Moving from DVX100AE to HV20?

Krummi

Krummi

Well-known member
Hey people...

I'm really thinking of upgrading/downgrading to a HV20 from my trusted DVX100AE (I'm in PAL land).

The reasons for the move are:

*HD(V)
*16:9
*I plan on a backpacking mission to Asia next year and I don't want a heavy brick like the DVX with me screaming "steal me, steal me now!"
*Weight
*price

But what is bothering me is:

*Lack of manual control
*Wobble
*looks "cheap"

Has anyone migrated from the SD world of the DVX to the HV20? I know the sensor is amazing, but I'm a bit weary about the lack of manual controls..

I do own a Brevis and plan on using the HV20 mostly with the adapter...

any opinions?
 
i'm considering the same thing. my fear is that the dvx footage will have a shorter life span because it isn't HD. it's either get the hv20 with the 35 adapter, or get the canon a1 with no adapter. what do you think? i'd mostly be making short films and other narrative work, not documentary.
 
I am about to find out exactly that. I have shot everything in the past 2 years on the DVX and I decided to buy the HV20 but not as the main cam just the B cam because at this stage I cant afford the A1 and the reason being I bought the HV20 is so atleast I can have a play with HDV and see how it goes.

Krummi if you have already got the DVX nothing wrong with having 2 cams and atleast the HV20 should hold up easly if you downconvert to DV to match the DVX. But like you mentioned it looks cheap and manual controls are much more difficult although what purposes are you using it for? If you are doing pro jobs for customer then the Hv20 definetly will not look very Pro.

Kiyong I would say its better to go with an A1 since you want to make short films/docos because you want to be able to control everything and really you can save extra to get a 35m adapter (i'll be doing the same thing) but its all about what the budget is.

I will have to borrow money to buy the A1 but I could easly afford the hv20 mind you in Australia add an extra 15-20% to everything on the standard street price.
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I've done what you are considering. Still have my DVX, but am shooting 90% with my HV20.

Of your three concerns, my reaction:

  • Wobble hasn't been a problem for me AT ALL.
  • As far as the HV20 looking cheap, this is arguably an advantage while traveling. Conversely, put a wide-angle lens and a pro mic on it, and it starts looking expensive.
  • Lack of manual controls is a valid criticism. You can work around the limitations usually, but the HV20 image will lack the in-camera tweakability of the DVX.
There are tradeoffs to be sure. I love my old DVX, but the HD image of the HV20 is mighty tasty. And I like the smaller size, as it travels well.
 
Sold my DVX100 within two weeks of getting an HV20 and don't regret it. I miss some of the controls (esp. zoom & focus ring). And like most HDV cameras, the HV20 isn't stellar in low light (at least if you're allergic to gain grain.) But the image quality is excellent and the handling is pretty good once you get used to a smaller camera. I stopped taking my DVX100 when I travelled b/c of the size/weight. These are non-issues with the HV20.
 
Well just got my HV20 and did some tests. It’s not as good as the DVX under very low light but it still does amazingly well for what it is and really how many HD cams in the lower price range do better then its SD counterpart. Keep in mind shooting quality footage requires plenty of light, doesn't matter what camera. The image is very crisp; I would say in some cases the HV20 will do better then the DVX.

Getting the hang of the exposure/iris/shutter takes a few minutes to learn, (if you got an MiniSd card in it) thanks to the sticky post we got here. So it’s quiet easy to change things.

As far as wobble haven’t seen any yet. And I ran around with it and tried different shutter speeds.

I would say if you are going on a trip in Asia this camera would rock. The Image is excellent and with your Brevis would rock!. When I down converted to DV it looked very clean, defiently not like a standard Dv cam would look.

I am very happy with this cam and compared to the DVX it does definitely have the HDV/16:9 advantage.
 
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