Newbie Stuff - getting set up

C

corchard

New member
I'm considering picking up an HVX200 but am concerned about the P2 size limitations. I'm having a tough time figuring out how a system should be set up based on the threads out there that I've found.

I do a lot of interview work and some interviews last for hours. I wouldn't want to have the distraction to the subject of having to continuously swap P2 cards.

Am I correct to assume that I can get a small P2 card (4gb or whatever) and attach a bus powered USB or Firewire hard drive to the camera to record data on?

Apologies for the newbie question, but your comments would really help me move forward. ...please?

Cheers,

Chris
 
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You can't do that. You need something with some brains to interpret and record the stream from the camera, the only viable DTE solution right now is the Focus Enhancements FS-100.

Alternatively you can record to a hard drive using Avid, DV Monitor HD, DV Rack HD, Edius 4 Broadcast, Final Cut Pro, or Scopebox.
 
There is actually quite a bit of information in this forum about this topic, and I've done a fair amount of research here in search of the same answers.

I set up a system for lengthy interviews where I recorded direct to an external HD using the HVX and the 1394 out to a Mac laptop with Final Cut Pro, and then out via firewire to a HD. I used it for several 2-4 hour interviews in May and it worked nearly flawlessly. The only distraction was that the laptop fan will come on during the interview and create some background noise.

It was, however, a rather expensive investment, and a complex roadshow, but it allowed for an uninterrupted flow of the interview with more natural break points.

I have used Firestore devices and found them to be unreliable (and expensive). There are card reading devices available, but if you go in that direction you are a slave to hot-swapping cards and the distraction that creates during the interview, not to mention the camera shake as you load/unload, and the number of cards (3) it would take to make it work smoothly. When you hot swap, you spend your time focusing on the workflow and tend to neglect the on-the-fly framing adjustments that are often necessary.
 
Thanks All, one more question if I could, the line I have on a new HVX is a little under $1700 I was surprised by this as I thought they were around $5k have things changed in the market recently?

Cheers,

Chris
 
Run, don't walk. You are dealing with a scammer. The price you were quoted is probably less than 50% of dealer cost. Have a look at the "Where to buy a HVX" sticky in the General forum.
 
If you're in a studio setting where you can plug in take a look at HD Monitor Pro if you're on a Mac OR DV Rack 2.0 HD if you're on a PC. I'm not sure if DV Rack is still available as a stand alone app, though, since they sold out to Adobe.

With these options you should be able to record for hours without interruption.
 
corchard said:
Thanks All, one more question if I could, the line I have on a new HVX is a little under $1700 I was surprised by this as I thought they were around $5k have things changed in the market recently?
Click to expand...

Nothing has changed. Unfortunately, there is no "line" on a new, USA warranty from Panasonic authorized HVX200 for less than $5K.

Don't waste your time and hard earned money on a "line" like this.
 
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