Considering getting an HVX

[Jackson Miller]

I'm considering upgrading from the dvx to the hvx. I have a couple of questions. First of all, is there a discount code I can use at spec com? Also I was wondering how much recording time a 16 gb card would give you in 720p and 1080p. Thanks.

[Jason Ramsey]

A single 16 gig card will give you 41-42 minutes of 720p/24pn. Any non-"native" (non PN) mode will give you one minute per gig in HD, so 16 minutes in this case. Doesn't matter whether it is 720 or 1080, or what the frame rate is.

The amount of record time you get with PN modes (in 720 only) is based off of the frame rate you choose as only the exact amount of frames per second you choose get recorded to the card. In non PN modes, everything is carried as 60fps, and pulldown is added as necessary to create duplicate frames to conform to the limitations of the codec. Your NLE would strip out the duplicate frames in post.

Best thing to do with Spec-Comm is to just call them up. I don't think they have a "discount code" per se, but their pricing on the HVX w/ 16 gig card right now comes out to be the cheapest around if you pay by certified check, or if you do the Panasonic 1.99 (or 2.99, can't remember)% finance option. You get 2% off using either of those options through spec-comm, so it comes out to around 5875, or so... 5 grand for the camera and 875 for the 16gig p2 card. Excellent price. And, (but don't quote me), I think they offer free shipping as well.

But, please note, you are better off with two p2 cards, rather than one. 2 cards will keep you rolling continuously with a laptop around (or p2 store), or keep your stops minimal. One card will put you down for 10 minutes at a time, while you offload and reformat, etc. Spec-Comm does have extra 16 gig cards available as well, I think.

Hope that helps some.
Later,
Jason

[mjjason]

I don't think spec-com has a discount code but you can ask them. Very good company to deal with.

As for 16gb cards. 1080 its 16 minutes. @720p it is about 40 minutes if you use the 24PN mode.

[Jackson Miller]

Wait so 1080i and 1080p are 1min per gig? Also, I do not understand the difference between pn and p. What is pn?

[Jason Ramsey]

Yes, and 720p is also one minute per gig.

24PN = 24 frames per second that get recorded to the card.

24P = 24 frames carried over 60 frames per second using 3:2 pulldown, as the movies do for broadcast on t.v., or drama's on t.v. do, or many t.v. commercials, etc. It's still 24p... It's just duplicating frames as necessary to make 24 go evenly into 60.

24PA is the same as above, but uses a different pulldown method, that leaves you with one duplicate frame for every 5 frames, that your nle will strip out automatically. Leaving you with the pure 24fps.

In non PN, it's just like the DVX did it. EVerything is @ 60, and frames are duplicated, or pulldown is added as necessary in order to conform to the limitations of the codec.

In PN modes, only the number of frames per second you choose are recorded. Hence the saved space. For example. 30 frames per second is half the frames of 60, so you would get twice the record time if you shot 720p/30pn vs. 720p/30p (or any other non PN mode). 24fps is 2.5 times less frames per second than 60, so you get 2.5x the record time @ 24pN.

I hope I'm not confusing you too much :)

N = Native. Only the number of frames you choose get recorded.

No N = Carried over 60.

[Spec-Comm]

Hello Entity,

Click HERE (http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=136) for our current deal. We are going to be posting a new package on Monday too but I'll give you guys a sneak peak. HVX200 + 32GB card for $6845 plus an additional 2% off with certified check or bank wire transfer.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman

[Spec-Comm]

Thanks for the help Jason!

Andrew Hoffman

[Jackson Miller]

Thanks everybody. So why would anybody choose to shoot in 720p over 720pn? Also, does the HVX shoot a true 24 frames per second and not 23.98?

[cheezweezl]

Thanks everybody. So why would anybody choose to shoot in 720p over 720pn? Also, does the HVX shoot a true 24 frames per second and not 23.98?

maybe if you are using the hvx along with other cameras such as the hdx900 or varicam that shoot 720p/60 to tape. you might want the formats to match.

why the concern between 23.98 and 24?

[Dick Campbell]

PN mode does not output via Firewire, so you can't monitor with scopes real time, or use Firestore. (Firestore has workarounds, tho). Also no audio with variable frame rates in PN.

[Jackson Miller]

So then how do you record audio? Which one do most people use, pn or normal?

[mjjason]

PN records audio. Audio is not recorded when you select a variable frame rate different than your shoot mode. For example if you are shooting 720/24PN and set the frame rate to 48fps than no audio is recorded. However if you shoot 24fps than audio is recorded.