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HVX-200 vs. DVX-100
I’m a student working on producing a feature-length, narrative film. I would like to shoot on a Panasonic so as to have frame-rate control, and I would like to get my hands on a Technik Mini-35 for some depth-of-field action to give it a nice filmic look.
My question is, will shooting the project (with or without the Mini-35) in HD on the HVX-200 boost the image quality as compared to shooting in SD on the DVX-100 considering the fact that the outlet for the film will most likely be on DVD in standard definition? If so, how much of a quality boost would the image have…enough to make it worth buying the HVX?
Any thoughts? -
20 Replies
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It will not boost the image quality, it will boost the resolution. Honestly though, shooting “HD” does not a good movie make. You might be better off renting the camera and spending your money on hiring a great Cinematographer who knows the camera well and knows lighting, composition, exposure, etc.
If given the option between getting cruddy looking HD or 35mm or IMAX for that matter vs. well shot SD- I’ll take the well shot SD any day of the week. At the other side of the equation- would be buyers and audience members are much more likely to note how good the photography looks rather than what shot it.
Noah
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I agree with Noah. Also to me the most important thing to remember is your telling a story. Secondly don’t shoot for the stars on your projects. I can;t tell you how many projects I have seen fall threw the cracks because people got in over their heads and can’t finish.
A good story can be shot with anything.
-Lars
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I second all the advice already given here.
Plus: Any of the cheap HD camcorders is less sensitive to light than a good DV camcorder. The HVX200 with it’s very innovative workflow and heaps of format options can also be a challenge to a cinematographer without experience on this particular camera. I’ve just seen a very experienced DOP wisely refrain from using this camera for a short-notice shooting and he remarked “I’d first have to learn that thing.”Regards,
Uli
Author of “DVDs gestalten und produzieren”, a book on professional DVD-authoring in German.
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Thank you all for your sound advice. I’ve been trying to be very careful to come up with a well-crafted story, planning very far ahead, and such.
From all of your advice, I’m gathering that there won’t be a huge difference if I shoot with the HVX then if I shoot with the DVX….
right?Thank you all for your input.
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No. There will be a huge difference in the size and resolution of the frame but again it will look identical more or less photographically.
Noah
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Only if you see a serious chance that your film will be so good you want to transfer it to 35mm one day. Then it would be an advantage to have the extra resolution, but not on conventional DVD.
Regards,
Uli
Author of “DVDs gestalten und produzieren”, a book on professional DVD-authoring in German.
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I agree with all the above, but will chime in with one reservation:
On the HVX you could shoot DVCPRO 50, which basically gives you all the DVX has + better colorspace/less compression for post (and a native 16:9 chip).
But the HVX is a different beast to work with altogether.Gunleik
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So you’re saying that the HVX has a better quality of Standard def. than the DVX does regarding color space and compression rate because of the capability to shoot on DVCPro 50?
Also, is the HVX-200’s 24p system a higher quality progressive system than the DVX-100’s? or are the two 24p systems basically identical?
Again….thanks for the input everyone.
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Hey Neil, I totally agree with what everyone has told you about getting a great story, but I have to disagree (respectfully) about shooting in DV will look the same, photographically, as HD. Not really. HD has much more detail and way more latitude in highlights and color space. If HD looked like DV, even photographically, everyone wouldn’t be all hyped up about this camera and it’s capabilities and the HD formats in general. No one would own a Varicam, a Cine Alta, or anything. People would save their hard earned money and shoot DV. Also, shooting in 720p24N, you will have a progressive image that has no pulldown to remove or deal with and if you want to shoot over/under cranked/ you can do so right in camera and not have to render in your NLE. WHile you should nail down your good story first, it’d be a shame to shoot it in DV when you have the capability to shoot in HD for nearly the same price. If you are going to shoot dv50, you might as well shoot HD. Also, some form of HD DVD is coming (HDDVD/Blu Ray/Something else) and it’d be a bummer if your film weren’t compatible when that happens. Also, you have to be prepared for editing in HD which requires more expensive hardware in your edit suite. If your school has the goods, then I say shoot HD.
2 cents worth.
Jeremy
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well stated and correct. good job Jeremy!
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