Jan, HVX vrs HDX in cost?

[Icarus2005]

Hi Jan,

thanks for helping us out on this site and being so informative.

I'll be spending a lot of money soon on an HD unit, either HVX or the new HDX

I realize it's two different worlds. Help he out on cost question: saw you mention the HDX was in the 32,000 range, does that include a good lens, or does one need to add another 15,000 for the extras?

If I can actually get one in 32,000 range complete I might go that route.

what does the HDX400 lack compared to the Varicam?

thanks

[Jaime Valles]

The HDX400 shoots in 1080/60i. The Varicam shoots in 720p. Two very different looks.

[geo]

1080i is the standard for broadcast right now. So... If you are shooting sports, news, reality shows, stuff for DiscoveryHD, PBS-HD etc, 1080i is what you want.

The HDX cannot do 24fps in progressive like the Varicam. (Or CineAlta, for that matter.) Therefore, you do not want to shoot a movie with it. I've seen a test short film in 1080i when high def was just coming out. It was blown up to film. It was not pretty. Interlacing does not like being laid down on film.

Also, the Varicam can "overcrank"... true slow motion. No other 2/3 inch camera can do this right now. 60fps at 720P.

Those are the main differences. I played with the HDX at DVexpo and LOVED it. However, my clients might need footage handed off as Sony's HDcam. So, for that and the fact that I want/need 24P in a camera, I would buy the F900 CineAlta if I needed to get a 2/3 inch chip camera. Which kinda sucks because I love the HDX, the Varicam, and the SDX900..... but need to stick with Sony formats.

[Haakon]

1080i is the standard for broadcast right now.

That's not accurate. Several of the networks have chosen to broadcast in 720p instead, including Fox and ABC.

[HVXguy]

American Choppers is shot with VariCam. You just have to deliver a 1080i Master to Discovery HD.

[Jan_Crittenden]

t: saw you mention the HDX was in the 32,000 range, does that include a good lens, or does one need to add another 15,000 for the extras?
If I can actually get one in 32,000 range complete I might go that route.
what does the HDX400 lack compared to the Varicam?

The HDX400 is $32,000 without lens, it does not do 24P nor does it have variable frame rates. It is more of a standard HD camera.

Hope that helps,

Jan

[OliverM]

It was not pretty. Interlacing does not like being laid down on film.

If you do a proper deinterlace (like with magicbullet in AE) it should look almost as good as native 24p.