DVX is not HD - does that matter?
- Thread starter thegoldfi
- Start date
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
You had a dozen viable answers to your question in the first two pages of the thread. What answer are you looking for?
No. Go to an HMC or other HD camera.
No. Not reliably, and not in an officially supported way.
I would, and did, buy an HD camera.
andythefilmer
Veteran
Bottom line: you use the tools you can, and I have a DVX and a 7D. Two different cameras. I use the DVX for certain applications, and the 7D for others... There really is no point in trying to take down the DSLR's at all, because after all, they are SLR cameras! They are designed to take pictures, but some of them just happen to have a pretty good video recording system. I would love 4:2:2 100mbits RAW, BUT I would never expect that from a DSLR! Why? Because it is a DSLR! Just shut up about this whole damn thing and realize that if you want a camera with professional features, depending on how professional you can (afford, really), you could spend any where from $2000 up to $200,000! But, if you really want that kind of image, especially if you are not going to have the image projected on a screen, a DSLR would be fine! I do expect the video to get a lot better in the DSLR's, but it will never satisfy everyone's needs.
To answer the actual thread, I wouldn't say you absolutely need to get HD (although it is nice). It really comes down to what your destination is. If you could use the extra money to buy accessories, I say why not get a better standard def cam like a DVX and then get extras like a monitor, shotgun, lav's, tripod, light kit, etc... I am still shooting stuff with my DVX (so far, two projects that have been broadcast, and another in the works)... So I think there isn't any reason why you absolutely NEED HD, although it is nice for many things, but if you need to, you can always uprez the sd footage...
To answer the actual thread, I wouldn't say you absolutely need to get HD (although it is nice). It really comes down to what your destination is. If you could use the extra money to buy accessories, I say why not get a better standard def cam like a DVX and then get extras like a monitor, shotgun, lav's, tripod, light kit, etc... I am still shooting stuff with my DVX (so far, two projects that have been broadcast, and another in the works)... So I think there isn't any reason why you absolutely NEED HD, although it is nice for many things, but if you need to, you can always uprez the sd footage...
HJB Productions
Member
I just ordered the DVX100B on eBay. I intend to use it for event filming. I currently have a Sony VX2100 which is super in low light. I believe it's 1 lux.
How is the DVX100B in low light? My number one reason for buying it is for it's 24p capability.
How is the DVX100B in low light? My number one reason for buying it is for it's 24p capability.
Barry_Green
Moderator
In 60i, it will be pretty much on par with the VX2100. In 24p, it will be about half as bright.
HJB Productions
Member
Thanks Barry. Would you consider the DVX an upgrade from the Sony VX2100? I just won another DVX100B and looking to receive two of them. Am considering selling the VX2100 and roll with the two DVX. What's your thoughts?
HJB Productions
Member
"Won a bid" = pay the winning price.
HJB Productions
Member
Any gr8 book for the DVX100?
HJB,
The DVX is a large step up from the Sony, starting with what made the DVX famous; progressive video.
Barry Greens' "DVX User" is a fantastic resource.
In the last 7 months, I have upgraded to HD from a DVX. Having said that, for many purposes, the DVX is still viable. Question: if you were publishing a disc for your friends, would you do SD or HD? Do your friends all have Blu-Ray players? Most web publishing is still at lower resolutions and much of it will be for quite a while. So in some circumstances, the DVX still is still viable.
You can do 16x9 with it, though it does lose some resolution.
SD is a more forgiving format to shoot than HD. Less critical focus for example.
For me, the real downside to the DVX is shooting to tape which is a slower process. If you are non-pro, this may not matter.
And last, mixing footage between a DSLR and a DVX is probably not going to work out real well.
Grant
The DVX is a large step up from the Sony, starting with what made the DVX famous; progressive video.
Barry Greens' "DVX User" is a fantastic resource.
In the last 7 months, I have upgraded to HD from a DVX. Having said that, for many purposes, the DVX is still viable. Question: if you were publishing a disc for your friends, would you do SD or HD? Do your friends all have Blu-Ray players? Most web publishing is still at lower resolutions and much of it will be for quite a while. So in some circumstances, the DVX still is still viable.
