What is an Analog
An electrical copy of the original stimulus.
The signal is continuous.
Never skip any part of the original signal.
Ex, somebody singing into a microphone.
What is Digital
Digital is a series of 1’s and 0’s.
A digital signal is discontinuous.
Digital signals can be compressed, and analog signals cannot.
Codecs
Codecs are compressions and decompressions systems.
For example:
Quicktime has its own codecs for sending files over the internet.
Apple has its own codecs.
Why Digital?
Unlimited copies with the last one looking just as good as the original.
You can compress signals to save storage space.
Allows you to manipulate pictures and sound in a controlled way.
Downloading and Streaming
Downloading means files are sent as data packets that are often out of order.
Streaming means you can open the file and listen while the data delivery is still in progress.
The Pros & Cons Of Film Vs Digital
Hollywood utilized analog cameras for a very long period because the filmmakers loved the aesthetic appeal of chemical film, and the image quality was unmatched for a very long time.
What is film stock?
Film stock is a physical analog medium used for recording images made from celluloid and coated with light-sensitive gelatin emulsion. Light is used to capture an image onto the film; it is later developed under a specific chemical process and produces the images. Film stock comes in different sizes and styles; they are also differentiated by their chemical make-up, size of film grain, and color retention.
Pros of film
- More control over camera settings. Film gives you complete control over exposure (amount of light that reaches the film), shutter speed, and the development process.
- High dynamic range. Film is better at capturing subtle details and color contrasts, especially between black and white.
- Film grain. One of the most characteristic qualities of film is the film grain that some film stocks have. Many directors love the quality of film grain within a picture. This is, of course, a stylistic preference.
- Lower initial costs. Traditional film cameras are generally cheaper than digital cameras.
- More purposeful shooting. Film rolls have a limited number of film. Shooting with film makes you really think about every single frame that you’re capturing. “You must be mindful instead of shooting in rapid fire.”
Cons of film
- Time-consuming development process. Unlike digital where we can instantly see the footage after it is taken, cinematographers have to wait until the film is developed to see if their footage turned out well.
- More consistent costs over time. Continuously buying rolls of film will add up over the years. While many believe the extra cost is worth the benefits, some cinematographers may find purchasing a memory card (for their digital cameras) much more economical.
Pros of digital
- Digital filmmaking is accessible. Relatively low cost and user friendly, digital recording equipment is the personal computer of the film industry. While this could be seen as a threat to the establishment, these new voices in film can also inspire others and bring new energy to the film industry.
- Editing is simple. Like digital recording equipment, editing equipment for digital film is affordable and also easy to master. Postproduction can be less cumbersome in the digital world. If someone with no training in digital film editing can do a reasonable job on their Mac, imagine what someone with digital filmmaking career training could do.
- Digital distribution reaches a wide audience. You no longer need a big marketing budget to reach a wide audience. Today, your movie could take off on YouTube. Digitally formatted films aren’t bound to traditional distribution methods.A little success could open big doors for your film career.
- Digital projection saves money. The cost to make and ship a 35mm print is approximately $1,500 while the cost to make a hard drive containing a digital movie is $150. A digital print won’t break or scratch and the format presents the ability for theaters to show alternate programming, such as live theater and opera.
- https://www.allartschools.com/filmmaking/digital-filmmaking-career/
- See the image you are shooting in real time. For some cinematographers, one of the best advantages to digital cinematography is the ability to playback or see the image you are shooting in real time. Adjustments can be made immediately and there is no need to wait for the image to develop to see if you got the shot you envisioned.
Cons of digital photography
- Higher sensitivity. Digital cameras tend to be more sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture, which means they may be less suited to certain shoots and situations like those in snow, rain, or humidity.
- Requires battery power. While you can take many more photos with a digital camera compared to a film camera, the amount of time you spend getting the perfect photo may be limited by your camera’s battery life.
- More distraction during photo shoots. “Digital photography can be more distracting in the moment because, as a human, I can’t resist the urge to look at what I’ve just shot,” says Rubin.
- Time-consuming review process. When you have hundreds or even thousands of takes after a video shoot, you may spend a significant amount of time editing.
