Some questions for HVX200 owners.

Z

zamardii12

New member
This is my first post on the forums and I would really appreciate some help in answering some or all my questions before I buy this camera.



I'm going to shoot my first movie and there is a lot of contradicting info online about this camera. I found it online for $2,895.00 brand new and will purchase it in the next 2-3 months but I had some questions before

1. Is it possible to shoot true 1080p or not? Every place that advertises it lists it as just 1080i. So I wanted to clear that up.

2. The P2 cards are way too expensive so I won't be using that anytime soon but I want to know how else I can record 1080p without the P2 card. I heard through firewire but I want to know how that works. Also, can you just hook a external firewire hard drive to the camera and record 1080p that way? Any other ways to record 1080p?

3. I read that the P2 card is just a PCMCIA adapter with a array of SD cards inside. And whether that's true or not, I see a bunch of PCMCIA adapters for SD cards and all kinds of other media like compact flash and others, so I was wondering if those would work the same way the P2 card works?
 
1. Is it possible to shoot true 1080p or not? Every place that advertises it lists it as just 1080i. So I wanted to clear that up.
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Yes the HVX200 absolutely shoots true 1080p in DVCPro HD. The HVX's color sampling is phenomenal but some people feel the sharpness and resolving power falls a little short of other camera's capabilities. While this is true, you should realize that many elements contribute to making a pleasing picture to the eye. Many people favor the look of the HVX200

2. I want to know how else I can record 1080p without the P2 card.
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If you are using a PC laptop, using Premiere Pro's OnLocation is a great way to capture from firewire straight to laptop/external hard drive. Check out Adobe Premiere Pro CS4.

3. I read that the P2 card is just a PCMCIA adapter with a array of SD cards inside. And whether that's true or not, I see a bunch of PCMCIA adapters for SD cards and all kinds of other media like compact flash and others, so I was wondering if those would work the same way the P2 card works?
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No ... P2 card will fit into a PCMCIA slot on a computer or laptop but that's about as far as it goes. As far as using SD card arrays or anything like that, I think you're out of luck.
 
I'm pretty sure you cannot record 1080 over firewire, SD only. You have to use P2 cards to record any sort of HD (1080 or 720). You might look into a used Canon XH-A1 tape-based HDV camera as an alternative for your budget.
 
ignatius said:
I'm pretty sure you cannot record 1080 over firewire, SD only. You have to use P2 cards to record any sort of HD (1080 or 720). You might look into a used Canon XH-A1 tape-based HDV camera as an alternative for your budget.
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You can indeed record 1080p over firewire. I do it all the time with OnLocation. It even does the 24PA for optimal editing into 24p timeline. It records full DVCPro HD wrapped iin an AVI container.

You need at least a 2ghz processor with a good 7200 rpm hard drive.
 
Also, watch out for the low $2,895 price tag. Not knowing where you are intending to by, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is a grey market camera which comes with its own issues. A little research will shed some light on that topic. Be sure to buy from an authorized Panasonic dealer. You won't be sorry.

In addition, to the PC options that John discussed, you can look at Final Cut Pro as an option for recording via firewire to the computer/hard drive.

Also, the Firestore FS-100 is an option for you as well for recording over firewire.

No, you can not just hook up a firewire hard drive to the camera and record to it.

And finally, take some time to do some research here on the forum. All of these questions and issues have been discussed time and time again. It will be a real education for you as you move forward with your purchase and production.

Good luck,
Jim
 
zamardii12 said:
This is my first post on the forums and I would really appreciate some help in answering some or all my questions before I buy this camera.



I'm going to shoot my first movie and there is a lot of contradicting info online about this camera. I found it online for $2,895.00 brand new and will purchase it in the next 2-3 months but I had some questions before

1. Is it possible to shoot true 1080p or not? Every place that advertises it lists it as just 1080i. So I wanted to clear that up.

2. The P2 cards are way too expensive so I won't be using that anytime soon but I want to know how else I can record 1080p without the P2 card. I heard through firewire but I want to know how that works. Also, can you just hook a external firewire hard drive to the camera and record 1080p that way? Any other ways to record 1080p?

3. I read that the P2 card is just a PCMCIA adapter with a array of SD cards inside. And whether that's true or not, I see a bunch of PCMCIA adapters for SD cards and all kinds of other media like compact flash and others, so I was wondering if those would work the same way the P2 card works?
Click to expand...

I highly suggest you pick up a Canon HDV camera or an HPX170 for your film instead.
Most of the cool looking stuff you see here requires a whole "kit" investment, including tripods, DOF adapters and other.

The HVX is great, I own one, the DV deck on the side, I could do with-out, the SDI monitoring out I could do with. Recently compared and color graded footage from a Canon HDV XH-A1 and HVX200 (2 cam shoot). Not a a lot of difference if well lit.

