[Byron Goggin]

Don’t get me wrong, I like the camera alot, but I guess I have not had the same results as a few of you have.

As I said, this is the 2nd camera I have had (JVC replaced it after seeing the problem themselves) and the issue remains. The stop times are arbitrary and can happen anywhere from 10 min to 25 when recording in 1920x1080i HQ. Does not have a pattern. I use the recommended Transcend cards. Perhaps I will try sandisc.

In regards to editing. True, you can import native Quicktime files but you will have to edit them in their native Codec ie: XDCAM EX 1080i60 (35Mb/s VBR)

Problem is two fold. If you try to mix footage from other formats into your timeline you will have fits with unplesant render times. Also if you import as ProRes422 you will save drive space by about 2/3.

ProRes422 is most “Post” editors choice as it allows you to take say 1920×1080 video and edit in a codec (timeline) that takes less overall drive space but enhanses the quality to actually look better that the original format…especially graphics..

I dont remember the exact numbers off the top of my head but say you had an hour of material shot in 1920×1080 it would take something like 18g. Drop that same material into a prores422 timeline and it would be like 1g.

This is phenominal for editing, workflow with other formats, delivery and archive purposes.

I now run through about 2Tb of drive space per month. Ouch!

[Byron Goggin]

Beware: A couple things related to the 700. I have won 13 Emmys for photojournalism and shoot for Discovery Channel, Nat Geo and PBS. Im not beating my chest, just giving cridentials. Here is some advice from the professional side.

Overall, I really like the camera, however it has some flaws. I have found that there are some recording issues with this camera. Most who test and use this camera, I assume, are only recording for a short time. I have experienced that if you record for any significant amount of time that the recording will eventually stop. I have tried different brands of recommended cards and still have the same issue. Not so cool when you are recording a one time only event and the camera stops recording. JVC reps have no answer at this point. They gave me a new camera and the new one is doing the same thing.

I love the idea of multiple record formats, that is why I purchased it. The problem comes with this: If you use the native quicktime format and record in any of the 1080I selections you have to deal with the Long GOP format. If you are unaware, this is a terrible format to edit in. A simple dissolve can take upwards of 30 seconds to render. More difficult transitions, or multiple layers of video is an even longer render process.

As most FCP users know editing in PRO Res 422 is the hot set up for most day to day projects. Unfortuneately, the formats that JVC provides does not allow you edit in PRO Res unless you go through an endless render process. Sony has a brilliant transcoder for XD cam and it works awesome! JVC needs to acknowledge the problem and make a similar software product. Also, you cannot use the log and transfer feature of the FCP which is a huge deal to most editors.

If you are a news shooter, or just want to string some cuts only stuff together this is a great camera, but if you are using this for professional needs that involves true post production, you may want to look at something else or wait for the 2nd generation.

Anybody want to buy a like new JVC 700? Let me know. I’ll give you a good price.