DVX100 viable choice?

David Jimerson said:
1) Computer -- will work -- not dissimilar to my previous machine -- but obviously, now, there's much better.

2) Feature set, but to tape -- no.
Click to expand...


I was all set on the DVX100 but I've spent the night in the "films" section watching all the features that have been shot with the HVX200... and just.. WoW..

I know its not all in the camera, but some of the stuff some of these guys have achieved with it, is pretty spectacular. To be able to get some of the results these people are getting with their films, I honestly wouldn't mind saving a bit longer and getting the HVX200.

I'd feel more confident in being serious about my projects, as well as be available for the coming HD age that is already upon us. Plus, I would assume the HVX200 would have some staying power for at least several years or more.
 
Look into the HMC150, it's the same basic camera as the HVX's successor, the HPX170. Not quite as many features, but a lot lower price tag; the 150 goes for around $3300 or so.
 
If you have actors asking what camera you're shooting on, you have a serious problem....them ain't normal actors...they're pod people.

Get a script. Get some actors. Get a camera. Shoot a film. Period.

I think the DVX is a fine camera. I'm actually shooting a feature right now where a DVX is the A camera and an HVX is the B.......doesn't matter how things are arranged, what camera you shoot on, etc...as long as you have a good script and good actors.
 
Nick Walters said:
If you have actors asking what camera you're shooting on, you have a serious problem....them ain't normal actors...they're pod people.

Get a script. Get some actors. Get a camera. Shoot a film. Period.

I think the DVX is a fine camera. I'm actually shooting a feature right now where a DVX is the A camera and an HVX is the B.......doesn't matter how things are arranged, what camera you shoot on, etc...as long as you have a good script and good actors.
Click to expand...


I agree with this. But, at the same time I just want to make sure I have the best tools I can get.

I still think the DVX is the best SD camcorder for my purpose, and may still wind up going that route depending on $$$.. but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't rather have something thats going to at least be somewhat future proof. Thats really what it boils down to..
 
To follow up on Barry's post, and regarding your questions, if you go with the 150, you'll probably need more computer oomph.
 
David Jimerson said:
To follow up on Barry's post, and regarding your questions, if you go with the 150, you'll probably need more computer oomph.
Click to expand...


most likely will upgrade anyway by the time I purchase.

I'm an IT guy by day, so I build PCs quite often and upgrade even more often.. so no problems there.
 
Azmyth said:
I agree with this. But, at the same time I just want to make sure I have the best tools I can get.

I still think the DVX is the best SD camcorder for my purpose, and may still wind up going that route depending on $$$.. but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't rather have something thats going to at least be somewhat future proof. Thats really what it boils down to..
Click to expand...

One of the things that's cool about the HVX is that it has a native 16:9 DVX inside it. (Of course, a slightly-less light-sensitive one.)
 
David Jimerson said:
One of the things that's cool about the HVX is that it has a native 16:9 DVX inside it. (Of course, a slightly-less light-sensitive one.)
Click to expand...


Yeah. I read about that, pretty nice feature.

I should add something to this that may change the entire outlook on things..

Well I just realized that the HVX200 shoots to P2 cards. Ok.. cool. Well.. I've also learned that an 8GB card, only allows for 4 minutes of shooting time at 1080i. Now I'm just a noob.. but that 8GB card also costs upwards of 500.00 or more, on top of the costs of the camera. So I'd garner than most film makers don't have more than 1 or 2 cards...

I'm extremely new to this whole idea. I've been in some big budget movies, but never shot anything myself. The whole idea here, is for me to be able to do something I like in an area where it really isn't that popular. My video experience consists of point and shooting wrestling matches or my son doing "silly things". So, with that in mind. I STILL want to make very good shorts, and very good features... and I do not mind learning how to use my camera regardless of what kind I get. But, would it even make sense at all for my first camera to be something of that caliber.. having never even shot the first thing on any camera that cost more than 250.00 at wal mart?
 
