For Barry Green

C

Corine

Well-known member
Hi Barry –

You seem to be the one that has the best knowledge on the HVX.

I have a question for you; I have a Dvx100 at the moment and I use the PowerBooks G4 (17” laptop) for my editing. The editing program that I use is imovie. I do have FCP 3 but prefer using imovie because it is much faster and easier to edit with.

I have been thinking of selling my Dvx100 (I have a buyer for it) and get myself the HVX200 that everyone is talking about.

I have a chance to do a short 20 - minute film that might have a chance to be connected to a feature film project. The short film I do has to be able to transfer to 35mm and look good projected on the screen.

How much better is the HVX200 than the Dvx100? I noticed that on the Dvx I get somewhat of a film look (using 24p) which is nice but also in the same breath it doesn’t look as good on my home theater as it does on my TV set. I know video is video and film is film – I read that on this form. Everyone wants their digital film to look like it has been shot on real film because it looks much better them video and THAT is what I want to get out of the HVX. How good is this camera coming out of the box? If I could afford to do film I would shoot 35mm film but like most people I work a day job and have to save to do what I love doing - filmmaking.

If I shoot with the HVX in HD 1080p would it give me the movie look that I want and would I be able to download it onto my laptop into imovie for editing? Am I looking at headaches down the road with the camera and will be wishing that I didn’t sell my DVX?

I was told that it is best to use the P2 card instead of using the mini dv tape when you are filming HD 1080p (I was told to go with 1080p instead of 1080i).

I have seen footage that people have post on this form but it seems that they are either using lens that I can’t really afford or they are doing a lot of color correction or they are just download stills from their film which I don’t think gives anyone a real idea how it looks.

Would you be having any bootcamps in the Seattle area before August?

I hope I made sense with this email. I know there will be a few people saying "hey you - just read all the 409845436 post to find your answer":smile:
 
Grabs

Grabs

Corine,

I know your post was for Barry but I thought I would help you answer one question. It's about how good the camera is out of the box. I just got my HVX200 in early December and I have gotten to play with it a little. I only have the HVX, no 35mm adapter, and I get stunning video that looks a lot like film. Here are two links to two different sets of grabs from some footage.

(The only thing I did to the video these grabs were from was to Anamorphically Letterbox and a tiny bit of color boosting.)
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=123131


(The only thing I did to the video these grabs are from was to adjust the brightness/contrast.)
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=119570

I hope these help answer your question. Stock HVX work. Let me know what you think. And also, if you have the option to get one, don't hesitate.

Matt
 
Obviously, this is isn't barry either but you must upgrade your editing software with the hvx200. If you want to have HD, well then your going to be recording to p2 cards end of story. The DVCPRO HD codec is not incorporated in imovie or final cut pro 3. Since you have a mac, you probably want final cut pro and your gonna need it. Also, one of the main differences between film and video is latitude or dynamic range. The HVX-200 has better dynamic range than the DVX, but not near as much as film although it gets closer. As far as the HVX being better than the dvx, well right now it costs about $2300 more and shoots HD. So if your DVX doesn't look that great in your home theater, well its because it SD and I'm guessing yours is HD or 16:9. If you burn your HVX HD footage to a dvd, it probably will not look that much better compared to your dvx. In order to see HD on your TV, play the raw footage from the p2 card through the Hvx component hooked up to your tv or burn a blu ray or hd-dvd, but apparently you currently do not have the ability to do so.

Now the mini dv tape( built in the hvx200) will only give you SD, which will work in imovie unless you shoot 24p. If you only want imovie than stick with your trusty dvx. I don't understand how your doing 24p in imovie. Also, the Hvx does shoot 1080p, but its in a 1080i stream because dvcpro hd is 59.94 hertz. You shouldn't have to worry about that as long as you get your editing system straightened out and choose the corrects sequence settings. Also, if you want to give your video a "look" the 4:2:2 color space in dvc-pro HD( and dvcpro-50, which is sd on p2 card not mini-dv) kicks anything else out there for color grading and chroma key. With imovie you can't really do anything, but if your really serious get a Final Cut Studio package and use the color tools that come with it. Also, you do not need special 35mm adapters and lenses to make great footage. It seems to be the new fad, but it is strictly an artistic choice. And it seems that you could spend your money on things more worthwhile. However if your willing to spend extra money and time setting up your camera, get a better tripod, an HD monitor, and a focus puller, new lenses, than go for a 35mm adapter. If I were you, I would spend any extra money on lights or p2 cards, and some books for the HVX, Lighting, and Final Cut Pro.

