Switching to HD research

K

Kugar13

Well-known member
Hello all,

I plan to switch to HD soon (possibly a HVX200a), so I've been doing some research, and was wondering if anyone knew of any good articles on what changes to my current workflow/productions/equipment/computer/editing software one would expect when you switch to HD.


Any advice is appreciated. THANKS!
 
My equip

My equip

The comp I use to edit with is a PC with 4gb of RAM, 1T hard drive. I plan to upgrade when I start editing HD footage. I wasn't sure what specs would be best.

I currently edit with Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 (CS2), but hope to upgrade to CS4 soon. I'm not even sure if I could edit HD on PP2.0.

I use a standard flat screen Dell monitor for editing, as well as a field monitor (tube monitor).

Is there anything else I should list?

Thanks!
 
For starters, skip CS4 and get CS5 which is a huge leap forward. You will need a 64 bit version of Windows, ideally 8-12 GB of RAM or more if you can, and an Adobe-approved nVidia GPU card to really make it fly. The hard drive requirements depend on how high the HD but striping a couple 7200 rpm drives into a RAID would be a good way to start. Many people also make 2 backup copies of the P2 footage they need to archive.
 
thx

thx

Thanks for the advice!

What is the max ram CS5 will take advantage of? I've heard certain programs won't take advantage of RAM after a pre-set limit.

Thanks again!
 
That is the 32 bit limit of 4 GB. One huge advantage of Windows 64 bit OS's is that they can use hundreds of GB, or as much as any of us can afford.
 
BVX said:
That is the 32 bit limit of 4 GB. One huge advantage of Windows 64 bit OS's is that they can use hundreds of GB, or as much as any of us can afford.
Click to expand...

That is awesome! Looks like I'll be spoiling myself with a new editing bay!
 
Starting to hear a lot about the HPX-170 lately. Is it superior to the HVX200A?

Thanks guys! YOU ROCK!
 
Additional question....

Will I need any other items once I buy a HD camcorder with p2 card, like a p2 card reader to transfer data from a p2 to my comp?

Thanks!
 
You don't necessarily need a p2 card reader, if u dont mind using the usb or firewire output on the camera itself everytime you transfer. If you plan on offloading files in the field, a p2 reader would be very useful, so u can keep shooting during offload.
 
Kugar13 said:
Starting to hear a lot about the HPX-170 lately. Is it superior to the HVX200A?

Thanks guys! YOU ROCK!
Click to expand...


The HPX170 has a waveform, vectorscope, delete last clip button, 3ND filters(as opposed to 2), HD-SDI output, no miniDV tape drive. But as of late is about $500 more expensive, The HVX200a used to be more expensive than the 170.

Personally, I'd rather the 170, but I dont want the miniDV tape drive, and I hear it has a half stop better lowlight and slightly better blacks(grainwise):beer::beer:
 
Last edited:
The 170 is preferable to the 200A in almost every way, excepting the following:
1) the 200A has a tape drive
2) the 170's focus ring gets stiff in freezing weather, the 200A's doesn't

Other than those two issues, I think the 170 is the better unit. Besides all the advantages that xqzt listed, it's also a LOT lighter and better balanced and just a lot friendlier to shoot handheld than the 200A is.

and I hear it has a stop and a half better lowlight and slightly better blacks(grainwise)
Click to expand...
Not quite. The 170 (and the 200A) are a half a stop (not a stop and a half) better in sensitivity, and they are both substantially cleaner in noise/grain, as compared to an original HVX200. But the 170 and the 200A are the same as each other, since they use the same chipset.
 
Not quite. The 170 (and the 200A) are a half a stop (not a stop and a half) better in sensitivity, and they are both substantially cleaner in noise/grain, as compared to an original HVX200. But the 170 and the 200A are the same as each other, since they use the same chipset.[/quote]

Thanks Mr.Green... I just corrected my screwup. And a big thank you for all the expertise you bring here at dvxuser.

On a side note, one of the reasons I want an HPX170 is the 72mm Raynox Macro 3 in 1 Lens which is a perfect fit.

HVX200a=82mm HPX170=72mm
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice! This may sound silly, but a part of me resitsts going Sony and/or Canon b/c I feel a loyalty to this board. Silly, right?

Barry, I see your book comes with the 170. That's a deal maker for me! =)

Oh, my friend owns a Sony EX-1 (I believe that is it). He said it has a stills function where you can, at the touch of a button, take a still. Is that possible with the 170?

Thanks!
 
Kugar13 said:
Thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice! This may sound silly, but a part of me resitsts going Sony and/or Canon b/c I feel a loyalty to this board. Silly, right?
Click to expand...

Yea, kinda. There's a Sony area on this site, and JVC, and Canon too. Buy the camera that best meets your needs. You think these guys giving you advice only buy Panasonics?

Kugar13 said:
Oh, my friend owns a Sony EX-1 (I believe that is it). He said it has a stills function where you can, at the touch of a button, take a still. Is that possible with the 170?
Click to expand...

I've never seen a still image button on my EX1. But then I've never looked either.
 
I've never seen a still image button on my EX1. But then I've never looked either.[/QUOTE]

He said the camera had that feature and was looking forward to 'trying it out'.

It's amazing this site is called DVXuser, yet caters to all kinds of cameras/products. Which is super kewl!
 
I know the HVX200a doesn't have a "still Button'(as I use it frequently), and I'm pretty sure HPX170 doesnt. It does have a frame record feature in its menu which is nice for stop-motion/timelapse. But no taking a still while recording video. No idea about the sony ex.
 
xqzt said:
I know the HVX200a doesn't have a "still Button'(as I use it frequently), and I'm pretty sure HPX170 doesnt. It does have a frame record feature in its menu which is nice for stop-motion/timelapse. But no taking a still while recording video. No idea about the sony ex.
Click to expand...

I'm sure I'm not using the proper terms. I was inquiring about taking 'stills' for the purpose of stop-motion. What does the frame record ffeature do? Take a single frame while the camera is in the non-record mode? If so, this is what I'm looking for.

Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top