Buying an HVX vs. Buying a dvx100a

[Demangone]

I won't be buying a new camcorder until early 2006 and I've been really leaning towards a dvx, except recently after talking to a few people I'm now really interested in the HVX. My question though is as far as current editing setup what am I going to need to change/update?

I have a 1.67 ghz powerbook with 1 gig of ram, and an external lacie 250 gig hd. I have Final Cut Hd and both firewire 400 and 800 inputs. With the HD model I know that I'll need to get whichever high definition compatible burner that seems to be winning the format war, at this point I'm leaning towards blu-ray. Obviously it would be wise to get whichever dual processor G5 is available at the time, but will my setup work or am I going to need to buy a $6000 camcorder as well as a $3000 computer? Also what kind input cards am I looking at or is it possible to transfer the HD feed over firewire 800?

My last question is does anyone think that once the HVX has been released for a few months that the dvx will drop further in price, or because it's such a different type of camcorder with respect to mine and probably other's hardware/software concerns, that it will maintain its current pricing?

thanks in advance

DJ

 

[EA_Cru_2002]

Well I'm kinda in the same situation as you as for the longest time, I wanted to get a DVX until the HVX was announced, which then I was debating. However I sawyed back to the DVX for a couple reasons. (Just to warn you, my post is long and does go on and on about why I chose the DVX over the HVX. However, I just want to let you know, this is just me. This is my perspective. Your circumstanes may be different and if the HVX makes sense for you, then get it man. I wish I could. But here's MY reasons for why I don't plan to get one for now).

First of all, price. Will the DVX go down in price after the HVX is released? Maybe a little, but all evidence points to NO, the price of the DVX will not drop a significant amount after the HVX. Why? Because the cameras are marketted to two totally different types of consumers. There is about 3 grand difference between them. A Camaro (when they were still around) didn't go down in price just because a Corvette would be released. However, one thing that will definately go away is the rebates and free items Panasonic is giving away right now. A $500 mail in rebate plus $700 in accessories. A $1300 savings you could mark off the price of the DVX. That expires Oct. 31st and I'm not willing to bet that the DVX will reach that type of deal any time after that.

Plus, I know the HVX sounds like an incredible deal for the price, and really, it is. But again, it's really marketted more for professionals than prosumers (a big difference being the amount of money they have). Okay, the camera is $6000. I could get 2 DVXs for that price right now. That's not even counting P2 cards. Now you could decide not to get P2 cards and just record on mini-DV for now, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of getting a HVX? Well you might say, I'll just record SD on mini-DV for now and when the prices for P2 cards go down, then I'll go for it. Alright, you can wait however years it might take for that to happen. Me personally? I'm gonna record on the DVX and when I feel the need to go to HD and see the prices of P2 are more reasonable, that's when I'll get the HVX. And you know what? Chances are the HVX's price will have gone down a bit by then. So there I'll be, with a new HVX with P2 cards rather than a HVX that is a couple years old, and it's cheaper. I mean I know the HVX shoots 16:9 natively and probably has better imagers, even for SD, but is it worth double the price?

Then there's the issue about working with HD. My computer actually has similar specs as yours. From what I've read, it seems that it would be possible to work with HD with our set ups, but definately not recommended. I'm sure nearly everything would need to be rendered, it would take forever to edit anything, and our NLE systems would be a lot more unstable and prone to freeze ups. Now the other option is to upgrade out systems. Whoops, there's another several thousand right there. As opposed to working with SD, which I know my Powerbook can handle fairly easily.

Another point is just how useful it is to shoot in HD. If your intended end is a film out, then yes, the HVX probably is worth it all. But let's be honest. Most of us are indie filmmakers who's chances of a film out are slim. I really plan most of my movies being released on DVDs. And DVDs are standard def. By the way, as an aside, did you know that Toshiba pushed back the launch of HD-DVDs? Why? Because there's not a market for it. There was a poll (i'm too lazy to find it now but if you want me to, I can) that said a very very small percentage of people are even interested in HD DVD. Studios are raking in big bucks with DVDs. Consumers are eating it up. You think anyone anytime soon wants to switch over their library of DVDs they just bought to HD-DVDs? Right now is not the time in my opinion, and trust me, I work as a salesman at an electronics store! If HD-DVD and Blu-ray were to come out, it would be the same thing that happened to DVD Audio and Super Audio CDs, they would fizzle out. The market is not there yet. Yes, a lot of people are buying HDTVs, but the majority of them are satisfied with DVD quality for now. In several years that may change, but that's several years from now. Trust me, the TV market is still gonna be SD predominately for a very long time, despite what TV companies are trying to make you think. The DVX will have a long life ahead of it. An unlimited life? No. But me personally, I always found that it's better to go out and make your films A.S.A.P. rather than wait off for the "perfect time" or the "perfect equipment." No one is gonna see your grand project you have in your mind but never got to shoot. They will see a film you done and completed on the DVX.

Which brings me to my last point: production value/accessories. For the money I'll save buying the DVX, I can apply it towards a multitude of things that will make my films look much more professional. Remember now, the HVX is around 6000. Buying 2 8 gig P2 cards with it makes it 10000. Then there's the upgrading of hardware. That's another 5000 or so for the G5 and HD cinema display monitor. So 15000 just for you to be able to start taking advantage of the HVX. It is my opinion that a film shot on the DVX with good audio, lighting, effects, etc will look much more professional that something shot by a guy who just has a HVX. Production value will overpower resolution. I did some math and figured out that I can get a DVX, a really nice mic, boom pole and mount, tripod, bag, filters, headphones, extra battery, tapes, extended warranty, external hard drive, and a cheap Sony camcorder to act as my deck for the same price as just the HVX alone, without P2 cards, without anything. Now which package you think is gonna allow more professional looking movies?

Well, that's all the reasons I got. So again, I just want to reiterate that these reasons are MY reasons and make sense for me. However, if you still think the HVX is a better deal for you, then get it man. And make some awesome movies with it!

 

[Ernest_Acosta]

EA those are good reasons. The DVX is an excellent camera. I still have the original DVX not the 100A and the images are excellent. Just an FYI on the HVX. You don't have to buy P2 cards. Most rental houses will have them to rent. Also I plan on getting the HVX but without P2 cards. I will be very happy with the HVX tethered to my G5 via a long firewire cord. Most of my production is in a controlled environment. The few shots that I will use a steadicam will be short 1 to 1 1/2 minute takes; if that long. Therefore I can get away with just a 4 gig card if needed. Monitor is a must. Everyone is leaning toward the Dell 24. I plan on getting 4 - 250gig 7200rpm drives to store my HD content. These run $150 a piece at the computer shows. Archiving is a concern but will work out eventually. The DVX is still the best buy when it comes to SD. I only wish they had put 16:9 chips in the A or the soon to be released B. But I heard the 100b will not have 16:9. I'm curious as to the resolution the HVX will have in SD mini-dv. If they have the same as the XL2 plus native 16:9, that will be a plus for HVX users.