Barry will probably respond later, but basically the HVX is better than the dvx in almost every area.
-David
 
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Thanks David for your reply;
I was wondering is there anyway I can down load the P2 into the Mac to save the footage for a later date for editing like a storage? I'm going overseas to shoot a short film and will be out in the bush and would like to some how save all the footage I get until I'm ready to edit or learn how to edit on a new system. With Mini Dv tapes, you just need to stock up on them but as I read in your email I will be better off shooting on the P2 Card. By the way what is the cost of a P2 card?
 
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Matt do you have any footage (moving pictures) that I can look at beside film stills?
Thanks for your reply
 
If you want HD and 4:2:2 colorspace, which helps when color grading the footage to your liking then you will want the p2 cards. The whole point of the HVX over dvx is HD , so p2 for sure. The 16gb p2 card is $900 and the 32gb is $1550. Any laptop with a pcmcia card slot is able to import the video files and copy the files to any medium you want, most likely a hard drive. I would just plug the p2 card into my laptop, copy files off the card onto a bus powered hard drive. And once you get your editing system figured out, just plug your drive in and transfer. However Hard Drives can be finiky and because they are $cheap$, buy a spare and when your not filming and have a break, copy the files from one drive to the other just in case...

Here are some p2 recording times, you will get depending on the format.


1201403871.jpg
 
Thanks David - It looks as if I will be getting myself into a little debt. I will get the HVX and start learing how to use it before I head out this summer. I'm going to try and get the 32GB P2 card.

Another questions; How good is the P2 card and what are the chances of the card just not working anymore? Has anyone have any real problems? Hate to be out in Alice Springs Aussie and the P2 doesn't work anymore :-(

Also Thanks John -
 
Corine said:
I have a question for you; I have a Dvx100 at the moment and I use the PowerBooks G4 (17” laptop) for my editing. The editing program that I use is imovie. I do have FCP 3 but prefer using imovie because it is much faster and easier to edit with.
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A powerbook G4 is fine, but as others have said you'll have to move to FCP 5.0.4 or later for editing HVX footage.

The short film I do has to be able to transfer to 35mm and look good projected on the screen.
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HVX footage can look fantastic when projected on the big screen.

How much better is the HVX200 than the Dvx100?
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For bigscreen projection? Way, way, way better. On the small screen the difference isn't as much but the bigger the screen the more obvious the difference. Although, that said, we shot a DVD partly on the DVX and partly on the HVX and even on a small screen the HVX just looks a lot better.

Everyone wants their digital film to look like it has been shot on real film because it looks much better them video and THAT is what I want to get out of the HVX. How good is this camera coming out of the box?
Click to expand...
The HVX can make video that, in the proper hands and with the proper lighting etc., can look exactly as if it was originated on film. Of course, so can the DVX.

If I shoot with the HVX in HD 1080p would it give me the movie look that I want and would I be able to download it onto my laptop into imovie for editing? Am I looking at headaches down the road with the camera and will be wishing that I didn’t sell my DVX?
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The HVX will look exactly like the DVX, only sharper. There is no other magic going on. The difference between the HVX and the DVX is primarily the higher detail the HVX captures.

I was told that it is best to use the P2 card instead of using the mini dv tape when you are filming HD 1080p (I was told to go with 1080p instead of 1080i).
Click to expand...
Tape is only for standard-def, you need P2 for high-def.

Would you be having any bootcamps in the Seattle area before August?
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We're just plotting out the 2008 season; I don't know if there'll be a northwest bootcamp or not, I'd at least like to try one up there to see what kind of turnout we get.
 
This is a question that is often asked, to compare cameras X and Y.

And the end result is always the same. To save time:

The "film Look" has a lot to do with lighting, composition, camera motion, etc. NO camera will give you "film look" if you don't put a lot into factors outside the camera.

No offense, Corine, but it sounds like you have a lot to learn, and a limited budget. The HVX will require more money, more light, more equipment to assist in focusing, more data storage, faster computers, more redundancy, and a much more complicated workflow (meaning, in many situations, more crew).

