The HVX has taken some tough criticism...

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DarkMatter

DarkMatter

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I just can't say enough good about my HVX; I've seen numerous threads with people complaining about the HVX.... One guy even went so far as to say that he and his friends couldn't tell the difference between the footage on his 3,000 dollar dv camera and his HVX; All I have to say to this is bull#$@*!! Are you blind or a liar (there's no middle ground). A little background, I recently acquired a 12,000 SD camera, it looks nice really nice; but after seeing footage from the HVX and doing some comparisons with other HDV camera's i sold my 12,000 camera, for half it's price i might add, and purchased the HVX. comparing the footage side by side... Well there's no comparison, the HVX is clearly the winner hands down, And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. If anything I would say the hvx is underpriced I would have gladly paid 12,000 for such a camera (luckily i didn't have to) I would have to call the HVX the bargain of the century.

So here it is And I'm gonna call you out, all you people who work for Sony, Canon, ect... Who are trying to make the HVX look bad and swaying people from buying it, take a hike, The footage speaks for itself. For those of you who are only able to view HVX footage in low rez, look for clips in H.264, or WMV-HD(If you have windows) there are several HD clips shot with the HVX on this website. For those of you on the fence, I strongly suggest you watch them, and on a HD monitor; If you don't have one, I'm sure you have friends who do.
 
Movie Stunts, I thnk you'll find there are a lot of people who agree with you. Look at the thread about who's using the HVX. There is serious work being done with this tool. The most recently-added was the USA series "The 4400", but it's also being used in Spider-Man III and was used in "Munich"'s middle-eastern theatrical release, and there are productions that used to use the Z1 who are ditching it and replacing it with the HVX (like "Monster Garage" and others). There are productions that used to use the HD100 who ditched it and replaced it with the HVX (like Marc Singer's "Henchmen" doc). NASA compared all the cameras extensively and chose the HVX hands-down. Steven Soderbergh and James Cameron and George Clooney and Kevin Smith and Francis Ford Coppola chose the HVX. The senior visual effects artist for Sony Pictures Imageworks chose the HVX to shoot his own film on.

Think about that one for a moment. This is the senior visual effects artist (i.e., someone who probably knows what a good picture looks like) for SONY'S movie studio. And he chose the HVX.

HVX's are being used on ABC, Discovery, History Channel, Fox, Lifetime, and by the BBC for the Olympics...

So when someone's complaining about it, I usually just think "consider the source"...
 
Let Me Go Further in Praise

Let Me Go Further in Praise

We took the HVX out of the box and within a week, we were shooting some of the most stunning, beautiful outdoor scenic images people had ever seen.

People who did not believe we could shoot an action Western....people who did not believe our indie movie could look good... people whose support and MONEY were tentative....naysayers who thought we were crazy to attempt an ambitious full-on Western with our modest budget.......ARE NOT LAUGHING ANYMORE!!!

Our HVX cameras stunned the cynics and they have become the faithful.

We are shooting a two-hour action Western with massive Indian attacks with flaming arrows, covered wagons, gunfights, dramatic riding stunts and much more....and we are doing it EXCLUSIVELY with Panasonic HVX cameras and WE AIN'T APOLOGIZING FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE WE DON"T HAVE TO.

The images do the talking.

That's how good this camera is!
 
westerndirector said:
We took the HVX out of the box and within a week, we were shooting some of the most stunning, beautiful outdoor scenic images people had ever seen.

People who did not believe we could shoot an action Western....people who did not believe our indie movie could look good... people whose support and MONEY were tentative....naysayers who thought we were crazy to attempt an ambitious full-on Western with our modest budget.......ARE NOT LAUGHING ANYMORE!!!

Our HVX cameras stunned the cynics and they have become the faithful.

We are shooting a two-hour action Western with massive Indian attacks with flaming arrows, covered wagons, gunfights, dramatic riding stunts and much more....and we are doing it EXCLUSIVELY with Panasonic HVX cameras and WE AIN'T APOLOGIZING FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE WE DON"T HAVE TO.

The images do the talking.

That's how good this camera is!
Click to expand...

Any website where I can follow the progress, please?
good luck with that!

D.
 
The problem was the hype... people built this camera up to be a mini-Varicam. It is what it is... a great low-cost HD camera with true 16:9 SD as well. It does NOT replace or compare with $20,000 - $50,000 cameras for most applications.

Also, take the criticism with a grain of salt, people who are 100% happy are out using their cameras, it is the people with questions and problems that are more likely to look for an outlet to complain or address their concerns.

