garylinzer
New member
Hi, i'm new to HD and have some questions. What is the difference between the XH G1S and the XH A1S. What is the benefit of the HD-SDI feature on the G1s. How do these compare to the Sony PMX EX1.:huh: Thanks Gary
XH G1S v XHA1S
- Thread starter garylinzer
- Start date
The difference between the A1s and G1s is the HD-SDI... Simple as that.
I have owned an A1 for 2 yrs - upgrading to G1, and have operated the EX3 not the EX1, but expect they operate in a similar way... The EX range have better lenses with more manual control - easier to use if you are used to operating full-spec professional glass. But, overall I prefer the A1 - simple things like better white balance control mean a lot to me... However the EX range do produce great pics... and their ability to over- and under- crank is a definite selling point. Having said that, the A1 and G1 also produce great pics! But at higher compression... and with a smaller CCD...
The reason I am upgrading to a G1 and not going for an EX1 or 3 is bcs at the moment clients still prefer HDV/DV. The market for EX1 is limited... I wouldn't be surprised if I buy one later in the year tho...
If you are thinking of buying, you have to look at your market - what do you clients want? Buy a camera that suits the requirements of your clients - current and near future. The A1, G1 and EX1 are all very good cameras... but what camera will you be able to make money from?
But if making money isn't your main motivator, I'd probably go for the EX1 now (despite being a big Canon fan!)
I have owned an A1 for 2 yrs - upgrading to G1, and have operated the EX3 not the EX1, but expect they operate in a similar way... The EX range have better lenses with more manual control - easier to use if you are used to operating full-spec professional glass. But, overall I prefer the A1 - simple things like better white balance control mean a lot to me... However the EX range do produce great pics... and their ability to over- and under- crank is a definite selling point. Having said that, the A1 and G1 also produce great pics! But at higher compression... and with a smaller CCD...
The reason I am upgrading to a G1 and not going for an EX1 or 3 is bcs at the moment clients still prefer HDV/DV. The market for EX1 is limited... I wouldn't be surprised if I buy one later in the year tho...
If you are thinking of buying, you have to look at your market - what do you clients want? Buy a camera that suits the requirements of your clients - current and near future. The A1, G1 and EX1 are all very good cameras... but what camera will you be able to make money from?
But if making money isn't your main motivator, I'd probably go for the EX1 now (despite being a big Canon fan!)
HD-SDI isn't the only important difference. There's also Gen-lock which will allow you to sync two cameras together and the G1 will also accept timecode from an external recorder. This is pretty important if you record double system for saving you time in post. But really, none of the difference warrants a $2,000 price difference, so there's really just no point in getting the G1.
thefilmgeek
Member
Agreed. Unless you have a company or producer who is willing to just blow money on you to get the G1, it's not worth it. If this is your own money, the A1 will do everything you could possibly need -- timecode just saves time, that's all. You may spend a little more time syncing audio/video in post if you use a seperate field recorder, but aside from the HD-SDI, you can do everything on the A1.
Oh yes - forgot abt the TC IN and Gen lock - thanks for correcting me 
Having been an A1 user I just upgraded to the G1 as I feel the SDI will become more valuable now that portable HD SDI recording solutions are coming out (e.g. Convergent Design)... Tho still in early days, I am confident that being able to circumvent the HDV codec and record at 100 mbps + will be an awesome option for my future work where I cannot use a full-spec 2/3 inch HD camera.
Chris D
Having been an A1 user I just upgraded to the G1 as I feel the SDI will become more valuable now that portable HD SDI recording solutions are coming out (e.g. Convergent Design)... Tho still in early days, I am confident that being able to circumvent the HDV codec and record at 100 mbps + will be an awesome option for my future work where I cannot use a full-spec 2/3 inch HD camera.
Chris D