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XDCAM HD vs AJ-HDX900
Getting ready to move up from our Sony Z1U, and these two cameras are in our price range. Obviously the workflow issue is a huge one, but what I am presently focusing on is image quality. Was not that happy with HDV on the Z1 …
When I play back recordings made on the XDCAM HD and the HDX900 systems, side by side on the same type HD monitors, will I see a better image with the Panasonic? It seems like I would. Also, we do a lot of blue screen – will the Panasonic not give us significantly better quality keys (with good lighting, etc., of course)?
We’ll be demo-ing cameras next week, but would love to hear from others have who pondered the same decision.
Thansk –
Wynn Winberg
Producer/Director/Editor
Aries Productions
Arlington, TX -
12 Replies
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We did not do a side by side comparison but we did purchase the HDX900 and it really impresses me.
We also have a Varicam and the HDX900 made the choice of a second camera easy.
There are quite a few posts regarding the HDX900 on the Varicam Cow forum.Ray Palmer, Engineer
Salt River Project
Phoenix, AZ
602-236-8224 office
There are three types of people in this world, those that can count and those that can’t. -
You may want to wait till the 2/3 inch XDCAM is available,rumoured to be this year.I would think this would be better quality pic than the present 1/2 inch chip model.Although the HDX900 is a great camera for the price.
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We’ll certainly wait until NAB – but I figure if there’s no official announcement then, we’ll go ahead and make a move. And of course, the 2/3″ version of the XDCAm HD will be appreciably more expensive.
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IF Sony announce 2/3rd XDCAM HD at NAB it WILL be approximately
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Yes good point,Nigel.When Sony have this 2/3inch XDCAM if the spec,s are also high,surely they would discontinue the 730/750 models somewhere down the line.The F900R maybe around a bit longer for drama stuff , as it has such a foothold already at the top end.
The HDX900 is a nice camera,but if Pana themselves are saying its the last tape camera they do,unless you can pay it off pretty fast,its a bit of a worry. -
Good points Redflag. If you can’t get your money back and make on it within 3 years you should be hiring kit instead; especially as this is tape.
No doubt HDCAM will continue in rental houses for many many years to come. But watch out for next generation of XDCAM HD, it’s going to be mind-blowing.
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Yes I think there must be many digibeta owners,who know they must go HD sooner than later…but what camera.730 is NG as no progressive,the 750 is good for just UK market,but limited to 50i/25p.Which only leaves the F900R,which is all bells and whistles but big price tag… and tape..which has to be on the way out..but how quick.Pana has the HDX900 which is a great camera but less excepted in the UK..I think…? and you could be up for arguing with every producer who wants to shoot HDCAM,because everyone else does.and again its tape.
I,d much rather buy a XDCAM 2/3 inch,which should tech wise have some future,and a hell of a lot less to worry about maintenance /replacement wise.BUT how long before its becomes a really accepted format???
Ofcourse you could just rent,but that costs money too!What to do?
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In the UK the BBC have just announced that their factual department has gone with Panasonic and will be using HDX900’S!
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Good news glad to hear it… but for how long I wonder?
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XDCAM is already an accepted format; it’s been around for 4 years not remember. The entire New Zealand broadcast sector has replaced its Beta SP gear with XDCAM and it is already established in many parts of Europe and the USA of course. It is Sony’s most popular new format and is selling better than DVCAM did when it was launched. Apparently Sony are only managing to manufacture 10 F350’s per day in Japan, but global orders are 5 times this figure, Sony can’t make them quick enough. They are setting up new production lines to cope with the demand; it is simply flying now.
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