Lastly, I dont think it is entirely fair and it only adds to the hype, to perpetuate the fact that the camera was used in Munich, SM3, 4400, etc. etc. etc. In most all these cases it is used for a MINUTE amount of shots ONLY because it is a small form factor and still produces images good enough to cut in for small insert shots. I have already heard more than one person say, "they shoot 4400 on that camera, or they shot Munich on this camera..."

While it is true that many productions are choosing the HVX for various things, it is not 100% about image, it is often about form factor, workflow needs, etc. Just because someone dumped the JVC for the HVX doesnt mean it is a better camera, or even that THEY thought it was better... just that it WORKED better for their application...

I am a proud HVX owner by the way...



ash =o)
 
I would say the hvx is underpriced I would have gladly paid 12,000 for such a camera (luckily i didn't have to) !!!!!

Are you mad! I likt the price the way it is. Too over a year of hard saving to get $8250 AUD saved for it.

Now that I read your comments Im glad i have bought the HVX202EN Pal version.
 
AshG said:
The problem was the hype... people built this camera up to be a mini-Varicam. It is what it is... a great low-cost HD camera with true 16:9 SD as well. It does NOT replace or compare with $20,000 - $50,000 cameras for most applications.

Also, take the criticism with a grain of salt, people who are 100% happy are out using their cameras, it is the people with questions and problems that are more likely to look for an outlet to complain or address their concerns.

Lastly, I dont think it is entirely fair and it only adds to the hype, to perpetuate the fact that the camera was used in Munich, SM3, 4400, etc. etc. etc. In most all these cases it is used for a MINUTE amount of shots ONLY because it is a small form factor and still produces images good enough to cut in for small insert shots. I have already heard more than one person say, "they shoot 4400 on that camera, or they shot Munich on this camera..."

While it is true that many productions are choosing the HVX for various things, it is not 100% about image, it is often about form factor, workflow needs, etc. Just because someone dumped the JVC for the HVX doesnt mean it is a better camera, or even that THEY thought it was better... just that it WORKED better for their application...

I am a proud HVX owner by the way...



ash =o)
Click to expand...

AshG for president.

With that said-- I do not own a camera, though if I were to purchase one, I'd be leaning toward the HVX for all of it's many uses. What I don't care about is who else is using it. Shadowing what Ash has said, it's not like the entire movies are being helmed souly on HVX(s).... so it's really nothing to get people hyped up about.

You guys shouldn't take things so personally... it's just a camera/tool. It's not your savior, or your girlfriend, or a close relative. ... well I hope it's not your girlfriend.
 
Barry_Green said:
Movie Stunts, I thnk you'll find there are a lot of people who agree with you. Look at the thread about who's using the HVX. There is serious work being done with this tool. The most recently-added was the USA series "The 4400", but it's also being used in Spider-Man III and was used in "Munich"'s middle-eastern theatrical release, and there are productions that used to use the Z1 who are ditching it and replacing it with the HVX (like "Monster Garage" and others). There are productions that used to use the HD100 who ditched it and replaced it with the HVX (like Marc Singer's "Henchmen" doc). NASA compared all the cameras extensively and chose the HVX hands-down. Steven Soderbergh and James Cameron and George Clooney and Kevin Smith and Francis Ford Coppola chose the HVX. The senior visual effects artist for Sony Pictures Imageworks chose the HVX to shoot his own film on.

Think about that one for a moment. This is the senior visual effects artist (i.e., someone who probably knows what a good picture looks like) for SONY'S movie studio. And he chose the HVX.

HVX's are being used on ABC, Discovery, History Channel, Fox, Lifetime, and by the BBC for the Olympics...

So when someone's complaining about it, I usually just think "consider the source"...
Click to expand...
Good point!
Thanks Barry, I read the thread good stuff, How did you find out all those people are using the HVX (besides the obvious ones)?
 
westerndirector said:
We took the HVX out of the box and within a week, we were shooting some of the most stunning, beautiful outdoor scenic images people had ever seen.

People who did not believe we could shoot an action Western....people who did not believe our indie movie could look good... people whose support and MONEY were tentative....naysayers who thought we were crazy to attempt an ambitious full-on Western with our modest budget.......ARE NOT LAUGHING ANYMORE!!!

Our HVX cameras stunned the cynics and they have become the faithful.

We are shooting a two-hour action Western with massive Indian attacks with flaming arrows, covered wagons, gunfights, dramatic riding stunts and much more....and we are doing it EXCLUSIVELY with Panasonic HVX cameras and WE AIN'T APOLOGIZING FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE WE DON"T HAVE TO.

