VX2100: progressive, 16:9?

Question

Hello. I have the Sony DCR-VX2100 and am starting a short film for my school soon, and had a few questions about settings. I kinda wanted to shoot progressive, but heard the VX2100 doesn't have true progressive scan (30p), but rather 15p instead. What is wrong with this? Is it just that it'll blur more?

I was also thinking of shooting in 16:9 widescreen, but the VX records in 4:3 native. I haven't noticed any obvious stretching when I use widescreen, but is there any detriment in quality by using it since it's tecnically 16:9 Anamorphic?

Thanks

Answer 1

You are correct, the Sony VX2100 records to 4:3 native, and although it offers a 16:9 Anamorphic option, I would strongly discourage you from using it. The VX2100 does handle 16:9 Anamorphic better than most standard definition camcorders, many of which stretch the image, making it look distorted. The VX2100 on the other hand, simply crops the image. Still, the 16:9 mode results in a loss of resolution. You could purchase an anarmorphic lens I guess to solve the problem, but it's probably best to keep it in 4:3 then add letterboxes in post. Just make sure you compose accordingly, leaving extra head room when shooting. I also would discourage you from the Progressive mode. It looks pretty cool, but because its really 15p, not 30p, it blurs way too much to be useable. I'd recommend shooting in Interlaced, then possibly try De-interlacing in post--it still doesn't look totally the same, but it's a bit better.

Hope that helps :)