Decisions Desicisions...

Pepsidude32,

You need some encouragement.

The investment is really huge if it's not your business, where you can really justify buying all the tools.

This is not my business either...it's something that I really, really want to do. I've got ideas that I want to see on film or TV or even the internet.

The reason I chose the HVX200 is because it offers most/or all of the features I need to shoot "real" projects...at the lowest buyin price for all those features...including HD, multiple frame rates, etc. Believe it or not, I did not consider the P2 a feature that I really needed...however, I've since reallized how important that capability is in the real production world. If not the HVX200, it would have been the DVX100 (but I wanted the HD)

My recommendation is to buy the HVX200.

Use tape (and SD) until you can justify the P2 cards. The HVX200 shoots dvcpro50, which is the most amazing SD format. It has 4 channels of the best audio as a bonus. I've used 480/24pa to shoot a musical...it was absolutely fantastic quality...even on tape. (I would have used P2, but I've only got one 8gb and waiting for the 16gb Panasonic owes me). If you're going to DVD, then dvcpro50 is excellent...it gives you 16:9. In fact, even if I had the P2, I would have shot in dvcpro50 because that performance was going direct to DVD.

The Firestore used to look like more of a bargain 2 months ago when P2 was $1,200 for 8gb. Not now that 16gb are 900. Again, buy what you need later as you can justify it on the project.

Here's what you need to budget for now:
- HVX200 (tape is fine for now)
- NLE: I chose to use FCP...the buyin is pretty steep ($2,900 for macbook pro and $699 student price for FCS). The other NLEs, such as Avid, Vegas, Canopus, Adobe, et al are just about as expensive; however the least expensive seems to be Vegas student price and as powerful a dual core pc as you can afford. I think Canopus Edius Broadcast does not need as powerful a pc, but there is no student discount on the software.

- Microphones: ("sound is 70%" ...per some critics) there are a couple of very good threads in this site, but if you only get one (assuming general use indoors) get the Oktava recommended in the thread. With the key accessories, it will run you less than $300.

The other cams in the price range will do; but, will you really be satisfied.

Regards,
just another Indywannabe
 
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Indywannabe said:
Use tape (and SD) until you can justify the P2 cards. The HVX200 shoots dvcpro50, which is the most amazing SD format. It has 4 channels of the best audio as a bonus. I've used 480/24pa to shoot a musical...it was absolutely fantastic quality...even on tape. (I would have used P2, but I've only got one 8gb and waiting for the 16gb Panasonic owes me). If you're going to DVD, then dvcpro50 is excellent...it gives you 16:9. In fact, even if I had the P2, I would have shot in dvcpro50 because that performance was going direct to DVD.
You can't shoot DVCPro50 to tape. The only thing you can record on the internal tape mechanism is DV25.
 
I was going to shoot in dvcpro50...but not enough p2 card time...it was still amazing video in dvcpro25.
 
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i really appreciate your encouragement Indy, I certainly plan on buying the HVX200 now and will focus on p2 cards later like you said. Again thanks everyone for all the advice =D

~~Pepsirocks

EDIT:: I almost forgot, how is the battery life on this thing? Will I need some extras or extended? Charger comes with it I assume...
 
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HVX200 batteries last about 4 hours.

If you buy by June 30 from an Authorized USA dealer, the latest promotion by Panasonic USA gives you a free Anton Bauer Elipz battery, which would probably last 10 hours or so.
 
Comes with a charger. Battery life is good, but not when it's cold.

and additional batteries are fairly inexpensive.
 
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