View Full Version : Do I need a Digital HD Recorder if i have HVX200?
hvxjay
08-19-2008, 04:11 PM
HI All
I am trying to learn alot very fast so I am sorry if this is easy.
Someone a friend knows has a Digital HD Videocassette Recroder SONY HVR-M15U model. IT records DVCAM, DV Mini DV and HDV.
DO i even need this if I use a Panasonic HVX200?
I know that the cassette in the HVX records SD.
Why would i need such a device if i have a HVX?
THe only thing i could think of is maybe the HD videocassette recorder allows you to record to a higher quality tape in HD. but im so unsure and I dont know there could be an option to buy.
I want to tap this great forum for an answer.
Thank you all in advance
J
Aroon_Narayanan
08-19-2008, 04:15 PM
Nope. The tape deck in question only records HDV, which is long-GOP at 25mpbs. In short, you'd be sacrificing part of your color resolution and 1/4 of your bandwith, which are the main advantages of the HVX in the first place. Plus, tape is all real-time, so the amount of footage you have is the amount of time it takes to offload it to your compy (another reason the HVX is so popular).
To answer your question in one sentece, you would be losing quality and convenience by converting the HVX's DVCPRO HD to an HDV tape.
PerroneFord
08-19-2008, 04:19 PM
The HVX will record a higher quality to P2 card than the unit you are talking about. However, if you would like to record onto tape (because it's cheap) then that unit could be useful because the HVX does not record any type of HD signal to tape.
no. in fact HDV (the flavor of HD that deck records) is arguably a LOWER QUALITY HD than what the HVX shoots.
The HVX will record a higher quality to P2 card than the unit you are talking about. However, if you would like to record onto tape (because it's cheap) then that unit could be useful because the HVX does not record any type of HD signal to tape.
the hvx wont record ANY HD to that deck. that deck is HDV the hvx is DVCPROHD. im not eve sure if the HVX and that deck are compatable in SD mode either...
VenezuelanD
08-19-2008, 06:31 PM
the HVR-M15U will only accept inputs in composite, S-Video, or Firewire (this is the only way for it to input HDV). It does not have any analog HD inputs (HD-SDI or Component)
Since the firewire input is digital and only accepts dv/hdv, there is absolutely no way for the Sony deck to record an HD signal out of the HVX200 and lay it down to tape.
As far as I am aware, there are no HDV decks that will take an HD signal that is not HDV and convert it in real time to HDV.
You could of course rent a panasonic DVCPRO-HD Deck I belive the 1400 series has firewire inputs so you can record directly to DVCPRO-HD tape.
PerroneFord
08-19-2008, 06:55 PM
Ok, thanks. I was under the misguided impression the HVX could write HDV out of it's firewire port like the Sony's can.
there is absolutely NO HDV functionality in the HVX. why would there be? its a DVCPROHD camera. they are two entirely different formats.
- id go so far as to say that the words HDV and panasonic are in fact diametrically opposed
PerroneFord
08-19-2008, 09:35 PM
there is absolutely NO HDV functionality in the HVX. why would there be? its a DVCPROHD camera. they are two entirely different formats.
- id go so far as to say that the words HDV and panasonic are in fact diametrically opposed
Why would it? Well, I'll give you a scenario.
Next weekend I have a shoot in Orlando. It's a conference that has traditionally been done on SD. It will be delivered on DVD and Web. I will be taking the EX1. I have no need to shoot it at XDCam levels, and frankly, don't have the storage cards to do a long form conference. But, because the EX1 can kick HDV out of it's firewire port, I can hook up my Firestore, and roll for 406 minutes. Easy as you please.
If the HVX could record HDV it might allow shooters options that they don't have now, especially for event shooters. The fact that the Firestore handles DVCProHD is a huge help though and likely obviates the Panasonics need for HDV.
Oh well, I guess the OP has the info he needs.
ok, you both defend and negate your point in the same post...?
I have no need to shoot it at XDCam levels, and frankly, don't have the storage cards to do a long form conference. But, because the EX1 can kick HDV out of it's firewire port, I can hook up my Firestore, and roll for 406 minutes. Easy as you please.
