Help with equipment choices

H

hraheem72

Active member
I'm in the market for Mini DV equipment and I am perplexed on what to do in terms of choosing the correct camera and equipment.

I have been reading the posts on DVX user which have been very helpful, but can someone assist me with some suggestions on equipment.

The camera dilemna I'm have is between the DVX 100a and the new HVX 200. Is it worth waiting for the HVX 200 or should I use the additional money to buy aftermarket accessories for the DVX. My focus is primarily documentaries and shooting full length movies on Mini DV.

What accessories can you recommend for someone looking to do what I plan to do in order to boost performance of the camera. Anamorphic adapter, focus puller, etc.

Thanks for any and all advice.
 
Well I have been working with the DVX for about 2 months now and am very pleased with this camera. I am the type of person not to buy the newest technology if I can get quality projects from current technology. While the HVX is going to be a great tool for some users, you have to ask yourself, "At this time in my hobby/career, can I justify a camera that is twice the price of the DVX? Am I willing to accept the high price of current P2 cards?" It all boils down to your budget and abilit yto recover your cost. If I were a professional being sponsored, I would have no problem with it. Unfortunately, I am not. I think I it was all put into perspective by Disjecta this week (a user on this forum). He was asked if he would upgrade to the HVX. Disjecta's response was that he wasn't going to at this point. You may be asking "Who is this Disjecta guy?" Do a search for him in the screen graps/clips of footage forum. He has done amazing work with the DVX. While there are people out here with more experience than me who can justify a new HVX, be sure that this is the reason for choosing this camera. Just be sure that you are not over justifying its purchase becaue you think it will make you a better camera person. the camera is a tool that improves over time, but is only an effective tool with an effective user!

hraheem72 said:
I'm in the market for Mini DV equipment and I am perplexed on what to do in terms of choosing the correct camera and equipment.

I have been reading the posts on DVX user which have been very helpful, but can someone assist me with some suggestions on equipment.

The camera dilemna I'm have is between the DVX 100a and the new HVX 200. Is it worth waiting for the HVX 200 or should I use the additional money to buy aftermarket accessories for the DVX. My focus is primarily documentaries and shooting full length movies on Mini DV.

What accessories can you recommend for someone looking to do what I plan to do in order to boost performance of the camera. Anamorphic adapter, focus puller, etc.

Thanks for any and all advice.
Click to expand...
 
Something else to consider is whether or not you truly need HD output at this point. While you could shoot in HD and output to a higher resolution SD, you need to be aware that the amount of additional processing power the HVX200 will demand will certainly add to the budget. As Beaker pointed out, if budget is not a concern, stepping into the HVX (DVCPRO HD) arena first could be an advantage for production companies shooting for clients who are currently (or very soon will be) looking at delivery in HD. There are a number of distinct advantages to the HVX (native 16:9, variable frame rate, higher resolution, mulit-format, etc.) but it all boils down to what fits your budget and current needs. As the HVX is not going to start delivering until Fall '05 at the earliest, some shooters are opting to purchase the DVX and get some experience under their belt. Then, when the HVX is released, reassessing whether they feel like it is a good time to upgrade, and if so, selling their DVX package and rolling that over into an HVX package.

As far a putting together a camera package for either the DVX or the HVX, the packages can be as extensive or as mobile as you need. If you need help, contact me and I would be happy to go through the packages with you.

...just my 1.85 cents (plus tax)....
 
Thanks

Thanks

Beaker and Abelcine

Thanks for your advice. You're absolutely right and I just need to sit down and get loads of experience shooting with the DVX. It has so much to offer that I am sure I can use to improve my skills with, then move up into the bigger leagues.

I will be checking the site for more information. Thanks again for your help.
 
While you could shoot in HD and output to a higher resolution SD
Click to expand...

FWIW, you can't output to a higher res SD because a standard definition frame has a set maximum resolution :).
 
