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which camera would you pick?
i’m going to purchase a new camera in the next few weeks and I’m torn between the panny hvx200 or the new sony hvr v1u. i love sony’s durability, but dvcpro hd is a great codec for FCP.HD-HDV-OY!
i am making the migration to HD slowly, as my clients don’t really have a call for it yet, but i know i need to learn. i really just need the 24p in
a great camera and both look great-any thoughts? -
14 Replies
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Buy the Panasonic. It’s as reliable as any Sony camera I’ve ever seen… HDV isn’t NEARLY the format that DVCPROHD is.
Jerry
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Do not buy the Panasonic camera until you have THOROUGHLY researched the capture, archiving and data base issues involved with this format. It is completely different from anything you’ve done in SD. Google it and read up on it and then decide if it’s a workflow route that will support your production. We tried it and abandoned it. It works I think for well-controlled productions, studio shoots, large crews, plenty of time. For run and gun with a lot of shooting it’s not a format that worked for us.
All the best,
Tom
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop” Class on Demand “Complete Training for FCP5” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy” DVDs
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Did you try a firestore with it? We’re using the camera a lot and really like it. Better format to post with for sure. Backs up on a dual layer DVD easily too… True, does take a crew member to work with it, but with a couple of the firestore devices, it might not…
Jerry
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We didn’t try the FireStore, but our crews also didn’t like the camera. The controls are like a consumer camera. They all wanted proper lens controls and opted for the JVC, with which we are using DTEs.
All the best,
Tom
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop” Class on Demand “Complete Training for FCP5” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy” DVDs
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The HVX P2 workflow is perfect for the kinds of jobs I do.
It’s more like shooting 16MM film, except the “film”
is much cheaper. I guess if you need to do weddings
or corporate dinner presentations then the Sony
would be OK. -
What is it that you do?
All the best,
Tom
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop” Class on Demand “Complete Training for FCP5” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy” DVDs
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The HVX-200 and P2 solution works well for us too. We have 5 4GB cards and the P2 store as well, so it allows things to move along quickly.
We shoot documentaries for cable….Discovery, History Channel…
And we are film guys so VERY used to this workflow.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
What is it that you do?
All the best,
Tom
Producing for almost 30 years….
Commercials, corporate, and now we only
shoot and edit HD. I have never produced
long-form doc work and I could see where
P2 might be a challenge to work with
in that environment. But Pana is coming
out with new cameras that will hold 5 P2 cards
and shoot HD at 50 Mbps using the AVC-Intra mode.
You could in theory shoot 320 min at 50 Mbps
using the 720 24p mode and 5 8 gig cards…. -
[izoneguy] ” I have never produced
long-form doc work and I could see where
P2 might be a challenge to work with
in that environment”I work in long-form documentary and it wasn’t a problem at all. Just a workflow to get used to, but it worked.
RUN AND GUN docs might be an issue. But as I am oft to say, and have heard said, “the right tool for the right job.” The HVX might not be the right tool for run-and-gun situations, like Tom mentions, so he doesn’t use it. It doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great camera that works in other situations.
It is just that, when you need to pound in a nail, you don’t use a rubber mallot. The mallot is a tool designed for pounding, but not nails.
For instance, many people that shoot with the Varicam or CineAlta for their A camera. When they happen to have a shot that is in tight quarters, they grab the HVX or an HDV camera. They won’t get you the best image, but they will get you an image that is darn good and what you can use.
Does the HXV give you a better image than an HDV camera? Absolutely? Is the workflow something that won’t work in a lot of cases? Absolutely. Therefore the need to shoot with a different camera.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
After seeing the V1 footage projected at DVEXPO – it’s not even close – the V1 is just insane for the money. While I love the look the HVX has, the V1 is way north of the HVX in image quality. And don’t even talk to me about 4:2:2 vs. 4:2:0 blah blah blah – who cares – the V1 just looks better – kudos to Sony.
Lance Bachelder
Southern California
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