... and possibilities of image improvement by set-up adjustments

For this Master’s thesis five different high definition camcorders, from the semi-professional and professional league which operate in the DVCProHD, XDCam HD and HDV formats have been tested and compared. The HD camcorders are:

-JVC GY-HD101
-Sony HVR-Z1E
-Sony PDW F-350L
-Panasonic AG-HVX200
-Panasonic AJ-HPX2100

Thereby the main focus is on the following features:
-Dynamic range
-Resolution processing
-Color reproduction.

In these three fields how the camcorders differ in the picture reproduction and which possibilities they have for improving the image quality by adjusting the set-up values has to be clarified.

In the first part recordings with specific test charts and equal conditions for all camcorders have been made. Therefore umpteen short recordings were made with different set-up adjustments. Afterwards the pictures were evaluated by special software. The resulting data gave the possibility to make an objective conclusion about the characteristics and

recording quality of each tested camera system.

For the second part five equal-length videos with the five HD camcorders, each adjusted to one special preset where shot. Therefore short sequences have been recorded using 2 actors at various locations and with different lighting situations. It gave the possibility of direct subjective comparing of the camcorders’ picture reproduction.