Fake P2 and 720pn Variable 12-60p Questions

sick boy

sick boy

Well-known member
Curious,

Been eyeing the hvx200 and saw the cost for p2s. I was curious, has anyone tried using a pcmcia to micro drive adapter with a high end microdrive 8gb or even 16gb in them on the hvx200?

I would imagine the heat, transfer rate and power consumtion would be the obvious issues, but hey, it could be funny if it worked.

Also, are there any alternatives to recording the 720p native than p2 cards? I was eager to use the variable rate (12-60p) but was crushed when the fs-100 would not support it. It just seems that there would have to be something out there that is at least semi decent in size, I dont want to have to be stopping production to transfer footage, even with 2 p2 cards.

My guess is the camera cant do the pulldown removal fast enough before shipping the data to the HD before more footage is shot, probably a buffer issue.

Anyway, thanks for the help!
Tim
 
If you use the SEARCH function of the forum, you can save yourself the trouble of trying this for yourself. Short answer: doesn't work, never will.

The best advice I can give you is to buy the camera from an authorized Panasonic dealer before the end of March and enjoy a free 8GB P2 card.

Yes, the camera can do the pulldown fast enough, it's not a buffer issue. The problem is that if it did that, the data would no longer be compliant with the streaming requirements of DV.
 
maybe cineport will fix it all. I was reading up on that on their website, looks like the best that will be overall. They sure are taking a long time. I would imagine that 720pn will work on their drives since I read they designed the p2 ports on the hvx.

Curious, anyone use a cheap $500 laptop instead of the external hd from panasonic to dump footage onto while shooting? it seems like the price of that is stepe when a laptop with a pc card slot would do fine.

I have found some good deals on the hvx doe about $4000, and with the current deal of the free 8gb, I will most likely be able to afford a second one. Getting all excited now, woo

Thanks guys!
Tim
 
Disregard any deals where an HVX is priced at $4000, it won't be a reputable dealer, certainly not one that is authorized by Panasonic and thus entitles you to a free 8GB card. At that price, you'll probably pressured into buying batteries and other items that should come standard -- if you balk, the camera is suddenly backordered.

Yes, you can record to a computer using Firewire, you just can't record any of the native (PN) modes because they aren't compliant with the realtime streaming protocols as mentioned earlier. The Focus Enhancements FS-100 essentially performs the same functions as a computer connected through Firewire.
 
Ahhh, that makes more sence. The FS100 will remove the flagged frames then huh? Is that going to work with the variable frame rates too? One of the main reason I am selling my dvx100a to get this camera is for the variable rates and the dvcpro50 and hd capabilities. I know i can record the variable rate footage to p2.

I know that in all of the variable rates, it just adds a flag like 24pa does. So is it safe to assume or has anyone tried the fs100 with lets say the 60p fps or 12p fps modes and found the fs100 removes the flagged frames and you receive a mov file on the fs100 with frames rates of 12 and 60?

Awesome, this made my day, the p2's are pricey and i would have to invest in some sort of backup station on the the road to store the footage off of p2s, the fs100 makes the efficiency of filming 100 fold.

Curious, is there any advantage to shooting in the native than the typical adding pulldowns on the camera? I would imagine there could be a performence hinder when using native since the camera is doing more work.

Thank you all again!
 
The advantage to shooting in native is added record time, because only the actual amount of fps you are telling the camera to record are getting recorded to p2. I wouldn't think it would be more work for the camera. Shooting 24p or 24pa, may be more work though, because of the added pulldown necessary to fit in the 60i format.

The firestore won't record native mode (firewire limitation), but as mentioned, the upcoming firmware update will be able to emulate it in the p/pa modes by recording only the flagged frames to the firestore. Gives you the same benefit of added record time. It's just a workaround of the limitations of the firewire interface.

The HVX can record variable frame rates in modes other than pn. So, I would assume (though I have never used the firestore) that the Firestore would be able to record variable framerates as well. Whether or not it will have to apply a Varicam like pulldown with the new firmware to accomplish this, or if it can record only flagged frames, I don't know. But I would think it can already do it. It will possibly be able to do it more efficiently with the firmware update.

Jason
 
Well, i guess the big question at hand for me is if the the fs100 can record the variable frame rates. it is hard to find if the variable frame rates are only available in the 720p native or in 720p general.

I record in 24pa all the time, so I have no issue with that. But when it they said above that the fs100 removes the pulldown, that sold it for me since I want to be able to go directly from camera to computer without having to apply the pulldown manually on the computer, seems like it defeats the purpose of direct to edit systems.

