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Moving to HDV from DV, sort of, is my thinking right?
I’m about to upgrade my camera, thinking about a Canon XH-A1 over an HVX, I’m a long time DVX user, but the P2 thing does not suit my work flow at all – I’m a run & gunner, long takes, minimal crew. Plus, the A1 images I’m seeing are blowing me away, looking forward to playing with one soon.
So, my questions:
I realize if I shoot in Canon’s 24f mode I need an HV10 if I don’t want to use my camera as a deck (and I don’t). But can I cut on an FCP 5.1.2 HDV24f timeline and then edit to tape as 60i on minidv (this is what my main client requires) using my DSR-11, no Kona card? Will this require a render (my spots usually run around 4-5 minutes). Or should I just capture with the HV10 to the same timeline I use now, DV25NTSC? I know this will not represent any real image upgrade, but my client is happy with my images now anyway, and it will allow me to upgrade my camera before year end, keep my monitor and output deck the same, and then add a Kona 3 and some type of HD monitor as finances and future HD projects require. Is this all reasonable?
Sorry for thinking out loud here, nothing like shaking up my image aquisition right after getting in a nice groove with my Avid to FCP transition (and man am I loving it, BTW). Reality check appreciated.
G5 Quad Core, 4.5 MB RAM, Dual Dell 1905FP’s, KRK RP-5’s, DSR-11, FC Studio 5.1.2 OSX 10.4.8
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17 Replies
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If you’re going to work in DV, I’d still take a close look at the HVX… it’s shoots DV… Also you can get a firestore device for it, and not change your work flow when shooting HD. It’s a lot better format than HDV any day… read my article about editing HDV in the current issue of the COW magazine I’d suggest. It’s conclusion is to edit in dvcprohd if you’ve shot HDV.
Jerry
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[Jerry Hofmann] “If you’re going to work in DV, I’d still take a close look at the HVX… it’s shoots DV… Also you can get a firestore device for it, and not change your work flow when shooting HD.”
I’ll go with that same recommendation. When you see the HVX footage put right up next to Varicam footage, it’s amazing how similar they are and the HVX is about $40,000 less than the Varicam.
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
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Beleive me, I want to go with the HVX, but I’m coming to the sad realization that it is not the right tool for my workflow. I shoot 4+ hrs of run & gun one man band per shoot, with a good deal of handheld, in environments that rule out a laptop. The FS100 provides the storage, but poses a serious challenge with large amounts of handheld, and it also rules out a steadicam merlin down the line.
If and when I have to move up from dv to some form of HD, I can’t find a workflow that works with the HVX. Even some respected DVX users are saying that the A1’s image holds its own with the HVX. Seems unwise to replace my 100a with a $7500 camera that does the exact same thing and won’t work for me in HD.
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[StuS57] “Seems unwise to replace my 100a with a $7500 camera that does the exact same thing and won’t work for me in HD.”
You’ve hit the nail on the head. HVX footage looks great, but the P2 medium just doesn’t make sense for a great number of users.
HDV has a lot to recommend it. Image quality is a big, big step up from DV, with most of the benefits of DV -affordability, portability chief among them. -
I saw this coming the first day I read about the DXV over on dvxuser. I guess Pana did the math and decided my type of shooters were worth less than creating a new P2 market. I’m bummed. Have you seen any footage from the A1?
G5 Quad Core, 4.5 MB RAM, Dual Dell 1905FP’s, KRK RP-5’s, DSR-11, FC Studio 5.1.2 OSX 10.4.8
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I’ve shot about 200 hours of 60i footage for my current project, on Sony’s Z1U and A1U. Both cameras look way better than they have any right to. I have no experience with other HDV cameras, but have compared my footage with footage shot on the HVX. No question the Panasonic looks better, but not that much better. The A1U in particular is an amazing little camera. I’ve just come back from a 7 day shoot where I shot 25 hours of footage. The camera, 12 hours worth of batteries, 30 tapes, filters, mics and a steadicam Merlin all fit in a carry-on bag, with room left over for a Macbook.
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[GS1100] “I’ve shot about 200 hours of 60i footage for my current project, on Sony’s Z1U and A1U. Both cameras look way better than they have any right to.”
If you’re going HDV, Sony is the camera I recommend to people too based on the footage that’s coming into our shop. I just finished the first 1080i/50 episode for a new international series and the quality of the footage really impressed me. I captured everything to the DVCPro HD codec for the edit and it really looks fantastic.
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
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BTW, what carry on bag did you use?
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The bag is a LowePro Commercial AW/DV. Fits the Z1U comfortably, and the A1U with lots of room to spare.
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I’m looking right at one, keep my dvx in it. Great bag, glad to know I can probably hang on to it.
G5 Quad Core, 4.5 MB RAM, Dual Dell 1905FP’s, KRK RP-5’s, DSR-11, FC Studio 5.1.2 OSX 10.4.8
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