P2 to tape - low budget solution?

[Holy Harry]

I'm fairly new to the HVX. Right now I'm using it to shoot small promotional videos and pretty much any work I can get to build experience and pay for the camera.

My budget doesn't extend to a P2 workflow at the moment, which is fine... my clients are more than happy with SD, and some shoots have had a few hours of footage, so I'm working with tapes.

Problem is... I have this amazing camera, and by using tapes I'm limiting myself to about 15% of it's capabilities. I can't even use the freaking FOCUS ASSIST :undecided , and we all know the deep joys of focusing without it!

My question is.... is it possible to use one P2 card in the HVX, set it to continuous loop, then use tapes in-camera to capture my footage via the card. Would I be able to capture on tape any of the HD formats available, or even just DVCPRO?

I know that defies the P2 workflow concept, but for me right now on a shoestring, it would be perfect.. but can it be done?

[alpi69]

You cannot record the HD formats to tape as such, but you can downconvert.
If this works "on the fly"? You have to try that, but I believe you can only dub to tape after shooting. The camera is either in P2 or in tape mode. I doubt you can record both at once.