My 2 cents on this Discovery Channel HVX200 ""nonsense"".

I think the Discovery channel, isnt so much worried about the HVX producing a poor image, i think the Coporate train of thought is, Company A can afford a 100,000$ camera. Company B acn afford a 5,300$ camera......

Which comapny would i trust my show with?.... WEll Geee... The 100,000 camera company ddiit get there by putting out awful footage....


i think they are more worried about mis trusting thier projects to people who arent neccesarily ready to handle a truly professional production. IE who cant afford "real" equiptment.
 
Producer guidelines tend to be directed toward complete series runs, that the channel owns in perpetuity and pays an absurd amount of money to own the masters. In this case you suck it up and use whatever camera they say.

If you are making a one off on spec with no financing with the hope that some channel may pick it up on completion, use the best you can afford, and put the best quality you can on the screen. If the final product is good and they want it, they will not refuse based on what camera it was shot on, just what format to deliver it on.

In Canada, most specialty channel productions are mini-dv, dvx or pd-150, unless they are multi-cam studio shows. Its a money issue. The small channels don't have any money for licenses so they can't demand Higher production values. Presumably Discovery has lots of money and demand high production values.
 
I agree wth Dop166. I spoke with the filmmakers that made the documentary "Spellbound" and they just used 2 XL-1s. And that was nominated for an Academy Award! They filled up their credit cards and then went out and made a FANTASTIC documentary.
 
Funny you say that- I am considering on buying the HVX200 for testing! I love the image that comes from the HVX as I have said before. It has a nice look to work and craft from. There just tools to me, just like film stocks like Agfa- Fuji- Kodak; each one has a great look. Couple that with a P2 Store, and your ready to go! So what is the best price/package bang for the buck at this moment?

Pappas

HowdyDoo said:
Pappas, I would like to see some of your HVX footage. The stuff you shot with the H1 and HD100 was great.

And just curious... since you seem to like the HVX, why did you decide to go with the H1 instead?
Click to expand...
 
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I agree. Discovery Channel, ike most bigger companies, are looking for ways to protect their interests and their existing relationship base. I simply makes it easier for them to say no when the barrier to entry can be reduced to what sort of camera was used.

As TimurCivan correctly noted: If company A (who they're used to dealing with) can and has in the past, been able to afford F900 originated HD then why switch to an upstart (company B) who can only afford to shoot HVX?


I've sold some rather unique shark footage to them a couple of years ago that was shot on Hi8. Now, granted that was a couple of years ago but I can assure you that Hi8 was not on DC's formal list of approved formats.

Content, content, content.


Just my opinion of course.


: )

dmc
 
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but how is this possible, when i watch Mythbusters i can see cameramen using PDX10s...
 
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