HD Envy

B

Barry_S

Moderator
I've been hearing so much lately about people scraping together every last penny to get into HD with an HVX200 or other HD camera--it's a little disturbing. Including some people who've hardly even done anything with their DVX100 or other cam. If you have the business or income that supports a move into HD, that's great, but I hate to think people feel it's something they've got to do right away. It seems that at least some people would be a lot better served by using any extra cash to finance a production with their current camera, than jump on the upgrade treadmill. Your ultimate goal is to be a filmmaker, not an equipment owner.

Like most of you, I'd love to have an HVX, but it isn't necessary for work I do that's usually distributed on VHS tape, DVD, or web-streamed. For personal work, I'm still the limiting factor--not the camera :happy: and I still feel like I'm ahead of the most of the no-budget indie world with my gear. I saw this great little documentary at the last Silverdocs festival. It was about an immigrant couple that ran a donut shop. It was an amazing little film that really conveyed what it's like to be a first generation immigrant in 21st century America *and* it did a great job explaining how different varieties of donuts are made. Such a cool little film--and it was made on some consumer video camera without even an external mic. Stuff like that really humbles me and makes me think about my priorities.
 
I'm with ya, Barry. I've got a great cam and I'm really happy with it. I feel no need to jump into HD right now.
 
I say what seems to be a periodic statement; My experience level does not warrant this camera at all; not even for a second. Hell; my experience doesn't warrant the DVX100 but I needed 24p; which is what prevented me from getting the XL1 years ago; I was like "Cool DV Camera; still looks like video though."

HVX200? Sounds killer but really; what I am I going to do with it? Shoot my son in the car with Greenscreen? Make monthly DVX shorts with it?

I ain't ready for this leap.
 
Nor me. I'd love to get my hands on one but I don't forsee myself buying a HD cam for a while. If only because I can spend the cash on other things at the moment.

I'm still impressed with the images the DVX puts out. It still surprises me what this camera can do when handled well. I have lots of ground to cover and the DVX will do that just fine. When I begin working on a feature (which will happen soon enough( that's when I'll move up to an HVX.
 
I too know the HD monster is just down the stairs. But I will not jump into it until it makes financial sense. Although it is looking like that time might coincide withthe actual release of the new camera, I will not get it, or any other HD camera until I find that my DVX is holding me back. This is not a hobby for me, I shoot about 65% of the time with my snazzy DVX (the rest of the time rented larger format cameras). But until clients start hinting at wanting HD, or I am swiming in money (knowing my wife's shopping habbits not likely), the new camera can wait. HD is comming, but I do not need to toss thousands at drand new technology just yet. Just does not make sense.
 
John_Hudson said:
I say what seems to be a periodic statement; My experience level does not warrant this camera at all; not even for a second. Hell; my experience doesn't warrant the DVX100 but I needed 24p; which is what prevented me from getting the XL1 years ago; I was like "Cool DV Camera; still looks like video though."

HVX200? Sounds killer but really; what I am I going to do with it? Shoot my son in the car with Greenscreen? Make monthly DVX shorts with it?

I ain't ready for this leap.
Click to expand...
I wholeheartedly agree. There are other reasons why HVX200 would be great to have, but HD is not one of them (it's the P2 cards, IMO). At last week's Toronto DVX user group meeting, Panasonic showed us some footage from a DVX feature uprezzed to 35mm film and then converted to 720p HD, and it just blew me away. According to Panasonic folks, experienced film people thought it was a 16mm footage. THAT MUST BE GOOD ENOUGH!

Further, the Toronto DVXfest entries screened were all very nice in terms of color and resolution, something we by now take for granted with DVX. If or when the time comes that I have a feature film financing secured, I'd definitely look at HD (in conjunction with P+S mini35, the footage must look specacular, I am sure). Until then, I have plenty to learn with the DVX.

He he - my wife would be happy reading this... does that mean the end of my excuses for large ticket spending? :beer:
 
You and me both. I've toyed wit the idea, but in the end I just can't justify it.

I bought the XL2 for some video reasons and for one other reason that just came to fruition. (I was going to wait to share this, and I'll start another thread about it, but I've just been granted some unbelievable access and funding to do a doc that some friends and I wanted to do. For this I think the XL2 will be a perfect camera. Should I go to HD? I just don't think so. It will be years before I learn enough to outgrow this camera and need anything better. I'd rather upgrade then, when there will be something even better that I can actually take advantage because my skill level will have increased.