Azmyth said:
Well I just realized that the HVX200 shoots to P2 cards. Ok.. cool. Well.. I've also learned that an 8GB card, only allows for 4 minutes of shooting time at 1080i. Now I'm just a noob.. but that 8GB card also costs upwards of 500.00 or more, on top of the costs of the camera. So I'd garner than most film makers don't have more than 1 or 2 cards...
Click to expand...
Get the HMC150, it is the new DVX. HD video, cheap SDHC cards, and as an IT guy you will pimp out your computer.

Face it: tape is out, standard def is out, 4:3 is out. The 150 is the best all-around tapeless HD camcorder for sensible price.

BTW, Windows 7 is out, it supports AVCHD out of the box: playback, indexing, thumbnails and simplified import through device stage (I believe the camcorder has to be explicitly supported for device staging).

Azmyth said:
would it even make sense at all for my first camera to be something of that caliber.. having never even shot the first thing on any camera that cost more than 250.00 at wal mart?
Click to expand...
That is a tough one. I am not getting the 150 myself only because I know that I will not shoot better video with it compared to my $450 consumer camcorder. Yep, handling is much better, but ultimately it comes to interacting with people, to not be shy, to choose interesting shots, to dedication, to being able to finish editing, etc. You can do all of this with a consumer cam. I really suck at this and no camera in the world would help me. But if you are an easy-going guy and you think that your consumer camcorder is limiting you, then the 150 would be a great choice.
 
Last edited:
Cranky said:
Get the HMC150, it is the new DVX. HD video, cheap SDHC cards, and as an IT guy you will pimp out your computer.

Face it: tape is out, standard def is out, 4:3 is out. The 150 is the best all-around tapeless HD camcorder for sensible price.

BTW, Windows 7 is out, it supports AVCHD out of the box: playback, indexing, thumbnails and simplified import through device stage (I believe the camcorder has to be explicitly supported for device staging).


That is a tough one. I am not getting the 150 myself only because I know that I will not shoot better video with it compared to my $450 consumer camcorder. Yep, handling is much better, but ultimately it comes to interacting with people, to not be shy, to choose interesting shots, to dedication, to being able to finish editing, etc. You can do all of this with a consumer cam. I really suck at this and no camera in the world would help me. But if you are an easy-going guy and you think that your consumer camcorder is limiting you, then the 150 would be a great choice.
Click to expand...


I think we are getting on the right track.

hopefully lol.
 
Azmyth said:
I should add something to this that may change the entire outlook on things..

Well I just realized that the HVX200 shoots to P2 cards. Ok.. cool. Well.. I've also learned that an 8GB card, only allows for 4 minutes of shooting time at 1080i. Now I'm just a noob.. but that 8GB card also costs upwards of 500.00 or more, on top of the costs of the camera. So I'd garner than most film makers don't have more than 1 or 2 cards...
Click to expand...

No, at 1080, it's about a minute per gig, so an 8 gig card would record about 8 minutes.

You can get a 16 GB E-series P2 card for around $400 or a 32 GB card for about $620. That will give you almost 18 minutes of 1080 and close to 45 minutes of 720/24pN, twice that for the 32 GB.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=e-series+p2+card&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

The advantages of shooting to a card instead of tape are enormous.

But one of the beauties of the 200 is that you can still shoot DV to DV tape if you want to start off that way. Like I said, a DVX inside. :)
 
definitely go with the 150 or even the HMC40 if at all possible. We have shot 3 lo budget features now. The first two i shot with the DVX100A and the 3rd in post I shot with the HMC150. Love shooting with the 150 and not worrying about tape.We have been lucky in the past and had no tape issues but thats not to say i havent had drop outs etc in the past. Tape is really only good because you have it as a back up but seriously hard drives ares so cheap these days it makes sense to buy 2 or 3 or 10 even to use as back ups :).The instant access to view your takes right there on set is awesome as well. We only plan to do SD dvd bit its always good to have the 1080 master for future proofing. not to mention the down res of the HD to SD looks amazing and is definitely notches above what I was getting from the DVX IMO.
 
matt s. said:
definitely go with the 150 or even the HMC40 if at all possible. We have shot 3 lo budget features now. The first two i shot with the DVX100A and the 3rd in post I shot with the HMC150. Love shooting with the 150 and not worrying about tape.We have been lucky in the past and had no tape issues but thats not to say i havent had drop outs etc in the past. Tape is really only good because you have it as a back up but seriously hard drives ares so cheap these days it makes sense to buy 2 or 3 or 10 even to use as back ups :).The instant access to view your takes right there on set is awesome as well. We only plan to do SD dvd bit its always good to have the 1080 master for future proofing. not to mention the down res of the HD to SD looks amazing and is definitely notches above what I was getting from the DVX IMO.
Click to expand...


