Canon Unveils New Prosumer HDV Line: XH G1 and XH A1
- Thread starter Yardsale
- Start date
roxics
Veteran
I'm kind of surprised more people here aren't more excited about this camera. I mean I know this is DVXuser.com but I figured any HD camera with 24fps recording and a lower pricetag would get more people excited. Especially since Canon seems to have done almost everything right with this camera.
Sure the recording format may leave something to be desired. But I wonder how many people here have actually used HDV (instead of just reading about it) and how many people here actaully need anything bettr then HDV or if they just think they do. I've seen some really good stuff shot on HDV. I wouldn't dismiss it just yet.
Sure the recording format may leave something to be desired. But I wonder how many people here have actually used HDV (instead of just reading about it) and how many people here actaully need anything bettr then HDV or if they just think they do. I've seen some really good stuff shot on HDV. I wouldn't dismiss it just yet.
ChuckS
Veteran
roxics said:
Regarding the excitement level on this forum I think Barry said it best - "As far as an HVX competitor? Naw. 4:2:0 HDV vs. 4:2:2 DVCPRO-HD, 1080/24F vs. 1080/24P, 1080/30F vs. 1080/30P, no 720p at all, no variable frame rates, no DVCPRO50, no Cinelike-D and Cinelike-V, and back to a tape-based workflow? No thanks on that aspect." Its more of an HDV vs DVCProHD thing.
For post production I have pretty much completely switched to a Digital Intermediate (DI) workflow, so I don't care about HDV vs DVCPro on the input or HDDVD vs BluRay for the encoding. I just want the best image quality possible.
"dustino -- Too bad canon can't get true 24p. I find it both amazing and bizarre. I want to be a canon fan, really I do. They make great glass and I love almost everything they do in their still camera line. So what's up with the 24p? Why are they overlooking such an enormous factor in image quality?"
A freind of mine holds the pattent on 24P and had to take all of the major manufacturers to court, Panasonic was the first to license the technology. I believe Canon and Sony's implementation of "24P" functionality is just an attempt to get around the patent.
Although I have not used the Canon XL-1H myself, I have seen some great footage from it and heard lots of good things from people who own them. Granted that's a bit like asking an FCP user how they like Apple... If this camera has the same image quality as the XL-1H for this price point in this form factor, I agree with Jarred, this might well become the best HDV camera out there.
Its all good.:love4:
roxics
Veteran
ChuckS said:
Sure but you'll spend twice as much to get that over the XH-A1.
As much as I like 4:2:2 color and the idea of tapeless workflow spending twice as much to get it will put it out of alot of peoples ballparks. For a working pro maybe not, but for an amateur filmmaker who doesn't hardly make a return that's a lot of money. What Canon is offering sounds pretty good.
But then again I see it as being in the same market as the DVX100 not the HVX200. So if I had to chose between a DVX100 or a XH-A1 that part of the market just got more interesting and I'd personally go with the Canon.
ChuckS
Veteran
Oops, sorry I just read Yardsales post regarding licensing 24P.
The company that Bob formed that developed the 24P technology was FilmLook. This article makes it sound like Bob was "blackmailing" camera manufacturers with a patent that was so vague it shouldn't have been issued. Any of these manufactures could have developed this technology, but didn't and refused to pay for the licensing for years. When it became painfully apparent that they would lose thier law suite the manufacturers began settling out of court.
If there was any borderline illigal activity it wasn't on Bob's side. If this patent was so vague the manufacturers would just ignor it, which is pretty much what they tried to do. Bob is now a VERY wealthy man. Someone needs to inform the author of that article that patents that are defensible are more than ideas. Bob mortgaged his house and spent years developing his business, good for him to be able to defend it.
Ideas ar like ass holes, everybody's got one.
The company that Bob formed that developed the 24P technology was FilmLook. This article makes it sound like Bob was "blackmailing" camera manufacturers with a patent that was so vague it shouldn't have been issued. Any of these manufactures could have developed this technology, but didn't and refused to pay for the licensing for years. When it became painfully apparent that they would lose thier law suite the manufacturers began settling out of court.
If there was any borderline illigal activity it wasn't on Bob's side. If this patent was so vague the manufacturers would just ignor it, which is pretty much what they tried to do. Bob is now a VERY wealthy man. Someone needs to inform the author of that article that patents that are defensible are more than ideas. Bob mortgaged his house and spent years developing his business, good for him to be able to defend it.