The images do the talking.

That's how good this camera is!
Click to expand...
I would like to see your short or a trailer. Can you post a link?
 
AshG said:
The problem was the hype... people built this camera up to be a mini-Varicam. It is what it is... a great low-cost HD camera with true 16:9 SD as well. It does NOT replace or compare with $20,000 - $50,000 cameras for most applications.

Also, take the criticism with a grain of salt, people who are 100% happy are out using their cameras, it is the people with questions and problems that are more likely to look for an outlet to complain or address their concerns.

Lastly, I dont think it is entirely fair and it only adds to the hype, to perpetuate the fact that the camera was used in Munich, SM3, 4400, etc. etc. etc. In most all these cases it is used for a MINUTE amount of shots ONLY because it is a small form factor and still produces images good enough to cut in for small insert shots. I have already heard more than one person say, "they shoot 4400 on that camera, or they shot Munich on this camera..."

While it is true that many productions are choosing the HVX for various things, it is not 100% about image, it is often about form factor, workflow needs, etc. Just because someone dumped the JVC for the HVX doesnt mean it is a better camera, or even that THEY thought it was better... just that it WORKED better for their application...

I am a proud HVX owner by the way...



ash =o)
Click to expand...
I think I understand what you mean, some people in the heat of the moment or with lack of experience exaggerate the facts, but i also think there are some people who for some preverse reason are trying to sway people from buying the HVX With outright lies, who come to websites like this like wolves in sheeps clothing, and pretend to have a problem with their " New HVX ". And they act as if they are so concerned, that they may have made the wrong choice in camera's.... I don't want to say that people take their word for it and decide not to get one; no that would be totally false! But i do think that with the more simpathy threads I read this seems to be happening. I would hate to see people not get the cam of their dreams because they hear on a regular basis (ever so subliminally) This camera has problems. This is the point I'm getting at, And I think these fence sitters should see footage in HD from this cam. Right now they are too few and far between, Hopefully Horrorfest will change this? I know iv'e got something cookin'.
 
FREUDENBERG_FILMS said:
I would say the hvx is underpriced I would have gladly paid 12,000 for such a camera (luckily i didn't have to) !!!!!

Are you mad! I likt the price the way it is. Too over a year of hard saving to get $8250 AUD saved for it.

Now that I read your comments Im glad i have bought the HVX202EN Pal version.
Click to expand...
Don't worry I don't think they will change it now!!
 
Kholi said:
AshG for president.

With that said-- I do not own a camera, though if I were to purchase one, I'd be leaning toward the HVX for all of it's many uses. What I don't care about is who else is using it. Shadowing what Ash has said, it's not like the entire movies are being helmed souly on HVX(s).... so it's really nothing to get people hyped up about.

You guys shouldn't take things so personally... it's just a camera/tool. It's not your savior, or your girlfriend, or a close relative. ... well I hope it's not your girlfriend.
Click to expand...
I think some movies should be... with great lighting and sound... Wow.
 
It's certainly possible to shoot crap video with the HVX. I've got quite a bit of my own to prove it. I haven't used a Varicam but I bet I could shoot some garbage with that too.

HD and this camera are not forgiving. I'm getting images that I love to look at, but it's taken me months to get to the point where I can pretty consistently get the focus and color balance, and contrast and sound that I'm looking for. I feel that there's still a whole lot of room for improvement as I learn to fully take advantage of all the capabilities of this tool. It's kind of nice to have the feeling that the camera is pusing me to continually learn more, rather than holding me back.

I've also found that this camera has made me a lot more critical of my own and other video. Even a little bit of bad focus really sucks with HD. I find that I'm comparing individual frames with what I expect from a still camera and not settling for just getting some decent NTSC.

I also find that I have to concentrate a lot harder on having well lit scenes and on recording good sound that matches the quality of the video. The whole bar has been raised and it's hard work.

Are there things about the camera that I'd change? You betcha. Just like any other piece of gear I use every day. Would I want to use a different camera. I sold my others because I knew that I'd never go back. I'm planning for a second HVX and maybe a third for multi-camera .

I also don't want to go back to tape from P2. I followed all the talk about direct to IPod, direct to verious hard drives etc. and HDV cameras. But P2 cards are just soooooo convenient. Especially with a Powerbook that can read the cards directly. I just got two more cards so I can record 132 minutes continuously without dropping a frame. My editing efficiency is much quicker than with tape. Interestingly, I have never yet had a day of shooting when I need to put a fresh battery in the camera. Although the camera is big, I find that I'm travelling pretty compact. My indespensibles are my fig rig with Varizoom controller, and a sound bag (with a couple Lectrosonics and Tram 50s, a boundary mike, and a shotgun). I take more and bigger lights with me than I used to and I always bring along a couple reflectors.
 
