Which HDV camera under $8000?

Bryan

Bryan

Well-known member
I'm looking at these specific HDV cameras for under $8000 (my budget). My employer has said no P2, no HVX basically. Which would you recommend?

Sony HVR-V1U
JVC GYHD-110U
Canon XH-G1 (A1)
 
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G1 over the others, but A1 over G1 for the budget-minded. How often you plan on using the SDI out options?
 
The camera might be used in-studio occasionally, so the G1's jack-pack would be a plus. But I suppose it isn't a necessity.

I like the JVC's ENG-style and true 24p. However, is the G1 really far and away superior to both the JVC and Sony? What do others think?
 
24F is 24p, but the JVC only shoots 720p, not 1080. It does have interchangable lense but are you ever going to use anything except the stock lense? I think the G1 is overpriced for the jackpack feature, the A1 will do the job just as well. The Sony currently has some problems with the "oil paint effect" and it has the least image control, but the HDMI might be a plus for low cost uncompressed HD. I think an A1 ($3500) plus a Marshall ($1300) will work nicely and still leaves you plenty for accessories.
 
G1. If youre using it in a studio scenario, the JAck pack is worth it.

Plus its a nice sharp picture. Good implementation of HDV, ( best of the bunch).
 
Thanks folks. We'll probably go with the A1, as it looks like we won't need the jack-pack.

I am worried about the lack of fully-compatible HDV decks for the A1. Are there any out there? I've read that the capturing of 30f and 24f is not possible unless you use the camera as a deck, an HV20 as a deck, or a FireStore capable of recording 30f and 24f. True? We'd really like to purchase a deck.
 
Bryan said:
I am worried about the lack of fully-compatible HDV decks for the A1. Are there any out there?
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Nope.

I've read that the capturing of 30f and 24f is not possible unless you use the camera as a deck, an HV20 as a deck, or a FireStore capable of recording 30f and 24f. True?
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Yep. Or an HV10 or XLH1; those can play 24F and 30F as well.

We'd really like to purchase a deck.
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Not gonna happen; Canon has never made a deck, and Sony isn't going to do Canon any favors, and JVC stuff won't play Canon footage at all. The only option for a playback deck is to use one of the mini-cams, or to shoot 60i-only.
 
Or the FireStore FS-C, right? That's probably the way we'll go.

But damn, seems like Canon's really shooting themselves in the foot here.
 
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Not much they can do about it. They don't make decks, never have, and probably never will. And Sony isn't about to help a competitor out.

With the new HV20 they've somewhat reversed course; they're recording 24P in a 60i data stream so it'd be compatible with the Sony 1080i HDV standard. 24F and 30F are superior (but incompatible) recording formats.
 
Bryan said:
I'm looking at these specific HDV cameras for under $8000 (my budget). My employer has said no P2, no HVX basically. Which would you recommend?

Sony HVR-V1U
JVC GYHD-110U
Canon XH-G1 (A1)
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Cross of the V1 - I have used this camera and tested it. I did get some similar oil paint effect that has been shown around this and other forums, but not a great deal. What bothered me most was the big chunky blocks from mids to darks.

JVC - Very nice camera IMO - used it quite a bit. But not with the standard lense. If you going to upgrade your lenses then its well worth consideration.

Canon A1 - Crossing the interchangable lenses off the list and the ENG style of the JVC as not needed, this camera is great. 24f is great, and Canon has the best iteration of the HDV codec.
 
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