CompuServe Messages

Hi8 to beta SP? I feel that the degradation process gets halted when any format is copied to beta SP for the next 6-7 generations as long as the beta to beta dubs are done component (Y, R-Y, B-Y). Hi8 will still look Hi8 on beta sp but editing can be achieved for the next several generations without usual loss. Using the best color under format BVU-950 dub mode, in my opinion, still shows degradation along the way with each generation. I just completed a :30 TV commercial with a layered look using 3 layers of A/B roll. The back layer was at generation #7 in the final master and #8 in the distribution. The back layer in distribution dub was only very slightly fuzzier than the camera original. Try that with any other analog edit format other than 1". Comments from my client, an ad agency was… WOW!. It took me two days of editing to do the 12 seconds of analog composits. I did the commercial for 1/10 the cost of the local D2 suite quote which would have used digital compositing. I first tested this idea in 3DS using rotoscoping and the PAR at 13:1 compression ratio going in and out at 9:1. This looked significantly worse than the beta SP multi generational with respect to JPG artifacts. I did use the PAR for the animation however as simple output of 9:1 compression is pretty clean. It's unfortunate that the PAR must operate at such a high compression ratio for the video input. I guess this is where the PVR will save the day. Speaking of the PVR, I have decided to hold off until things shake out on the PVR and NT before making any investments in the Razor PRO product. It's not the Razor Pro but this double compression with the PAR that bothers me. If I had more significant clients for 3/4 Umatic I would consider it but for betacam the quality hit of double compression on the PAR video is way too much. Animation output with only one JPG pass is holding its own with my betacam clients so far. I recently read that this double compression issue is creating some concern with the DTV sattelite boys. Seems they are well aware of the hits taken by video using multiple CODECS in the process from camera to viewer. You may be aware of this but the DTV is adding another jpg type codec and I have noticed this on some shows, particularly the infomercials where the artifacts start to show on my screen. Most infomercials do not have the budget for on line edit and therefore get dumped from the NLE off line editor system to distribution tape. Thing is the DTV is so good with respect to other usual earth bound transmissions and cable that these artifacts show up just like looking at video tape direct. Kind of got off the subject but I know you are interested in these things. Done striping and have to go back to work now, CUL Don Landis