Question about Hard Drive Capture

D

Dmike

New member
Howdy. Long time reader (relative, of course), first time poster...

I'm in Houston, and recently attended a forum talking about digital workflow of video editing. The speaker was a gentleman named Carlos from Plus 8 Digital. Something that he said struck me and I was hoping to get some clarification from this forum.

While he was big on the digital workflow scheme, he was quite firm that Hard Drive capture was only used for low res preview of shots collected and couldn't be used in an NLE environment. I thought this was not true, but as he's supposed to be the expert, I deferred. But I thought that the Firestore devices (among others) could collect everything that went onto tape. Could I get some clarification?

Secondly, he really seemed eager to rip the upcoming HVX. Told the audience it was a disaster waiting to happen. I was shocked. His complaint seemed to stem from a lack of knowledge of what the product really is. Very down on the P2 option. Plus 8 Digital rents and sells alot of Panasonic gear, so I really figured he'd at least know about it.

In any event, I'm looking forward to the release of this new camera. I'm not sure I really need HD at this point in my career, but I like the way that Panasonic is going with the market.

Great forum, fun to read. Thanks for your time.
 
You should have stood up, shut him up and put him to shame with your knowledge, which he obviously lacks. Firestore and similar devices do capture footage exactly how it'd look on tape, raw DV, 25Mbps in the format of your choice.
 
If I remember right all Plus 8 does is high end hi def. If I'm right of course they won't like the HVX, why would they.

They'll lose rentals on guys who might be able to afford their rentals, but take a second look when they'll know they can own the HVX outright. Then when owning the camera they can use it on other projects that come along.
 
You are right. I called the Burbank location, and asked if they would rent P2 cards and said they wont. They really are in the high end HD rental game, i rented a Varicam from them, quite helpful with all my concerns regarding that camera. But most likely they dont want the HVX eating away at their high priced rental packages.
 
Thanks for the replies.

This gentleman was speaking to a group of people with wide-ranging video experience; but I do think ultimately he was trying to create a larger customer base. I have nothing against someone who is trying to sell you something -it's they're job- but I wish he had been a bit more straight forward.

Again, thank you for the feedback.
 
"While he was big on the digital workflow scheme, he was quite firm that Hard Drive capture was only used for low res preview of shots collected and couldn't be used in an NLE environment. I thought this was not true, but as he's supposed to be the expert, I deferred. But I thought that the Firestore devices (among others) could collect everything that went onto tape. Could I get some clarification?"

Firestore is great for low rez video but can not handle anything more than a Dv codec.

"Secondly, he really seemed eager to rip the upcoming HVX. Told the audience it was a disaster waiting to happen. I was shocked. "

I agree with him. I think the camera will be a great failure for Panasonic.
 
Walter_Graff said:
I agree with him. I think the camera will be a great failure for Panasonic.
Click to expand...

Am I missing the sarcasm here? The HVX a "great failure" for Panasonic? Like the 1991 Alesis ADAT was a "failure" for Alesis? Or the iPod a "failure" for Apple?

The ADAT brought multitrack digital recording to the masses and fueled the "home studio" movement. $4,000 for 8 tracks of 44.1k/16 bit audio might seem outrageous now, but in 1991 all of the othe alternatives were nearly 10X more expensive. Same as the HVX. A new entry level device that can record big-league content for 10X less money than previously possible. Now an ADAT is not a 2" 24 track Studer reel-to-reel, and a HVX is not a VariCam. But in the hands of clever, creative people who know how to work within technical limitations of the system, great projects can be completed for far less capital.

And the iPod--everyone said it was overpriced for what it did and would never sell. I remember reading about its impending doom on all the piss'n'moan Mac rumor sites. Hmmm. They sold over four million of them last QUARTER. Ahem... I said last "QUARTER."

The HVX offers 1080p DVCPRO100HD for independent filmmakers for less than $10k, all in. Sure, you have to adapt to the new P2 workflow and deal with the limitations of the stock lens and 1/3 chip size (with the accompanying DOF challenges)--but for what amounts to just a bit more than an old-school DVX100a with a PanaAna would cost, you get native 16:9 miniDV, and several other higher-end formats to boot via P2.

I think the HVX200 will sell like mad. Film schools will end up buying them by the container-load and passing them out to every student. "Here ya go. Now go shoot a feature." P2's will drop in price, and within two years 64GB cards (1 hour @ DVCPRO100HD) will cost what the 8GB cards cost now, making HVX's suitable for event work as well as regular indie film shoots.

Oh Lord, my God--please bless me with such "failures!"
 
even if the camera was a "great failure" (which i really think is impossible), i see it being a very useful tool for me :) as selfish as that might sound, i do believe it.
 
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