HVX200A vs DVX100B

B

bigox

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I kind of hate to even ask this, because you would think I could search around and find everything I need to know about this...and while I've learned a lot in searching, I've still yet to find some straight forward answers about the HVX200.

So here's the deal:

I have a DVX100B. I like it a lot. I've shot 3 feature length horror films on it and am very happy with it.

Just this week, I've experienced a jerky picture(i have a separate post on that) and It's looking like I may have to send it in for repairs, which has me fearing that I may get hit with a mega repair bill, so, of course, i had to start kicking around the idea of, "if they hit me with a $1,000 estimate for repairs, maybe I'd be better off upgrading to an HVX200A.

I do plan on upgrading to the HVX200A eventually, but I was hoping to wait a little while longer.

So in beginning to research more on the HVX200, I think i have some understanding on some of it, but would like to clarify some things and ask a few other things.

You should know I always shoot in 24FPS Advanced with DVX100B and would likely do the same with the HVX200a.

I have some specific questions, below, but what are the biggest differences in the HVX and the DVX in general?

1. If you have a good understanding of using the DVX100B, will you already have a pretty good understanding of using the HVX200A or is there a huge difference?

2. If you shoot HD with the HVX, you have to use p2 cards, am I right?

3. If I am correct about question #2, then if you use Minidv's in the HVX, is the final result higher quality than what the DVX100B offers, or is there not much of a difference?

4. As you're about to learn, I'm rather ignorant about the whole P2 card technology. So heres' my understanding:
These P2 cards are reusable right? But when they are full you have to download them to a hard drive. Once the footage is downloaded/captured, you are free to use the p2 card again. Is this the gist of it?

5. Is there a big difference in editing using an HVX200a compared to a DVX100b? - I edit using SONY VEGAS PRO 8.

I know a lot of this is rather elementary, but I'm just trying to get my head around it a bit.

Thanks a ton, as always.
 
Hello bigox,

One major difference is the fact that it's an HD P2 camera with a tape drive. It seems as though you already know this. So...

1. When the camera is in tape mode, you shouldn't have too many problems. For the most part they are about the same when it comes to using it.

2. Yes. The tape deck is DV only.

3. With the 200A there isn't going to be much of a difference. If you went with the 200P you would have some low-light issues but the A version fixed that.

4. Yes. Think of them as a drinking mug. You fill it up with your beverage of choice. :beer: When it's full, you "offload" the contents by, well, drinking it and then wash the mug (format it) and then it's ready to be used again.

5. When using tape, no. You will log and capture the same you are doing now. If you shoot on P2, no more logging and capturing! You just copy all of your files over to your system in a folder that you specify and then take those files (Video clips) into your NLE. I know that Barry Green is a fan of Vegas so he may be able to chime in on the actual work flow. To use Vegas and P2 together, you need to purchase a very affordable plug-in from DV Film called Raylight. You can get more information on the Vegas+Raylight+P2 workflow by reading the tutorial. I can send you one if you PM me your mailing address. I'll also throw in a couple of other goodies for you.

It sounds like you already have a pretty good understanding of what you're getting into.

I hope this helps.

Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
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Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
As an additional comment: the 100B > 200A is the best jump any 100B owner could make, IMO. Very good choice!
 
In DV 16x9 24p mode the HVX200A is going to be slightly higher quality but also slightly less sensitve.

In DV 4:3 60i mode the HVX's quality is actually less than the 100b. At least this is true for the 200, I dont know if the 200a fixed it but I havent heard anything about that.

Since you are shooting features and I'm going to assume you are shooting widescreen you will have an image improvement when moving up to the 200A.

I would still give consideration to shooting in P2 Mode, you can shooting DVCProHD 720/24pn and get 40minutes in the 16gb card that will be included with your camera, or if you prefer to keep it SD you can shooting DVCPro50 which is a standard def mode equivalent to DigiBeta with a 4:2:2 color space.

I believe you get around 32minutes per 16gb card shooting DVCPro50. Even if you dont purchase a second 16gb card, 4gb and 8gb cards are pretty cheap on E-Bay, you could use this second card to keep you going while you dump your 16gb card.

A 16gb card can take as little as ~8minutes to dump to a Hard Drive, an 8gb card would give you 16 minutes of recording time allowing you to mantain shooting with minimal downtime
 
Yes, the HMC is amazing.. Shooting my first event with it this weekend. I just went form the 100B to the HMC and I am loving it.. Cards are sooooo sheep...

Get a 150...That my vote.. P2 cards are crazy expensive.. More then crazy when compared to P2. SO it takes a few minutes to convert in FCP right now, but my computer does the labor, not by wallet..

Bp
 
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