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To be a smart buyer, VariCam or HDX900
I have spoken to experts who have been lucky enough to test the HDX900 out and compare to the Varicam. His results determined that the HDX900 offered the same outstanding picture quality and color of it big brother and 30K more VariCam. SO is the under and overcranking really worth the extra money or is it just smarter to
buy the HDX900. I’m making a purchase soon so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bobby -
7 Replies
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First, you should test the cameras for yourself; for most people, it’s a major purchase. Surely Panasonic or your closest dealer will arrange a test for you.
Do you need variable frame-rates? That depends on the work you do and the kinds of work you want to do. For me, under and over-cranking are essential, so the extra cost is worth it.
For those who do only dialog, for example, all that’s needed is 24p, so the 900 might be the way to go. You can always rent a VariCam if you only rarely need variable frame-rates.
Good shooting!
Leo
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Does anyone know if 60p footage shot on the HDX-900 can be frame rate converted for slow mo?
Chris Bell
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Chris,
As far as I know, there are no “A” frames written in the HVX900 camera, so conventional methods, like the hardware FRC and the software FRC in FCP can not do what you’re asking; that’s not to say that you couldn’t write your own software or perhaps a “macro” in After Effects that would double print or add a 3:2 pulldown effect to the 60 discreet frames.
JS
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Consider the HDX-900 the HD equivalent of the SDX-900 henceforth no variable frame rates.
This is a big feature to loose when comparing why clients shoot with the varicam over the F900 in addition to film rec.
Tony Salgado
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It would be easy to take the 60 progressive frames that the HDX900 shoots and play them back at 24 fps in post.
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The way I understand it Panasonic didn’t include the whole set of Varicam color controls, only three preset ‘filmlike’ type settings, only a few frame rates, and it doesn’t allow you to select shutter in degrees only 1/sec.
Optically it looks to be the same as a Varicam only better low light performance. Probably due to the 14 bit A/D converter rather then anything else. There are rumors going around that the prism assembly isn’t as good as the Varicam but, I bet we’ll find there is no real difference.
There is also the past history of problems in rev A model products from pretty much every manufacturer of anything. You take a bit of chance buying the first of any new model. My Macbook Pro speaks to that. Its not a Panasonic issue. Its a problem with any brand new product line. It doesn’t mean there will be. There just might be.
The new remote is a monster. I’m not sure it will be a good or bad thing since I haven’t used one. It has a lot of blinking light and buttons on it and I like that. It also costs almost twice as much as the old one.
The firewire out is cool. Plug it into a firestore and go direct to disk. One day you may see used 900’s with 0x10h on the drum for sale. I think most people will probably end up doing both at once or tape most of the time if they aren’t going out the hdsdi ports. The Firestore is having some teething problems and I’m not sure anyone is using it in major projects as the ony record format. Most of us have seen enough firewire ‘glitches’ to be scared of it. Firewire cables fall out if a strong wind blows.
In the end it seems to me the Varicam is the way to go for features, people from film backgrounds, and people that need the maximum flexibility in their camera. The 900 is probably the better choice for eng/efp work and people that can’t remember the last time they didn’t use 24,30, or 60 fps.
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How can I change in AVID Xpress HD a 60p clip into a 24p clip?
Thanks
Peter
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