The HMC150 is looking like the better deal right now. How much do the cards run in comparison to the HVX right now? and How many minutes can be stored on one in the various formats?

nevermind.. I found it.. Very nice. much better than the P2 cards.
 
Last edited:
Cranky said:
Google is your friend. I'd say, a 16GB card costs about $35.


duration = capacity / bitrate. The best mode is 24 Mbit/s max, 21 Mbit/s average.
Click to expand...


yeah, I found it thanks to google.. I tried to edit before there was a reply.. but I'm too slow.

The HMC150 is looking like the most cost effective camera for me to move to the HD world with, and still feel like I can be a professional at the end of the day.

Better get to saving!
 
Yeah I would say either the HMC or the DVX with 35mm adapter for the budget your in. If you must go HD then the HMC but I don't think you necessarily have to go HD especially if this is your first go at it.

Just my 2 cents.
 
triplej96 said:
Yeah I would say either the HMC or the DVX with 35mm adapter for the budget your in. If you must go HD then the HMC but I don't think you necessarily have to go HD especially if this is your first go at it.

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I agree.. I just believe I chose some bad timing.. where, neither of the choices are a bad one per say.. there's just no way to know where the dvx will be after I buy it, with it already having so much mileage on it already. The dvx would be cheaper, but how much longer would it last before I'm having to sell it for less than what I paid for it to buy what I should have gotten to start with.

If it was 3-4 years ago.. DVX 100%
 
I agree.. I just believe I chose some bad timing..
Click to expand...
art is forever baby..i just got a dvx 100b and just started fooling with it...the images from the dvx look 'groovy' they show promise, dont think i'll be regreting my choice...a piece of cinema history...the last great dv camera perhaps
 
Pog said:
art is forever baby..i just got a dvx 100b and just started fooling with it...the images from the dvx look 'groovy' they show promise, dont think i'll be regreting my choice...a piece of cinema history...the last great dv camera perhaps
Click to expand...


Statements like yours are why I considered the DVX100 in the first place. I KNOW what it is capable of producing, given the right lighting and audio just as any other camera needs to look its best. I have no doubt in my mind that I could create some awesome footage with it.

Similo, Iraq in Fragments, November... are all proof of that.

But the "what if it needs to be in HD?" factor keeps looming over me.. I just know that the minute I buy it, every film festival and every dvd distributor is going to go on an anti SD revolt (Yes, this idea is a little far fetched).

I went through the "films" section and there's an obvious dip in the amount of people using it to shoot with now, vs. a few years ago. I just really hate beating myself up over these choices. I've gotta save a bit more, regardless of what I get because I don't have enough just yet for anything.. But trying to get a "plan" together to make sure I have what I need when my script is done.

I don't want to spend tons of hard work and then it all go down the toilet because its not in the right format. I mean, how many years will the DVX last me? 1? I'd have to get at least 5 years or so use out of it for it to be worth spending money on old technology.

this is the kind of quality I am looking for..

Once the camera is out of the way, lighting and audio will come next. I'm looking to achieve the "look" like these guys have been able to do. I know there's alot more to it than camera, and etc... but could you get a "look" like this out of the DVX? I have failed to see anything yet done with it that does.. save Similo.. and thats one short film out of how many I have looked at in the past few weeks..

Bleh, this just keeps getting more complicated lol.

http://www.vimeo.com/1841370
 
If you want future-proofing and don't feel like buying/selling/buying cameras, then the HMC150 is the best choice, IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top