[quote="Scott S."][quote="sahonen"]Just a correction, D5 is only uncompressed on SD material. D5 HD uses intra-frame compression at 4:1. It's still better quality than HDCAM, though.[/quote] Stephan, thanks for the correction. Have not dealt with D5 HD but have heard many networks perfer that format. Hopefully Laura has found enough info here. My goal was basically to start at the top (of your price range) because you can also transfer down. Rick, HDCAM SR was the format I was trying remember. It does sound like the format of choice, but maybe in a year or so, hopefully due to a price drop.[/quote] With as many sales that are happening, I doubt the price will drop at all. I think CBS has standardized on SR as well. Think SR is in Torino, too.

[quote="sahonen"]Just a correction, D5 is only uncompressed on SD material. D5 HD uses intra-frame compression at 4:1. It's still better quality than HDCAM, though.[/quote] Stephan, thanks for the correction. Have not dealt with D5 HD but have heard many networks perfer that format. Hopefully Laura has found enough info here. My goal was basically to start at the top (of your price range) because you can also transfer down. Rick, HDCAM SR was the format I was trying remember. It does sound like the format of choice, but maybe in a year or so, hopefully due to a price drop.

[quote="sahonen"][quote="Rick Edwards"]The new format that seems to be coming everywhere is HDCAM-SR.[/quote] SR does look very impressive. Some VTRs can even run the tape double speed to get twice the bitrate, you can either put an obscenely high-quality 4:4:4 stream on there (about a 2:1 compression ratio) or two simultaneous 4:2:2 streams, plus up to 12 channels of audio. It sounds like a perfect format for digital cinema (is it really appropriate to call it film anymore?)[/quote] Depending on the model of SR deck, you can record either regular HDCAM or SR as well. It's 1080i and 720p switchable, does 3:2 pulldown and plays back Digital Betacam, HDCAM and SR tapes. Very cool. RE

[quote="Rick Edwards"]The new format that seems to be coming everywhere is HDCAM-SR.[/quote] SR does look very impressive. Some VTRs can even run the tape double speed to get twice the bitrate, you can either put an obscenely high-quality 4:4:4 stream on there (about a 2:1 compression ratio) or two simultaneous 4:2:2 streams, plus up to 12 channels of audio. It sounds like a perfect format for digital cinema (is it really appropriate to call it film anymore?)

[quote="sahonen"]Just a correction, D5 is only uncompressed on SD material. D5 HD uses intra-frame compression at 4:1. It's still better quality than HDCAM, though.[/quote] The new format that seems to be coming everywhere is HDCAM-SR. It is 440Mbp/s and can handle 4:4:4. I heard turner had purchased like 30 of them. Not bad for a $100,000 VTR. From what I understand they're selling so well there's like a 4 month waiting list to get one. RE

Just a correction, D5 is only uncompressed on SD material. D5 HD uses intra-frame compression at 4:1. It's still better quality than HDCAM, though.

My first reaction to this post would be to buy D5. Since it is uncompressed you can eventually get a HDcam transfer. Won't say "clone" since HDcam is compressed. With Sony's new HDcam format, not sure which Sony would have the longevity. You could also buy b-stock or even slightly used D5. I figure if D5 is uncompressed you can always dump down.

Was trying to determine whether to rent or buy, and if I buy, which format has the most longevity (haha)

Recently I was in a major cable networks post facility, they had both of those formats in their tape core. Now, do you need to buy or can your rent/lease based on what client demands are?