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Hvx200_3 camera shoot
We just got our new HVX200 last Thursday. We have started the transition from Betacam SP to HD_P2. Reading thru the HVX200 manual I have discovered that this little camera has a lot more Menu Smarts than our Sony DXC35. Yes it is one thick manual. I thought that we would be able to take 3 or 4 months to learn how to make this camera sing, part time on the side.
So I thought. Our marketing guy already has a hot candidate for a three camera shoot. Four half hour shows and they are talking the middle of January..Three weeks, if you include the holidays. I can rent two more HVX200’s from the company that sold ours to us. But right now, I think I am the only free lancer in town with one. So I got one heck of a fast learning curve and I hope you guys can help. The camera comes with a free copy of Barry’s book and a P2 16gb card “when it gets here”, They are not in the box. I can rent the P2 cards. And I need to borrow some help to get up to speed.
I understand that the 720 format can be scaled up to 1080 with out problems or blemishes and can give me 40 min or 32 min on a 16GB card. Am I correct so far..
Would a 16 and maybe a 8gb in each camera make for a strong 45 minute recording. Then I could down load the P2 to our Mac Book Pro.. I am considering running the mics into the middle wide-shot camera, with the left and right camera using the on camera mics.
I can use a SD card to match the cameras. What are the settings I need to match?
Will Leapard on the Mac Book Pro “monkey wrench” the P2 downloads. Is Panasonics download software leapard friendly or should I purchase Raylight or Scopebox or_____?
I was hoping that the HVX200 would heat up our sales. (so we can purchase the HVX500)
But I didn’t expect the HD tech to be so HOT. Nothing like the imediate present to learn some new tech, why wait. I know there is a PROVEN workflow for a three camera shoot, and I would appreciate if you would be willing to help. The best part is that it is three cameras shooting two guys discussing law and politics. They will be sitting in a conferance room. So the lighting and audio should be controlable. Nothing fancy, just HD please. -
2 Replies
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“I am considering running the mics into the middle wide-shot camera, with the left and right camera using the on camera mics. ”
I’ll address this part of your post. DON’T do this!
Use a mixer, run your mics into the mixer, and then run one of the outputs to EACH of your cameras, using some Y splitters if necessary.
You want ALL of your cameras to have the same sound source. Syncing audio from a long form studio shoot in post is unnecessary and not smart.
McGee Digital Media Inc.
24P HD Production and Post -
This can be done, you just have to use some different methodology.
I run a 6 to 8 camera ENG/EFP style coverage with Digital Betacams for shows such as Australian Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, plus other sports events in Australia. Admittedly we sync all cameras with Time code generated from a master source, but as a backup we use a visual flash to sync all cameras and a pulse over the PA when all cameras are rolling. I have used this method on small shoots with 3 x Z1 HDV cameras, and HVX.
In post you line up all cameras with either the pulse across audio or the luminance shift from the flash, or both. Works perfectly. As long as all cameras roll at the same time it is pretty straight forward.
On the smaller shoots it was important that the two close cameras were free of cables and could move around (creative thing) and the wide shot, which was still hand held but not moving around as much, recorded the two mics. It was suggested that we go wireless to the other 2 cameras, but I pointed out how this methodology (flash only) worked and all shoots have been done this way since with no issues in post.
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