Req. Advice: Shooting Lectures w/XHA1

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Bossiercitymadman

Member
Just got my XH-A1 this week and haven't had a chance to break it in. I've got a gig this week shooting a lecture series at a community college conference center. I haven't seen the venue as it's out of town but I'm told it has typical multi-purpose lighting with tungsten & fluorescents. No supplemental stage lighting from what I gather and I'm traveling light.

Going to shoot 2-cameras: XH-A1 in back getting a balanced XLR house audio feed with HV20 with backup wireless for CU & cutaways. Going to post this on Vegas 6.0 and release on DVD.

Any tips on camera settings for this typical scenario? Lighting is going to be pretty flat and even, nothing fancy.

Thanks in advance,

Chaz
 
If there is plenty of light, I would set gain at -3 before you cut light by any other method.

Not sure why you are running the wireless to the HV20. It seems like you would have more control using the second input on the A1. If you are doing it to have audio on a second camera altogther, it seems overly cautious to me. Having two audio sources to your A cam (with better audio controls) seems like it should be good enough insurance. Plus you can control and monitor both sources at once.

Good luck. Hope you are happy with your new gear.
 
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Thanks for your post Michael. Forgive my ignorance here as these are the first HDV camcorder(s) I've ever used / owned and I'm not savvy to the settings, 24p mode, 24F mode, etc. Been doing essentially the same thing with a BetacamSP and PD100a for years with some modicum of success.

My greatest concern is avoiding excessive signal noise. That being said, it seems that from what I've read, shooting the HV20 in 24p reduces the noise levels somewhat (am I wrong?). I want to intercut between these cameras yet I wish to avoid extreme differences in images.

So given that premise, could you (or anyone reading this) offer some additional advise as to settings for both cameras? I will be doing a site-survey the evening before, just want to get a little input from others who've more experience with these cameras.

BTW, the audio in the HV20 is for backup and ease of syncing. Even though I will start both cameras simultaneously, there's always the chance of running out of battery, tape, operator error, etc....so having a good wireless input can reduce that issue...and also offer a "backup audio track" just in case the house system gets funky.

Thanks again in advance,

Chaz
 
Bossiercitymadman said:
Just got my XH-A1 this week and haven't had a chance to break it in. I've got a gig this week shooting a lecture series at a community college conference center. I haven't seen the venue as it's out of town but I'm told it has typical multi-purpose lighting with tungsten & fluorescents. No supplemental stage lighting from what I gather and I'm traveling light.

Going to shoot 2-cameras: XH-A1 in back getting a balanced XLR house audio feed with HV20 with backup wireless for CU & cutaways. Going to post this on Vegas 6.0 and release on DVD.

Any tips on camera settings for this typical scenario? Lighting is going to be pretty flat and even, nothing fancy.

Thanks in advance,

Chaz
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I would shoot the wide shot with the HV20 on a tripod and shoot the handheld with the XHA1.

For audio you could get a recording and sync in post or just jack into your HV20.

I would test any HV20 audio set up a few times before you commit to it.

Be sure to set the HV20 up for no gain.
 
Got back from my shoot and the footage looks really good. The HV20 performed remarkably well. Will post footage after I get through this workload.
 
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