This Noob Needs Help :D

Elle Viane Films

Elle Viane Films

New member
So okay... I've been looking into the HVX200 and I like what I see. I'm just worried about the space that is on the P2 Cards. Will I have enough time to shoot? Does anyone have problems with the limited time, or is it really not that bad? I know you can always delete certain clips that you don't want, so I guess t wouldn't be too bad. I think I really just need some help in deciding which camera I should get. Thanks... I know Noobs are annoying, sorry.

-Elle Viane
 
Its about the same as shooting with real film. each load is 4 minutes with the 4gb P2 if shooting in 1080i/p or 720p. Shooting in 720pN mode will get about 8 minutes if shooting 24fps which is the prefered method for "Film" like shooting. Ive been living off of one 4gb P2 card for a while. I do shoots where i am filming something longer than 20 minutes so i capture straight to FCP, but all those shoots are 1080i 60i. Its enough, but how much are you willing to spend and what other cameras were you looking at?
 
I was told to look into Canon or Sony. I really don't know what I am looking for. I use to use my lab's equip. but I'm not there anymore. I do mostly animation stuff like flash and graphics. I am trying to get more into actual filming. Do you have any recommendations? As for price... 3,000 ish maybe around there give or take a little.
 
I've shot extensively with only the initial two 4GB cards I purchased with the camera and haven't run into any problems at all. You do need either one dedicated crew person to offload footage while you're shooting (so you always have a card ready to go) or if you're solo, knowing that you'll have to stop and take breaks from time to time. If you're shooting content for a feature, music video, commercial, or any other application where you are setting up different shots and shooting for limited lengths of time, it works great. As for shooting something continuously all day (like a documentary or live event coverage), the space still isn't quite there. Two 8GB cards will net you 40 minutes of continuous record time in 720P/24PN mode. You do have other options, however - shooting to tape in those instances will allow you to acquire 60 minutes at a time (albeit in SD only), or being tethered to a computer will allow you to shoot constantly until you fill up your hard drive (with the obvious limitation that you're tethered to a computer). So the answer to your question depends completely on what kind of content you're shooting. That being said, I've used the HVX at great length since I bought it in January, and the P2 system remains my favorite part about the camera. You couldn't bribe me to go back to tape ever again.
 
Do you want to shoot in High Definition? The HVX at its cheapest and when in stock is around 5300 plus tax depending on where you live. The P2 card, 4gb will be around 500. Thats not including a tripod and other stuff you WILL want once you get it. If you dont want to shoot in HD, you might want to check out the DVX instead. Can be found on here in the market place regularly for about 2500 and comes with some extras. Its MiniDV standard definition, but is great for a beginner like yourself and has some of the best features for making filmish likish shorts for just starting out.
 
Elle Viane Films said:
So okay... I've been looking into the HVX200 and I like what I see. I'm just worried about the space that is on the P2 Cards. Will I have enough time to shoot? Does anyone have problems with the limited time, or is it really not that bad?
-Elle Viane
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It obviously depends on what you shoot and how much money you have. If you read through this site, you will find that people have no problem shooting scripted commercials and films with a just a single 4GB P2 card. Others have multiple 8GB cards and P2 stores and can't wait for larger P2's and better hard drive solutions.

So question goes back to you. What are you going to shoot? If you say a wedding this weekend, a commercial on Monday, followed by court depositions on Wednesday, then SFX work on Friday, then you will only be limited by the funds available to you to either by or rent gear.

I actually think renting an HVX kit for a weekend would be an excellent way to see if it suits your style.

Good luck,

Rob
 
i personally never rent equipment, and renting the dolly was a ONE TIME ONLY thing. Thats money that could have gone toward the dolly we bought, but the shoot was an emergency shoot, and the dolly was in transport.
 
Cynic821 said:
If you dont want to shoot in HD, you might want to check out the DVX instead. Can be found on here in the market place regularly for about 2500 and comes with some extras. Its MiniDV standard definition, but is great for a beginner like yourself and has some of the best features for making filmish likish shorts for just starting out.
Click to expand...

Yeah it sounds like I will be leaning more towards the DVX. I like Filmsh likish things. It around my price area too. Thank you!
 
You are welcome, and whenever you need help, this is the NUMBER ONE SUPPORT GROUP for that camera on the entire webernet!!!

One of the perks of choosing panasonic's DVX or HVX , coming here and getting immediate help, ideas, support, opinions, tech advice, and so on and so forth, the DVX is a perfect fit for you, now i think you should make sure to get the latest DVX, i think its the 100b? anyone else?
 
The P2 cards are for the HVX200 only, just in case you didnt know. ANd the cameras DO NOT come with the cards. Unless you get some special bundle from somewhere that does include them, but ofcourse they are extra $$$.

the price just dropped a couple hundy on the 8gb though. :P still not worth a purchase for my work flow though :(
 
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