Buy another DVX or go HD?

M

mcp

Member
I do wedding videography and own a DVX100B and borrow an XL2 from my day job as the second camera. The XL2 has been having some issues, so it is time for me to buy a second camera.

Since I'm only using this for weddings, I don't believe I'll have enough people in the next year or so demanding HD, so $2400 for a DVX seems reasonable, given it's a great camera. Does anyone feel differently?

If I do go HD, is there anything comparable in the price range (sub $3000 or so) that will work as well in low light? Also, do HD cameras shoot in SD and 4:3, or does it get converted after the fact?
 
Normally I'd say get the HVX for future investment because of low light I think it would be better to go with the DVX.
 
I live in a quasi-remote area and initially got two so I'd have a back-up if one packed it in and other things. Never regretted it. The majority of work I do still only requires SD. Since you have one already, you must know what a great workhorse it is. Every system you get has its own workflow requirements and needs to generate the business to accomodate. Unless your clients absolutely have to have HD then there is a lot more to consider than just a camera.
 
No one is even asking for HD yet, I'm just trying to see where everyone else's crystal ball tells them we'll be in 6-12 months or so. With Blu-Ray seeming to finally win out, staying SD might be a little more of a risks. But still, I know no one who owns either format's player.

Let's say I step up to the HVX and used it with the DVX to do 16:9 SD in the short term, would that work ok? I'm 90% sure I will not do this, but I'm just wondering.
 
mcp said:
Let's say I step up to the HVX and used it with the DVX to do 16:9 SD in the short term, would that work ok? I'm 90% sure I will not do this, but I'm just wondering.
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Yep, it'll work. The HVX footage will be a bit sharper because of the native 16:9 chips, but it should match fine if that's the way you end up going.
 
Not having any HD experience, what's the workflow? I'm using Final Cut. Would I/can I capture it as SD?
 
I'm in the same boat. I own a DVX100b and am now going to be shooting wedding videos in CT. Two couples have asked the question, "Do you shoot in HD?"... I've asked if on this forum if uprezzing with Instant HD is an option however, I didn't get many responses. I'm considering a move up to the HVX however, this may mean having to change to an Apple with FCP. I'm currently on Adobe Premiere CS3.
 
Barry_Green said:
WHY? Premiere CS3 rocks with P2, way better than FCP's integration!
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Thanks Barry, I had the impression that more people had Apples w/ FCP and HVX's... That has been one of the main reasons why I haven't steped up. I think I would have to up my processor as well on my PC...

One of my other concerns is the ability to capture that much footage (A Wedding) using P2 Cards... Is it possible or should I be considering a Firestore or two 16Gig Cards?
 
Jon Neely said:
I love the DVX, but I would still look at the XH-A1 before any decisions. Try them out and then decide.


Jon
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When you live in Toledo, OH, you don't get the luxury of trying them out. I've read mixed reviews of the XH-A1's low light abilities. Can anyone vouch for it?
 
mcp said:
When you live in Toledo, OH, you don't get the luxury of trying them out. I've read mixed reviews of the XH-A1's low light abilities. Can anyone vouch for it?
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If you're looking for low light capabilities on par with the DVX, none of the current crop of HD cams will be what you're looking for.
 
But the Xh-A1's are not to shabby, Plus when using HD, I feel you can get away with more gain with out it being noticed compared to SD. If you want super low light capabilities, the EX1 with its 1/2'' sensors are quite amazing.

Jon
 
NC17z said:
Thanks Barry, I had the impression that more people had Apples w/ FCP and HVX's...
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They do. Doesn't change the fact that FCP has the weakest P2 support of any NLE on the market (excepting only Sony Vegas, but Raylight fixes that for both Vegas and FCP).

One of my other concerns is the ability to capture that much footage (A Wedding) using P2 Cards... Is it possible or should I be considering a Firestore or two 16Gig Cards?
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FireStore could work for that, especially the new 160GB version. But P2 cards are getting big enough that you'll be able to buy a couple of cards that are bigger than an entire FireStore here in about six months or so.
 
mcp said:
When you live in Toledo, OH, you don't get the luxury of trying them out. I've read mixed reviews of the XH-A1's low light abilities. Can anyone vouch for it?
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It's decent for a 1/3" HD camcorder, and doesn't hold a candle to the DVX for low light (no 1/3" HD camcorder does).
 
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