SD vs HD for first time camera...

T

ThatNaysayer

New member
So I have recently started film school and am looking to get a decent camera for more independent (non school related) projects. At the moment I am looking at getting DVX100, though I am wondering if it would be a good idea to go for the HVX200. As it stands I could probably afford to get two DVX100s or one HVX200, so I am currently leaning toward the DVX option as it gives me a little more room to play around while filming. Though at the same time HD seems quite alluring.

On a side note, if I were to go with the DVX100s I was looking at the A instead of the B both because of its slightly lower cost and timelapse feature. Are there any features/upgrades that the B has that would be worth the few hundred more?

Thanks
 
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I would buy one HVX over 2 DVXs. But, thats not to say DVX wont serve you well. But with some solid HD cameras around that are much cheaper than an HVX, is there a need for that either. Take a look at the HMC150 or Canon A1.
 
If you have a budget that could get you two DVX cameras, get one and use the rest to outfit yourself with a good camera support kit:

- extra batteries
- a good tripod with fluid head, and maybe a tripod bag
- camera case
- a good pair of headphones (Sony MDR-7506 is my favorite)
- rods and matte box with a few basic filters (ND, polarizer, warming)

The DVX-100b is still a perfectly viable tool for independent film making, and is a great learning tool for students.
 
if your distribution will be on mostly dvd i would say get the dvx's most people don't have hd dvd or blu ray players this may change in the next five years though
 
I think that you actually have a bit more room with one HVX then two DVX's. Plus, HD is coming in and SD is (very slowly) starting to go out. You could also consider the HMC-150 as a mid-ground.

My 2cents.
 
does anyone have a blu-ray burner here, or know of anyone besides a studio that has one?

I really doubt it, especially because I saw a blu-ray blank at target for $20. Either the dollar is insanley weak or their hella expensive or both. Who would wanna distribute on that and what kinda client is gonna demand that, shoot squeeze or sd 16:9, same diff, and call it a day.

I was @ a $300,000 wedding the other day, yes there is that many zeros, and the wedding videographers had 3 hvx's. When I asked the dude's how their were delivering it to the happy couple they all said dvd, and that they were gonna do tons of down rezzin'. Why buy a lamborghini if you never taking it outta first gear (most of them do around 60 in first) what's the point?

When there is a marketplace for high definition, I will get a cam, but now a for quite a while, I believe that it's more money you really do not need to be spending.
 
renegadewill said:
does anyone have a blu-ray burner here, or know of anyone besides a studio that has one?
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Yes, I have one. Might buy another.

renegadewill said:
I really doubt it, especially because I saw a blu-ray blank at target for $20. Either the dollar is insanley weak or their hella expensive or both. Who would wanna distribute on that and what kinda client is gonna demand that, shoot squeeze or sd 16:9, same diff, and call it a day.
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The only people who think BluRay is really expensive are people coming from miniDV or HDV. BluRay is cheaper per hour than nearly any other medium that handles HD video. Period.

I didn't buy a BluRay recorder for my clients. I bought it for me. So I could save HD masters. I can drop my master into an NLE 5 years later and burn either an HD or SD version at will. With no worry about tape reads or other issues. They are worth every dime to me, and I buy the dual layer ones for $35 each.

renegadewill said:
I was @ a $300,000 wedding the other day, yes there is that many zeros, and the wedding videographers had 3 hvx's. When I asked the dude's how their were delivering it to the happy couple they all said dvd, and that they were gonna do tons of down rezzin'. Why buy a lamborghini if you never taking it outta first gear (most of them do around 60 in first) what's the point?
Click to expand...

Why shoot film in Hollywood if you're going to cut and grade in 2k and use that as a master? Aquire in the best format you can afford, and leave yourself room in the future to be able to deliver a better product tomorrow than you can today.

But then, I was always a Porsche man myself...


renegadewill said:
When there is a marketplace for high definition, I will get a cam, but now a for quite a while, I believe that it's more money you really do not need to be spending.
Click to expand...

There is most certainly a marketplace for HD. Just because YOUR clients don't want it, doesn't mean there is not a market. Every project I've shot since I got my HD camera has been in HD. Every TV at my corporate office now is a plasma. It didn't take much to convince them that buying an HD camera to feed their new HD TVs was the only thing that made sense. Easiest sell I've ever done.
 
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We are both coming from two different worlds my friend. For me everything comes down to money, which I do not have a lot of. I am glad you are doin well in this economy we currently have.
 
HD is gunna be taking over and SD is going goodbye
Its best not to try to "keep up with the times" by buying the latest HD camera out there,
But the HVX is supposed to be a really good camera and its been out for a while so prices are going down
 
How many films originate on 65mm though?

I mean - with a DI, most are transfered at 2K. A few come by at 4K. But 4K is mostly reserved for Visual Effects shots. There isn't really a huge need for it. Which explains why there aren't many camera systems which originate at 4K. Aside from RED (which is a hair under), the Phantom 65, and the DALSA Origin. CineAlta has a 4K camera years out.

But the vast majority of things come across at 2K. Resolution only really means so much. Plus, 4K is immense.
 
OP I am in your exact situation as well, however I dont have a large budget, I'd say wait at least till Nov. 13 when details are released about the Red Scarlet...
 
DVX vs HVX

DVX vs HVX

I was in a similar scenerio, trying to decide between the DVX and HVX. I remember in school people where always so pumped up to use the HD camera's, then they spend more time down-rezzing. I don't really see the point in that. I do see where some people are coming from though, big-picture wise, that it is always better to capture footage at the best possible quality, so it gives you more flexibility for future projects, but I decided to get the DVX so I could spread my money around for a good tripod, bag, tapes, iMac, FCP, etc.
HD is definitely the future, but it's not quite here yet. Most people don't even have HD/Blue Ray players yet. I know I don't. I think they are approx $200-$400 right now. Once you get into a Blue Ray burner/ BR DVD's, it just gets too pricey for me. I'm sure they will start going down in price soon, as will the HVX. By then we should have all saved up and be ready to buy one! For now I am satisfied using compressor to up-res my footage. I saw some stuff on vimeo using a DVX up-res and it looks amazing!
 
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