Newbie Question

[FloridaRacer]

I've been making short films using my 100A. I would like to upgrade to the HVX200 next year, but I have a couple of simpleton questions.

1. Do I need to replace my deck? I have a JVC SR-VS30 miniDV deck. The obvious answer is yes, but I want to shoot HD not SD. Do you need a deck with P2 cards or do you dump it directly into the FCP.
2. Do I need to replace my post-production monitor. I have a 17" JVC monitor with multiple aspect ratios so I can show 16:9.

thanks.

[araujofh]

If you don't have a laptop that can read P2 cards, then you will have to buy an external PCMCIA card reader.

[galt]

I've been making short films using my 100A. I would like to upgrade to the HVX200 next year, but I have a couple of simpleton questions.

1. Do I need to replace my deck? I have a JVC SR-VS30 miniDV deck. The obvious answer is yes, but I want to shoot HD not SD. Do you need a deck with P2 cards or do you dump it directly into the FCP.
2. Do I need to replace my post-production monitor. I have a 17" JVC monitor with multiple aspect ratios so I can show 16:9.

thanks.

Hey where in Florida are you? Venice here. :)

P2 cards do not require a tape deck. But to capture the DV tape that the HVX produces, you will want to keep your current tape deck.

If you want to monitor your HD production in HD, you will need an HD capable monitor (possibly among other things). It's not just about aspect ratio, it's resolution too.

[FloridaRacer]

Thanks. Orlando here. This issue is a struggle. I've made a few 24p short films that look great. I'm planning a feature for January and I wouldn't want it to look like a poor stepchild in comparison with the new digital standard. I'm wondering if the $$$$ are worth it. I know it's cheap compared to the Sony 900 etc. but do I NEED to make this move to stay competitive.

[galt]

Nobody knows. If you are happy with what you have done in SD, then why switch? HD will look better, but being bleeding edge has it's own costs. No delivery mechanism for HD yet, although there may be one by then (or two). This field is evolving. I would say keep your options open as long as possible.