Formats – Shooting & Delivery
Our process is to make a continuous uncut shot whenever possible and practical.
Most of our camera systems will also record the voice over descriptive narration by the cameraman of the view.
Generally a second audio recording is made for better quality and to allow separation from environmental noises (particularly when the camera is roof mounted on a vehicle).
Here is a list of the formats we offer, with links to additional information:
STANDARD DEFINITION (SD) are shot using a Canon XL1 MiniDV based camera
with the wide angle accessory lens (3X WideZoom XL):
SD on Tape – DVD
SD on Tape – Delivered as Original Footage (MiniDV)
SD on Tape – VHS or SVHS
SD on Tape – Delivered as Streaming platform (Vimeo or YouTube)
more
HIGH DEF (HD) & UHD 4K (2.7K) are shot on one of the following systems:
Canon professional 35mm based camera bodies with full-sized sensors and quality “L” lenses, or
GoPro Hero4 Black cameras on a fixed or stabilized platform, or
DJI Vision+ drone cameras on a stabilized platform.
HD (1080P) – DVD (down-sampled)
HD (1080P) – Blu-ray 1080/30
HD (1080P) – Delivered as Original Footage (CF, SD or microSD)
HD (1080P) – Delivered as Edited Footage (Thumbdrive or ZIP file download))
HD (1080P) – Delivered as Streaming platform (Vimeo or YouTube)
more
2.7K or 4K – Note that our current 4K systems deliver the highest quality image recording at 2.7K. 2.7K may be down sampled to HD (1080P) or upscaled to 4K. Newer optional camera systems may include options for native 4K (Canon 5D mkIV – late 2016).
Why are we stating 2.7 instead of 4K? 4K footage adds additional compression noise without adding additional content detail in comparison to 2.7K for our small format camera systems. 27K also allows a smaller, faster file transfer in the capture and post production use of the files. Full frame (35mm) 4K platforms are shot at full 4K due to the superior image file they deliver in comparison to small format systems.
Delivered as original footage (pre or post processing) on thumb-drive or ZIP file download
Delivered as processed and edited footage on Blu-ray, digital media (external drive or thumb drive – as transports only not as playback media) or streaming through 4K service (Vimeo, YouTube or other)
Additional formats may be available via rental equipment if you have a special requirement (VR, 360º)
Due to the rapid state of advances in technology we may not be able to accommodate customer required equipment if models or formats are well outdated. Examples of this are specific model VHS or C-VHS camera, Camera that record directly to CD or DVD media. When language includes “or Equivalent” we can offer likely far superior alternatives, however they may need to be approved in advance by a customer representative.
Examples of our work in all of these formats is linked within this website.
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Editing involves transferring the footage, uncut when possible to a computer syncing the audio and then adding the overlay elements such as the sitemap, path, camera location, time, etc. Some footage may require enhancement to overall exposure, color, sharpness and in rare cases motion stabilization. At no time does the post production process include cutting out select footage and elements or hiding such elements by manipulation. All footage is produced and represented to be an accurate, unbiased documentation of the area of coverage on that date. In many cases the final delivered footage may have the very beginning and/or the very end of filming cut out as we confirm the equipment is working properly. The coverage areas are shot uncut whenever possible and practical.
In the event of a battery swap out or any technical error such as the vehicle mounted camera being blown sideways that portion of the footage will be noted over the voice over and in the displayed footage as such with time shots (shooting the time on a cell phone display) made to verify the length of the coverage.