It sounds to me like you'd be better off sticking with the DVX, learning to get the most out of IT, equipping the rest of your kit better, learning to light, compose, work the DOF, and ensure you have good audio. Getting just an HVX (and P2 cards, storage, etc.) without leaving yourself $$ for properly lighting, accessorizing, etc., will not get you more of a film look - maybe a tad more resolution. A DVX with a 35mm adapter gives you a lot more creative power and filmic imagery than an HVX without one...
 
Barry Green is the man.

But posts with a header specifically requesting that single person respond are a little disrespectful to the other very talented, experienced and qualified people here, doncha think?

You will need at least Fina Cut Pro 5.0.4 to use a p2 card data on a Mac. But that version isn't being sold any more, so your choice is FCS2 which runs about $1299.00.

iMovie can't import DVCProHD footage from a p2 card, and you can't use a third party program to import p2 card data without the DVCProHD codecs which are supplied by FCP.

Again, Barry is a great resource, but the best approach is to simply ask the questions and many very very qualified people will respond.
 
Thanks Barry and everyone else that has put their input in. I don't mean to be disrecpectful to anyone but thought since Barry does the bootcamp that he would be able to give me his feedback. Everyone has been helpful.

Thanks David S for your input - I will check into Final Cut Stuido 2 with the local Mac Store.
 
Again, Barry is a great resource, but the best approach is to simply ask the questions and many very very qualified people will respond.
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Very much agreed. There are many very knowledgeable and helpful professionals on this board, and we very much appreciate their contributions. I get many PM's asking about questions that I have to instead refer to the general board so that the questioner can benefit from the broad experience of the board.
 
As an adjunct from someone who moderates elsewhere, a private message to someone for advice usually is counterproductive.

Why not ask the question to the board so many can respond, and many many more can learn from the responses.
 
I'm still thinking of getting the HVX200 but now have to look at the FCS2 to handle the P2 card. How well does that software work with the DVX100 shooting in 24p? As I mentioned before I have a DVX and I edit in imovie but I do have FCP3.

Can anyone tell me how much different is the editing layout from FCP3 to FCS2?

Comp USA (closing down) has them (FCS2) for sale at $489.00 from the $699 cost.

I have also been looking at different companies to see who is the best one to buy the HVX from. I have really noticed a big differences in price from $4000 - $6000. If anyone has had great luck with a company please past the info onto me. I did see one person on the form mention a company that was giving two P2 cards - total cost for set up $6K
 
Anybody advertising the HVX under $5299 is a gray marketer. Authorized dealers must abide by the $5299 Minimum Advertised Price policy.
 
Corine said:
I'm still thinking of getting the HVX200 but now have to look at the FCS2 to handle the P2 card. How well does that software work with the DVX100 shooting in 24p? As I mentioned before I have a DVX and I edit in imovie but I do have FCP3.

Can anyone tell me how much different is the editing layout from FCP3 to FCS2?

Comp USA (closing down) has them (FCS2) for sale at $489.00 from the $699 cost.

I have also been looking at different companies to see who is the best one to buy the HVX from. I have really noticed a big differences in price from $4000 - $6000. If anyone has had great luck with a company please past the info onto me. I did see one person on the form mention a company that was giving two P2 cards - total cost for set up $6K
Click to expand...


Any HVX 200 for under 5k is a lie, flat out! Specialized , in Maryland ( I think ) has helped me a ton. Currently they have the best deal on an HVX 200. I just ordered from them a few days ago. added some stuff to the arsenal... Right now you can get an HVX, two; yes TWO 16GB P2 cards that is a $1600 savings and You get Barrys HVX BOOK in the box. For a total of $5200.00

I got this package just the other day with an extra battery and I also added to my purchase Barrys DVD Vol 1 & 2...; Go for the gold, get all of Barrys stuff and the HVX, you will love it!!!

I Just became an HVX Barry "bible" follower and am now converted from Sony, and I am not going back, love the Panny stuff and Barrys guidance.. Within a month or two I also want to add an HPX 500 to the toy box.

Additonal advice........ Stay with a reputable authorized dealer, to save a couple bucks your gonna loose it all. It will happen!!! whole-lotta crooks out there. Watch out for NY companies online. Able Cine the only real company out of NY that is for real, ( in online camera sales of course).
 
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