Is it WORTH It?

don't get the HVX if you're on a shoestring budget or if your system requirements are not up to par. you will need p2 cards, an NLE that is compatible with the MXF files, nice processing speed and a lot of hard drive space (well you need that anyway). you could get the dvx now, make money from it, then buy the HVX.

i have the HVX and haven't had any issues and use the whole "HD" buzzword as a selling point to clients. you'd be surprised how much weight it holds when you throw that word around, lol. some clients dont even know what the difference between HD and SD is and they're like "Oh really?! HD? Wow! Yea, I think I need that!" :cheesy:

i'm about to do a job for a client that's going to pay me half of what i paid for my HVX and if i didnt have to split it with my partner it would be a little over what i piad for my hvx - all for throwing around that HD term . of course you have to still make the stuff look good and be able to do the work. :)
 
"HD" is not only a format, its also a marketing ploy. Many clients these days want that hd option, and many times might judge your business on whether you have the capability. Realistically, you hope that you can get 3-4 good years out of your camera, so its always better to get something that you know will not only have alot of options, but also make you competative in the future.
 
More and more corporate boardrooms are getting HD screens and its been a pretty good thing for us to be able to deliver true 720P wmv's. Although filmboy is very right about the outlying cost for p2 cards and the NLE and computer that can handle it all - the true price of an hvx is much more than $5000. MiniDV of course is easy and not a problem for most systems to edit. just things to think about of course...
 
I'm considering the DVX100B as my first 3CCD camera, with the prices of the HD stuff coming down, it's near by budget. But after figuring out the added disk space needed with larger HD videos, also the possible more powerful system, it's almost 3 or 4 times more money than SD.

Since I'm only making videos for fun and side projects, it's not worth it, especially when most of my media is over the Internet.

Rob
 
I've had my DVX100A for about two years now. I havent crossed over to HD just yet, but its itching the back of my mind for the last couple months. I just feel like i've used the DVX to the best of its abilities. I felt that way after having the CANON GL1 for 4 years back in the day. I felt like i artistically could not expand using that camera. Im starting to feel this way about DVX. As some one else stated, 2009 will start converting to HD. I even bought a Toshiba tube tv a year ago and it came with a sticker on the front saying in 2009 i will need to buy a converter for HD. But in NYC/Time Warner Cable there's only a handful (about 10 or so) true HD channels. Yes unfortunately the word HD gets thrown around like a shiny new toy which actually pisses me off because most people dont even know what HD REALLY IS!!! My saying has been and will always be this: "It's not what you have, it's what you do with it" meaning just because you have an HD camera doesnt mean your "filmmaking" will be BETTER. I will probably buy a HD camera in the next couple months hopefully, or start renting for shoots in the meantime.
 
Having a client that needs HD is a great problem to have. Cross that bridge when it comes up. I also struggled with this very same question (as have many others here) and most of my work is still SD.

I think a sound approach might be worrying about getting the HD work to warrant the camera rather than getting the camera in advance of pricing and tech changes.

I've been very happy w/ my DVX purchase and look forward to what lies ahead. You could imagine fast-forwarding on this forum to "Should I sell my ____ to get the _____?".
 
We shoot DVCPRO 50 with the HVX for 4:3 jobs. That does make
a difference in the fidelity of the footage. And editing DVCPRO 50
avoids the bleeding reds of DV. Having instant access to the footage
while shooting is an added bonus. And like a poster above
stated - Corporations are going 16x9 - We have won many
jobs due to the fact we rolled in and showed companies 16x9
demos while the competition is still at 4:3 - Get with it or
get left behind.
 
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