Pre-Purchase Questions

[JRichter]

Hi gang,

After studying camera models such as Canon XH-A1S and the HPX/HVX, I think I'm confident with the HVX200A. I like the features and tapeless workflow with tape still being an option. This rules out the HPX170, but are there any other differences between HPX/HVX I should be considering? Lastly, I'm looking for suggestions on where to purchase in the US. Price and free shipping are a plus. I trust B&H the most, but does anyone know of any good deals out there?

Thanks and I look forward to sharing with the community!

[wgzn]

the hvx200a and hpx 170 are in theory the same camera from a light/lens/image quality standpoint. there have been discussions that thats not 100% accurate. but from what ive read/heard i SERIOUSLY DOUBT that you will suffer either way - or even notice, unless the two were side by side.

B&H has pissed me off a few too many times. mostly based on general snotty attitudes of sales people but also because they close for a day or two, or an hour or four several times a year for religious reasons (which personally i applaud, but doesnt work for me from an availablity standpoint)

specialized communication
http://www.spec-comm.com/
(a sponsor here) is where i got my hpx. and they are SUPERB on both a price and customer service standpoint!

[Kit Hannah]

You could always save money and by a preowned one?


Oh, BTW, I'm about to have a HPX500 package available for sale....

Kit

[Jason Adams]

The 170 has a few very cool things that the 200a does not.

1.) Wave form monitor and vectorscope
2.) Iris/Focus ring. This is a God send with 35mm adapters
3.) Joy stick menu nav ( like DVX)
4.) Wider lens
5.) Delete Last Clip
6.) HD SDI out
7.) 3 ND filers (1/8, 1/16, 1/64)
8.) The biggie - 5 Year warranty

I would go 170. Tape is one of those features that you might rarely use. If you absolutely need tape rent a tape cam. P2 Workflow is superior to tape. You can still shoot in DV to the p2 cards.

[Barry_Green]

For tape with a 170, one possible super-cheap alternative would be to get any old DV camera and use it as a "firestore"; chain to it by a firewire cable and you could record to P2 and tape simultaneously, or only to tape. Set the 1394 control to "EXT" for just the external camera (or "deck" if you prefer).

This obviously wouldn't be that intelligent a solution if you were always going to be recording tape, a 200A would be much better for that. But if it's for the occasional tripod-based shoot, it could work out, and it'd let you get the superior ergonomics, features, and lower price of the 170 while still having the ability to record straight to tape for those times when you need to.

[JRichter]

Thanks guys for your input. I am now more closely considering the 170...