Confused?!?!? (DV > MiniDV)

[gkidd_3187]

Okay I've been reading different forums and and am still confused. Does the HVX200 record 1080p, 720p, and 480p to MiniDV tapes? It might sound like a stupid question but I'm considering what kind of camcorder to get and from the specs this one sounds SWEET! but if the only way to get HD is through the DVCPro and P2 Cards then I'm gonna have to look elsewhere.

[araujofh]

Okay I've been reading different forums and and am still confused. Does the HVX200 record 1080p, 720p, and 480p to MiniDV tapes? It might sound like a stupid question but I'm considering what kind of camcorder to get and from the specs this one sounds SWEET! but if the only way to get HD is through the DVCPro and P2 Cards then I'm gonna have to look elsewhere.

Hi gkidd,

You cannot record HD to a mini-DV tape. The only way is through P2, and possibly, an external hard drive.

Just read the review by Barry Green and Jarred.

All the best

Fidel

[gkidd_3187]

Okay, did some research and found out the difference between MiniDV, DVC, and DVCAM. However, now that I just learned that MiniDV can be used in a DVCPRO deck, but only with an adapter, and only for playback. Huh? Now another thing I'm confused about. So if I purchase the HVX200, I'm then obligated to use only DVCPro tapes, what am I to do with the bulk of MiniDV tapes I own? Can they atleast be used to record SD?

[Jan_Crittenden]

gkidd_3187]Okay, did some research and found out the difference between MiniDV, DVC, and DVCAM. However, now that I just learned that MiniDV can be used in a DVCPRO deck, but only with an adapter, and only for playback.

Your research wasn't thorough enough. In the AJ-D455, the AJ-SD755 and the newest AJ-SD255 you can record and play back mini-DV. Mini-DV is based on a metal evaporated tape. DVCPRO is based on a Metal Particle Tape. This is the first huge difference between these formats. The second is that there are flags concerning the locked audio in DVCPRO, never is it unlocked. This is not true in DV.


Huh? Now another thing I'm confused about. So if I purchase the HVX200, I'm then obligated to use only DVCPro tapes, what am I to do with the bulk of MiniDV tapes I own? Can they atleast be used to record SD?

The DVCPRO tapes will not fit in the HVX200 only DV tapes will, and that means that it will only record in DV on the tape. The DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO HD will only record to the P2 card. So you can use your DV tapes all you want. There is no way to use a DVCPRO tape in this camera.

Hope that helps,

Jan

[Zim]

Jan can you record in HD then down rez to tape?

So mini DV tape only? Really glad the HVX is going to have tape!!

Jan how long before all the specs are out?

[Jarek Zabczynski]

The larger question might be...can you record HD to p2 as well as a downconverted sd copy to tape at the same time? Instant dailies? Doubt it but still curious.

[Barry_Green]

Jan can you record in HD then down rez to tape?
Yes you can.

Don't know if you can do downrezzing on-the-fly... I think you can't, I think the camera needs to be put in VCR "dub" mode to execute the downrez, but hey, not only could I be wrong, but the spec's aren't finalized yet, so maybe it will be able to.

[gkidd_3187]

so basically DVCPro tapes won't fit. The only way to get High Def is thru P2. And MiniDV is only SD. For that I might as well get a DVX100A

[Jan_Crittenden]

The DVX100A is and continues to be a great little camera. The HVX200 would be a step up from the DVX as an SD camera as it does have 16:9 native chips and an HD future.

Best,

Jan

[thisiswells]

DVX100a has a sticker price of 4K. The HVX200 has a sticker price of 6K.

For the price difference you get:
native 16:9 recording in HVX200
13X lens instead of 10X

When you figure in the price of an anamorphic adapter to get 16:9 and a teleconverter for a
longer focal length, you're right about at the price of an HVX200, which can be HD down the
road when you need it. Does this make sense?

