Jvc GZ-HD7/Canon HV20 vs. dvx100

H

harry.mchugh

Active member
I am thinking about getting either a jvc gz-hd7 or a canon hv20, or a dvx100. The hv20 and hd7 and both cheaper than the dvx100 but I was wondering what you guys think. I have an hd tv so that is what makes me what to go hd, but I also want the manual controls and film look of the dvx. The hv20 has a 24p mode, but does anyone know if that looks as close to film as the dvx does?

Any input is appreciated.
 
The DVX will make you a much better camera operator and help you learn more. People will also take you seriously if you have a DVX.


The HV20 will probably look better though. If you get a 35mm adapter with the HV20 you can have a really nice combo.

Both cameras will do you well. Your film's quality is not dependent on the camera, it is dependent on the filmmaker.
 
I also have a few eos and digital eos cameras, so I would be able to make a diy 35mm adapter for the dvx.

bballplaya, I looked at your profile and saw you are only about 4 months older than I am. Do you have a dvx?
 
I have a Canon XHA1. I don't know where you live but you should start checking Craigslist for crew positions. Working on pro sets, even just as a PA, is the best place to learn.
 
thats so sick. My friend has a xha1, hes in college so I havent seen it yet. I am in the bay area, I emailed a guy about being a PA on some film hes doing this summer, I think filming starts in about 3 weeks. Why did you decide on a xha1 over a hvx200. Was that your first camera?
 
I chose the A1 over the HVX200 because of the following:

1) I shoot wedding video and it's just much easier to shoot for an hour straight and not have to dump footage all the time.
2) The A1 has a sharper, more appealing picture to me.
3) Cheaper.

The only thing I wish I could have is 4:2:2 color space, but I don't do any greenscreen work so it doesn't really matter. The A1 was my first pro camera. I've started working at least once a week since I purchased it. It's a lot easier to say "Hey I have a Canon XHA1. Would you like me to help with your short?" than "Would you like help with your short? I cannot drive yet so I can't be a runner and I'd make for a bad PA... but I'm smart! and uh... I can drive in September!"

And then once I'm on set, they're expecting me to be a stupid kid with a nice camera but I prove them wrong and make some pretty sweet contacts. You really just need to put your name out and work for free.
 
if youre gonna buy a camcorder. buy a Xha1 if you can affrd it. its the best value for the dollar.

The DVX100 is only a few bucks cheaper than the A1, and it is still an INCREDBLE camera. i work one or twice a month on my DVX100a, despite the HVX200 i own. its a stop faster, and produces better 4:3 Video than the HVX200. Plus it shoots 60i almost like a PD150.

The XHA1 offers you about 90% of the pro functionality of the DVX, but with the added benefit of HDV. The a1 has a few small dings, like audio channel levels arent independantly controlable, and in HDV mode its audio is recorded compressed. which on a DVX the audio segment is like a pro mixer and it records to DAT quality audio specs. It seems like a small thing, but when you are workgin without a mixer and dedicated autdio person, is a pain to have two levels the same all the time, yo ucant stagger the levels on one mic to protect from clipping.

Nothign is for free and you get what you pay for. spend more money you get a better camera.
 
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well pretty much I have no money. I have about 500 now and I will be earning about 800 in the next few weeks because I am painting my friends house. At 1300 I cant get much of a good camera. I also cant seem to find work. And if I were to get an xh a1 I would probably buy it next year at the soonest because I will need to buy a car in a few months. So pretty much I should steer clear of the consumer hd cameras, and wait untill I have enough money for a professional/ prosumer? Also, bballplaya how did you earn that money when you are 15 or did you not pay for it. I am also thinking about getting a loan and then paying it off once I start working on sets like bballplaya was saying. Do you think I would be able to make enough money from working with it or would I end up paying a crap load of interest?
 
To elaborate:

I payed for $1500 of the $3500 and I have to pay my parents back.

I shoot B-roll on weddings every weekend. I make $25 an hour, so I usually get anywhere from $100 to $150 each week. The money adds up fast and I get to buy a lot of accessories. $150 a week isn't good, but when you aren't paying for rent, food, gas, or taxes it is really nice.

Also Timur, the A1 does have levels for each channel.
 
bballplaya283 said:
Also Timur, the A1 does have levels for each channel.
Click to expand...

He actually means that when a mic is plug in, only one or both channels are controllable. So a mic plugged into channel 1 will disable the channel 2 level control, preventing you from recording one channel lower than the other as back up.
 
Oh, OK.

Well that hasn't been a problem for me because I've never used the camera as the recorder. Usually I use the A1 as a scratch track so that wouldn't matter.

Though that may be a problem for a lot of people. I wonder if they could update that in the firmware.
 
so they would of bought u a car, but u have to pay them back for the camera? that seems a little unfair if they were prepared to buy u a car. what are you gonna do about driving? Where did you get your a1? 3500 is a good deal.
 
It runs retail at around $3500 plus a $250 rebate.

I'm not sure how the money thing works, I just have to pay them back once I get the money. I'm hoping to get a pretty nice scholarship and ever since I was little we've had a deal that whatever money I get on a scholarship will become mine.
 
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