Is the XH-A1s worth the xtra money?

Realistically, even if I were to be given the option now to trade in my A1 for an HMC I still wouldn't do it. Why? Simple: The HMC150 does not do SD!

There are so many types of jobs that I would just not be able to take on because of that. Weddings, long events etc. You hear people complain nonstop that their computer can't handle even a few minutes of AVCHD footage, I wonder how they plan to edit/colorgrade several hours of footage without shelling out major $$$ to upgrade their computer. With the A1, I shoot HD when I want, and when the job doesn't call for it (i.e the final delivery goes to DVD anyway) I just shoot in DV mode. Fast, easy and reliable editing and the result looks every bit as good. I shudder to think of the rendertime involved when rendering out 2+ hours of downrezzed 720p or 1080p footage.

There will come a time when the hardware becomes cheap enough so that this is no longer an issue, but for now, I'm steering clear of any camera that doesn't let me shoot SD. That's just a headache that I don't need. I'm glad that Panasonic continues to offer this option on the HVX/HPX line, but I am disappointed that Sony didn't choose to do this with the EX1/EX3.
 
Huy, definately on point. i mean, I don't even have the capability of viewing my rendered videos in HD (no hd on my computer...well, i have an hd videocard, but only 1440x900 res monitor..., no hd tv, no blue ray player, etc)...all i own is a camera that shoots it. how can i expect my customers to cater to it? sd is still VERY alive, and it's not unfortunate. sd still pays.
 
Yeah, I'm surprised the HMC150 doesn't have a DV mode, but of course to the SD card since there is no tape drive.

One thing I really enjoy having with the A1 is the 20x lens, which I actually need for weddings sometimes because I can't get too close when the larger churches have restrictions on where I can stand during a ceremony. Also, the dedicated iris ring is so great opposed to a dinky little iris dial like the DVX/HVX/HMC cameras have.

The A1 is supposedly a little sharper as well, but not really enough to be a big deal is what I've heard so far. Alright, I'll stop so that this doesn't turn into another XH-A1 vs. HMC150 thread war.
 
you make a good point, Huy. I've been going back and forth on which camera to get for a while now. As of yesterday I thought it was the HMC150. But your right about the SD. I do some wedding, some events, and I make some short movies, and I think having a choice of which format to shoot is better for me and will keep me more versatile. Especially for the next few years, until the prices come down and some of the quirks are worked out.
 
I've often wondered if they can do a flip hack for the A1 like they do for the HV20. Right now I just flip the external monitor, but sometimes it's nice to be more minimalistic.
 
Duke M. said:
I've often wondered if they can do a flip hack for the A1 like they do for the HV20. Right now I just flip the external monitor, but sometimes it's nice to be more minimalistic.
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Yes you can. There was a thread here a while back that showed how to do this by modifying a few connections in the LCD. I believe it was by Elton so you can try searching for his post.
 
Do not buy the a1 if youre intending on shooting 24fps. Reason being, the camera uses interlaced chips and thus you lose vertical resolution when shooting 24fps
 
I have to strongly disagree with your statement of "Do not buy the a1 if youre intending on shooting 24fps". I shoot almost exclusively in 24f and the images are wonderful!.

The topic of interlaced chips versus progressive has been covered many times in other threads so I won't start another discussion here about it.
 
DSWMEDIA said:
Do not buy the a1 if youre intending on shooting 24fps. Reason being, the camera uses interlaced chips and thus you lose vertical resolution when shooting 24fps
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Jeez, have you ever shot with an A1 before or SEEN footage from it? This type of armchair filmmaker comment have no basis in reality at all.
 
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