Ridiculist: external MiniDV tape recorder for AF100

M

mcbob

Veteran
My specialty is making things harder than they need to be:

I have a new client that only wants delivery in SD MiniDV tape - sometimes in PAL. ENG Corporate stuff, talking heads and B-roll. I dusted off the old Z1U and, after having shot with the GH2 and AF for a couple months, was just downright disappointed. Now, the AF only shoots in HD, which they do not want, and they want the tapes almost immediately post-shoot - so there's not enough time (or frankly budget) to send them through a computer to downscale.

Anyway... in non-paying hours, I'm testing out a complete frankenrig where I send the AF's component output to my old HV30. Mounting the HV to either the top handle or a side bracket in place of the hand plate. The method to actually record is a twinge fussy, but it'll do it. Looks like this will fix me for the NTSC side, though I'd have to spend a bit to get a PAL HV20/30/40 as well.

Yeah, I could just get a Letus or such for the Z1. Don't bother my gadgetude with your "common sense" or "reasonable solutions" :2vrolijk_08:
 
Yeah I'd just charge them for DV dubs off your HD footage at a post house- don't carry around two piggy backed cameras.
 
I already have a Z1U... why would I buy a DVX?

My goal is to try and get some nice shallow DOF interviews on SD MiniDV using (mostly) what I have onhand, and let them keep whatever antiquated multi-national workflow they like. Heck, they offered BetaSP as an alternative recording format.
 
NoahK said:
Yeah I'd just charge them for DV dubs off your HD footage at a post house- don't carry around two piggy backed cameras.
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How would this be conceptually different from recording to a KiPro (aside from the end result being recording substantially LOWER quality rather than higher?) :D HV isn't much bigger.

I'd definitely just do DV dubs if it made budgetary sense.
 
Don't bother my gadgetude with your "common sense" or "reasonable solutions"
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No problem to us. We dont have work with that frankenrig ...or your client. :happy:

Let us know how it works out. BTS pix would be good.
 
I have to say... if these guys want SD miniDV tapes they probably dont care much about shallow DOF. I'd say use the Z1.
 
Hey, I've done this before. Heck, back when P2 cards were too pricey for me, I was recording my HVX HD footage to a computer via FireWire AND to a cheap minidv cam as SD backup… that sure was pretty AND convenient.

Mcbob, does your hv30 really take a component input, or did you mean composite? If you meant component, can it record HD that way?
 
plundstr said:
I have to say... if these guys want SD miniDV tapes they probably dont care much about shallow DOF. I'd say use the Z1.
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I was thinking the same thing. If they can't understand the benefits of HD footage, or pay you for your time to do it right (downscaling the AF footage), then I wouldn't think they deserve your time figuring this out AND the use of your AF. Unless they are a really good client to you, then a little extra work on your end can't hurt, but there is a point where you can't give your stuff away for free. When you purchased your AF, did you want to put it to work for this type of shoot? The saying "you get what you pay for" goes with clients as well, and for good reason.
 
plundstr said:
I have to say... if these guys want SD miniDV tapes they probably dont care much about shallow DOF. I'd say use the Z1.
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This kind of thinking makes no sense to me. The main benefit of the AF is not it's resolution or format but the flexible DOF, which will be apparent on minidv, VHS, or AVCHD. We don't know that the clients want minidv because of ignorance… it is likely a workflow issue that demands minidv at the end of the shoot.

Why would you all be discouraging the OP from delivering what his clients want and what pleases him as an artist?
 
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the Z1u shoots NTSC and PAL DV, DVCAM & HDV. Shoot it on the Sony and move on, some clients just aren't worth spending this much time and effort on.
 
Well, SURE, if you want to do it the EASY way!

But if we've learned anything in the past three years, isn't it that the ridiculousness of the camera rig appearance is directly proportional to the excellence of its output?

Thus, with my humbly submitted pointless contraption, I should be giving shooting tips to Roger Deakins in about a month or two:
AFHV-1.jpgAFHV-2.jpgAFHV-3.jpg

Sadly my ME67 is out on rent at the moment, as I believe it would look simply smashing with a wireless receiver on the rear twin shoe mount. The HV's shoe mount is even still accessible, which would be a wonderful place for a big LED light to use as a desirable off-axis key for impromptu interview situations.
 
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Quasi-amazingly, yes. It only records in 4x3, but luckily the AF can output 4x3 squeeze from the composite RCA. To record, you set the HV in play mode, AV->DV on, then rec/pause mode. Once that fiddly bit is done, hit the play/pause button on the touch screen to stop/start recording. Can even use the HV as a right side handhold, which puts the record button right where it should be. I haven't figured out a way to sync the AF and HV record buttons for recording dual-system, but then, there's only so far I will carry my unique brand of silliness.
 
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