HVX200AP, tapes and editing

[hvxer]

Just spent my savings on a 200AP. Found out P2 cards are really expensive. Am I correct that you can film HD 1080/24p onto DV tape? And after you record it on DV tape, how do you get it on a computer for editing?

[Andy Olson]

You cannot record HD to a minidv tape on the HVX200. The most you can do is record hd that is downsized to standard definition onto tape, but you may need a p2 card to do that as well.

Capturing from the DV tape is done through the firewire.

Cameras like the Canon XHA1 or the JVC hd200/250/110 as well as some Sony cameras record HDV to tape. It's not as robust a codec as the HVX200's HD to P2 cards but it does record to tape.

Best,
Andy

[hvxer]

So what setting is best for the 200A if you are using 35mm lenses and recording onto tape? Will everything look good on tape just because you are using the lenses?

Also, how do you get tape onto a computer? Do you need a machine that plays the tape, or can you plug the camera into a computer and do it that way?

[Jim Carswell]

My first suggestion is that you start doing a lot of reading here on this forum to answer these questions and all of the other questions you are going to come up with in the coming weeks. It sounds like you have a lot to learn. The camera's operating manual will be of great help as well. You may also want to get a copy of Barry's HVX book.

You can only record DV to tape. If you shoot HD to P2 you can downconvert that in camera to tape. But it is still just DV.

To get video off of tape and into you computer all you have to do is connect your camera to your computer via firewire. Of course, you will need editing software on your computer in order to do that.

Jim

[TedRR]

I second the comment about getting Barry's book. Until it arrives, read this forum from front to back.
You have a good camera, now read all you can, experiment all you can and learn the video trade to get the most from your camera.
Best of luck.