Bill Southworth said:
t. My indespensibles are my fig rig with Varizoom controller, and a sound bag (with a couple Lectrosonics and Tram 50s, a boundary mike, and a shotgun). I take more and bigger lights with me than I used to and I always bring along a couple reflectors.
Click to expand...
Iv'e been thinking hard about getting the Fig Rig, the stuff I've seen shot with it is so smooth; How do you rate it?
 
All good posts on this guys. Valid points by Ash and everyone. I personally think the onslaught and the negative hype comes partially out of ignorance... and partially out of possible jealousy and the desire to take pot shots...

Like I had it tonight. I was shooting an event and another camera man came up to poo poo the HVX.. and I could tell he didn't know crap when he picked up the XL1 I had and asked if that was the HD cam.... Laughable yes.. and he was serious.. Then he started in on the cards and how much the could hold and he gets to laughing and making cracks about the 11 minutes of shooting and blah blah blah... Well I set-up next to him and shot for 2 and a half hours of a concert... When we were done I wanted to bust some balls so I asked how his tape changes went.. and how much he lost on the transfers.. if any. It was great to then say.. well I shot the whole show.. .and it's already ready to cut with no digitizing... See ya Mate!


well that was a long one. I do think that also people like to throw stones and knock of the leader.. and this camera is the leader in Sales. I would bet that it's selling more units than all of the other 4k and up cameras combined....



I love my HVX... It's allowed me to get close to varicam quality.. And yes, I have shot with a varicam and it is friggin close. Ya can say specs and 2/3 bizness and whatever else you want... but to my blue eyeballs it looks 80 percent as good or better... This CAMERA ROCKS.. and so does DVXuser...


thanks all
 
Is there an article on NASA picking the HVX over it's competitors? I was surfing the web, and originally, was already sold on the HVX -- to me, it was the better camera (or at least better than the HD100). Barry's Vegas Strip thread kind of confirmed it. Then, I started reading some threads over at DVInfo, and this very intensive article comparing the 2 cameras (written by Walter Graff), which viewed HD100 more favorable. I've also noticed that the JVC looks sharper than the HVX; thought I've read that this is due to the very high edge-enhancement inherant in the JVC. Walter Graff didn't seem to mention this, but Green has stated that +7 on the HVX is comparable to -6 on the JVC in terms of edge enhancement (not sure if this is based on eye or based on something else). But; then I read at DVInfo a discussion between 2 people, one person argued that the HVX looks noticeable softer and more "film-like"; the other person said that the JVC is sharper and retains more information and that if you want a softer image, you just degrade the JVC picture -- oddly enough, no one mentioned in this same thread that the JVC had very high edge-enhancement. Which makes me wonder; is the edge-enhancement really that high on the JVC, or is the sharper image a result of the bigger imager size? Obviously, the HVX wins hands down over the JVC in night shots, etc.; but in day shots, I'm still trying to determine the winner (or the winner for me, that is).

Regarding the giant list of the things HVX is being used for; do the other cameras like the JVC, FX1/z1u, or XLH1 have a similar list? IMDB doesn't offer a good complete list; for HVX, it says there were 5 projects filmed, JVC has 4, and XL-H1 has 3. Just as HVX has a much more complete list (provided by Barry Green); I suspect the other cameras also have a lot more projects (probably bigger ones) than what IMDB lists.

Speaking of Walter Graff; why was he banned? He doesn't seem like the type of person to screw around and get himself banned from a forum.
 
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Gordon JL said:
Then, I started reading some threads over at DVInfo, and this very intensive article comparing the 2 cameras (written by Walter Graff), which viewed HD100 more favorable.
Click to expand...


Gordon, you need to reread that article. Walter did not do anything with the JVC that it doesn't do well. Note he never shot in 24P mode and he didn't talk deeply about working with the footage. The pictures that show the comparison show excessive detail enhancement on the JVC. The article helped Walter resolbve his own buyers remorse. Look at the first post in this thread from Movie Stunts. He sold his JVC and bought the HVX. The difference between the camers is quite dramatic. Admittedly you do need to be hooked on the P2 concept or you will be in Tape Envy for ever. ;-)

Good Luck,

Jan
 
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