HVX200 Questions

[Tom]

Hi all,
I am new to the thread and am about to buy an HVX200 and had a couple questions for everyone.

I am reading a lot about the 720 usage on the HVX200 but how is the 1080I/P footage? Will the 108024p footage and 720 60p cut together well for visual effects?

How is the workflow with the cineform codec and Premiere Pro CS3?

There seem to be a ton of accesories and it seems like you can spend twice what the camera cost strapping them all on, how is the camera by itself.

I am upgrading from a XL1 s (which i very much dislike) and a GL2 (Which has served me very well.) My main use for the camera is my own feature films, and various client projects. I enjoy colorgrading and greenscreen/visual effects and am hoping to make use of the 4.2.2 colorspace and the added datarate.

Thanks Everyone and goodluck!

[tmnt]

It's about a 15 % sharpness drop from 1080 to 720.

The HVX is my first cam and it probably accounts for maybe a third or quarter of the total of my purchases.

I edit in Edius Broadcast 4 and it mixes my 720 and 1080 together without a fuss.

[Justyn]

1080 is nice for greenscreen work but not as practical in the field as no variable frame speeds and only is 2.5 times the datarate so it's a gig a minute.


Incredible camera in every sense of the word.

[Robbie Comeau]

the canon zr 100 is better tho

http://images.camcorderinfo.com/images/upload/canon-zr100.jpg

with its 3ccd, amazing focal length, and unreal audio, u cant go wrong

[Huy Vu]

the canon zr 100 is better tho

http://images.camcorderinfo.com/images/upload/canon-zr100.jpg

with its 3ccd, amazing focal length, and unreal audio, u cant go wrong

Uh, you must be kidding.

[Tom]

Ohh yah the canon is awesome.. lol.. When you mention that 1080 is only 15% sharper then 720, is that in regards to the HVX200 or any hd camera and formats? (Canon, JVC, Sony, DVCPROHD, HDV, etc.)

[Indywannabe]

If you've already outfitted for video, then you already have the big $ items like lights, mics, and a good tripod system.

The investment beyond the HVX200 will be mainly P2 cards...unless you want to invest in a DOF lens system which ranges from $1,200 to $12,000.

Software beyond Premier Pro might include Raylight. Adobe suite already includes "On Location"...and of course you need a way to dump the P2 cards (I use a PC laptop).

[Huy Vu]

Ohh yah the canon is awesome.. lol.. When you mention that 1080 is only 15% sharper then 720, is that in regards to the HVX200 or any hd camera and formats? (Canon, JVC, Sony, DVCPROHD, HDV, etc.)

It's just with the HVX. 1080p from the HVX isn't the same as 1080p from an F900; the F900 will obviously be sharper.

[Tom]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I

f the lack of sharpness is due to the HVX200 is that because of the lens or the way the camera captures the 1080?

Also what is a pretty good wideangle adapter? (not too expensive, and of course best quality for the money)

&

What kind of shotgun mics is everyone using with the HVX200. I figure I should also invest in one also.

Thanks Again!

[nsoltz]

Mikes-- I have a couple of Sennheiser ME66's. I have used a 416 on the camera and prefer it to the ME66. It is also more expensive.

W/A Adapter-- Century. Better yet, a RedRock or similar 35mm adapter. The 35mm adapter route is not good for handheld.

Also essential-- good tripod. It's expensive, I know, but I have really been touting the Sennheiser FSB-6 head. Particularly if you are going to use a 35mm adpater, you need something with good balancing and counterweight abilities.

Handheld-- I have a DVRig Pro and a DVMultiRig. The MultiRig is the more versatile of the two.

And lighting-- folks here love the Vidled. Haven't bought one yet, myself. I've tested the Zylight. Very expensive but great. But, as I will say later in the post-- ask yourself what you need to light. One light on the camera won't light a set. It will be great for interviews.

The camera is only a part of the investment.

Essentially, ask yourself what you are shooting, how you are shooting it and what do you need to facilitate what you are shooting.

Back to mikes-- are you just shooting wild? Shotgun is the answer. Interviews, etc... mike your talent whether lav, wireless, or boom pole with your shotgun.

Not certain you need something every day but need it just for a shoot? Rent and factor that into your billing.

You want to shoot feature, green screen, etc? Hire somebody with lights. Definitely go the route of the 35mm adapter. Definitely buy a good tripod.

Just my .02 on how you should spend your .02

Ned Soltz

[tmnt]

The Rode NTG2 is supposed to be a good mic for the money. I think it's battery and phantom power too.

[arrestthisman]

I disagree with some of the figures stated here. It is nearly impossible to quantify the quality difference between 720p and 1080p.

Most people who own/use/love the camera would say (subjectively), about 20 to 30 percent improvement in 1080p mode. That said, it also depends on the shot. Some shots which show almost no difference, and infact will alias to a higher degree in 1080p, but wide shots, lots of detail... it depends, but the differences can be quite drastic.

The workflow is easy, BUT for the best looking and most seamless intercuts you need to make sure that the resizing math is good. In other words, it depends on the plugin/effects software to get a consistent look. Shake does the best job IMO for desktop video. Using Mitchel equation resize. Good stuff, rendering isn't ridiculous, AND it looks amazing. No interpolation but also no aliasing.

There are some great plugins too. You also have to decide whether you're going to shoot 1080p and 720, and end up in 1080 or 720... So are you worried about uprezzing or downrezzing? Makes a big difference unless you're doing bicubic, which is terrible, and shouldn't be used.

My $.02

[SPZ]

I've always shot in 1080p. SInce I'm in Pal territory, the 720p mode was unneditable for at least a year in FCP, so the only viable option for HD for us was 1080p. And there's indeed a difference between the 1080p and 720p recorded footage in sharpness. However, 720p footage is still usable, in small portions, on a 1080p timeline.

I believe you NTSC people don't notice much because DVCPRO HD 1080 60i is 1280x1080, and 720p is 960x720. However, over here, DVCPRO HD 1080 is 1440x1080 against the 960x720 of 720p PAL. Its a much bigger jump, and, on the FCP timeline, the uprezzed footage vs the native 1080p is obvious.

Wouldn't trade this camera for any HDV camera. Would definetly trade it for the HPX500 and glass, tough :)