Ideas ar like ass holes, everybody's got one.
tnle2
Well-known member
roxics said:
I'm not that surprised. There is often intense brand loyalty here. But then again if you already made your camera purchase it kinda stings when something better comes along and is also cheaper.
With the release of these Canon HD cameras, I think for the independent filmmaker, both the HVX and the DVX at current prices are bad choices. Sure, DVCPRO-HD is nice, but the reality is most indie filmmakers are broke. We all know that. So paying $3k+ more for the HVX and P2 media for very marginal improvement makes no sense to me. You could put that 3 grand towards a better tripod, sound equipment and lighting that will immensely improve your production values. It's also money well spent because all that stuff can be used with your next camera purchase anyway.
If anything, more people should show excitement for these Canon cameras because if more people buy them, Panasonic will have to lower their prices on the HVX and the DVX to remain competitive. Because for $4K I'd take the A1 any day.
I have to say, I'm not sure why you'd opt for the DVX over the A1.
Don't get me wrong; I'm all about the mojo. But at that price point . . .
Don't get me wrong; I'm all about the mojo. But at that price point . . .
there is a big difference between 420 and 422 colospace. it isnt important for eventcoverage or weddigns or the such. but for commercials, music vids, budgeted features etc i think the producers/DP/directors would probabaly like the post production controll the dvcpro can offer. evenif the hvx isnt the sharpest.
but i will admit, 24F at 4G's is mighty good. and the xlh chip block is very very good.
anyone know if it shoots 24F/P in DV mode? if so its AWESOME.
but i will admit, 24F at 4G's is mighty good. and the xlh chip block is very very good.
anyone know if it shoots 24F/P in DV mode? if so its AWESOME.
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David Jimerson said:
Agreed. There's more and more of a demand for HD shooting, especially for freelance jobs.
tnle2
Well-known member
Kholi said:
I think it's crazy that the list price for the DVX100B is still $4K! That's the same as this new Canon. In my opinion the DVX100 is a dead end and is way overpriced. The future is HD and every knows it. I can't believe that Panasonic would still charge this much for an SD product. They are clearly taking advantage of the mojo. And their rep on here said there will not be a bigger or better incentive than the current rebate. Well tell you what Panasonic, I found an even better deal: the Canon XH-A1! Hahahaha
OK seriously I am not trying to flame but you have to admit the DVX is way overpriced and if you vote with your pocketbook by going to the competitor then maybe finally Panasonic will wake up.
tnle2 said:I think it's crazy that the list price for the DVX100B is still $4K! That's the same as this new Canon. In my opinion the DVX100 is a dead end and is way overpriced. The future is HD and every knows it. I can't believe that Panasonic would still charge this much for an SD product. They are clearly taking advantage of the mojo. And their rep on here said there will not be a bigger or better incentive than the current rebate. Well tell you what Panasonic, I found an even better deal: the Canon XH-A1! Hahahaha
OK seriously I am not trying to flame but you have to admit the DVX is way overpriced and if you vote with your pocketbook by going to the competitor then maybe finally Panasonic will wake up.
Well, I don't think it's way overpriced. The XH A1 has yet to be released, we're still a month and so many odd days off of it's official shelving date.
And if I had a product that had all of this mojo going for it, I'd keep it at that price point up until the day that better camera in it's exact same price range hits the shelves. No sense in losing pennies when people are willing to pay for the good stuff.
That being said-- XH A1 is sounding like a really nice camera, and at four-thousand dollars (minus a few golden options) it's a pretty good deal.
Especially if it's going to produce images that're the same as the H1's.
Filmjunkie677
Master of Horror
These cameras aren't shipping till mid November.
WAYYYYYY easier said than done. Still would be cool though.Weston said:
This all is, of course, predicated on the picture being good.
razamalik
Well-known member
Weston said:
i always thought HVX200 was an HD update of the DVX, ok may be the price is a bit higher but u get what you pay for... DVCPROHD/24P/Variable Frame rates... the list goes on...
XH A1 does have a lot going for it but remember this is 2006 a camera at $4000 today has to be better than the camera at that price point from the previous generation... other wise why would any one buy a new camera when they already have an old mojo as u say aka DVX?