Just got my HVX200. First impressions

F

Filip Staresinic

Active member
Hi. I just got my HVX and no P2 cards yet so I tried out SD recording on tape.
I have to say that I was little disapointed about SD image quality. When shooting in bright day light you can barely notice the diference from HVX and fottage of some 700$ Sony Handycam.
Actualy I tested my friend ho has that handycam, I asked him which footage is from which camera and he very hardly guessed wright.
Ok in lower light situations there are diferences.
I did not tweak camera, it stayed on a factory settings (detail corring, gamma and etc. (I did adjusted white and black balance did tryed shutter speeds and diffeerent apertures of the iris.)
I saw lot of DVX footage that I think looks much better, clearer with better latitude and more detail.
Here is all over saturated with colors, when seeing a persons face it all glows red or orange, when seing wooden dors it all bursts in brown there is no fine detail in color latitude. I reduced contrast on my monitor, color reduces but doesn't get any better.
I still hope that I need to tweak camera for this, but I am doing it and I see no great improvements.
Trying on HD, looks much better but when compared SD footage with some of DVX I have seen it is down too much. If DVX had this kind of picture quality I think it would not deserve to have forum like this.
Is it possible that I' got HVX with some defection on ccd chips? (I bought it from autorized Panasonic dealer in full price and everything looks perfect).
Call me crazy, and maybe I am just too sensitive now when I payed all that money but please do comment this?
 
Last edited:
Hi Filip,

I'm sure at this point it is mostly user error- the HVX is a great camcorder, and for its price nothing really competes with it.

Its always like that when you get a new camera, its overwhelming and you constantly judge your footage compared to guys who have had theres for a year or more.

Just learn everything you can about it, and you should have gorgeous footage in no time.
 
You need to get a P2 card and/or the Firestore-100. If you can't buy them, then maybe rent for a day. Then you can see what the camera was made for. Don't judge it on SD.

If you don't have Barry's book or better yet, the Bootcamp DVD, I highly recommend them. They'll help you understand how to set the camera. It gives such a beautiful image that we're all willing to deal with the whole expensive P2 issue.
 
Even so, the consensus from experienced operators is that the HVX delivers a better SD picture than the DVX (except in 60i).

I'm sure once Filip becomes familiar with the camera, he'll be quite pleased with the results.
 
Try different preset settings (the last one is much cinematic) and DO NOT USE ANY CAMERA IN FULL AUTO MODE.


.
 
..suffuce it to say that the previous replies to your post have probably answered your question accurately. the camera itself is capeable of producing some wonderful imagery, but the quality of the images it produces are largely due to the skill and knowlege of its operator. taking a glance at some of the many posts with footage from either the DVX or HVX here will quickly show that its possible to either make pretty .. or pretty ugly images from the same camera. im sure that everyone has been guilty of both kinds of imagery in their histories with the camera. i would venture to say that its not so much learning about the HVX in particular, but about cinematography in general that will help improove the quality of the imagery you are getting from it. not to say that you shouldnt probably be shooting with some more refined and suitable settings on the HVX which will no doubt improove the imagery as well, but the camera can make pretty pictures in about any normal mode you give it when set up properly within that mode.
 
the HVX200 in progressive is 100% Absolutly undeniable superior to the DVX100.... LAtiitude, noise, color, clarity, sharpness ETc.... its just better.

The only place the DVXbeats it is light sensitivity. the DVX is a stop faster.
 
You need to learn your camera in and out. And if you didn't already realize this, it aint gonna shoot itself. Hmm...maybe I should throw that on a shirt.

As already mentioned, the HVX is a stop slower than the DVX, so you need more light. The LCD monitor can be difficult to focus when your shooting wide open so HD monitoring helps you nail focus.
 
Sorry all, for stupidly downgrading HVX200. After some more serious shooting and testing I realised how great this camera is.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top