Question about HVX200a vs HPX170

C

ChipG

Carbonite Member
I currently own an HVX200 and am thinking about buying either two 200a's or 170's, I understand they both have the new ccd's that are better in low light but would the HVX200a be better for low light because it has an 82mm diameter lens rather than a 72mm? Does the 10mm larger diameter lens make any difference in low light performance?

Thanks,
Chip
 
I tested them side by side and the difference is minimal. At full wide angle the HPX170 was actually a tiny bit brighter, at full telephoto the HVX200A was a tiny bit brighter. In the end I'd say it's pretty much a wash and probably not anything to make a purchase decision based on.
 
Thanks Barry!

Would I be better off with the 170 for hand held run and gun stuff? Mainly tornado / storm chasing.

I'm going to keep my old HVX, I'm assuming there is no prob synching the time code between the two of them?

Thanks again!
Chip
 
ChipG said:
Would I be better off with the 170 for hand held run and gun stuff? Mainly tornado / storm chasing.
Click to expand...
Oh heavens yes. The handheld ergonomics of the 170 are startlingly better than the ergonomics of the HVX200/200A.

I'm assuming there is no prob synching the time code between the two of them?
Click to expand...
The timecode sync works the same, so the same capabilities and limitations exist; read the timecode sync article in the Articles section for details.
 
I'm looking to make my first HD purchase. I currently have a DVX100a and love it.

It would seem smart then to get the HVX200 or the 170. But I've read good things (and bad) about the new Sony line of HDV cameras. The FX1 and FX3 the HVR Z7U and their new XDCAM HD all seem comparable to the HVX200.

I do like having a tape back-up system, (HD tape back-up would be sweet) but I could be talked out of it. The MiniDV on the 200HVX can only record SD correct?

I've read many arguments about which is better when it comes to DVCPRO HD compared to HDV, and DVCPRO seems to have the edge. I will be editing in FCP.

I shoot almost everything at 24p, I do alot of interviews that I need to archive for future editing.

I love my Panasonic but the Sony's have some nice features, I like the lens "professional" focus and aperture which I have used for over 20 years working as a professional videographer. I never liked the Panasonic aperture control and focus. Beyond that I prefer the Panasonic.

So talk me into the Panasonic. Should this be an easier choice for me to make?
 
D10S,

I guess it depends on what you are going to use it for, I tend to be a little more extreme than the other crews shooting tornado stuff, I can't risk frame drops from moisture or dust getting in the camera, half the time I'm shooting I'm in a monsoon or extreme winds with dust / dirt / debree / houses / roofs / cars / flying everywhere.

I think I'm going to place my order for a couple 170's Monday.

One of the main reasons I'm sticking with Panasonic is because of this board, Barry and the other experts here always take the time to help us out. Tech support anytime that is A+!!!

Thanks,
Chip
 
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D10S said:
I'm looking to make my first HD purchase. I currently have a DVX100a and love it.


So talk me into the Panasonic. Should this be an easier choice for me to make?
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There are so many threads, including a fairly long one on this issue in this forum.

See, e.g. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=139850

If you are shooting 24p and wish the most efficient editing format, stick with I frame, 100 mpbs 4:2:2 color space.

You won't get HD on tape, however. Actually HDV, which many see as materially different. You have to decide how important that is.
 
So you can record HDV to tape with the HVX200? If that is true why wouldn't you do that over archiving at SD quality to tape?
 
ChipG said:
D10S,

I guess it depends on what you are going to use it for, I tend to be a little more extreme than the other crews shooting tornado stuff, I can't risk frame drops from moisture or dust getting in the camera, half the time I'm shooting I'm in a monsoon or extreme winds with dust / dirt / debree / houses / roofs / cars / flying everywhere.

I think I'm going to place my order for a couple 170's Monday.

One of the main reasons I'm sticking with Panasonic is because of this board, Barry and the other experts here always take the time to help us out. Tech support anytime that is A+!!!

Thanks,
Chip
Click to expand...

Chip,


I couldn't agree with you more . I don't post much here cause if I look enough I can find the help I need here in this Forum . I think people like Barry are a valuable asset to Panasonic . I hope Barry has a book on the 170 like the HVX book , What a great learning tool .

Robert.
 
Rob said:
Chip,


I couldn't agree with you more . I don't post much here cause if I look enough I can find the help I need here in this Forum . I think people like Barry are a valuable asset to Panasonic . I hope Barry has a book on the 170 like the HVX book , What a great learning tool .

Robert.
Click to expand...

Surely BG will have a 170 bootcamp? I'm also excited about the dvxuser magazine that is coming out!
 
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D10S said:
So you can record HDV to tape with the HVX200? If that is true why wouldn't you do that over archiving at SD quality to tape?
Click to expand...

You misread my post.

You cannot record DVCProHD to the tape mechanism on the HVX200a. You can only record SD to the mechanism.

And the Sonys record HDV which is a flavor of HD -- although some differ.
 
Thanks, I got it. I thought it was just SD to MiniDV.

What is the record time to a 32gb P2 card at the highest resolution? Is there a chart someplace that shows the tape time shooting at different resolutions?

And while we're doing the math, approx. how much footage could you archive to a 1 terabyte external drive?
 
Is the Panasonic AJ-PCS060G necessary for archiving, or can I just save to a laptop or external hard drive in the field without it.
 
Here is my dilemma. I have a client that I would have to go out in the field (out of state) and shoot approx. 5 hours of footage per day, 5 days a week, for a month. So approx. 100 hours of video to bring back to edit. It will be a controlled (interview) setting each day, say 5 one hour interviews.

What would be my best work flow for storage and back-up?
 
I recommend DVCPRO HD 720/24P Native mode, especially Quick Time Native with a FireStore, but P2 Native is great as well. This way you will only be recording at 40Mbps, recording just the frames you need vs. doing a 3:2 pulldown in post.

This yields about 2.5 minutes per Gb vs. 1 minute per Gb at 100Mbps.

A FireStore FS-100 160Gb HDD will record over six hours at 720/24PN. Then transfer to two external hard drives at the end of the day.
 
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