Bob Seabold
Forum Replies Created
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I would not lock yourself into a single technology…with P2 cards getting larger I’m not sure how much a dedicated off-loader would be needed in the long term.
If you are interested in the data side, I would not limit yourself to P2, but get to know all the data options, ie sony, red etc…Somebody who is able to work with all the cameras is far more valuable than someone limited to P2.
If you are in a larger market you might be able to stay busy as an ac/dit (assistant camera/digital interface tech)…but again don’t limit yourself to one camera type…learn it all and you will be the go to guy…
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I use the caldigit firewire vr in the field and the s2vr on my edit system…
Bob Seabold
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It was funny trying to get the small ones at radio shack as they tried very hard to upsell…even when I told them that 256mb was 255mb more than I would be using!
One thing about user and scene files that isn’t very obvious is that you can put 4 scene file sets(each having 6 scene files per set, f1, f2 etc) and 4 user files on one card.
Bob Seabold
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Scene files are everything that effects the look like detail/chroma/masterped/gamma etc in addition to the frame rate/operation type(film cam(shutter angle vs video cam(shutter speed).
User files include display stuff/recording format pretty much everything that’s not in the scene file.
If you save a scene file and a user file to an SD card pop the card out and stick it in a computer and check out the text files…then you will see exactly what is included in the scene and user files…
you can use small sd cards…I just bought several 256mb cards from radio shack for 5.99 apiece.
User and scene files are just text files…so very tiny…probably around 300k.
Bob Seabold
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The HDX900 only does 1080i and 720p…so HD only…no variable frame rates.
HPX500 is like the hvx200…does hd and sd and variable frame rates and progressive and interlaced…except the hvx200 does dv to tape as well as p2.
HPX2000 does hd and sd…not sure but I think that it does not do variable frame rates but it has more pixels than the hpx500…1 million versus 600,000
I’ve used the hdx900, hpx500 and hvx200 but not the 2000…
I really liked the 500 for its versatility/cost (like the hvx200)…
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I’m certainly not as experienced as others here, however these are the advantages for myself…
The advantages are many.
You do not need an HD deck to get the footage in…pretty substantial cost savings…
You have the flexibility of shooting in a variety of formats (DV, DV25, DVCPRO50, 720, 1080)…you can shoot progressive or interlaced, different framerates.
You can shoot natively to the P2 card (PN) as opposed to the varicam which shoots “over 60p”
Reviewing in the field puts no wear and tear on the heads, cause there aren’t any!
No making the client (or yourself) wait for rewinding and recuing in the field…press a button — choose your clip — play it — click a button and go back to shooting…no timecode worries…
With the larger P2 cards being available you may not have to move data around in the field.
You add the possibility of editing in the field…checking chromakey etc. for less cost…(bring your laptop with NLE)
The biggest disadvantage for me is the tape/archive problem…we are all pretty comfortable with tape…I just use multiple harddrives for now…and have had no problems. Most of the problems I’ve come across in my day to day business are user errors. It reminds me of film back when I used to be an AC…There is a particular workflow that needs to be followed, after all when working with film there were chances to ruin the footage…we were just careful and methodical.
Those are the ones just off the top of my head…
Good Luck!!
Bob Seabold