-
Panasonic HVX200 workflow & Final Cut questions (used to DVCAM).
I know this post is more relating to Panasonic HVX200, but the workflow questions I have are more Final Cut Pro and working at the editing stage.
Please read very carefully as I’ve posted this on another forum, (DVXuser) and they totally misread it hence I am no better off by posting there. What is important about this post is that I am talking about shooting on a HVX200, NOT a DVX100 and I will be shooting in the HVX200’s best possible mode, which is DVCPOR50HD (note the HD on the end) and in interlace mode, not progressive (unless you guys think progressive would be better?).
I am about to buy a Panasonic HVX200 P2 HD camera, but I would like some advice on the workflow I have in mind.
I’m working in PAL in the UK and am soon going to be shooting a very important commercial DVD that is going to be replicated and sold in the UK via a trade magazine so I really need to get this workflow figured out before going into production. I’m used to a DVCAM workflow, but had to sell my Sony DSR390 as it was only 4:3 and not widescreen. HVX200 is the replacement (for now anyway).
Question 1: P2 cards are still a bit pricey, so can I buy a Focus Firestore and record in the best quality DVCPRO50HD mode direct to it, or do you need P2 cards for the highest HD recording quality?
Question 2: Depending on the answer to the above, I intend editing in my Final Cut Pro 5 HD suite, which is installed on a Dual 2 Ghz G5 Powermac with an extra internal 500GB hard drive and two 250GB external LaCie FireWire 400 hard drives. RAM is 1 gig. Can this computer handle it or will I have to buy extra hardware? if so, what?
Question 3: From the Firestore (if question 1 is answered yes), can I import that footage straight into Final Cut Pro from the Firestore with a timeline sequence set up as DVCPRO50HD at 1080×1920? (am I right with these resolutions?)
Question 4: I need to author in DVD Studio Pro (latest one as part of Final Cut Studio) and burn out a master DVD that can be sent off and replicated so the DVD can go on general sale. I assume this stage will have to be Standard Def? Not sure how this works as I recently shot footage on Sony Z1 in HDV mode, edited in HDV mode and authored in HDV mode and was left with a DVD that I could not watch as I don’t have a HDV compatible DVD player. Will shooting DVCPRO50HD on the HVX200 lead to similar problems?
Question 5: There is a little gremlin in this post. For this production I’m shooting on the HVX200, I am also using another cameraman with another camera for cutaway footage. This other camera is a JVC GY-HD101E, which only shoots in HDV progressive mode, or SD interlace DV mode. How will these two different formats mix in the same sequence in Final Cut Pro?
I’ve been used to a DVCAM workflow with Final Cut for about 5 years now, so I’m clued up on all that stuff, it is just this new HD workflow that is a bit daunting and scary.
To wrap up this question, should I just use the HVX200 to shoot in standard def mini-dv mode and wait for the HD workflow to get easier, or is it easy now?
Thanks a lot guys, but I really do need advice on this as I have a very important commercial production that I’m shooting in 6 weeks and I need to work out my workflow before then. I can’t shoot this on my old Sony DSR390 as it is not even Widescreen.
I’m just looking for some general answers as to whether all this will work, if I’m barking up the right tree or if I am totally off track. Guys, please don’t feel the need to get really technical and long-winded with your kind answers; just enough to get me going.
Thanks a million in advance.
-
1 Reply
-
Sorry, don’t know how double post happened. Please reply to other post, NOT this one.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up