If the HVX could record HDV it might allow shooters options that they don't have now, especially for event shooters. The fact that the Firestore handles DVCProHD is a huge help though and likely obviates the Panasonics need for HDV.????
the FS100 can handle 6.5 hours of DVCPROHD 720p24N and as much as 10.4 hours in DV mode
(as well as varioous degrees in between) i dont get the point of your comparison...?
PerroneFord
08-20-2008, 09:40 AM
the FS100 can handle 6.5 hours of DVCPROHD 720p24N and as much as 10.4 hours in DV mode
(as well as varioous degrees in between) i dont get the point of your comparison...?
Yes, the FS100 can. If I hook my firestore to the HVX I get nothing. I guess my point is that sometimes it's good to have a fairly universal option available if possible. The HVX gives DV, and DVCPro only. Fair enough.
Jim Carswell
08-20-2008, 10:45 AM
From your post I think you are still confused. You state: "Yes, the FS100 can. If I hook my firestore to the HVX I get nothing. I guess my point is that sometimes it's good to have a fairly universal option available if possible. The HVX gives DV, and DVCPro only. Fair enough."
But, in fact, the Firestore FS100 "does" work with the HVX allowing you to record varying degrees of DVCPROHD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. This can be done in both P2 and QUICKTIME formats.
Jim
why would YOUR firestore not work with the HVX?
ohhhh... am i understanding that you are maybe using an fs4 or something of that nature with your sony? that would explain how this conversation has become so convoluted. most firestores (especially at the HD level) are specific to one camera [brand] and whatever formats it shoots. for instance, the fs100 will not work with the JVC cameras and the DR-HD100 ONLY works with the jvc cameras
the days of "universal" at least as we used to know them, im afriad are about over. even with HDV cameras. a sony HDV deck cant play footage shot with a canon or jvc HDV camera and vice versa - or at least that was the situation last i heard.
PerroneFord
08-20-2008, 11:18 AM
I have an FS4 Pro HD. It works with any DV or any HDV camera (as far as I know). So in that way, I think it's pretty universal. The HVX would certainly trip it up though. I believe the Canon's, the Sony's, and perhaps the JVC cann all do HDV. I guess it's just the Panasonic that doesn't.
I think the conversation got convoluted because I thought the HVX would/could output HDV for some reason, thus allowing it to be used with an HDV type tape deck or other recording device. Clearly I was wrong.
Barry_Green
08-20-2008, 12:15 PM
It won't work with Canon 24F/25F/30F. That's what they make the FS-C for. And it won't feed back information to the HD100, so that's what they make the DR-100 for (or whatever it's called).
PerroneFord
08-20-2008, 12:22 PM
Well PHOOEY! Guess I'll stick to my lowly DVX & EX1.....
cheezweezl
08-20-2008, 02:31 PM
okay so the hvx isn't "universal" in the sense that it uses a different hd format than jvc and sony.
but you do understand that the reason panasonic does this is because dvcpro hd is far superior to hdv, right?
they aren't just trying to be difficult. they are helping us with a format that does not suck.
if your arguement is that they should ALSO add the hdv codec as another option then i get that. the problem is not that many people would benefit from this and it would drive the price of the cam up.
i wouldn't call the dvx or the ex1 "lowly". however the hvx smokes both i'm afraid....
PerroneFord
08-20-2008, 04:16 PM
okay so the hvx isn't "universal" in the sense that it uses a different hd format than jvc and sony.
As well as other camera manufacturers.
but you do understand that the reason panasonic does this is because dvcpro hd is far superior to hdv, right?
I understand that DVCProHD has advantages over HDV in a number of areas.
they aren't just trying to be difficult. they are helping us with a format that does not suck.
That's your opinion. Many might argue that HDV doesn't suck, as you put it.
if your arguement is that they should ALSO add the hdv codec as another option then i get that. the problem is not that many people would benefit from this and it would drive the price of the cam up.
I'm not sure how much it would drive the price up, but for a camera that is popular as a rental, it might be nice to have some different recording options other than DVCProHD. Honestly, it's no biggie.
i wouldn't call the dvx or the ex1 "lowly". however the hvx smokes both i'm afraid....
If you say so.