buying a 200a or 170

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
Up until yesterday I had decided to buy a HPX170, then I spoke to a salesman at Abelcine here in NY, and he is offering a DVXuser price of around $4900 for the 200a (three hundred bucks is nothing to sneeze at), and I'm a little confused at to what to do. My instincts tell me to go for the HPX (wider lens, better form factor, FIVE YEAR warranty, etc.), but I am still in doubt. I don't foresee having to use the tape deck, but in some weird way I find the HVX 's form more attractive (is it just me?)
thanks
p.s. heard that AVS is selling the HPX for around $4900. Any truth to this and does anyone have any experience with this seller? (heard of EVS, but not AVS)
 
Quite a conundrum... :)

It all depends on if you can ever see yourself getting paid for a job that requires tape. We have multiple success stories here about how jobs were saved because of the tape deck on the HVX200. On the other hand, there was a reason why everyone requested the features that the HPX170 has.

Anyway, our deal on the HVX200A is at the link below:
http://www.spec-comm.com/store/inde...id=737&zenid=b30a046b99e3f96f603d4b5a66e6cd03

Please note the extras that you get. It ends up balancing out in the end.

Here is the HPX170 deal:
http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=784

Sales tax won't be charged to you since we're in Maryland and you get free shipping so no skin off your back. :)

Thanks for the input.


Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
Andrew,
Well, I actually have a 9 to 5 production job, and they shoot SD right now with the 100B. I had a 100a (which I sold) and did use as a "B" camera at work, but I can count on one hand the number of times we used it (mostly on two camera shoots)... I am a little nervous about not having a secondary format in an emergency...
 
I have had an HVX-200 and I have never shot DV tape with it. OTOH, I own a DVX-100A that I still use and like so I use it. Basically, broadcast, DVD, EPK and television is all HD, corporate seems to still be mostly SD.

I have used my HVX to shoot 60 fps HD and then dubbed it in camera to DV to give to an editor on an SD show.

I would buy depending on your needs. If you are shooting indie films, broadcast, DVD, docs, you will only shoot HD and P2 is super reliable, you won't need the tape deck. OTOH, if you are doing corporate, weddings and events where you are not the editor, DV could come in mighty handy.

Dan
 
Thanks, Dan... Just out of curiosity, is the hvx as unwieldy to hand-hold as everyone says it is? I have used dvx's exclusively and even these take a toll on your back after a while.
 
For me, the HVX is a little clunky but better than the EX-1, which is truly awful to handhold, makes my wrist hurt. If I am doing serious handheld all day, I use a shoulder mount like a DV Rig Pro. If it's just some handheld, mixed in with sticks, I just do it and it's not too bad. I shoot BTS/EPK on a lot of shows like Prison Break and 24 and use the tripod part of the time and go handheld part of the time, gives the editor a good variety of looks and feels.

I love shooting handheld with my DVX, that's why I am so looking forward to receiving the 170, Barry reports that it is pretty close in size and weight to the DVX. Sweet! I can go all day with the DVX and I get some pretty smooth moves because it is so manageable and light.

Dan
 
Yea, the 170 is smaller and lighter. Hoodman has a product called the "Wristshot" and even though it doesn't transfer the weight from the camera to the shoulder, it does take the strain off of the wrist.

http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=467

We have been selling a good bit of the Zacuto Newsman rigs which have to be the nicest shoulder mount out there.

http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=363&cat=94&page=1 We match Zacuto's pricing.

Either way, I think that going with the 170 is a great choice. :)

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
Andrew:

Placed my order with you guys Friday of last week, (I was on the web reservation list from a few months back) Shelley said that she had heard that they were coming in next week (this week), but that she had also heard, "could be by the end of September"

Have you heard anything yet this week about first 170 arrivals at your warehouse to fill our orders?

Thanks,

Dan

Spec-Comm said:
Yea, the 170 is smaller and lighter. Hoodman has a product called the "Wristshot" and even though it doesn't transfer the weight from the camera to the shoulder, it does take the strain off of the wrist.

http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=467

We have been selling a good bit of the Zacuto Newsman rigs which have to be the nicest shoulder mount out there.

http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=363&cat=94&page=1 We match Zacuto's pricing.

Either way, I think that going with the 170 is a great choice. :)

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
Click to expand...
 
Keep in mind also that the HPX has the added function of the waveform monitor and the additional focusing functions. It's light like your DVX's and has the newer CCDs of the 200a. The biggest feature for me would be the HD-SDI out. You could capture directly to a computer or another capture device without the loss in resolution that DVCproHD give you. Meaning you get full 1920 x 1080 versus the 1440 x 1080 that DVCproHD gives you.
 
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