Does HDV 1080i give a 1920 x 1080 resolution

[Ron Evans]

When I started using my AVCHD cameras with the FX1 I would capture native HDV from the FX1 but put them all on a 1920x1080 timeline that seemed to work just fine. I got an Intensity when I first got the AVCHD cameras to see if that was a better way to manage AVCHD. It is now in its box on the shelf as I do everything native AVCHD now.

Ron Evans

[dpalomaki]

The issue is which workflow will give the best conversion from the HVD 1440x1080 not-square pixel on tape to an ultimate 1920x1080 image - the decoders in the camcorder and capture card, or the NLE working with HDV material that came direct from tape? And will anyone notice the difference?

[Khoi Pham]

For ME the best workflow for HDV is captured at 1440X1080, edit on 1440X1080 timeline, output to blu-ray at the same resolution and the blu-ray player will do the best conversion.

[Ron Evans]

The FX1 does not have HDMI output so all output is 1440x1080 or camera will downconvert to SD. My testing with the Intensity was with the first AVCHD camera I had the SR7 which is also 1440 x1080. I saw no difference using the Intensity to the then slow process of transferring to the PC then using HQ converter. Neither method is as convenient as native editing so when I got a more powerful PC gave up both the Intensity and HQ conversions. Moving to my next AVCHD camera the XR500 was so much better than the FX1 that was the end of HDV for me and I am now all AVCHD 1920x1080. If I only had HDV to edit and finish I would stay 1440x1080 all the way.

Problems arise when it has to be mixed with 1920x1080. From my experience there are bigger problems there than pixel shape as most new AVCHD 1920x1080 cameras are far superior to HDV and the difference is obvious. The $1000 XR500 was so much better than the $4500 FX1(when I bought it) that the contrast was annoying to me too much and I moved to the NX5U.

Ron Evans