HVX vs. DVX100b for SD opinions

I

icicle22

Well-known member
If one were to use the HVX initially for only SD 16x9 what would be the disadvantages in comparison to DVX100B? In theory of course. Here is what I see.

Advantages:

Real 16x9 for higher res than DVX
Longer zoom

Disadavantages:

More costly for initial purchase
Potential for loss of light sensitivity


Also discussion over how the HVX will derive it's SD would be nice. It hopefully performs a realtime downrez of the HD signal to DV tape. Will the FOV be identical in SD as HD? Any input or discussion would be nice.

I have used and XL2 and frequently shoot some low light events and long for the better light sensitivity of the DVX. I know Jarred and Barry mentioned they were surprised at the Latitude of the HVX they saw. Hopefully they can weigh in on how they feel it may handle low light in comparison to the DVX, XL2 and FX1. I know going back and comparing XL2 footage and DVX footage shot in dark settings the DVX is retaining so much more color and vibrance. Will I still get this with an HVX? Because that is the main reason I am looking for another camera in addition to the XL2. Or is the cost of higher res still poor lowlight performance?
 
Another HUGE advantage to shooting SD on the HVX is the fact that by shooting the footage in DVCPRO 50 you are getting true 4:2:2 color space footage rather than the 4:1:1 you are used to getting shooting MiniDV. (Obviously by shooting the DVCPRO 50 you are limited to using the P2 cards which comes with all of the aforementioned limitations.)

As far as the low light sensitivity...I leave that answer to "The Gurus of DVXUser" themselves....
 
I was under the impression that any time you're shooting SD, you're shooting 4:1:1. That only HD was 4:2:2? Or is it only if you're shooting SD on miniDV?
 
DVCPro50 is SD at 4:2:2. You can't shoot DVCPro50 on MiniDV, even though it's SD. If you want MiniDV tapes, it has to be shot in DV, which is 4:1:1. DVCPro50 and DVCProHD are both 4:2:2. DVPro50 and DVCProHD have to be recorded to either P2 cards, a Firestore device, or streamed to a laptop via Firewire.
 
jrv3034 said:
DVCPro50 is SD at 4:2:2. You can't shoot DVCPro50 on MiniDV, even though it's SD. If you want MiniDV tapes, it has to be shot in DV, which is 4:1:1. DVCPro50 and DVCProHD are both 4:2:2. DVPro50 and DVCProHD have to be recorded to either P2 cards, a Firestore device, or streamed to a laptop via Firewire.
Click to expand...

What laptop software is needed to capture HD or DV50 via firewire?
 
I'm waiting to see the actual footage. My guess is it'll be a stop slower, much cleaner in noise, and the 4:3 mode will probably be a little narrower field of view than on the DVX. But that's all just guesses until we see it in action.
 
The 4:2:2 and lower compression ratio is a huge advantage for the HVX. Long overdue after a decade of DV25.

As far as capturing this stuff, you're fine with FCP. It remains to be seen how Windows users will edit this footage on their current NLEs. As it stands, if you don't have an Avid or Canopus HD system, you'll have to shell out for MainConcept's DV50 codec. And that still (currently) doesn't resolve the question of what you'll do with your HD (DV100) footage.
 
There's a free DV50 codec available from Matrox that works in all VFW editors (like Vegas and Premiere Pro) so that's not an issue.

DV100 is a question mark for some of these editors, but DV50's easy and free.
 
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