HPX170 + Kona LHi for HS/SDI out capture

[Bart_Boge]

I have read a few older threads here that touch on this, but I thought I'd try to get a more recent consensus on this combo. The idea, of course, is to get the best possible 1080p/24 footage from the very economical and venerable HPX170--prior to codec compression via the HD/SDI out port.

One problem is that one would need to drag a Mac Pro tower around during acquisition, but for indie filmmaking requiring electrical service for thousands of watts of lighting on the set this shouldn't be too burdensome. Not feasible for run 'n' gun applications either, where one would just go with the P2 card footage post-codec. On the plus side, footage could be captured straight to the editing system, with the camera's P2s still serving as an additional layer of back-up.

So, I suppose the question would be this: would it all be worth doing? Kona LHi's are what, about $1500? If one already possessed a minimum-spec Mac tower and a few fast drives in a raid array, would the possible benefit of uncompressed HD/SDI resolution be worth the rig?

Discuss.

 

[grimrebes]

The only benefit MIGHT be keying/anything visual effects OR if you were doing a film out. Frankly, with the effort that would take, you are better of renting a bigger camera. But the resolution gains from a ProRes vs DVCProHD are minimal. Sure, I'd rather be shooting on 35, but if you have a budget and time enough to get funny with it all, its probably not the right tool for you to be using anyway.

Ah yes, lets not forget one other reason to do it: Because the client/agency wants to. Uggg...