You can do 16x9 with it, though it does lose some resolution.
SD is a more forgiving format to shoot than HD. Less critical focus for example.
For me, the real downside to the DVX is shooting to tape which is a slower process. If you are non-pro, this may not matter.
And last, mixing footage between a DSLR and a DVX is probably not going to work out real well.
Grant
Deff get barrys book on the dvx its basically the bible for that camera. I keep mine in my case still.
And for sure the DVX is a step up from the vx2100, but like said and from my experience in shooting live concerts, the DVX has a hard time in low, low light. So keep things well lit and use 60i and it should rock! :kali:
Good luck
And for sure the DVX is a step up from the vx2100, but like said and from my experience in shooting live concerts, the DVX has a hard time in low, low light. So keep things well lit and use 60i and it should rock! :kali:
Good luck
HJB Productions
Member
Where can one get the Barry book?
andythefilmer
Veteran
Amazon, Ebay... I think it might be available in the DVXUser store, but if not, the other sites work.
HJB Productions
Member
@bfsound
Thanks for the leads. I was able to secure one at the B and H store and it's indeed a bible. I did a test run on the camera see video below. It's a great camera and am loving it. I have two of them now both at very low hours. My customer base is not yet ready for HD and won't be anytime soon.
Thanks for the leads. I was able to secure one at the B and H store and it's indeed a bible. I did a test run on the camera see video below. It's a great camera and am loving it. I have two of them now both at very low hours. My customer base is not yet ready for HD and won't be anytime soon.
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| I AGREE |
We have a DVX100A in the stable. When asked "Is that an HD camera?" after clients & others see the footage, more often than not these people cannot tell the difference aside from the picture being 3x4 or 16x9.
Many here know the tiny details that separate the two. But to a couple of twenty-somethings getting married, that does not matter. What matters is that it looks good, and is capable of being shared with family & friends with ease. That in mind, not everyone has a flat panel plasma or lcd monitor, bluray is still relatively rare, and many people now share photo & video on small screens of their phones.
I learned a long time ago to have a cheap boom box & kmart television in my studio. The project may look great on the $60k+ gear, but more than 90% of the people viewing will never have optimal conditions when reviewing the end product. So everything gets a run-through on various levels of equipment.
So, getting back to the original questing ~3pages ago. DVX is not HD. But to many, it looks damn close. And for many, many, people, HD to them just means having black bars on the top & bottom of the screen.
It all comes down to expectations & status. I know of several medical groups that have shot their most recent campaigns with reds in 4k. The final product however is released on internet cable & banner ads looking like it was shot on a Hi8 handycam.
So, use what you think looks good. Use what you think is appropriate. And most importantly, use what have to the best of your ability. Because the best camera can look like crap in the wrong hands. But a simple notepad can also become da Vinci's canvas.
Many here know the tiny details that separate the two. But to a couple of twenty-somethings getting married, that does not matter. What matters is that it looks good, and is capable of being shared with family & friends with ease. That in mind, not everyone has a flat panel plasma or lcd monitor, bluray is still relatively rare, and many people now share photo & video on small screens of their phones.
I learned a long time ago to have a cheap boom box & kmart television in my studio. The project may look great on the $60k+ gear, but more than 90% of the people viewing will never have optimal conditions when reviewing the end product. So everything gets a run-through on various levels of equipment.
So, getting back to the original questing ~3pages ago. DVX is not HD. But to many, it looks damn close. And for many, many, people, HD to them just means having black bars on the top & bottom of the screen.
It all comes down to expectations & status. I know of several medical groups that have shot their most recent campaigns with reds in 4k. The final product however is released on internet cable & banner ads looking like it was shot on a Hi8 handycam.
So, use what you think looks good. Use what you think is appropriate. And most importantly, use what have to the best of your ability. Because the best camera can look like crap in the wrong hands. But a simple notepad can also become da Vinci's canvas.