HVX-200 vs. DVX-100B & Zacuto

[swerv23]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and have a few questions. I'm a filmmaker who has just received his first DVX-100B camera for Christmas and questioning whether to upgrade to the HVX-200 before I open the box. I have used the DVX-100B on a few shorts I directed in the past, but have used friends equipment and also rented.

I have a question for everyone in this forum that can provide professional advice on whether or not to upgrade. What I am looking to do over the next year is shoot a few commercial specs along with some shorts. Eventually, I will be producing a full feature over the next year, money is being put into place at the moment, but will be renting equipment to do that. We are aiming to use the RED camera for that shoot.

However, in the meantime on my pet projects I would like to be using a camera that has versatility and the best quality.

Here are my concerns....First, money is an issue. Upgrading to the HVX200 is basically doubling the price of the DVX100B. Is it worth it? With all the P2 cards I would have to buy along with extra hard drives to connect to laptops, etc. Now, I know that P2 is a better way of filming because of the easy transfer into Final Cut, but would it make a huge difference in quality than shooting on a DVX100B on DV?

Another concern...has anyone participated in the RENT TO OWN program that zacuto.com offers? I was thinking about enrolling in the Docu Package or Cine Package. Is that equipment worth the $600/month price, giving you the option to upgrade to newer equipment at any time? Really curious on finding out more from others who have participated in that program. With the price of a DVX100B, purchasing it outright, I could put a 4 month payment down and get a ton of more equipment off the get go. And if I were to purchase an HVX200 brand new, I could put a 10 month down payment on the same camera with twice the amount of hardware. Please let me know your thoughts on this.

This is a HUGE decision for me and I need to make it soon. Any thoughts or insight on which camera I should stick with would help. I really can't afford to go more than $3000 outright on a camera, but if I find from others that it really IS worth buying the HVX instead, than I'll find a way to do it....even if it's the rent to own and zacuto.com.

Any advice would help.

Cheers and hope everyone is having a safe and healthy holiday season!

[FilmBoy77]

Here are my concerns....First, money is an issue. Upgrading to the HVX200 is basically doubling the price of the DVX100B. Is it worth it? With all the P2 cards I would have to buy along with extra hard drives to connect to laptops, etc. Now, I know that P2 is a better way of filming because of the easy transfer into Final Cut, but would it make a huge difference in quality than shooting on a DVX100B on DV?

i think the hvx200 is worth it, however if 'money is an issue' then i'm not sure i would pull the trigger if i were in your shoes. at the end of the day it's all about if your film looks good, is marketable and is professional and feels like a film. not what cam you shot on. if having the dvx100b allows you to get a rack of additional accessories like crane, 35mm adapter, etc. then i'd probably go that route. but thas just me.

to answer your question about whether there's a big difference in quality between HD & DV (HVX vs DVX) my answer would be a big fat yes.

of course this is just one man's opinion. good luck in whatever you decide dude.

[Aram Keledjian]

By far I would have to say that HVX200 > DVX100b. The lens is a much better piece of glass; internal stabilizer really picks up the quality of motion. However the mere thought of the P2 file importing may seem like too much to bare with, but that is not the case when you see the actual work flow of today. Sure, when the 2 GB, 4 GB were out, it was a nightmare trying to shoot a single camera project let alone a multi one. It just was not possible. Today it is the ideal workflow and let me tell you why. Being able to capture with ZERO drop outs on this solid state P2 format is a break through. The reason why I can say this is because I own 16 of these cameras. The capability to immediately capture all the data on location as you shoot saves time and money in the long run. You do realize that you’re always buying tape stock with that DVX100b? And yes tape is very fragile, granted as is the P2, but "not so much" -Borat

[Tom Plapper]

Another direction you might want to consider is investing in camera support such as a dolly, jib and Steadicam and rent the camera right for the job.

[ProfessorU]

I agree with Tom, plus audio and lighting, too. Cameras are very simple to rent and clients don't even have to know, they pay the same fee either way.
The DVX is an awesome cam, but I'd never buy one today. How many people do you know got an HDTV for Christmas? How many more Christmases before almost everybody has one?

[Joseph Stunzi]

Let me put it this way. Zacuto equipment is the best and is worth the investment!
However, you must also weigh in the cost of an HVX. The price of P2 is steadily decreasing. I feel this will continue especially with the advent of SxS (Sony's equivalent for use with the EX1).

Here's how I see it you can continually use a Zacuto rails system with any camera AND a HVX is supreme if you're doing a lot of HD work. This is especially true with these boards where there is a virtual complete guide to using the camera. So weigh out your needs. If you choose Zacuto, give me a buzz and I'll help you get a discount with them.