Pls HELP - did I buy the wrong camera?

TMerry

TMerry

Well-known member
Please Help!
I bought a used HVX200 on ebay with only two hours of use on it.
It's in perfect condition and I was happy as a clam.

Then

I found out I can't record HD on the miniDV tapes.
I've been researching this camera for weeks but somehow I misunderstood
what the camera can do :( I thought I would be able to save up for P2's
while recording HD on mini DV.

My questions are:

1. Since I have to buy a P2 card in order to record HD on this
camera, would I be better of selling this and getting the HPX170??

2. What's the point of having mini DV on this camera?


Thanks for your input and advice!
-Tommy
 
It is well documented that you can't record HD on the DV tape side of the camera.

Having DV on the camera is for some people whose client's still insist on it.
 
Yeah, you can only shoot minidv to tape on the cam :)

DVCPro, DVCPro 50, DVCPro HD are all shot to P2.

If you don't mind my asking how much you paid for the camera?

You might consider the new E Series P2 cards. They are a good deal cheaper than the regular p2 cards, and are supposed to be just as bulletproof and well-performing during their life cycle. They just don't have as long of one. 10,000 insertions vs. 100,000 I think.

Point of having miniDV on the camera is that a lot of people still use it, or still have clients that use it. The HVX200 was the first solid state camera of its kind, so maintaining the tape deck allowed people a path forward.

If you are looking to upgrade from that, the HVX200a has a lot of the improvements of the HPX170, but maintains the tape deck as well for those that need it. The 170 gets rid of the tape deck, has a few extras and also I think still has the 5 year warranty option b/c of the fact that it doesn't have a tape deck (less moving parts = longer warranty).

Main thing you would get in going to an HPX170 would be a better chip set that will give cleaner footage along with better lowlight performance.

If you got a good deal on the camera, then great. Maybe pick up an E Series P2 card or two for a lot cheaper than the traditional P2. If you paid something close to new for it, than you might consider upgrading if you want, and taking advantage of the improved imaging and better focus assist options, etc. But, you'll still have to buy p2 for it.

Later,
Jason
 
As far as getting an 170 over the HVX200, that's a sure thing, but you'd be in a worse boat now cause the 170 doesn't even have a tape deck. So you wouldn't be able to shoot ANYTHING until you got a P2 card. The HVX shoots DVCPRO-HD not HDV. HDV is what can be recorded to mini-DV tape, not DVCPRO-HD. Just shoot DV on tape ntil you get a P2 card. I dont think its that big of an issue. DV on the HVX is still really pretty. My National Breast Cancer Foundation PSA that one a first place award and was shown on a big screen was shot in DV and was really pretty. Don't worry, just save up for P2 and do dv until then. you have a very solid camera.
 
So, just ask yourself if the upgrade is worth another 1600 to you over what you paid for that camera. If you upgrade to the hpx170, you spend 1600 or so more for the camera and still need p2 cards.

Or, you can take that money and put it towards some p2 cards now so you can get to shooting, and hopefully making money off your camera so it can buy you a new one one day :)

later,
jason
 
Thanks All. Yes,
I decided to keep it and am loving it. Practicing using it and getting to know its functions while saving up for p2 cards (got the redroc & flip today).

I felt pretty strong using the dvx, so the HVX very similar.
Who knows - by the time I can afford a 170, the RED low ends
might be within reach as well :-)
 
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