HVX bootcamp DVD 2 disk set

[Jarred Land]

Brought to you by the same people who put on the HD BootCamp training seminars, the HVX BootCamp DVD is over three hours of intensive camera instruction.

Click here for more info and to purchase

[for_mlove]

HVX Bootcamp Review

Initial impressions--
When I first received the DVD set I was impressed with the quality of the product right away. The case and the physical discs themselves were very professional and it was obvious that some dollars were spent to make them that way. Professional print and duplication won't help me work the HVX, but it's nice to know that Barry and others involved took the project seriously. That seriousness and attention to detail was carried throughout.

Organization and DVD quality--
The DVD menu's are professional, with animated backdrops and upbeat music are far from boring. (was the audio from SonicFire?) There's variety among the menus and it's not the same image over and over again. Again, won't help me use the HVX, but it sure is purty. The content is organized and the level at which you can drill into the segments is well thought out. Not only can you choose which segment you want to watch, but you can break that down further to pick exactly what you want to review. Let's say you watched the discs once and then wanted to go back and review that section on Master Pedestal, no problem. Just pop in disc 1, select "Scene File Settings Menu", chapters, and scroll over to "Master Pedestal". Taking the time to break the material down like that and making it easy to access takes this from a "great to watch once" DVD to a "keep it handy for reference and look at it lots" item. While we're talking about the organization of the DVD's there was one thing I found odd. DVD 1 starts with "Scene File Settings Menu" and is followed up by "Recording Setup Menu" and "Remaining Menus". DVD 2 has "Camera Tour", "MCR Menus" and "Scene File Examples". I'm sure there was good reasoning for the layout, but it would have seemed to make more sense if "Camera Tour" came first and if the two segments on Scene Files were on the same disc. No big deal, but if you read this before watching for the first time, you may want to start with Camera Tour on disc 2. Once you've navigated to the section you want to watch you'll notice that the editing is also very good. The bulk of the time Barry is explaining the camera and settings in a studio and here is what you see. Barry, an HVX and a Dell laptop in front of an HD Bootcamp banner. I love the HVX and I love Barry, but I couldn't watch that for the three plus hours that the DVD's contain. Thankfully, the footage has had a lot of extras cut in. Sample footage, the camera menu, different angles, helpful text on screen and trippy tie died transitions keep things from getting dull. (not that listening to Barry talk about the HVX could ever be dull ; )

Content--
Great organization and fancy editing wouldn't be worth much if you didn't learn anything now would it. Throughout both DVD's you'll hear Barry go into very detailed explanations about what each setting on the HVX does and why you would or wouldn't use it. From my memory (and notes) of HD bootcamp in Vegas Barry adds a LOT into the presentation that he must not have had time for there. It's amazing that the DVD's go for over three hours because man does he talk fast. At first I was wishing he would slow down because I was having to pause and think about what was said or take a note, but as time went on I was glad he went quickly because there is just SO much to cover for this camera. Every single setting is covered and I don't think there were any rocks left unturned.
Even all the scene files provided in Barry's book and on the HVC cd are on here, with a reference image and all settings. With all this content to cover and with so many granular settings it would be easy to talk over the average persons head or bore someone with experience who already understands the difference between 3.2k and 5.6k color temperatures. I thought Barry did a nice job balancing the level at which he was speaking; he explains enough that those newer to the game won't be lost and those who've been around for awhile will still find nuggets of value. Obviously, if someone were extremely well versed in the DVX they wouldn't benefit as much as someone who had never used either the DVX or HVX. However; this is when I go back to the detail put into the menus, even someone familiar with Panny cameras could use these DVD's as a reference tool to learn about a specific function or feature.