[Barry_Green]

so basically DVCPro tapes won't fit. The only way to get High Def is thru P2. And MiniDV is only SD. For that I might as well get a DVX100A
There are several ways to get hi-def: through P2, or through the firewire port (recording to a FireStore, capturing to a computer, or recording to a DVCPRO-HD deck).

The only thing the tape provides is the ability to record miniDV. Although, if you do have a P2 card, you could record slow-mo on the card and then downconvert it to the tape, and have true variable frame rates even in your DV projects.

The DVX will remain a current camera and an excellent option.

[Constantine]

Why is everybody so skeptical and whiny about the HVX and P2 cards? This camera is going to be a stroke of genious, and a much better solution than the horribly compressed HDV format. For an indie film maker, this camera is a gift from God Himself and a no brainer, and yet...the whining continues...

[gkidd_3187]

so, just to be clear for us DV-illiterates out here:
* there is no DVC tape mechanism in the HVX200
* DVC tapes cannot be used with this camera
* when recording to tape the quality will be in SD, and cannot be recorded in HiDef
* HiDef can only be recorded via P2 cards or through an external HDD
* the HDD has to be capable of DVCProHD codec in order to capture in TRUE HD
is all this right?

[Barry_Green]

Yes, except that I would change it a little to say:
* there is no DVCPRO tape mechanism in the HVX200, only miniDV tapes are supported
* DVCPRO tapes cannot be used with this camera
* when recording to tape the quality will be in DV, and cannot be recorded in HiDef
* HiDef can only be recorded via P2 cards, or through the firewire port to something like a FireStore, a laptop/desktop computer, or a DVCPRO-HD tape deck.
* an external hard disk recorder would have to have intelligent electronics (like a FireStore) and understand the DVCPRO-HD data stream in order to capture the hi-def output.

[Jan_Crittenden]

[QUOTE=gkidd_3187]so, just to be clear for us DV-illiterates out here:
* there is no DVC tape mechanism in the HVX200
* DVC tapes cannot be used with this camera

There is a DV tape drive in the camera and it will accept DV tapes.


* when recording to tape the quality will be in SD, and cannot be recorded in HiDef

It will record mini-DV and only mini-DV


* HiDef can only be recorded via P2 cards or through an external HDD

True.


* the HDD has to be capable of DVCProHD codec in order to capture in TRUE HD, is all this correct?

If using the firewire port absolutely as it is streaming. If just stashing the footage to the USB port like in file transfer, no, it is only data.

Hope that hesp,

jan

[gkidd_3187]

Is it safe to assume that External HDD devices will be of use? Since the hardware is different than the DVX how can we assume that an External HDD will capture the same quality (if not superior) of a P2 card? And how can we assume that an External device will have the ability to capture DVCPro HD?

[jessecoane]

this hurts just to read

jesse

[ericcosh]

Very good point. I have two 100's and two Anamorphic adapters. I would gladly exchange that for the HVX200 any time. I love my 100's but can't wait to get the HVX200 to use in conjunction with the 100's. The 13x lens is a real plus for those of us who really need the extra focal length and don't want to deal with a teleconverter.

[Jan_Crittenden]

It is ony data, will the HDD record data? It has to be of sufficient speed but other than that on a transfer basis, no problem. On a streaming it has to be more of a handshake but it is still only data.

Hope that helps,

Jan

[Barry_Green]

Is it safe to assume that External HDD devices will be of use?
It is not only safe to assume, it is confirmed. You can plug in any external USB2 hard disk and transfer P2 data to it.

You will most likely not be able to capture directly to just any off-the-shelf USB2 drive, you would need a special capture-controller device (such as a FireStore). But for copying the files from a P2 card over to the drive, you can use any hard disk.


Since the hardware is different than the DVX how can we assume that an External HDD will capture the same quality (if not superior) of a P2 card? And how can we assume that an External device will have the ability to capture DVCPro HD?
As Jan said, it's just data. The external drive that you copy to will copy the contents of the P2 card, bit-for-bit identically.

If you're talking about direct capture from live streaming, that will require a different device, some sort of intelligent disk controller device. Again, FireStore is working on one.