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New HD camera…?
I realize that this is the “Vegas” forum, but since I do all of my editing with Vegas I would rather ask here since you folks use a wide variety of different cameras.
I am in the market to get a new HD camera. I have been using my Sony VX-2100 for eight years and it has served me well (and still works fine other than the internal backup batteries).
I am looking into the Sony HVR-Z5U or the HVR-Z7U. The Z7U comes with an interchangeable lens, and also the compact flash recorder which sells for $700 (if purchased separately). The Z5U has neither but sells for $1100 less. I like the idea of the compact flash recorder and would probably buy one to go with the Z5U if I went with that camera. I doubt that I would ever have a need to interchange the lens but the Z7U does have a Carl Zeiss lens (12X zoom) where the Z5U has a Sony G lens, but it is also 20X zoom which sounds good.
I’m finally trying to break into the HD world. I’ve edited some HD footage for other people but have never shot any myself.
I would really like to get some of your professional opinions on HD cameras. The Z7U is probably gonna be around my limit financially at around $5200 plus the cost of CF cards for the recorder. The Z5U will run around $4800 with the CF recorder.
I’m not opposed to other brands, I’ve just been using my Sony for years and have liked what I have gotten with it.
Any info would be greatly appreciated…I know a lot of you guys and gals have personal experience with the HD cameras.
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ASUS P8P67 Deluxe MB
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1 GB DDR 5
Intel i7 2600k 3.4 Ghz
Corsair HX750 power supply
Two Seagate Barracuda 500g SATA III drives
16 Gig G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Canopus ACEDVio card
Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition case
Xigmatek Dark Knight CPU Cooler
Win 7 Pro
VEGAS 8.0
Sony VX2100
Alesis HD24 -
10 Replies
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Hey Ted–
Aficionados will probably scoff at this, but I just bought a used Panasonic HVX200. Partly because I’ve been using a DVX100 for years, partly because I knew the guy who owned it (and took care of it) partly because I do so much fiddling with stuff in post anyway and partly because I got it for $1,200.
And… partly because I just wanted to be able to say “yes” if a client ever asked me if I could shoot HD.
Nobody’s asked me yet (it seems most people I know can’t tell the difference, or care, anyway), and my one frequent client who shoots everything in HD always has me downconverting to SD for his TV spots.
I can shoot HD now, though.
–Kelly
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Thanks Kelly…I will probably be downconverting to SD too, simply to be able to burn to DVD. But I do like the fact that when HD footage is burned to DVD widescreen, it does fill up the screen. I can shoot “virtual” widescreen on my VX2100, but it doesn’t fill up the screen on the final product. I too, would like to option to give my clients HD if they ask for it.
Thanks again for the reply!
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ASUS P8P67 Deluxe MB
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1 GB DDR 5
Intel i7 2600k 3.4 Ghz
Corsair HX750 power supply
Two Seagate Barracuda 500g SATA III drives
16 Gig G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Canopus ACEDVio card
Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition case
Xigmatek Dark Knight CPU Cooler
Win 7 Pro
VEGAS 8.0
Sony VX2100
Alesis HD24 -
I used have a lot of Sony cams, but just bought a Canon Vixia HF G10….and it is AWESOME!!! Incredible in low light, love the colors and is AVDHD (which gets me out of tapes). It is the same sensor and lens on there 100 and 105 series pro cams. There is a pro version of this identical cam with XLR and such (however, I use off board audio, so I always save $ on going prosumer for the audio). New sensors are incredible these days, and this camera looks as good as the Z1/FX1 and love them. Going to about $1300-1500. After using many other cams, this one is my fav at this point…..
Just my two cents…Scott Francis
Mind’s Eye Audio/Video Productions -
Thanks Scott, more options to ponder for sure! And I do love the tapeless option…although having both tape and flash memory recording at the same time seems a bit more “safe” when shooting important footage.
————————————————
ASUS P8P67 Deluxe MB
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1 GB DDR 5
Intel i7 2600k 3.4 Ghz
Corsair HX750 power supply
Two Seagate Barracuda 500g SATA III drives
16 Gig G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Canopus ACEDVio card
Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition case
Xigmatek Dark Knight CPU Cooler
Win 7 Pro
VEGAS 8.0
Sony VX2100
Alesis HD24 -
The camera gives you the option of “dual slot” record. This allows you to capture to 2 SD cards at the same time for redundancy. It will handle ANY type of SD card as well, even the new ones that will go over a TB….
Scott Francis
Mind’s Eye Audio/Video Productions -
Hi Ted – I bought a Sony HDR AX-2000 that shoots tapeless HD. It’s in the price range you mentioned. Shoots AVCHD clips that import and edit in Sony Vegas Pro 10 very well. It’s worth checking out.
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Thanks Shawn…I’ll check it out!
————————————————
ASUS P8P67 Deluxe MB
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1 GB DDR 5
Intel i7 2600k 3.4 Ghz
Corsair HX750 power supply
Two Seagate Barracuda 500g SATA III drives
16 Gig G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Canopus ACEDVio card
Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition case
Xigmatek Dark Knight CPU Cooler
Win 7 Pro
VEGAS 8.0
Sony VX2100
Alesis HD24 -
I also recently, during the past year, upgraded to an HD format, but in my case I chose the excellent and time tested Canon XH-A1s and added a Datavideo DN-60, so now I record simultaneously to tape and compact flash, and a recent shoot confirmed the wisdom of my choice. One clip on the CF was corrupted, but thankfully it was also on tape and I was able to cover my butt and deliver the product, and I have a happy client. So I have SD or HD recording, dual format backup and archival storage on tape. And yeah, as mentioned by others, many, maybe most, don’t know or much care if you shoot in HD or SD, especially if the end product winds up on the web or an sd dvd, but with my kit I’m covered. Under $4K gets you a camcorder, CF recorder and two high end 32GB cards. Go for it.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
Shoot and edit in the highest resolution you can. Years ago I was using Sony PD-150’s and hired a second shooter for a project. He shot in SD on an HDV camera, and even at SD resolution the difference was really noticeable.
I recently had the opportunity to use the Z7 – it’s a really nice camera, and quite likely my next one. (I currently use Z1’s and the menus and operations of the Z7 were very familiar.)
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
I see in the specs on Sony’s website that the Z5U and the Z7U have a video recording format of
HDV Mode 1: (MPEG2 MP@H-14L), 4:2:0, 25Mbps (1440 x 1080)
DVCAM (25 Mbps) 480/60i (NTSC)
DV SP (25 Mbps) 480/60i (NTSC)I have just bought a small Sony HD camcorder to use just as a “filler” angle shot while using a new main camera (that I am in the market for). This new small camcorder is AVCHD at 1920×1080.
Will this edit well between the two cameras? Should both cameras be MPEG2 or AVCHD or is it OK to mix the two since one is 1440 and the other is 1920?
I probably need to find a good source to learn more about HD and the different formats associated with it…what is compatible, etc.
————————————————
ASUS P8P67 Deluxe MB
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1 GB DDR 5
Intel i7 2600k 3.4 Ghz
Corsair HX750 power supply
Two Seagate Barracuda 500g SATA III drives
16 Gig G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Canopus ACEDVio card
Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition case
Xigmatek Dark Knight CPU Cooler
Win 7 Pro
VEGAS 8.0
Sony VX2100
Alesis HD24
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