HVX suffers from low-light performance issues, if this is your first film, I almost guarantee you did not budget for lighting. Take the extra 2K and buy some 650W Arri Freznels and soft-boxes.

Shooting on an HVX without a fire-store or macbook and capture software, is sort of like shooting on film, you'll need to unload your P2 cards. At 1080(pA) which you want to shoot, you'll have 17minutes per 16GB. New filmmakers tend to have the camera "speeding" while actors try different things, having 63mins of tape is easier.

However HVX/HPX170 does offer "instant" playback of a particular take. HDV color sampling is lower than that of 4:2:2 DVCPRO HD. But trust me, in order to dress up the HVX into a fully functional cine-like machine doing a full production you'll end up spending way beyond the initial cost of the device. And that especially includes the need to have a laptop/loader computer on the set at all times, or buying its cost in P2 cards or fire-stores.

If you are going to buy it (get the HPX-170) they all will cost around 5K, any place else that advertises for 2,700 is a known *SCAM*. They'll tell you things like the camera is 2,700 and the lens is another 1,700 (even though everyone knows the lens is built-in and non removable)

The only time I'd recommend you specifically get an HVX/HPX for your production is if you said you're shooting green screen with VFX.

Oh yeah, and get the HPX-170 if you do decide with Panasonic, I worked with both cameras, and the extra display space (outside title safe and no counter/info clutter in the frame), SDI and the menu keys on the side of the cam instead of the top make it worth-while. Having just a single SDI cord for video-assist and scopes on a set - is killer, in lieu of 3 heavy component cables.

Another bonus for the HPX/HVX is that it's totally silent (esp. if the zoom motor is not engaged) however if you're worried about Deck noise, than you're using internal MICS and thats a problem in itself.
 
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Well, I was looking online and the only real difference I can tell is that the HPX170 is the same as the HVX200 except that the HPX170 has no tape deck. I personally liked that option of having a tape because depending on how I want to shoot the movie the tape itself gives it it's own unique look as well. Or I guess just shoots in SD but I am really new to all of this and my main focus for a camera when I started visualizing and drawing my storyboards was that I have a manual focus ring on the camera and a attachment so I can attach a boom microphone out at least 10-15 feet. And the HVX200 has both plus a whole bunch of other options as well i'm not too familiar with yet.

As far as the place I found it, i'll post the link here. The place I am getting it from is listing it as a "import model." On the website itself it says the following about import models...

http://www.camerakings.com/ViewProduct.aspx?ID=10162694&l=Pricehead

What differences should the customer be concerned with?
In most instances, the difference between a “Import Model” and a USA model is the cost difference between the products and the warranty coverage. The actual products are completely identical. In most cases, the “Import Model” is relatively cheaper in price than a USA model. “Import Models” usually do not qualify for the manufacturer’s rebate programs if available.
What is covered under warranty for “Import Models”?
“Import Models” are covered by warranty by CameraKings identical to the provisions and limitations of the manufacturer’s warranty. Your “Import Model” includes a warranty card covered by CameraKings for any manufacturer defects in the product to one year labor and 90 days parts, much like most warranties from a manufacturer.
If you experience any manufacturing defect with your product that was sold with a USA warranty, it can be sent directly to the manufacturer’s authorized repair facilities for servicing. A “Import Model” would have to be returned to CameraKings for the warranty service and will be sent by CameraKings to a repair center.


Any thoughts? The website itself has a lot of great customer reviews and I get the same warranty as a regular domestic model but at like $2000 less and considering my budget which is quite low at this point that works out for me. The only difference is if I have to send it in for a manufacturer defect then they personally send it to Panasonic after they get it from me as opposed to me sending it to Panasonic.

Thoughts?
 
depending on how I want to shoot the movie the tape itself gives it it's own unique look as well
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- thats not really true. unless you consider lower resolution and more compression a "unique look"

Any thoughts? The website itself has a lot of great customer reviews and I get the same warranty as a regular domestic model but at like $2000 less and considering my budget which is quite low at this point that works out for me. The only difference is if I have to send it in for a manufacturer defect then they personally send it to Panasonic after they get it from me as opposed to me sending it to Panasonic.
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yeah. here is a thought. you must just WANT to get screwed. read what it says. it doesnt say they send it to panasonic it says they send it to a "repair center" which could mean several things. none of which id think would be beneficial to you.

there is an old saying that a fool and his money are soon parted. look, the video business is pricey. there are several ways to save money here and there. but buying from questionable dealers is not a wise way to do it.
 
wgzn said:
- thats not really true. unless you consider lower resolution and more compression a "unique look"

yeah. here is a thought. you must just WANT to get screwed. read what it says. it doesnt say they send it to panasonic it says they send it to a "repair center" which could mean several things. none of which id think would be beneficial to you.

there is an old saying that a fool and his money are soon parted. look, the video business is pricey. there are several ways to save money here and there. but buying from questionable dealers is not a wise way to do it.
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I just called this company and you are right they have their own repair center which they send it to. Which may not be such a bad thing if they get it to work if it goes bad. Any of you had problems where you had to send your hvx200 back to Panasonic or anywhere else?

