[Dan Brockett]

Hi John:

Since I am as sarcastic as you are, I salute your answer, pretty good. I wrote what I wrote because I have used three different 300s and unless the camera is defective or really setup wrong, it couldn’t look as terrible as you describe.

Rock on. BTW, if you are a news guy, JVC? Really? JVCs break, the only news operations I have ever seen them are in super low budget local stations. No rental companies stock JVC for a reason. You will have down time. They can make nice looking pictures though but if they are always in the shop, what’s the point?

Good luck,

Dan

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[Dan Brockett]

I tend to agree with Steve. The three shoots I have done with HPX300, the footage has been outstanding quality, much better than I ever thought possible from a 1/3″ chip set.

You must have something setup wrong or must have a defective camera.

Dan

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs

[Dan Brockett]

I think a factor is the gear. If you are editing on your laptop, you would probably charge less than if you were editing in your edit bay with a Mac Pro, Kona 3, Broadcast monitor, etc.

NYC isn’t known for cheap editing either. I think you sound like you are in the ballpark for agency work. Also, eight hours at $650.00 should turn into around $1,100.00 with four hours of OT so you sound right I would be, assuming a twelve hour day, depending on how high end the spot/project is. These days, you want to be low enough that they don’t feel gouged, biy high enough for them to take you seriously.

Dan

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs

[Dan Brockett]

Thanks Ken:

I figured out a manual hack using the original software and Leopard but this is much better. I really appreciate you posting this.

Dan

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[Dan Brockett]

I am sure you will dig the EX1R, it is a great camera. A producer friend of mine is shooting a green screen feature with that exact setup, EX1s with the NanoFlashes, he just asked me my opinion about doing so the other day.

I wrote an article in this month’s HD Video Pro Magazine about outboard recording devices, the NanoFlash is a pretty impressive little box. I reviewed the NanoFlash, the AG-HPG20 P2 recorder, the Ki-Pro, the Focus Enhancements 200 and the S-Two OB-1. The Nano held it’s own and can record a really clean signal.

Good luck,

Dan

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs

[Dan Brockett]

More people should become more familiar with the frame rate controls and scene files because trying to fix this would be a nightmare. Read the Barry Green book.

Dan

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs

[Dan Brockett]

Bryan:

The HVX200 lens has a macro mode. Not sure why you would need an additional macro lens unless you are talking about a snorkel lens?

Dan

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[Dan Brockett]

Stephen:

I own the 170 and regularly shoot the EX1. They are both great cameras and if you are talented, you can make superb images with either. At this point, it really becomes a priority game.

EX1
Better lens
Higher resolution/sharper
Full raster
Horrible, horrible ergonomics
Obtuse menu structure
4:2:0 long GOP MPEG 2 codec

HPX170
Not as good lens
Not as sharp but many feel more filmic colors/contrast
Abbreviated raster (1440 x 1080 for 1080 and 960 x 720 for 720)
Outstanding ergonomics, great for handheld
Simple and straightforward menu structure
Built-in waveforme/vectorscope
4:2:2 intraframe codec, much easier to deal with in post

At this point, neither camera is perfect, both have compromises. but in different areas. For me personally, when I shoot footage that needs to have that Discovery Channel 60i super crisp and sharp “video” look, the Sony is much better. When I shoot footage that I need to look more “filmic” and lush, even a bit less “analytical” looking, I much prefer the 170.

Shooting handheld? The 170 knocks it out of the park, the EX1 is a nightmare. Shooting red carpets, weddings or anywhere else with flashes going off? 170 is much better. Shooting fast action sports on long lens? The 170 blows the EX1 away, the EX1 skews a lot when shooting on the longest lens setting with fast pans. Shooting subjects where ultimate sharpness is most important? EX1 all of the way. Shooting with other Sony cameras and intercutting them? EX1 all of the way.

I could be happy with either camera. They are both awesome but in their own way.

Dan

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs

[Dan Brockett]

Adam Wilt, who is a knowledgable video engineer, rates the EX1 “In 1080p, the EX1 came in at EI 500”. The HPX170 is also rated at ISO 500 as is the HPX300. The Sony has a slight edge in 720p mode so I guess you have to ask yourself if you will shoot mostly in 1080?

Read what Adam had to say about the 300 https://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/quick_look_panasonic_ag_hpx300_1_3_3_cmos_p2_hd_camcorder/

Dan

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs

[Dan Brockett]

Sure, you could although you would need an adapter to turn the unbalanced RCA line level signal into the correct impedance and output level to drive your headphones. Checking your headphone specs for their impedance level would be a starting point, then a trip to Radio Shack.

Providing value added material to all of your favorite DVDs