HD camera

[Steve Rhoden]

yes…it is worth investing in at least a 3ccd HD consumer
camcorder for numerous reasons.
A million times better than buying a SD camcorder that uses a memory card.

Steve Rhoden
Creative Director
TNX EFFECTS STUDIOS.

[John Rofrano]

It should be noted that most consumer HD camcorders use AVCHD compression which is a bear to edit on even the most powerful PC’s. Personally, I would stick with an HDV camcorder but they cost a little more and use miniDV tape which I like because it gives me a safety backup but some people like tapeless memory card cameras. It’s up to you.

3CCD is not as important as it once was now that CMOS chips are being used. My Sony HVR-A1U has a single 1/3″ CMOS and it cuts will with my 3CCD Sony HVR-Z1U.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Danny Hays]

I agree with John. The HDV tape based camcorders also have the option to capture just the parts you want from the tape to disk. With AVCHD compression camcorders, if you capture a long clip without stopping the recording, you have to transfer that whole clip to disk, even for a little part of it. Booo! As cheap as laptops are now days, direct to disk is the way to go. Especially with HDV’s long GOP structure and it’s one frame dropped means a half sec of video lost.. only 2 i frames per second. By the way John, I have the HVR-A1 and I love it. Hows the Z1 in low light? Danny Hays

[Douglas Spotted eagle]

In terms of capture/Xfer and quality, you both are right. But…there is a LOT to be said for file-based Xfer, and how you’ll work with it. For example, I’m working a lot with both ENG and event video. Editing data right off the CF card, no frames dropped, treating it exactly like tape. Except it’s immediate, frame-accurate access.
In my skydiving work, I have developed a workflow that allows me to shoot exactly what I think I need plus short handles for editing. That Xfer’s very nicely to the HDD system for editing, and we’re editing before the last file finishes Xfer.

In other words, there are great workflows for all of the products, it’s a question of which product fits your desired or most efficient workflow.

Douglas Spotted Eagle
VASST

Certified Sony Vegas Trainer
Aerial Camera/Instructor

[John Rofrano]

I agree, both workflows have their advantages. I bought a Sony HVR-DR60 Hard Disk Recording Unit and I absolutely love the workflow. When used with my HDV cameras it gives my the best of both worlds. I have a tape backup and direct access to my media for editing. Of course, I wouldn’t want to use that when skydiving so it all depends on the circumstances.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[John Rofrano]

> By the way John, I have the HVR-A1 and I love it. Hows the Z1 in low light?

The Z1 is significantly better than the A1 in low light. It’s not as good as say a PD-170 with it’s larger CCD’s but it is noticeably better than the A1. You can use a lot of gain on the Z1 and still have a very usable picture.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Trey Isbell]

I have read alot of great reviews on the Canon HV-20 what do you guys think about this particular camera. I am just trying to get a little bit better quality dvd after I finish my editing. I been using a cheap sony sd camera. All of my shooting is outdoors motocross action type scenes.