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Format Wars 2002
Greetings from Roger Macie:
I am constantly asked about what has become the most purchased format
since Sony has stopped manufacturing BVW series BetacamSP decks and
camcorders. While Betacam has been the lifeblood of the broadcast and
high-end production industry for about two decades, things are beginning
to change. What I would like to share is what I see happening as of
November 2002.
Many thought or wished that HD (high definition)
would replace Betacam by now, however, that hasn't happened. There is
much confusion with all the SD (standard definition) and HD formats that
exist today. Few are interested in taking a chance that what we purchase
today will become unpopular tomorrow. It is because of that fear that
Sony’s DVCAM has become the most purchased format. Its quality is close
to Betacam. It’s inexpensive in both tape stock and equipment, and is a
perfect mate for NLEs (non-linear editors) because it can transfer in
digital form directly though a fire wire data connection.
While the big networks take most of their video in
the analog format, they are beginning to see the advantages of DVCAM
acquisition. In remote locations they can shoot and edit on laptop NLEs,
which create costs savings. While a lot of the footage is shot with tiny
hand held PD-150 type camcorders, they now have the ability to use high
quality full sized cameras and benefit from the advantages of the DVCAM
tape format. We see this happening with many other broadcast
applications and I would not be surprised if the networks begin to hire
crews with the high-end DVCAM camcorders such as the Ikegami HL-DV7W or
Sony DSR-570.
One indicator of this is with Tamberelli Video in New
York City. They are a premier rental and video services company and,
until recently, dealt with mostly Digital Betacam and BetacamSP.
Currently about 75 percent of their business is renting their 16 full
sized Ikegami HL-DV7Ws and 15 Sony DSR-PD-150 camcorders. The demand for
the more expensive formats has shifted, at least for now. Recently, I
have received a number of calls from freelancers who are shooting
everything with high-end DVCAMs, and are looking to sell their Betacams
while they still have good value.
Several stations I know have made the switch also.
WKYC TV in Cleveland went from BetaSX to DVCAM with the purchase of over
20 DSR-500s and has gone tapeless inside the plant. The photographers
return from a shoot and load their own tapes directly into video servers
at four times normal speed. The video is edited on NLEs and airs
directly from the server. WCVB-TV, the Boston ABC affiliate and my
former employer, replaced all of their BetacamSP camcorders with
Ikegami's HL-DV7W camcorders. In house they edit on NLEs and DVCAM edit
decks.
While the format is important, it's the picture
quality of the camera that makes its video look so good. Both are low
light sensitive and have scene files for camera set-ups which gives
flexibility of changing camera set-up parameters, either for special
looks or for dealing with difficult lighting conditions. With a street
price of about $15,000 and $13,000 for the Sony and Ikegami, many are
receiving a new lease on life until the industry shakes things out.
What's also neat is that these camcorders use standard 2/3-inch lenses
and existing batteries.
With the current popularity of DVCAM and the fact
that the networks are already taking in DV and DVCAM, I would not be
surprised if they begin taking in footage on a regular basis shot with
these now popular camcorders. They will not only maintain the picture
quality they are used to with Betacam, but benefit from the ability to
field edit on notebook NLEs.
As you are probably aware, Macie Video Service
specializes in camera and deck related maintenance on the most popular
broadcast formats. Until this year BetacamSP has been our main focus.
Just as most of you have held out purchasing new gear, we also have held
out servicing the many digital formats until we could justify our
expense in training, specialized tools, spare parts, manuals, and
purchase of camcorders ourselves.
Currently about 20% of our new camera set-ups and 10%
of our deck maintenance is with the high-end DVCAM camcorders. Every
videographer is just as happy with DVCAM as they have been with Betacam.
Clients can't tell the difference between formats once the cameras have
been set-up properly to the Macie Uniform Standard.
In case you haven't noticed we are now giving free
listings for crews with the high end DVCAM Sony DSR-300A, 500, 570, or
Ikegami HL-DV5 or 7 camcorders (dockables included) on our
broadcastvideo.com/freelance website.
Take care,
Roger |
