No HVX for me

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disjecta

disjecta

Lucky Duck
After much research and exhaustive studying of footage from both the JVC HD100 and the HVX200, I have decided that I am not going to buy an HVX, preferring the footage from the JVC. It's significantly sharper and the temporal cadence of film at 24p is spot on. The JVC footage has an organic and analog feeling to it much like what initially attracted me to the DVX.

I'm going to rent before I decide for sure but I haven't really been impressed with the footage I have seen from the HVX in terms of perceived resolution. I have noticed noise in everything I have seen posted, even in bright sunlight and it is positively distracting to me.

The variable frame rate is fantastic but it's not something I would use that much and the ease of using mini dv tapes for HD acquisition is way more in line with what I can afford at this moment in time. (Bite your tongue if you believe HDV is not real HD, I've heard it before). Interchangeable lenses are also a big plus for me. Disadvantages are that the JVC is not as "stealth" as the HVX so it draws more attention to itself...not always a good thing. Also, only some of my peripherals will fit the JVC which is also a bummer.

I'm going to be closely watching the results of the big Texas shootout this weekend for some expert opinions on the current crop of HD cameras.

I'm posting this because I've gotten a lot of pms from people asking if I was going to get an HVX.
 
Hey: Sometimes you got to do what you gotta do. Even tho I have the HVX 200 I still use my 2 year old JVC HR10 HDV on shoots.
Did you cahage your name from Shovler? I was on a Mine Sweeper in The Korean conflict named the Shovler. Some of the Minesweep were name after birds.
Mule Ferguson
 
I agree thus far man. and I'm a documentary guy kinda like you only people not places. the pricey P2 cards, and the workflow is kinda nutty. I worked a triple HVX shoot and running cards back and forth to hard drives required 4 people and 3 laptops. It was nuts! But fun due to the cool people.

I haven't seen the JVC yet. my buddies who work for Michael Moore are all going HDV with the Sony Z1 but again, that is the doc guys talking, not the feature film guys. I'm leaning HDV all the way cause of the tapes and the dudes that swear by them are leagues ahead of me, which is why I got a DVX, people lived by 'em.

the this months's DV magazine they have the results of the big HD DV cam shootout. Adam Wilt wrote it, and he's a stud and owns both the Z1 and HVX.

http://www.dv.com/news/news_item.jh...JUMEKJVN?articleId=177103305&_requestid=35234

let us know what more you figure out. as an opinion leader, you will sway many votes, including mine.
 
Yeah, but have you seen the CA on the stock JVC lens? AAAHHHH! You need to see the HVX in person Disjecta. Also, if you do rent both the JVC and HVX, be sure to test the DV50 mode of the HVX - Very clean image and the colors POP!

When viewing my hvx footage in h.264 and WMV, it is more noisy by comparison. But there is some mosquito noise present (more of a carryover from video and doesn’t really show on TV's just my computer).

In terms of sharpness, when you dial up the sharpness of the HVX, it is like the JVC but looks like video and doesn’t have a smoothness to it AKA film like.

HDV tape is more convenient for long term storage but having it instantly (like playing back in camera is really nice).

RENT before you decide on your $5K+ toy this is the best way to know what you are getting. Good Luck :)
 
disjecta said:
The variable frame rate is fantastic but it's not something I would use that much.
Click to expand...

I think you'd love that feature, considering the nature aspect of a lot of your shooting. I spent a day or practice in some local gardens yesterday with the HVX and shot almost exlusively 48fps and 60fps. Flowers in the wind get a nice sway instead of bouncing around, and butterflies and bees look incredible flying around.

I hope to post some footage this weekend.
 
I can't say you will go completely wrong D Man and cannot wait to see what you do with it. The JVC still carries a Vide-oy feel for me and ironically, I like grain, even my own stuff has induced grain (Luper, Pestilence) by the way I force the contrast or levels.

Maybe it is the sharpness of the JVC that bugs me ? That's ironic considering it is High-Def !

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The HVX so far has been the one camera I would go with if upgrading especially for narrative fimmaking as it just feels Quasi S16 ...

It definately needs a 35mm Adapter to really shine IMO

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Funny our percieved tastes. I feel the HVX carries the 'temporal cadence of film at 24p' over the JVC !

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Still, give me a choice between these cameras and an Arri S16 (all things being equal like workflow and costs) I'd go with the Arri.

I like the grain

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Can't wait to see your work. It's too bad you wont be a real member anymore.























It's a joke. I love you maaaaaaaaaaaan!
 
You guys are so funny, I feel like I'm going off to some exotic land in a steam ship and everyone is waving their hankies at me :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

It's still a way out to buy anything new. I want someone to dissuade me, damnit!! Make a really good case for the HVX, show me some super clear and well shot footage. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

Okay, I feel better now.
 
John_Hudson said:
I can't say you will go completely wrong D Man and cannot wait to see what you do with it. The JVC still carries a Vide-oy feel for me and ironically, I like grain, even my own stuff has induced grain (Luper, Pestilence) by the way I force the contrast or levels.

I like the grain
Click to expand...
This may sound stupid, but to me grain (noise) gives it a film feel. I was bothered by the grain until I started watching the "look" of movies more critically and started noticing how much grain there was in film.
 
Have you edited HDV footage yet?? It is a major PITA.
Go rent first and pretend like you are going to edit a 15 min
project. Then do the same with the HVX. The grain issue is blown out of proportion. I remember downloading some footage right after I got FCP and before I got the HVX. The footage was horrible I almost canceled my order. I am an image nut and if I had $100,000 I would go CineAlta but I don't. I have been shooting for a month with the HVX and I am very happy with the pic and the P2 cards. I would not want to go back to tape. I can produce WMV HD files and play them on any HD set and it looks awesome. The editing with DVCPRO HD is no harder than DV is..
 
disjecta said:
Make a really good case for the HVX, show me some super clear and well shot footage. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
Click to expand...
Come down to the HD Bootcamp in L.A. tomorrow morning and take a look at the reel Evin put together... it is, undoubtedly, THE MONEY! :) :thumbsup:
 
I just got my HVX. P2 is a really incredible technology. In fact, I think the HVX would be perfect with three or four card slots and no tape slot. As bigger cards come out, having assistants to offload the cards will be a non issue.

Noise, is not an issue in good light. Crank up the gain and you'll see noise. Crank up the gain in any camera and you'll see noise. Under/Over expose film and push it in telecine, you'll see grain/noise.

Variable frame rates, you'll love having the ability to shoot slow motion. Seriously, a whole new dimension that truley has been sorely absent in the video world. I imagine we'll be seeing a great deal more slow motion across television and on the web. Set up your scene files right and twist the dial to variable frame rates.

Although I don't have any reference to the JVC HD100 images, the HVX is plenty sharp. Using the Focus assist is a must.

Can't help it. I'm sold on the HVX
 
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I am still mesmerized by the percived noise issue

I remember someone commenting on the Noise in the hvx footage area and there was none; bizarre
 
John_Hudson said:
I am still mesmerized by the percived noise issue

I remember someone commenting on the Noise in the hvx footage area and there was none; bizarre
Click to expand...

The image quality is really incredible. I'm a bit perplexed on why people think the camera has too much noise.

Also, the range of the camera. Your not locked into a video look nor persay a film look. The camera does both very good.
 
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