Need help with tornado chasing DOC settings

[ChipG]

I'm shooting a tornado / storm chasing doc this spring on a couple hvx's and one panasonic hsc1u camera. The hsc1u shoots 60i only and will be used for car interior shots, I'd like to shoot with the hvx's on 720p 24pn but am wondering if the footage will intercut / match very well?

I have one 16 gig card per camera about 40 min in 720 24pn or should this be shot in 1080i or 1080i over 30p? That would limit me to 16 min per card. We will have a laptop to download footage in the field. Is the 720 24pn mode going to strobe to much for fast moving tornado action?

What mode should I shoot this in?

[ProfessorU]

I would either shoot 720p60 or 1080p30, since you're likely to be able to resell your footage for more money in those formats.
""The video image has been optimized to match our professional camcorders," continued Golub. Though it may not have many differences outside - except for a non-reflective grey paint job - the AG-HSC1U has a different chroma, gamma, and knee than its consumer equivalent. The result should be an image that appears less saturated, and more closely aligned with more expensive camcorders like the AG-HVX200."
- http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-Unveils-AG-HSC1U-First-AVCHD-Pro-Camcorder.htm

It's a progressive sensor... is there no way to record progressive with the hsc1u?

[ChipG]

There is no way to record a progressive image with the hsc1u. Would my video be more marketable shot in 1080 30p instead of 720 60p?

Another issue im concerned with is only having 16 minutes per camera in 1080i 30p to capture footage then it's 20min down time per card dumping the P2 to the laptop... Being unpredictable storms this could be a big hinder and could possibly cause me to miss the big shot. Since I'm on a tight budget is thier another cost effective way to record? What about a 20-30 foot fire wire cable that is tethered to a laptop inside the chase vehicle that is recording then I'll use the card when I have to break away from the 1394 connection? What is the longest 1394 cable that you know of that has made a successful recording?

Thanks,
Chip

[ProfessorU]

OnLocation claims you can get HD recording over a 2.5m cable, SD much longer.
Maybe you should consider a firestore?

[ChipG]

I'm trying to see if there is a way for me to record without spending the $3k for two firestores. We have two laptops. I'm going to go buy 20-30 feet of 1394 cable and see if I can get it to work...

Another question,

Do you think I should use one of the cine gamma settings like cine-gamma V or should I use HD norm and dial in more of a video look with the detail turned up?

[ProfessorU]

Stick with whatever you think looks best. You will probably not have too many high contrast issues with tornadoes, since it's usually overcast and everything is kind of murky.
Why not buy just one firestore?

[ChipG]

Being on a tight budget I'm trying to solve these issues without spending the money. I think the 64 gig cards are suposed to come out at NAB and if I did spend the money I'd buy one of those over a firestore for reliability issues.