Can HVX act like a deck?

[dvInsight]

Ok I've searched the forums for the last hour. It's late, I'm tired and I may have missed the answer to my question, but.....

Can the HVX be used as a deck in P2 and HD mode when using FCP 5.04? I thought that it would operate just like any other MINI DV camera or deck when in MCR mode or PC/Dub mode, but I can't get to to work that way.

To be very clear, I know how to record direct to disk without problem, but I want to have my HVX connected to my 42" Panasonic HD monitor via the component cables and have it preview whatever is in the timeline or viewer (just like DV).

I could have sworn that I read a post from someone who did that, plus connect the component cables up to a DVCPro Deck and record directly out to it. In essence turning the HVX into AJA card.

Oh, I have tried the the camera in MCR and PC Dub mode to no avail. The one thing that I noticed is that DVCPro HD is grayed out under the view menu (Video Output) in Final Cut.

It's late, so maybe I am dreaming. Thanks for any overnight input or direction. I'd love to wake up later today with some direction.

--

Rob

[Shane Ross]

Put the camera into VTR mode where you see the Thumbnails. Then press the THUMBNAIL button on the top of the camera. Then it should allow playthru.

Be sure to be connected to FCP and powered up first.

[THE HONEST LIAR]

The simple answer is yes.
However, is it advisable for the long term; NO.

Kind regards
THE HONEST LIAR

[Shane Ross]

I don't see why not. There are no movng parts to worry about.

[Barry_Green]

You can use it like a DV-style camera, meaning the FCP timeline will play through firewire and show up on the camera's LCD.

however, in high-def mode, it does NOT output through the component outputs. When using firewire input, component output isn't possible. So you can't use it as a high-def monitoring solution, but you can use it to preview on the camera's LCD and you can also record that incoming stream (by using the VCR REC buttons on top of the camera by the navigation buttons).

[Life in a Box Films]

basically, in HD you CAN'T use the camera as a deck the same way that you use a DV camera. No firewire in and component out at the same time. You can get firewire into the camera. if you shot 720P material set your camera to 720P 60P- even if you shot 24p material. But again, no component out while a firewire signal is coming in.

Your external HD options in final cut: DVI out or decklink or kona card

Your external HD options in avid HD: none right now. Media composer and the new upgrade to Avid Xpress pro HD will have DVI out. In my opinion as it is now Avid Xpress pro HD is not at all usable for a serious project. You can't even get full rez viewing in your computer monitor.

edit: there you go Barry beat me to it

[dvInsight]

Thanks to all.

Shane gets the big kudos for having a an answer a mere 35 minutes after I posted the question. When I wokd up it was the first thing I tried and I was very happy to see that I could at least see my stuff in the time line back in the HVX's viewfinder. I had no problem controlling the REC functions on the HVX from Final Cut either.

I did not have a monitor connected via componet when I tried this so I am a bit bummed by not being able have that functionality. For now I'll just use a DVI cable from the Mac.

Thanks Barry and Life in a Box films for the update. I think Barry even covered this at Bootcamp LA, but I had forgotten the specifics. The need never arose until yesterday.

Thanks again,

Rob

[earthling]

...I was very happy to see that I could at least see my stuff in the time line back in the HVX's viewfinder. I had no problem controlling the REC functions on the HVX from Final Cut either.

I did not have a monitor connected via componet when I tried this so I am a bit bummed by not being able have that functionality....

I agree, what a bummer, and why is that ? The camera can read the footage, why can it not output it throught the component cables ? It doesn't seem to me like this is truly a problem, but rather a choice from Panasonic. I've posted about this in another thread and on 2-pop but haven't gotten any answer as to why this can't be done. Panasonic, once again, listen in, please make this possible, by a software (firmware) update if possible; or at least on rev. A of the HVX.

Cheers,
Damien

[TwistedLincoln]

I agree, what a bummer, and why is that ? The camera can read the footage, why can it not output it throught the component cables ? It doesn't seem to me like this is truly a problem, but rather a choice from Panasonic. I've posted about this in another thread and on 2-pop but haven't gotten any answer as to why this can't be done. Panasonic, once again, listen in, please make this possible, by a software (firmware) update if possible; or at least on rev. A of the HVX.

Cheers,
Damien

Actually, it is a hardware problem. Jan from Panasonic has stated that this feature isn't available because the chips inside of the HVX get too hot when the firewire input is used while outputing via component, so they disabled that ability. You can still output via S-Video or Composite, though, so the camera could function as a deck for DV work.