And also, it's hard for me to go and spend $2000 more on the same exact camera in the same exact brand new condition just because I can send it back to Panasonic to fix it instead of another repair center. That'd be $2000 more dollars I can spend on the movie itself and that's a lot of money. So idk what to do...


However.... I did just call this company who sells it brand new for $2899 and they said I send it back directly to Panasonic and is not a import model. http://www.iprodigital.com/productdetails.asp?prodid=AGHVX200A

So maybe I should go with that one?
 
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buy a used 200a or 170 here on the forum. there are generally 3 or 4 every few days, being sold by someone who just wants the newer and better thing.

if you buy from this camera kings joint, you may come out ok, you might not. but you asked the question of people who have been around the block and most have suggested this is not the best idea. but in the end, its your dice. roll them the way you want.
 
This company is NOT a Panasonic authorized distributor.

On that basis, it not selling a USA branded 200a.

This is a huge risk if you purchase the cam from this company.
 
David S. said:
This company is NOT a Panasonic authorized distributor.

On that basis, it not selling a USA branded 200a.

This is a huge risk if you purchase the cam from this company.
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I called that iPro place and the guy said they are a authorized Panasonic distributor.
 
ANYBODY can SAY that. contact panasonic an ask them.

look, if you just want to argue we can argue all day. you asked a question to a group of pro and experienced hobbyist shooters who have been through all this before. and you can choose to heed their advice or not.

85% of these online dealers are at best gray-market and at worst total scammers.

chances are good that you'll never even need to invoke your warranty anyway - but what if you do? i take a lot of comfort in knowing there are a couple of layers of folks standing behind my purchases (spec-comm and panasonic - not to mention my insurance company)

if i were in your position and had a very limited budget i would be quite interested in spending the extra $1500 or so to enjoy that same comfort. i say wait a little longer, save your allowance until you can either find a good used deal or buy from a reputable dealer.

or roll your dice, buy from these guys and maybe you can come back here in a year and tell us we were full of hot air ; )
 
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Hey there,

I know exactly what you are going through, I was in the same debate about a month and a half ago.

After doing my research, these so called "great" deals arn't that great. Shipping issues, dealing with poor costomer care, and i've even heard having an HVX with japanese instead of english.

If you want to save some cash get a used set up. Most of the time, if you do your due dilegence - you can get a great camera that has been well cared for.

I just hunted and found a great deal on a used HVX/Redrock/Firestore plus a couple p2 cards and a bunch of lenses.

Not only did i get a great deal with a used camera, i still have budget for my projects, and the camera is in stellar condition.

but that's my two cents.

best of luck on the hunt.
 
John Froton said:
You can indeed record 1080p over firewire. I do it all the time with OnLocation. It even does the 24PA for optimal editing into 24p timeline. It records full DVCPro HD wrapped iin an AVI container.

You need at least a 2ghz processor with a good 7200 rpm hard drive.
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I just read about that, that is very cool, I had no idea, thanks for the correction.
 
zamardii12 said:
I called that iPro place and the guy said they are a authorized Panasonic distributor.
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If they are advertising below the MAP price for the cam, which they are, then they are not Panasonic authorized.

This isn't rocket science.

The guys is being dishonest with you.

Panasonic has a web site that permits you to punch in a zip code and find all the panasonic authorized dealers.

Here is the address of this company:

Office Location

IProDigital
134 Bala Avenue
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Here's what that zip code shows:



Authorized Panasonic Dealers for Pro Video near Zip Code 19004


Lerro Corporation
905 Madison Avenue
Norristown, PA, 19403 (610) 650-4100 LERROCORP@LERRO.COM 12.042
miles


Total Video Products
414 Southgate Court
Mickleton, NJ, 08056 (856) 423-7400 lgallner@totalvideoproducts.com 15.456 miles


Advanced Audio Visual Sls, Inc
208 Carter Drive; Ste 7
Westchester, PA, 19382 (610) 431-6154 jill@advancedav.com 19.617 miles


Advanced AV
208 Carter Drive Suite 7
Westchester, PA, 19382 (610) 431-6154 jill.armand@advancedav.com 19.617 miles


MCCOM, Inc.
383 Rt 206
Chester, NJ, 07930 (908) 879-9590 mike@mccominc.com 61.092 miles
 
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