DVX (with accessories) or HVX (Decisions Decisions!)

Matt Sconce

Matt Sconce

Veteran
I am almost done completing my purhcases for my Movie Studio. I am adding a 24p Prosumer Digital Video camera to the list to complete the setup. Now I am debating between the standard definition DVX100a or the High Definition HVX200. I could get the DVX and follow zoom, stabilization rods, and an on board LCD monitor, a 35mm adapter, plus lens for between $7000-$9000. If I went with the HVX (High Definition), the picture is absolutely unbelievable but I would spend $7000-$8000 on the Camera and P2 memory cards alone. For those of you that know, is getting the HVX worth having to wait and save for all the other equipment later?
Just some information to help: I will be filming a lot of action sequences, From dark, moody, atmospheres to bright amazingly well lit areas. Also, which camera will Green screen and motion track better?
Also, most of these movies will be going to DVD. I do have the possibility of showing these on the big screen though, through a friend soon owning a theater. The theater was upgeaded for Star Wars, and has digital projectors as well as film. I hope one gets the amazing priviledge of going film-out, but that is in the future.
So...what do you think?
 
"which camera will Green screen and motion track better"

well, DV is hit or miss (more miss) with chroma work- its possible but tough. For me the HXV is awesome, but it comes down to how will people watch this? Right now its really only from your camera to a HDTV, or on a computer. There is no HD DVD standard, so the people with HDTV still cant watch any discs.

FOr me and many others, the best thing may be to wait untill HD DVD and HDTV prices lower. I can ooo and ahhh over the footage played back from the cam or from my NLE all I want, but I still have to downconvert so that others can see it.

Get the DVX and the toys, when the time is right and the promos are better (and the 200B model is out) then get the HVX and you can use your toys on it.
 
Just depends on what you need, as Ed sed.

Accessories--like follow focus and 35mm adapter, etc.--will make your setup great, and DVXs have been and will continue to be honey in Pooh's Pot. But even in SD, the sampling of 4:2:2 color, lens (etc. etc.) of the HVX is great too, plus your set for HD as the need arises.

If you can be happy with the DVX, I'm with Edweirdo (hmmm. . . , "i" before "e", except after "edw" and before "do"--just noticed your unique spelling! Fits the theme :laugh: ). Anyway, upgrade when the A or B is out. Then I will be drooling over your camera!
 
I was in the same position as you and personally I went with the route of the DVX plus accessories. I always figured that accessories are something you'll always need, regardless of the camera so I can purchase them and use them forever (as in until they break or until I find a better "toy" to use). I can even still use them when I move on up to the HVX eventually. The HVX gives you a much better picture, granted, but in the end you'll only have the camera.

I was in situations where I made films with just a camera and films with a camera plus accessories and the difference in quality in the films in my opinion is greater than resolution. It's production value. I've burnt DVX footage onto a DVD and watched it on my 44" HDTV which esstentially will "up rez" it to 720p and I have to say, I was surprised how well the footage held up. I mean it's not GREAT but it's better than I thought it would be.

The only downside is that greenscreen will not look that great on the DVX compared to the HVX, I'll say that right now. I've done greenscreen with mini-DV and it is doable but don't think you'll be fooling anyone. It'll look like greenscreen.

In the end though, the camera is just the technical side of it. Master it so you know how to implement it, but it's all about making a good story and the sooner you get a camera in your hands, the sooner you can make those films.

P.S. Honestly I'd still be salivating if you decided to get the HVX though!
 
I'd agree with all the opinions here. The DVX may lose a third or half of its value over the time you own it, but the accessories won't, and you'll be able to adapt them to whatever new camera you have then. I'd go that route; it's the more financially viable way to go.

On the other hand, chroma and VFX work definitely will be far more difficult to do on the DVX. However, it can be done. I did what basically amounts to a feature film, 100% greenscreen, using a first-gen DVX, and it looks acceptable. But for the most part I'd recommend you keep that stuff to a minimum if you want to look professional.
 
I also had to make this decision and went with the 100B. Since I am not doing green screen and will be delivering final product on DVD, it made more sense to me to have a DVX kit that I could later upgrade after the HVX workflow issues shake out and there is a standard for content deliviery.

If you are a Mac user, FCP is already HVX compliant, but there are apparently serious of workflow issues with Vegas on the PC and as a Mac guy, I can't comment further than that.
 
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