HV20 Multi Cam Shoot?

[Veej]

Hi and thanks for reading. I have a dilemma and would like some advice.

I am doing a 3 camera shoot in Africa in about 6 weeks. Initially I was thinking of bringing my A1 and two HV20's. I would have hooked up the mics to the A1 and use that as the "A" camera. I was planning on shooting in 24P on the A1 and 24F on the HV20s.

Now I am thinking that I could cut down the weight of all my gear considerably if I just brought 3 HV20's and used a Beachtek for audio on one of the cameras. Also I would not need as heavy duty tripods, and could even possibly bring along a merlin or some other stabilizer.

What I am also thinking is that three HV20s would cut together perfectly, while I would have trouble mixing A1 and HV20 footage because they handle 24 frames differently. I want the post production to go as smooth as possible and it is really important that all three cameras match. Do you agree my life would be a hell of a lot easier or no?

My concern is that the HV20 audio control is not as easy to manage and that possibly my audio would not be as good with a Beachtek and HV20 as it would be with the A1. Sound is extremely important to me! Do I have anything to worry about?

Finally, is Final Cut Pro even able to handle 24f from the HV20 in the newest update 6.0.2? I do not want to have to put the footage through some other process first before editing. I need the simplest workflow possible because I will have way too much footage to deal with.

Please let me know if you think the 3 HV20 route is the way to go or if I should definitely bring the A1 and just two HV20's. Matching to me seems a little harder with the A1 an HV20, compared to all HV20's but I do not want to compromise my audio or feel totally restricted because the controls on the HV20 limit my ability to make great images (ie, no focus ring, etc).

I would love to hear you thoughts and appreciate your time.

[Barry_Green]

If sound's important to you, you shouldn't be recording audio on compressed-audio HDV anyway, and you definitely shouldn't be trying to use some hacked-together beachtek situation. Get a separate dedicated audio recorder and hear the quality of your recorded audio soar.

The XHA1's audio subsection is definitely superior to an HV20's with a beachtek, but even so it's not going to compare to a separate compact-flash audio recorder. And if you go with the separate recorder that frees you up to use HV20s for the video and thus get matching video and timeline properties.

[Veej]

Hi Barry,
That sounds great. We will have flash recorders too for the trip so I will record with that and use the camera audio as a backup.

Out of curiosity, and I know HDV lacks compared to my HVX sound wise, why is the Beachtek solution not as good as the A1?

[Barry_Green]

Because you're still recording to a $799 camcorder's internal audio system. Just because you can connect a professional microphone to an XLR, that doesn't mean that you now have a professional audio solution! You're still mixing down to a 1/8" minijack that's going into a $799 camcorder using cheap components to then compress that audio into MPEG-1 Layer II compressed audio at 384 kbits.

At least the XHA1 is a $3500 camcorder and has (presumably) better components in its audio chain. And you don't have to go through a 1/8" minijack to get there. But it's still compressed MPEG-1 Layer II at 384 kbits. You'll get better/richer/fuller/cleaner audio by using a separate dedicated uncompressed PCM audio recorder.

[SuperAte]

I don't buy the obsession with price; it's a lazy shortcut in place of actual data.

[Barry_Green]

A "lazy shortcut" based on decades of experience, but...

Well, feel free to put it to the test if you want. I can't, as I gave my HV20 away.

[SuperAte]

A "lazy shortcut" based on decades of experience, but...

Well, feel free to put it to the test if you want. I can't, as I gave my HV20 away.

Unfortunately, I don't have an A1:)
I defer to your experience as to which will have better audio. I would like to know just how big a difference it is however; the way you put it sounded a bit dismissive, and I doubt that the A1 sounds $2700 worth better than the HV20. Aside from the motor hum, which can be eliminated with a remote mic, it sounds pretty good to me.

[ESTEBEVERDE]

So the bottom line if you are doing a multicam HV20 shoot is to use an external mic for each cam and to slate at the beginning of your shots.

If you want to achieve "Pro" sound, use "Pro" equipment.

[ffaf07]

If you want to achieve "Pro" sound, use "Pro" equipment.

There are more interesting ways to go about getting results.

Just remember, if your subject matter is interesting and you show it with some creativity, the product will be great! I think with the obvious available light in Africa, and what I would presume is that you'll capture something interesting, you'll be able to churn out something nice.

I would still recommend the XH A1 go with you, for various reasons other than audio.