Everything seems a go, overall, my only concern is if the fs100 can record the variable frame rates, which i assume uses the varicam pulldown. I am new to the Varicam pulldown and what it does in comparison to the current pulldown system, any info source recommendations?

I love this stuff, cant wait. Thank you again for the advice.
 
VFR are available in all 720 modes; in 720pN it stores only the active frames, in 720p it stores all 60 frames per second, with the "active" frames flagged as such (and this is how the FS-100 will record it too). In order to get slow-mo or fast-mo you'd have to process the file to remove the duplicate frames. So as long as you do that, yes you can do VFR with the FS-100 as-is. In the new version 3.0 of the firmware this will be done automatically for you at the time of recording.
 
Awesome, so when the 3.0 comes out, i will be able to record anywhere from 12-60p fps and the fs100 will remove flagged frames automatically? If this is so, the efficency and abilities of this system seem on par with most film cameras, minus the quality and gamma of 16 and 35mm, but the gamma is getting better and better also.

I guess I am set, hvx200 and the fs100. The nice thing is I can sell the p2 that I will get free to help pay for the fs100.

Curious, has anyone bought the packages on ebay for $4000 and then be able to get the p2 8gb still free? Those companies are out of NYC and it seems like they are dealers because of the quantity they sell and the package they sell claims new in box retail.

I am syked!
 
Buy from an authorized dealer. See the Where to Buy sticky in the hvx section.

I believe BenB said the firmware is due out in a few weeks.

Jason
 
Do not buy off eBay.

Buy from a Panasonic authorized dealer.

Let me repeat.

Buy from a Panasonic authorized dealer and check Panasonic's web site to locate one.

Buying any another way isn't awesome.
 
The thing now is this, I dont need the p2 if I am going the fs100 route. So, they are a few companies on pricegrabber.com that sell the camera for $4200 that I assume are not authorized dealers. The only real reason I need an authorized dealer is to get the p2 to basically sell it to help buy the fs100. If I can get the camera low enough, the difference in price to lets say bnh is greater than what I could sell the p2 card (probably $1000 on ebay).

So this leaves me with the question, are there any authorized dealers our there that sell the camera for under $5000? If not, if the sites that sell the camera at $4200 states it is not a grey market item and it comes with all the items like it says, is there any issue, besides not getting the p2 card from being a non-authorized dealer?

I have bought my last two camera used on ebay from the same seller and received a hell of a deal (got the dvx100a for $2500 1 1/2 years ago), but buying new on ebay does pose a possible risk.

Rock on everyone!
 
Dude. Un Mas. If you think you can order from a company that is selling the camera for 4200, you are gonna be hurtin. You won't get the camera, unless you buy their way-overpriced accessories.

Not all un-authorized dealers are ripping you off, but the ones that sell for 4200 likely are. DON'T.

Also, if you don't buy from an authorized dealer, not only will you not get the rebates, you will have NO warranty coverage. Something goes wrong, you are s.o.l

Average price for an HVX from an authorized dealer is about 5300, currently. Some have it for a little more, some have it for a *little* less.

Again, read the sticky on "Where to Buy"

Jason
 
There is a reason why the "Where to buy" sticky exists -- it is there to save you endless grief and headaches. Ignore it at your own peril...
 
I get it, dont worry, I see a lot of internet scams. The thing with the where to buy is that it does not list internet sellers, mainly local dealers, and I rarely buy from local dealers, most dont have the camera or dont know a dam thing about it.

Besides bnh, any good recomendations on a website? Bnh is a little pricey, as I assume I could get it about $300 less elsewhere.

I guess going with the auth dealer is the way to go, I was just trying to avoid the selling of the p2 if I did not have too.

Thanks everyone!
 
I bought mine from Shawn Tallard at Full Compass, and that was an A+ experience.

Shawn Tallard
Full Compass Sales & Systems Consultant
8001 Terrace Ave,
Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: 1-800-356-5844 x 1152
Fax: 608-831-6330
 
Now this is interesting

The camera is listed on amazon.com with a reasonable price:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FAMV6Q/pricegrabbercpc77-20/ref=nosim
Saving a few $100s. The company that is selling the camera has the policy below and their site looks lajit too. If you go to their site, they have the camera for $4200. Interesting to say the least.

http://www.etronics.com/getpage.asp?DIR=OURHTML&FILE=auth



Full compass does not have the hvx listed on their site, dont know why, gonna call them here soon for a price.
 
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