State of SD and DVX 100

P

PaulK

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering if anyone would kindly share their opinion on how much longer SD will be a viable format now that HD is widely available. Is the DVX 100B worth purchasing at this point in time, or will it be obsolete soon?

Thanks,
Paul
 
If I were to make any upgrade at this point in time with HD soon to be the standard, i would get one of the higher end HDV camcorders. I really like some of the results i've seen out of the XH-A1, although it is significantly higher priced than the DVX100B at about $1000 more after the $250 rebate (those prices are from B&H). There's also the Sony FX1 and FX7, and their professional versions of each of those cameras, the Z1U and V1U. I'm not very familliar with the Sony cameras though.
Also, take into consideration the resale value in the future. If you get an HDV cam, that'll be good for a long time and when it comes time to sell it you'll probably be able to get a good price for it. However, if you take the DVX route it will be difficult to get a good price for it.
As for how long SD will be widely used, I really don't know. I still use a standard definiton camera (DVC30), but I must admit that I feel as though I'm at least one step behind the game with HD blowing up.
 
Problem with most of the entry level HD cams is that they are all interlaced cams, even the Sony Z1 and V1. The XHa1 has faux progressive modes which most folk say is as good as real "p" modes but i've never really seen this.
So going from a DVX to say an Fx1 or FX7 or the Z, apart from higher res there's nothing else. I like my 25p mode on the DVX, I like that organic natural look, IMHO I don't think any of the low end HD cams up to $5k in price look as nice as the DVX, I still believe the image looks fake or digitally enhanced or processed or something, I dunno. The HVX has native "P" modes, how do you compare that to the Z1??? you probably can't, and there similar priced. The HVX is the only entry level HD cam worth buying, otherwise its the $10k and up region for a real true progressive 1080 HD cam.

Just my 2 cents, my DVX will be with me for many a moon yet.
 
GageFX said:
Highly dependent on what you shoot and what your needs are.
Click to expand...

Good point, and since I'm not sure what I'll be using it for over the life of my purchase, what shooting limitations does the DVX 100B have that I should be aware of (besides resolution, of course)? And what needs would it not be able to fulfill?
 
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The whole SD, HD thing is a weird situation. SD still looks good on a big tv, and HD looks even better. The thing with HD is that the technology will always be changing and I feel like if I went to HD then I would constantly be upgrading to the newest equipment. IE. the Red Scarlet 3K for 3grand! Thats incredible for the price. I wont updgrade to HD for a few years atleast just to see where it goes and how the prices drop.
 
I dont care about HD resolution but the P2 workflow is really what is making me think of a switch over to the HVX or 170 when it drops.
 
There a tons of cable channels that won't be hd for about five years and counting. I'm not worried, and people are never disappointed with dvx images for their commercials, music videos or wedding montages. I truly do not have the money to go hd, I would need a brand new comp, so that means either going with a vista machine and turning it back to xp or spending enough for a new car to get a mac pro.
 
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