Sony HD Camcorders: Is "EASY" mode ok?

7hil · 28-11-2007, 8:15 PM

EASY mode seems to automatically adjust the settings for you. But is easy mode any good? What do other owners do?

**senu** · 28-11-2007, 9:47 PM

My HC1 and FX1 do not seem to have an easy mode,
Saying that You may have to experiment to see if you want to keep default (auto) settings or change them to suit what looks right to you

The HC1s default colour setting rather a bit too conservative for me but unless shooting buildings ect I try not to touch its sharpness settings as it "oversharpens" people easily and looks far to ultrasharp , even with TV settings softened

redsox_mark · 28-11-2007, 10:47 PM

Having an HC1 I don't have Easy mode... but I do use the auto functions a good deal of the time, Easy is auto mode with some options disabled so not to confuse you... these cams do pretty well on auto mode, so it will be fine most of the time, as you get more comfortable with the cam you'll probably want to experiment with the manual controls.

felix2 · 29-11-2007, 8:54 AM

As Mark said, EASY mode is just auto mode with lots of the functions and manual adjustments switched off so you can't accidentally use them! Personally, that would just annoy me so I never use it.

However, I do just use Auto for most of what I do on my HC7... I do have Colour permanently set to +1 at the moment (also found the colour a tad conservative on default), and have 'Auto Slow Shutter' permanently switched off (after reading it can turn up the gain and hence the grain in low light, despite logic saying it should do the opposite!). I do use Spot Focus a lot (love it!), and occasionally Spot Exposure Meter (very useful if filming someone indoors in front of a bright window), and have the little Manual Cam Control Dial set to adjust the exposure easily if I need to. I use Spotlight scene mode for theatre lighting etc (although it's a pain that you can't use Spot Focus in Scene Modes, as the focus is rather sensitive in HD, and can hunt around a bit in difficult lighting... so assuming the camera (and stage!) are fixed, I have to use Spot Focus first, then turn Spot Focus off, keeping the focus as fixed manual focus, then turn on Spotlight mode...). Being a Sony (controversial!), I find auto exposure and auto white balance extremely reliable, and auto focus works excellently in good / reasonable light in most circumstances. But it's good to know at the touch of a button (or 2 touchscreen menu options), I can also adjust white balance, WB shift, AE shift, other scene modes, backlight, image stabiliser (although I always just keep it on), shutter speed, mic level, show zebra / guideframe / tape remaining, etc...

lurcher · 29-11-2007, 3:31 PM

Just got a new Sony SR7 this week and put it in the car to video a lesson , left it on easy mode which turn out ok , std FH battery lasted 80 mins on record (viewfinder).
Excellent pics when replayed from camcorder via component to HD ready telly.

rhubarbe · 29-11-2007, 3:52 PM

Ooh, an SR7? I can't wait.

lurcher · 29-11-2007, 3:59 PM

No you are not having it !

Woodymogs · 29-11-2007, 4:13 PM

As far as the SR7 goes, easy mode Hi-Def recordings default to the 'HQ' setting, which is not the highest quality recording mode available. Or at least it does on mine does and I haven't found a way to alter this so don't use easy at all.

**senu** · 29-11-2007, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurcher

No you are not having it !

Absolutely..

lurcher · 29-11-2007, 4:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodymogs

As far as the SR7 goes, easy mode Hi-Def recordings default to the 'HQ' setting, which is not the highest quality recording mode available. Or at least it does on mine does and I haven't found a way to alter this so don't use easy at all.

Thanks for that info , need to read the manual fully. Just as a matter of info if you record in Hi-def and can it be copied straight to standalone Recorder as SD ( as there is no downconvert func as in the DV versions ) ?

Just checked manual and reads Easy mode defaults to SP recording 7mb so dont think I will bother with that then.

redsox_mark · 29-11-2007, 5:35 PM

The SR7 doesn't "downconvert" like a HDV cam, but it can output SD over the analogue outputs, to connect to a SD TV or a SD DVD recorder.

lurcher · 29-11-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

The SR7 doesn't "downconvert" like a HDV cam, but it can output SD over the analogue outputs, to connect to a SD TV or a SD DVD recorder.

Yes just done that Mark via the Composite output with reasonable results direct to Stanadalone dvd recorder , just waiting for the Sony cable with "S" out as the supplied cable is composite only. No mini HDMI lead supplied ether.
Going to do some tests to see if any difference outputting SD from Hi Def than recording in SD and copy as above.

What would you expect Mark ?

redsox_mark · 29-11-2007, 10:30 PM

I would expect the results to look similar. If it is fast panning or movement which the AVCHD compression may struggle with, then the recording directly in SD (MPEG2) would look better; otherwise I don't think you'll see much difference.

redsox_mark · 03-12-2007, 8:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurcher

Just got a new Sony SR7 this week and put it in the car to video a lesson , left it on easy mode which turn out ok , std FH battery lasted 80 mins on record (viewfinder).
Excellent pics when replayed from camcorder via component to HD ready telly.

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