HVR-1500 vs. HVR-M25U

[Walter Biscardi]

We run the HVR-M15U here with the AJA converter and it works brilliantly. I prefer to spend less on the HDV format and more on other areas of my shop. I’m actually mastering another documentary shot on HDV, converted to DVCPro HD via the Kona and now mastering to the Panasonic 1400 deck.

I really don’t need RS-422 control of HDV as we don’t use that format enough to justify the cost of the 1500.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Michael Gissing]

Do you charge by the hour or job? I would check issues like spool speed. If the 1500 is not faster than the 25 then it may not be worth the extra price. Does it upconvert SD to HD? again if not then why the $s?

You don’t say if you have an DVCam deck at the moment. If you do then all you need is an HDV solution. HDMI can be converted to HDSDI (I think Convergent has a convertor) plus there is a cheap Decklink Intensity card that takes HDMI directly so the 25U can be used to direct ingest digitally without the loss of component.

The solution I use at the moment is a DSR 1500 for DV, DVCam and DVCPro25 and a Canon XL H1 for HDV input (firewire control and HDSDI output). The cheaper Canon XL G1 also has HDSDI out with embedded audio. I don’t use analog video or audio signals anywhere in my system except for monitoring.

[Misha Aranyshev]

Michael, HVR-1500 is DSR-1500 with HDV playback. HVR-M25 is more like DSR-25 with HDV playback.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Michael G] “The solution I use at the moment is a DSR 1500 for DV, DVCam and DVCPro25 and a Canon XL H1 for HDV input (firewire control and HDSDI output).”

Cameras are really never a good idea as a VTR solution. They are not designed for the constant shuttling that ingest / editing causes. Purchasing an HDV deck from Sony duplicates all the DVCAM features of the DSR-1500 so you can sell that machine to help offset the cost of the new machine.

That’s what we did here with our old DSR-11 when we purchased the 15U

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Mark Maness]

Bob, I think that Michael has hit the point.

You need to ask yourself what is really important here. The main differences between the decks are the same as the difference between the prosumer and broadcast quality Beta decks. The HVR-1500 has all the features needed for broadcast quality work, beefer components with better response times. It has HD-SDI out, downconversion to DVCAM, balanced audio (of which I don’t know why you need this if you have HD-SDI), and many more features that make the price of the machine worth it.

Here’s a fact, how BVW-70 decks are still in operation and being used in broadcast facilities? My last job had several that was almost twenty years old, that’s impressive. Now, on the other hand, we had a GV-1000 DV deck (prosumer) that died after only 1 year of work. We have 2 HVR-M10U decks that don’t get used all of the time but have alot of use. So far, they are still working and we do use the AJA HD10AVA converter boxes on them. I have had no issues with them but I don’t have to rely on them for everything because our main format is XDCAM HD, of which, we have the broadcast quality PDW-70 decks. That gives us piece of mind when the job requires it.

This is just food for thought…. Your option of purchasing the HVR-M25U may be just fine for your needs and if you don’t have a capture card, then the Blackmagic HDMI input may be right for you too.

_______________________________

Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com

[Bob Cole]

[Wayne Carey] “Here’s a fact, how BVW-70 decks are still in operation and being used in broadcast facilities? My last job had several that was almost twenty years old, that’s impressive.”

Good points, and my natural tendency is to buy the most robust hardware. If I had more faith in the future of the HDV format it would be a no-brainer to get the 1500.

In Betacam days I opted for the UVW1800, which was cost-effective, though it did require service a few times. Now I have a BVW 70 sitting idle. Glad I didn’t pay full price.

The price differences between the 25 and 1500 today are much less than the old Betacam UVW-PVW-BVW differences, and if I knew that HDV was going to be nearly as significant as Beta, I’d opt for the 1500. But I’m thinking that HDV is going to be just a bridge format, and that’s why I’m trying to be as stingy as possible with the deck.

The money debate reminds me of the film days, when a “long” interview meant shooting more than one 400′ roll of film, and you could easily blow thousands of dollars in film in an afternoon. Yet that same evening, I could also be checking the prices in the grocery store, and trying to save 30 cents on a can of beans.

For less money than the 1500, I can get the M25U + AJA’s analog-to-SDI converter (HD10AVA). With the HD10AVA I could get anything SD into HD-SDI. Makes you think.

Thanks all for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

— Bob C

[Mark Maness]

[Bob Cole] “The price differences between the 25 and 1500 today are much less than the old Betacam UVW-PVW-BVW differences, and if I knew that HDV was going to be nearly as significant as Beta, I’d opt for the 1500. But I’m thinking that HDV is going to be just a bridge format, and that’s why I’m trying to be as stingy as possible with the deck.”

All very true and valid points. But let me ask… How long has DV been around? How about DVCPro and DVCAM? HDV is more than likely a bridge format but so was DV and its still being used widely. So, my arguenment is you can’t base your decision entirely on how long this format is going to last. Its based on a proven format that has been used for the last 10 years. HDV will be around for many more years, I feel.

If I had my way with my company, I’d purcahse the HVR-1500 decks and replace my HVR-M10U decks but I don’t feel that’s going to happen anytime soon…

_______________________________

Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com