Anything missing?--
After spending countless hours at DVXuser.com, flying to Vegas for HD bootcamp and watching this DVD set, are there things I still don't get? Yeah, I'm still trying to better understand some of the scene file settings, especially the "when to use what" part. Having the Scene File settings from Barry are helpful but eventually you'll want to be able to dial pictures in on your own. For example, I've listened to both Barry and Rush explain in some detail the difference between Cinelike D and V but until I went out and shot footage with both under similar conditions and then sat back to review it carefully I didn't understand them. (not that I fully do now!!) So what's missing is the experience. Barry, when you figure out how to box and sell that give me a call!! With that said, I do see opportunity for more instruction beyond the camera. The HVX broke a lot of new ground. Variable frame rates, P2 cards and a whole host of other features have changed how we work in post. I'm hoping that a lot of these topics will be covered in volume 2. Personally, I just made the switch to FCP once 5.1.2 came out so I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment and all it will bring to the table. I've got a lot more to learn.

Thanks for making a great product and for all you bring to the site Barry.

[Moog]

Saving on postage???

Hi guys,

I'm interested in buying the HVX book (for a friend) and the HVX200 Bootcamp dvds (for me ).

does anyone know if it's possible to copmbine these items so I can reduce the postage costs to the UK???

cheers

Moog

[Simon Höfer]

Barry Green posted following in this Thread:

We don't currently have a comprehensive order-it-all-together option, but that's coming.

We recognize that your situation is valid, and what we currently recommend is that you order two copies of The HVX Book; in the "comments" for the second copy, spell out that you're actually wanting all three products. That results in $200 of transactions, which covers the $89.95 for the book, $99.95 for the BootCamp Bundle, and $10 for international shipping all together.

There will be a combined order button coming; until then, you can accomplish it by ordering two HVX Books and including a note saying you want all three.

[Moog]

Thanks for your relpy, but...Doh... stupid me... I actually meant to state, the 'DVX' book, not the HVX. As he has the DVX100 and I (will) have the HVX 200... is it possible to wangle those into a 'save on shipping' thang somehow ??

[Barry_Green]

PM sent.

[Moog]

Hi again,
I'm all excited about receiving my stuff - is there any way I can track my order to see where it is??

Cheers

[alansmithee]

Hi there Barry, I'm considering getting the bundle, and not to penny pinch, but B&H is selling the set for about 5 bucks cheaper. If I order from them is there a lot of "middle man" money that gets lost in the transaction? Honestly if it worked out better for you if I order directly from that link I will.

[bringuet]

Ordered & just received both the hvx bootcamp dvd's & the 'post' dvd's.
Would like to make a backup copy for my own use.
Are they protected/locked?
Thanks

[Moog]

If anyone's debating whether they should pick up this set, then stop thinking and just go ahead and lay down your cash!

I actually got my disks just before I got my camera, and I can't imagine a better primer.
I'm still learning my way around every setting, and find myself coming back to the disks for instruction, rather than trawl through the manual.

So in summary - just buy it.
Now

[twocom]

Hey I just bought the HVX book off B and H (still waiting for the hvx200 to actually come in) but do i need to get the DVD as well? whats the difference. (i do like books better though) o laa!
-nate

[Barry_Green]

The book and Bootcamp Vol. 1 both discuss the same basic information, but use different media to do it (I mean, one's a book that you can keep in your camera bag, the other's a DVD you watch on a TV, so it depends on which style you prefer. The DVD has side by side footage examples, etc., but it's not so easy to take with you, etc.) Bootcamp Vol. 2 covers stuff that's not in the book related to post production and working with the footage and with other devices (such as the firestore and p2 store).

[matteo11]

HVX BOOTCAMP DVD's Vol I +II

I just got the DVD's.
Awsome, they are really great, I highly recommend them. I am assuming in the rating system that 1 is the lowest score and 5 is the highest, FYI. If I screwed this up, sorry I am European and not used to reviewing in the U.S.

[suradtaylor]

Very very very painful that I have to pay $114.90 + $10.38 (shipping to my mail forwarding company in FL) on amazon simply because paypal don't support Nigeria, and then, you didnt offer the bundle option on amazon. Had to order the as 2 seperate units .........arrrrrhhhhhh.
Could have save myself some $20.

[David Jimerson]

No worries. We'll refund you an amount which will match the bundle pricing.