VTRs to use with the HVX-200 workflow

[puredrifting]

Hi all:

We are going nuts, trying to work out our long time archival workflow and our workflow with our Avid DS Nitris with the HVX-200. We are not sure, but all indications point towards our clients wanting HDCAM as a final delivery format.

The big obstacle for us will be that we only have one HD Avid, all of our off-line systems are Xpress DVs so while we are planning on shooting HD exclusively, we need it in DV format with matching TC to the P2 HD files.

I have started to discuss Panasonics DVCPro HD decks with my boss but I have a few nagging questions.

It appears that the HVX-200 can record in 1080 24P yet the AJ-HD1200 does not appear to support recording that format. It appears that the 1200 can upconvert 720 24P to 1080 24P, a handy trick, but what about those native 1080 24P files we will have loaded into our Nitris? I guess we would have to convert them to 1080 60i to be able to archive to tape?

It also appears that if we had the 1200 and the optional Firewire board, we could record/backup/archive the P2 files from the Nitris via the HD-SDI input while also simultaneously outputting DV (480i) signal out the Firewire port on the 1200 to the waiting Xpress DV system?

The goal is to not have to do two passes, one for the archive to HD tape pass and one to downconvert to DV for off-line?

Our thought is that we can layoff to DVCProHD and just send them to a dub house for the dub to HDCAM.

Is anyone else out there going down this road?

Dan

 

[Barry_Green]

The 1200 does record the 1080/24p. The HVX records all 1080 modes as carried within a 1080/60i data stream, and that's what the 1200A can record as well, so you'll have no compatibility issues.

(except, I'm not 100% if the 1200A stores the frame pulldown flags; I'm 99.9% sure it does, but not 100% sure).

So it depends on how your editing system works with the files. If it actually strips out the pulldown and rewrites the file, then yes, you'd have to re-insert pulldown before being able to write it back to tape. If your editing system keeps the files intact, you should be able to write them back to tape natively.

Don't know about the rest of your questions...