HPX170 HMC150 & Canon XH-A1

Eatsnax

Eatsnax

Well-known member
Okay guys really need help here. I am getting cameras for the gov't of Michigan where they just started a Film Dept. I will be hired in soon and they want me to consult them on what to buy.

They already purchased a Canon XHA1, which I told them was a bad choice. But since they have it they have to keep it! Bummer!!!

So they want another camera. I suggest a HPX170 or HMC150. I own a HVX200 and love it.

So hear are my questionns

1. Will either the HPX and HMC be able to match picture somewhat closely to the XHA1 if needed?

2. Is it true that the work flow with the HMC is longer than the HPX? I hear that coverting the HMC footage takes just as long as it would dumping MiniDV.

3. Is it true that the XHA1 does not shoot in SD?!

4. They would like me to shoot some footage and make a media package to send to the local News Stations. Will the HMC's footage not be up to speed in terms of Broadcast Quality? I know that the HPX170 is Broadcast Quality.

Any other input would be greatly appreciated

Mike
 
2. Depends on what editor you use. If you use an AVCHD-native editor like Premiere Pro CS4.1 or EDIUS, the workflow is instantaneous, although your computer speed will determine whether you get realtime playback or not.

3. No. But it is true that the HMC150 doesn't.

4. The HMC150 footage looks extremely close to the HPX170's. There's nothing about it that woudl prevent it from being able to be broadcast.
 
Barry thanks for your reply. I use FCP 6. I hear the transcoding in FCP from AVCHD to Apple Pro Res is timely. I've read that the time it takes to wait for the transcoding is just as long as it would for dumping Mini DV. I'm sure it depends on speed of computer. Can you elaborate?

HMC doesnt do SD? Hmmmmm.
 
Sounds about right. One of many reasons I don't use FCP. Transcoding is a lengthy and slow process.

If you want to use a transcoding system with AVCHD, the wait time right now is dependent on your system's performance; on Windows when using the Canopus converter it takes about 40 minutes of conversion time to convert an hours' footage. Which is just wacky to me, so I drag and drop the original files right onto the timeline. Yes it's a little slower to edit, I get about 15-20fps playback speed, but that sure beats waiting hours for transcoding.

Unless, of course, you want to set it up to transcode at night, or during your lunch hour or something, and then come back and edit the transcoded footage. Then the editing process can be smoother and faster.

Transcoding with FCP isn't necessarily required; there's a program coming soon called Clip Rewrapper (if I got the name right) will convert the .m2ts files into .mov files in a nearly-instantaneous process, and those files can then be edited directly by FCP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top