

andthenlateron-liningwiththefull-rescameraoriginals.Thatwillcostyouabundle!

ITVS:Intermsofbudgetincreases,whataboutthecostsoftapemastering?

DG:Its$150fortheHDCAMmasters,andagain,youneedittexted,text-less,youneedtwocopiesofit,oneforyou,oneforthebroadcaster,sothatsacouplegrand,justforyourmasters,whichissignificantlymorethanworking

inthestandarddefinitionworld.Soagain,thatsanotheradditionalchunkofchange.

ITVS:Asanon-lineposthousesupervisor,doyougiveprojectslongermasteringtimelinesbecausetheyreonHD?

PP:Yes.Theresaslightlylongertimeline,andwhenIsaythat,Imtalkingaboutusuallyanextradayortwo.Itsnotreallyadayortwoofworkhere,but

justintermsofkeepingthingsonschedule,welladdadayortwotowhatwepromiseforgettinganHDprogramturnedaround.Andyourenormallyjusttalkingaboutoneortwoadditionalevaluations,andthendealingwiththetechnicalissuesthatcomeup:ifyouhavetomakeacorrectiontotheHDortheSDversionoftheprogram,allofthenormalthingsthatwewoulddelivertoITVS.IfwedoanHDprogram,thenwerecreatingboththe


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captionedHDMasterandadigitalBETAletterboxmaster.Andthatpackageis$1,986.Soitsadifferenceof$500,whichisabout25percentIguess.

ITVS:Intermsofworkflowandmomentum,anoff-lineeditorwontwanttodealwiththesechallengesduringtheoff-line.Whenitcomestopayingbythehourinanon-linesystem,shouldyouaddressthesechallengesthen?

DG:Yourenottalkingabouttonsofmoney,butyouretalkingaboutaddinganextrathreeorfourgrandtotheendoftheprocess,justtobesafesothatyouknowthatwiththemasteryoudeliver,youregoingtohavethetimeforanyproblemsyouruninto,intermsofthere-capturingortheconforming,orthatfinalrenderprocesswithHDVthatyoullbeabletoafforditandyourenotstuckupacreekwithoutapaddle.

ITVS:So,ifyouarelookingatthatkindofbudgetdifference,ifyourestartingfromscratch,wouldyouspendthatmoneytobuyabettercamera,forinstan

ce?

DG:Exactly,letssayitsafivegranddifference.AddingfivegrandtomakesurethatyourHDVprojectison-linedcorrectly,thatfivegrandcangotowardsaslightlybettercamera,dependinguponhowmanydaysyoureshooting;itcangotowardsshootingontape,shootingP2anddoingthatkindofsystem,differentwaystomovethatmoneyaround.Andpersonally,IdrathershootontheDVCProHDformat,whichisasolid,well-headedformat.

WitheverythingIdoatmybayhere,theresnoadditionalrendering,oranythingwehavetoworryaboutonceweleavehere.SothatswhyImakethatchoice.Butattheendoftheday,Iknowmyself.IdrathersaveonthecamerarentalandseeifIcangetbypost,andseeifIcansqueezethrough.Youknow,thatswhatpeopledo;itstheage-oldthing.

ITVS:Whataboutworkflowdifference?Andspecificcostsassociatedwiththis?

ITVS:Thebiggestandmostconsistentimpactintheworkflowistheincreasedoff-lineequipmentcostsandtheincreasedon-linebudgetsduetothetroubleshootingofmixingHDandHDVformats.

ITVS:AretherebigcostdifferencesforaudioeditinginHDvs.SD?

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HIGHDEFINITIONfrequentlyaskedquestionsjune2009

-----------------------Page17-----------------------

PP:Obviouslyaudiodoesntchangemuch,unlessyouredoingsurroundvs.straightstereo.Colorcorrection:maybea25percentincreaseincost,becauseweredealingwiththeHD.Editing:HDnon-lineareditingis$225/hr,vs.standarddefnon-linearediting(which)is$180/hr.

ITVS:What

sthebestwaytomonitorHDfootagewhenediting?

Dependingonmonitortypesandfeatures,somechoicesinclude:

LCDMonitors:DellUltraSharp2407WFPforaround$900JVCDT-V24L1DU24"Multi-FormatLCDMonitorforabout$3,200

CRT/BTMonitors:PanasonicBT-LH2600Wforabout$4,000SonyBVM-AseriesCRTmonitorforaround$11,000

Forbiggerspaces,plasmasmightbeagoodalternative.

(Source:CreativeCowforum)

ITVS:WhataresomerecommendedcompressioncodecsforvariousHDformats?

VA:WhendigitizingontoanFCPsystem,thethreecodecsettingsdesignedforHDare:HDV(goodforoff-lineandlowerbudgetformats),DVCPROHD(forhigherendPanasonicHDfootage,withoutusingtoomuchstorage),andAppleProRes(forNativeHDandREDcamerafootage,usesanincredibleamountofstorageandrequiresfasterdrives).

ITVS:WhatisthebestwaytostoremyuncompressedHDfootage?

ITVS:Fibrechannelarrays,aswellashigherendRAIDarraysarerecommended.UncompressedHDfootageusessixtimestheamountofstorageSDdoes.(Source:Applewebsite)


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