HPX250: External recoder for HPX250

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djkoz

Well-known member
Are there any other alternatives to recording from the HPX250 to a portable external device, other than Firestore?

I am assuming I can somehow record to a laptop (true???) , but that is not too portable to lug around.

The 250 is ordered but not yet delivered. Maybe this will become clear when I get the camera.

Thanks,

Dan
 
Various recorders with HDMI and/or SDI out are available.

Samurai, Ninja, Shuttle, etc.

How about a price point and what codec you wish recorded to the device?
 
With all the money that I have going out the door, price is an issue. I guess I am looking for the a unit of reasonable quality that is a good value.

As for codecs, the 250 records in multiple formats, I guess I need to be prepared to recorded them all at one time or another. Does the codec realy make a difference as to which external recording device I might get? other than for capacity.

Dan
 
If there ever was a camera that didn't need an external recorder, it's the HPX250. Get the free/rebate 64GB card, then pick up a second card used, and I really think you'll figure out why pretty much nobody goes to the bulk/cost/hassle of an external recorder with this particular camera.
 
Yeah I have a pix240 for the af100 but wouldn't even look twice at it if I had a 250.

Actually I am considering one.
 
Yes, one of the best things on the HPX250 is it's internal codec! I wouldn't bother buying the 250 if I wanted to record to an external recorder. I would rather go buy an EX1 or 3 then...
Why do you need an external recorder? Do you need it for long recording times or what?
 
I guess my question shows how little I really know about this camera. I assumed an external recorder was a less expensive way to record the video vs the P2 cards, beside offering me the opportunity to record for more than an hour.

It sounds like an extra P2 card is the way to go. Thanks for the advice and for saving me some money.

Dan
 
djkoz said:
I guess my question shows how little I really know about this camera. I assumed an external recorder was a less expensive way to record the video vs the P2 cards, beside offering me the opportunity to record for more than an hour.

Dan
Click to expand...
A 64gig P2 card already gives you over an hour of recording time, with two cards in the camera you get a grand total of 144~180 minutes depending on the frame rate.
 
P2 cards are hot swappable so one can record all day with 3 cards, a card reader and a computer (with enough storage)
 
djkoz said:
I assumed an external recorder was a less expensive way to record the video vs the P2 cards, beside offering me the opportunity to record for more than an hour.

Dan
Click to expand...

Well yes, actually you are correct. An external recorder and some SSD disks or even normal HDDs would come cheaper in the end.

Let's calculate:

Recorder: Atomos Ninja = 1.000,00$
SSD disk: Crucial 256 GB = 350,00$
Total = 1350,00$ for 256 GB of recording space

4 x 64GB P2 cards = 4 x 650,00$ = 2.600,00$

It's a lot cheaper to go for an external recorder. You would have to calculate some batteries and a charger in that equation.
But it would still be cheaper. If you add two 256 SSD drives it would get even more cheaper and so on and so forth.
If you would use normal HDDs than it gets really cheap:)

There are other recorders on the market though. Cheaper (not a lot) and more expensive. If you need a light package then buy P2 cards. If the burden of dealing with an external recorder doesn't bother you then go that route.

Maybe buy just one P2 card if you'll need to shot light. And then buy an external recorder if you'll need long recording times.
But if you'll decide to buy only the recorder then I would consider a different camera altogether. You could go with an AC160. The only difference between this two cameras is the back end. Or you could go with an Sony EX1 or even Canon XF300 or even maybe an JVC HM700!

If you factor out the back end of the camera than all you really care about is the front end. The lens, and the sensor. XF300 beats the HPX250 hands down with it's L series lens. EX1 also has a nicer lens, especially the controlling rings, and also has a bigger 1/2 chip.
 
Well I chose the HPX250 so I would not have to hassle with an external recorder, and batteries. If you do any run and gun situations it just becomes very cumbersome.
Two 64 Gb Cards gets you 2 hours and 20 minutes -- long enough for most events and if you drop it to 50Mbs you get almost 5 hours of shooting albeit in 4:2:0 color space. But if you are taking it DVD -- it's going 4:2:0 anyway.
 
I have a related question...
The AVC-Intra codec is awesome but would we still be transcoding to prores for a FCP7 workflow? If so it may be a time saver to go with a ninja or something that records right to prores..

We are debating the on 160, 250 or another EX1r for studio work.. and if we should get an external recorder for FCP (prores) workflow. Both the 160 and 250 were not out last year when we purchased the EX1r.
 
Last edited:
MadHMC150 said:
The AVC-Intra codec is awesome but would we still be transcoding to prores for a FCP7 workflow?
Click to expand...

You have to re-wrap into QuickTime, just like with DVCPRO HD, but you don't have to transcode unless you prefer to.

We are debating the on 160, 250 or another EX1r for studio work.. and if we should get an external recorder for FCP (prores) workflow.
Click to expand...

Best idea is just to get another of the same camera you have. The EX1R is a great camera, as are the 160 and 250.
 
Dont forget: you can hook a external laptop drive to USB and save your footage via usb with usb power to the drive. If you turn off verify it is a bit quicker than realtime, so a 32 gb card is backed up in around 20-25 minutes, a real advantage for me.
 
And of course, if DVCPRO HD is good enough for a specific job, you can record pretty much indefinitely by tethering a laptop with firewire directly to the camera as well...
 
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