Conflicted: Another DVX100 or save for a HMC150

x-angel

x-angel

Well-known member
As some of you know.. I just recently (in September) acquired a DVX100A. I love it.

The only thing I am hating is the whole tape thing. You know.. dumping stuf in real time...etc.etc.etc...

My main reason for wanting a 150 would be becuase of the solid state. There are several others, but that would be the main reason.

I am a wedding videog, hoping to break into films/documentaries...etc.. The solid state would help in doing "SDEs" (same day edits)

The only problem is that I have a DVX100A... I love it... just recently got it.. and the 150 is $3K+

I could easily get another DVX100A...still have the same tape issue...but still beable to do 24P, etc, etc.

I just want the solid state. I just feel that I sometimes dont have the patience for a realtime dump. (The photographer in me, I guess)

I also didn't see a review of the 150 on here. I saw teh one for the 170, but I thought they were totally different.

Guidences oh great dvxuser gods? :dankk2:
 
Well unless you have a system that can edit native AVCHD then you will be at an advantage. On the other hand you will be spending time transcoding to an editable format so basically it will take as much time as transferring a tape more or less depending on your system etc.

The 150 kills the 100A in picture quality low light etc. IMO. Even though I Still deliver in SD shooting with the 150 gains you much better picture quality downrezzed to SD.
 
As Matt says, there is the time to transcode, but I've found it to be faster than real time and I archive the camera mts files since they are small and load fast as well.. so I have an editable copy, camera original.. and sometimes leave it on the SD card..


As he stated... the 150 kills the DVX image. I personally don't know why anyone would want to.. or would shoot.. DV anymore. The bleeding edge of inexpensive HD is over.. so time to jump on board. The DVX was a great camera in it's day but it's time has been passed on so many levels. You'll also save money on the tap over the life of the camera... Just jump ship and I'd also say to sell your DVX while it's still worth something.
 
I'll chime in with a similar answer... in amny ways, the HMC is a better deal... you can record much more time uninterrupted on a card; picture quality is great; HD vs. SD... and, as said, look into your editing setup to understand the transcoding times.

If you have the cash, for the moment, I'd perhaps suggest a P2 cam (HPX170) for your situation... P2 at the moment is a better medium for SDEs, especially if you have a DAW that supports editing directly off the P2 cards, and especially if you're editing on a portable system. I also feel more secure at the moment with P2 cards than SD cards. The camera is more expensive; the media is a LOT more expensive... but it'll be a lot more convenient until native AVCHD editing is feasible.

If SDEs were not a major part of your work, I'd definitely recommend the 150!
 
Personally, I would recommend the 150 over the 170 for weddings, even for same day edits. You have to capture a lot of footage through the day, so you would need far too many P2 cards for it to be economical.
 
Granted... though shooting 720 native (or SD), P2 isn't that infeasible for such use. If, as I said, you have the cash! But one or two weddings should cover the cost of enough P2 cards.
 
The 170 is way out of reach for me right now.

Before I buy a 150, I have to upgrade my computer (it's 5 years old, and she's getting tired)

My 2009 Season is looking pretty good. I have several Accounts Receivable out there, but some of that has to go to put food on the table.

So My priority list:
1. Update/build new computer
2. Get a good fluid tripod head
3. Wireless micset
4. Antoher camera

If you are wondering how I have been doing weddings without of this stuff.. I rent from an associate.
 
You might be able to use your current DVX along side the HMC. Since you will be down resing to SD anyway the DVX might cut well with the HMC. There is some raw footage around here, you can download that and compare a image quality between the two. At least it can be your static wide shot or guest well wishes camera.
 
Yes.. 5 years is ancient in computer terms and the HD will surely kill that. For DV you could edit on a 10 year old comp.


I think you'd love the 150 for weddings. Maybe it would be good to rent one and see how you like it... maybe rent a few cams. the canon A1 or such as well. I also like my little cheap SD9 cam.. sweet little cam for the cash.
 
x-angel said:
So My priority list:
1. Update/build new computer
2. Get a good fluid tripod head
3. Wireless micset
4. Antoher camera
Click to expand...

Sounds good... as the computer is the top priority, make sure it's set up to handle the AVCHD workflow as well as possible, and you should do fine with the HMC.
 
What about keeping your Dvx and getting a firestore? With the extra cash you have buy a mic and Update/build new computer..
 
If you're happy with the DVX, and realy just want solid state, why not take a look at that new Sony CF card recorder that they now sell separately for about $900? It's the same one used on the Z7U, and it will work on other cams.
 
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