live concert switch, low light, WHICH HD CAM?!?

SplitVision

SplitVision

Well-known member
I'm planning on buying a couple HD cameras for live switching (concert shoots).

i've got an HVX but am not super happy with the low light action.

what HD cam do you think would best suite all my live shoot needs.

GY-HD100U? XL-H1? HVR-Z1U? something else? or just my good ol' HVX?

Thanks guys!:thumbsup:
 
For live switching, a couple of Canon XH-G1's would work well for you. You have the option HD-SDI or SD-SDI output, plus timecode I/O and genlock.

The cameras aren't expected to ship until Nov. though, so currently the only budget HD cameras that are relatively good in lowlight plus have professional outputs are the XL-H1's.

XL-H1's are especially made for situations like yours, as they are HDTV cameras first and foremost, however if you're just talking about multi-cam editing after a show, the new A1's could work well for you too.
 
my budget is rather large, basically whatever would be best (within reason).

as far as other gear goes, i'm kinda sorting my way through. any suggestions on this would be much appreciated as well.

basically, i am putting together a budget for a 2-3 camera, live switch, concert setup that can be recorded and projected-live at the same time.
 
How large a budget? A Sony F350 is about $20K and will get you great low light and more DOF control. Lots of lens options as well with the 2/3" adapter. Cheaper option would be the XLH cameras, a 16X manual lens, one stock and one with the new 6X. The HVX is not the right camera for this application.


ash =o)
 
You definitely should consider the forthcoming G1's or current H1's--or a mix of both. They'll shoot great looking 1080i video, and if you want the film-look but also need a 1080i switchable signal, just turn the frame mode nobs to 24F.

The other cameras will require add-ons and workarounds.
 
Last edited:
This will get VERY expensive VERY fast.

A HD Switcher is going to be expensive. I think the cheapest is the Ediroll., But that's analog component so will cost you a little more in cabling.
My recomendation if you have the money is to get a Ross Synergy-100

Teh deck will depend on the format you wish to record in.


I'd recomend going with an SDI setup if at all possible - It will be simpler and cheaper in the long run.
With these cheaper cameras that prety much leaves the XL-H1 and G1 from Canon as they have those pro jacks to get Sync in and SDI out.

But if you've got the budget, I'd skip onto bigger cameras then these 1/3" ones.


- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
But if you've got the budget, I'd skip onto bigger cameras then these 1/3" ones.
Click to expand...

Without a doubt. It's certainly a question of budget level though.
 
got my budget yesterday.

70k

that workable?

ps - i should probably know how to spend this if i've been given this much money!! jeez!

your help is much much appreciated!
 
If you are wanting to switch live I would strongly suggest renting. See if there is an HD truck in your area with a few cameras, switcher, decks and everything.

If you are wanting to shoot and edit later look into renting 2 or 3 varicams and 2 or 3 HVX's.

Also, The Sony F900 is great in low light, and you could rent 1 of them for a day for around $1,000. But you also have to consider editing costs if you are using HDCAM everything gets more expensive.
 
Splitvision: Aren't we talking about a permanent installation of cameras and live switching capabilities? Renting an HD truck and multiple cameras would probably blow your budget quickly.
 
Actually if this is only for a few shoots, renting a truck will mostly likly be by far the most economic way to go. But i'm not sure this is that sort of project.


The VERY first thing you need to get is a broadcast engineer to put this system together for you. This is your most critical resource.


- Mikko
 
this is great help guys, i'm actually going to post all my criteria in a new post. please check it out. thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top