Both those cameras kind of suck. Like bad. I hear you can get some sweet old school Panasonic VHS cams circa '88 on ebay and you'll be kickin it with 250 lines. There's something about the richness of analog that will never be duplicated. Down with digital.
 
Shaw said:
FWIW, you can't output to a higher res SD because a standard definition frame has a set maximum resolution :).
Click to expand...

No, but there are still SO many advantages to work in HD before downrezzing to SD

Keying, Motion tracking, and other elements which rely fully or partially on the actual resolution of the image, I know for a fact that a local post house here does that to all their 35mm projects. Work in HD first and then when it's time to downrez they do, and it looks GREAT.
 
monte said:
No, but there are still SO many advantages to work in HD before downrezzing to SD

Keying, Motion tracking, and other elements which rely fully or partially on the actual resolution of the image, I know for a fact that a local post house here does that to all their 35mm projects. Work in HD first and then when it's time to downrez they do, and it looks GREAT.
Click to expand...
Do you think it would be to my advantage to wait for the HD because of the ability to shoot at a higher res than with SD. Is the work in post production a big thing to actually get a "film"/24p look.
 
How good is the ZIU in your opinion? Have you seen any good work being shot on it? Also, what are your views on the upcoming HVX 200 by Panasonic? My budget will handle the purchase of either, so I'm trying to get the best equipment that I can to shoot documentaries and full length films on DV camerea. Please advise.
 
hmmm.. Also consider the amount of disk space required by HD per minute of rendered fotage + how many of your clients/what % of venues utilizing your work are going to have HD viewing equipment. Case in point: I am an eductor and I produce projects to promote corporate partnerships with our school district. I have to watch out the sampling rate I burn my DVD's. I have the capability of burning at 16X, but many companies have told me that thier DVD players are older models and only read discs burned at 8 or 12X. Never underestimate the benefits of long-term planning. Nothing is as prone to quick judgement decisions as technology purchases. Don't let your desire to have groundbreaking technology override your responsibilities to your cash cow.....your client.
 
Beaker said:
hmmm.. Also consider the amount of disk space required by HD per minute of rendered fotage + how many of your clients/what % of venues utilizing your work are going to have HD viewing equipment. Case in point: I am an eductor and I produce projects to promote corporate partnerships with our school district. I have to watch out the sampling rate I burn my DVD's. I have the capability of burning at 16X, but many companies have told me that thier DVD players are older models and only read discs burned at 8 or 12X. Never underestimate the benefits of long-term planning. Nothing is as prone to quick judgement decisions as technology purchases. Don't let your desire to have groundbreaking technology override your responsibilities to your cash cow.....your client.
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Very true. Do you have any experience on using an anamorphic adapter for the DVX 100a. Since the LCD is native 4:3, is it necessary to purchase a separate monitor to know what you're shooting in actuality.
 
hraheem, it sounds like you have a lot to learn about video, and it is not a small subject. Why add all the frustration of using bleeding edge technologies to that? IN the next six months you can learn alot if you just start shooting, versus waiting six months for HVX and another six months for Blue Ray and fighting with it and all the new software and issues to get t to work.
 
galt said:
hraheem, it sounds like you have a lot to learn about video, and it is not a small subject. Why add all the frustration of using bleeding edge technologies to that? IN the next six months you can learn alot if you just start shooting, versus waiting six months for HVX and another six months for Blue Ray and fighting with it and all the new software and issues to get t to work.
Click to expand...
I agree that I do have alot to learn, but I am greatly appreciative of this forum for helping me put everything into perspective. In the world of technology, it's so easy to get caught up in the hype of what is new and innovative without even having the skill level to enhaust the capabilities of the equipment that is available.

I have decided to just get the DVX 100a because I have shot with it numerous times and I love the image quality. My issues now revolve around which accessories would I need to purchase in order to make the camera perform better for shooting documentaries and full length features. Can you advise me on accessories for this use. Thanks
 
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