HPX250: Change from HVX200 to the HPX250 mid project?

L

Lawrence

Member
I have been shooting a project on the AG-HVX200-AP and love the results. I used the DVCPRO HD codec and shot in 24PN.

Question: Should I take advantage of this new camera's functions including the new codec low light usage and better zoom mid project?
Any compatibility issues with the new codec? Will my P2 cards be compatible?

I am editing on Final Cut Studio 2.

If I were to use both cameras to shoot one scene ( documentary) would there be a huge difference in image?

Also, I wonder if there is a newer, more updated successor soon to be released?

THANKS!
 
Back in early 2007 I had a 2-month loaner and shot an international doc w/ the HPX250. Fast forward to 2012 and I'm editing HVX200 footage in 720/60p mixed
with HPX250 and Canon dSLRs.

I can say that the HPX250 has a much sharper, a bit more pristine look than HVX200 when shooting at 1080/30p w/ AVC-I 100. It's designed for native 1080p shooting.
You can do 720p, but it's a scaled down. The HVX200 is too old to be able to take advantage of the Micro P2 adaptor. HPX250 is the only known camera so far that
can do Micro P2. P2 cards on the HPX250 should work from 4 Gb - 64 Gb and Micro P2 32-64 Gb (providing the latest, just released firmware is updated).

You may want to dumb down the HPX250 by setting it to 720p mode. But if you're technically inclined and have good eyes to color grade, I'd shoot at 1080p AVC-I 100.
It simply handles gradation and overall image much better. I'd want to use the HPX250 for wider shot and HVX200 for closer shot. This is simply taking full advantage
of the camera's strong points.

I'd be very concerned w/ the legacy FCS 2. If I'm not mistaken FCS2 is Final Cut 6.0.6 right? FCS3 is really the one you should be using (FCP 7). This version they really fixed
the AVC Intra codec issue. FCP X is recommended if you're willing to learn the new app. Color matching between the two cams is a breeze. I can't believe how easy it is vs FCP7.
Another issue is the square pixel vs anamorphic 720p. It's a pain having to resize and distort in FCS2. Plus if you do lots of After FX compositing,
square pixel to me is always much easier and cleaner to do than DVCPRO HD anamorphic.

Panasonic's gamma hasn't changed much. They're consistence throughout the years. This I mean the overall colorimetry and look. The HPX250 simply get it a bit closer to 2/3".
Don't be thinking that it is an exact match of 2/3" and real 2/3" HD glass, it's pretty similar only in certain lighting and zoom range conditions.

I attended NAB 2013. No new plans for 1/3" P2 class of camcorder. Only their PX5000G 2/3" Varicam 3 will be out later this year.
 
If you are loving the results from the 200 then why change? Finish the project with the tools you have now. You are working with an older camera, older codec and older editing software. If it all works and you like it, there is no common sense reason to switch in the middle of your project.

Is the 250 better? Of course! However, you sure don't have to have it to make a great film. I shot a doc in 2007 on my HVX200 that made its way to a national release on PBS. It is still airing today (through 2014) and it looks great.

Why did I sell my 200 only to end up with a 250? I sold my 200 and jumped on the AF100 bandwagon. Dumped the AF after three months because I did not like the look and the heavy compression, went back to 4:2:2 P2 via the 250. I think my 250 has a great image that can be pushed all over the place in post. But, there is something about the CCD of the HVX200 that is great.

Bottom line, IT'S ABOUT THE STORY! If you are getting to your story with what you have and other people will love it too, then I can assure you, no one at a network is going to care if it is shot on a 200 or a 250 (well, the BBC might) and your viewers sure as hell won't care.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking of purchasing the new camera due to it's low light sensitivity. The HVX200 is BAD in low light conditions. Not good in pubs, bars or nighttime recording on city streets.
Yes, I am using FCP Studio 2 which is 6.0.6.

The purchase of the HPX250 seems to necessitate the upgrade to FCP 7 or X, which I would not want to do at this time. Guess I will stick with the camera I have until the next project.
 
Thanks for your reply. The purchase seemed tempting because the HVX200 is so bad in low light conditions, does not have a good zoom and it would be great to have a second camera on some shoots, especially shots outdoors on nighttime city streets.
But it does not seem to be worth it at this time as I do not want to upgrade to FCP 7 or learn X at this time.

Thanks!
 
Same here, 6.06 works. I did upgrade to Premire because I needed Blueray export, but FCP works fine with the codec.
 
Rewind back to 2008 era. I recall this was the 1st ever support for AVC-I 100 fr Panasonic 2/3" cam in FCP 6. There were additional Quicktime AVC-I components that had to be installed. It also kind of messed up Ray Light MXF. I got fed up and go for 7.0.3 and it solved all the issues. There were no separate AVC-I components needed. All integrated.

May have also got mixed up w/ the Sony PMW-200 - EX 3, which only supports FCP 7 as a plug-in Log & Xfer.
 
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