Need to know something

[blackdogs377]

Ok well i'm a DVX100 owner and i'm pretty pro with it, but I'm going to be a camera operator for this online TV show that's getting started up, and they're going to be using an HVX200. I've never even touched an HVX, so what i need to know is, how different is the HVX from the DVX...will i be able to learn the HVX in like half an hour if i already know the DVX inside out??

[DM_rider]

That's a very tough question to answer. There are similarities, but how long it takes you to learn the differences is up to you.

I wouldn't want to shoot on a camera that I've only had 30 minutes of time on.

[mdslammer]

Previously owning a DVX100A and then moving to the HPX-170 was in general
very familar. But, there are obviously other features that the HPX has that the
DVX100A didn't.

If you can, get your hands on a manual for the HVX and go over it to familarize
yourself where everything is.

Main challenge in shooting SD vs. HD is focus. If you are slightly soft your shots
will show it. Just be aware of it.

Also, your subject, objects etc. need to be properly lite. HD needs more
light otherwise you may introduce unwanted noise.

Size is also a factor. It's definetely larger and heavier than the DVX100.

Personally if I were you, I'd ask to have my hands on the camera before you
actually go into production. If they expect you to operate one, you should be
given the opportunity to know it before using it.

Good luck.

Mark Dalzell

[puredrifting]

I agree with Mark

1. Focus. If you have only shot SD, you will find that focus in HD is a whole other ball game. If you move to the 170/200A, the screen has been tweaked to be more usable for focus because they really cranked up the detail level. The HVX200, not so much, use the focus enhance as much as possible on the older HVX200. If an HD shot is even slightly out of focus, it looks pretty bad, much more notiecable than in SD.

2. P2 cards. You have to get up to speed immediately with how they work, how to offload and format, etc.

Menus and all of the other stuff will be easy, not that different than the DVX.

Dan

[blackdogs377]

Ok well I did my first shoot today and i learned the HVX in like 10 minutes. First interview we shot, they were impressed with how i handled it. I've never even seen the HVX before today :P

[puredrifting]

Good job. It basically was designed as an HD DVX. Now if you were handed an EX1, you might have been in trouble. Totally different and kind of strange layout unless you shoot Sonys a lot.

Dan