HVX vs PMW-EX

[Kevin Shaw]

XDCAM EX at HQ mode, 1920X1080 @ 4:2:0 is 960X540=518,400

DVCPRO HD at 1080 @ 4:2:2 is 1280X1080=691,200

Yes, the HVX200/200A/HPX170 imagers are pixel shifted, but there is still more color space than XDCAM EX HQ, yielding better chroma keying, more accurate color, more flexibility in color correction..

But the EX1 has as much recorded chroma detail as the HVX has at the sensor level, so if you transcode EX1 footage to an intermediate editing codec with 4:2:2 color it should key pretty well. The HVX may have an advantage for scenes with a lot of motion, while the EX1 has about twice the discernible resolution for general-purpose use.

 

[puredrifting]

I have done a lot of greenscreen with both the HVX and the EX-1 and IMHO, they are both about equal for greenscreen work. I was able to pull extremely fine detail like blond wispy hair with either camera. I thought that the long GOP and less color space might render the EX-1 not so good for keys but I have to say, it works fine.

Dan

 

[noloc45]

Salt,

I own an hvx and have two hpx 170's on order and am a proud new owner of 2 ex-1's & 2 z7's. I think ( Jan should chime in anytime now) the sony's will work better for you...

Geeeze, what kind of millionaire are you??

 

[Luis Caffesse]

Geeeze, what kind of millionaire are you??

The kind that owns a lot of cameras, I guess.

 

[Andrew McMillan]

I've recently been able to look at the HVX200A, EX1, HPX500 side by side with my HDX900. The EX1 has fantastic resolution, extremely low noise, good LCD display(although it is not viewable parallel to the camera body). However, it is an ergonomic mess, it was 1.5 stops slower than an HDX900 at 1080/24p--although it's clean enough to go into +3db and still have very low noise. The 200A lens had no visible chromatic aberration, the EX1 was good, but not perfect. I have an HPX170 on order and like the small form factor and many improvements over the HVX200A.

If it wasn't for the fact that I need a B-camera for my HDX900 and love the workflow of DVCPRO HD 720/24P Native, the EX1 would make lots of sense, but ultimately, Long GoP and 4:2:0 do not make sense for me. The DVCPRO 720/24P Native format yields 43 minutes on one 16Gb P2 card, that is not too far off of the 50 minutes of record time of SxS, albeit at 1080 for the latter.

It's also worth keeping in mind that the 64Gb P2 cards are do in November which should raise the convenience and lower the per minute cost of P2 cards.

Sorry if it's off topic, but you said you had the hpx500 there how did that do compared to the ex1. I am coming from the dsr series so I'd be interested in your opinion.


Jee I just wish 3 people that had the two cameras would just say X is better period!

 

[Noel Evans]

Sorry if it's off topic, but you said you had the hpx500 there how did that do compared to the ex1. I am coming from the dsr series so I'd be interested in your opinion.


Jee I just wish 3 people that had the two cameras would just say X is better period!

Are you talking about the EX1 and HPX500 here? Both are built for different purposes, so its like comparing apples and oranges.

If youre looking for a DSR replacement then going with the 500 is the logical step. But you should test drive before you buy.

 

[ChipG]

Geeeze, what kind of millionaire are you??

I assure you I'm in the poor house

I just started a production company producing action adventure reality tv shows. When the camera's are not being used they will be rented out to help offset some of the cost. Next season we will have 3-4 teams of tornado / storm chasers, each team will have 3 cameras & thats just for one show, I have a feeling many more camera's will be needed.

 

[Dino]

Sorry if it's off topic, but you said you had the hpx500 there how did that do compared to the ex1. I am coming from the dsr series so I'd be interested in your opinion.


Jee I just wish 3 people that had the two cameras would just say X is better period!

The HPX500 compared very well to the HDX900, resolution looked similar despite not having native 720p imagers. The 500 was quieter as well, very similar in sensitivity, chromatic aberration was not very evident due to CAC.

The EX1 looks similar in 720p to the two Panasonics, but best resolution in 1080/24p and lowest noise of the three. The EX1 is slower than the 2/3" Panasonics, but +3 gain boost is a very viable option without making the camera too noisy.

The HPX500 doesn't have as many menu parameters as the 900, nor does the
EX1. The 2/3" cameras would be my preference for hand held work over the
EX1.

As another poster already stated, these are different cameras aimed at different markets with different strengths and weaknesses. It is not possible
to say one is better than the other--only the user can make that judgement.