Matt
 
I'm still overwhelmed at what my DVX can do. Everytime I view footage I look at my wife and say, "This camera rocks!"

I'd rather learn to use this tool well, and develop my filmmaking technique than buy more stuff. Of course, if a mattebox, some c-stands, a stabilizer and a set of Arris fell out of the sky...
 
Of course, if a mattebox, some c-stands, a stabilizer and a set of Arris fell out of the sky...
Click to expand...

Or an HVX200 for that matter :D.

I wholeheartedly agree. There are other reasons why HVX200 would be great to have, but HD is not one of them (it's the P2 cards, IMO).
Click to expand...

Well I think HD certainly IS a large one! At least for many people. I'd love it if I had an excuse to get this camera for HD! The benefit that I really wish I could have - regardless of resolution - is the 4:2:2 codec. I get tired of 4:1:1 especially for effects work. That will most likely push me to buy this camera sooner than I would have otherwise.
 
if somebody gave me a hd cam, I'd probably sell it and buy more and better gear to shoot with my dvx. I doubt I could even edit HD with my current set up
 
I'm pretty much in agreement with Barry_S on this one -- I think HD is in the future, but SD is today, and you can make a whole lotta money in SD right now that will help you buy/pay for the HD gear when it's warranted. Obviously for some of us, that HD gear is appropriate today. For others, it may not be. Which is why the DVX will remain a current model and be sold alongside the HVX for years to come.

Just finished shooting this short film on the DVX, and the footage is abso-frickin'-lutely amazing. The DVX is an incredible SD camera! (oh, and shooting in the desert, in the wind, and getting microscopic dust particles on the tape heads that caused repeated mosaic dropouts, I've simply got to say I HATE TAPE I HATE TAPE I HATE TAPE if I never see a mosaic dropout again it will be way too soon I HATE TAPE bring on the P2!!!)
 
MattC said:
...when there will be something even better that I can actually take advantage because my skill level will have increased.
Matt
Click to expand...

You said it. Totally. I don't even want to know what's going to be available to us; like , little DV ARRI's or something!

LOL
 
Is it just me, or is nobody interested in the DVCpro50 mode? DVCpro50 is practically DigiBeta quality, and although it's SD, it might just uprez to HD very good indeed....

Graeme
 
Graeme_Nattress said:
Is it just me, or is nobody interested in the DVCpro50 mode? DVCpro50 is practically DigiBeta quality, and although it's SD, it might just uprez to HD very good indeed....

Graeme
Click to expand...
It depends... if we are talking about HVX200, why bother? All of the things mentioned above notwithstanding, if you have a piece of equipment capable of recording in HD, why would you record SD and uprez later?
 
John_Hudson said:
I don't even want to know what's going to be available to us; like , little DV ARRI's or something!
Click to expand...
clap.gif
 
If Arri made a dv camera that'd be hot.
I'm with Barry G. I can't stand tape.

but DVX will be with me for a looooong time. I love the little thing.
 
I love my DVX alsol. It just got it's first scuffs on it today.:cry:

But it was for a good cause, so all is well.
 
Final Format and then Work Backwards

Final Format and then Work Backwards

I'm working on a television series about cross-media (multimedia) production, which also has companion DVD's being produced which are formal post-secondary curriculum.

Part of the information in this series will actually delve into the digital environment used to make the series itself.

Shooting in HD makes no sense when you examine formats which work well with DVD mastering.

The production cameras chosen for this series are all DVX100As. Although the series covers the gamut of web development tools, 3D tools, gaming etc., the episodes on digital video production will feature the DVX and other significant items such as the new smooth shooter - glidecam 4000 pro combo from glidecam, adobe video collection pro, ae plugins from digital anarchy and zaxworks.

It was the camera choice that originally brought me to this user forum a few months ago. I'm not new to film and video, but am new to the DVX world.
 
Graeme_Nattress said:
Is it just me, or is nobody interested in the DVCpro50 mode? DVCpro50 is practically DigiBeta quality, and although it's SD, it might just uprez to HD very good indeed....

Graeme
Click to expand...
I think the DVCPRO-50 mode was the biggest and nicest surprise in the whole camera (at least until we heard about the 1080/24p announcement!) DVCPRO-50 gives me a tool I can use today, to produce better quality video today, for today's clients (which are overwhelmingly SD at the current time).

I thought it was a great move on Panasonic's part.

But, like the others, I don't see the point in up-rezzing it to HD when you could just flip a switch and shoot real HD...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top