Need Advice Switching From DVX100 To HVX200

[Jonathan_Healey]

I'd like to gather some support from users, here, who might have gone through the same thing. I apologize if this is a redundant thread in this forum. I used to be an avid user of DVXuser.com when the DVX100 camera first came out and was a positive contributer to this forum. Over the past 2-years I've been too busy to catch-up on what's going on around here (which is a good thing business-wise) but now the time has come.

Right now, there is such a need for content in all areas of videography. Even more so in the HD realm. I'd like to describe what it is I do to better help the discussion as to whether or not I should make the switch. Note: This all comes after my DVX100 was stolen in NYC. I had a great friend who loaned me his for 9-months but needed it to return to film school.

Right now I work with a broadcaster who's airing their content in SD. I've been shooting a music magazine program for them for 4-years. The show is shot on the DVX100 using a really nice light and sound package. In addition to that I also shoot liver rock concerts for DVD and broadcast. I'll be continuing to shoot these programs for the same type of delivery. We shoot in 24p mode with a variety of Scene Files.

I'm currently developing some music-based pilots and I'm noticing the HD trend. It seems that a lot of HD networks want their acquired content originating in HD. Others are willing to upres it for broadcast.

So the question becomes should I replace the DVX100 with a HVX200 or replace it with a DVX100B?

The types of shooting environments I work in require long record times. In other words we begin rolling tape and don't stop until we need to reload. My editing suite uses a Panasonic DV-2000 deck to capture to Final Cut Pro. I have concerns over switching to HD. For instance, I don't have an HD montior. Both of my montiors (field and studio) are both non-HD. Hard drives are cheap so storage isn't an issue but render times are as I tend to push the limits with deadlines. Can I even record HD content to a DV tape to forgoe PS2 cards? Can these tapes be read by my current studio deck?

The overall idea (which leads to these questions is), continue to shoot my music magazine show and concert DVD at SD level onto miniDV, edit in FCP as usual; however, begin to shoot the pilot show in HD... Ideally onto DV also to save money on PS2 cards and still maintain HD that is sellable to new buyers.

Any assistance is much appreciate whether it's direct replies, links to other articles, etc. Again, I apologize if this bugs you, but I'm really looking to you folks to help in this purchase of a replacement camera.

I'm happy to expand upon idea presented above to better solve this issue.

THANKS!!!

 

[darwinandpaine]

If you want to shoot HD, you'll need P2 cards, a laptop, or Firestore, etc... Long record times are not this cameras strength. But it's every bit the DV camera that the DVX is. So, it couldn't hurt. And, since it sounds like you're working quite a bit, it wouldn't hurt to have that HD bullet in the chamber.
As for the render times, I'm not really noticing any dramatic difference between DVCProHD 720/24pn and DV. Monitoring also hasn't been an issues.
Hope that helps.

 

[David Saraceno]

HVX200 is a pricey alternative for long form work.

The solution, still not fully implemented in my view, are Cineporter and FireStore.

But then again you are capturing to hard drives with all the attendant magnetic media issues.

 

[mattsdp]

I would go with the HVX. That way,you would berady to shoot HD, when you can afford it. You can still shot like you were with the DVX. And then you will be ready for HD in the future.