How fast is the A1? at DVinfo.net

Uli Mors · May 23rd, 2007, 01:36 PM

Playing with a JVC HD200 I encountered that it takes a few seconds from hitting REC until the tape moves. Since I do event video I want to know:
a) how long does it take from power on to a recorded clip (have a try counting loud 1-10 while switching on and REC)

b) how long does it take when the cam is already switched on?

With my PANA DVC200 (shoulder cam) it takes ~1s to start, I dont want to give up being fast (see, focus , shoot)

ULi

Dirk Bouwen · May 23rd, 2007, 02:01 PM

Startup of the A1 is pretty fast.

But pushing on the rec button, the reaction time varies. Sometimes, it departs immediately, sometimes it takes a few seconds. Very strange, but I assume this has to do with the MPEG/long GOP streaming & positioning of I-frames.

It's not like f.i. a VX2K, taking some time to start-up, but departing immediately after pushing on the rec-button.

Douglas Villalba · May 23rd, 2007, 02:11 PM

All the cameras that I know have a head saving feature.
After the camera has been in record/standby mode for a while the heads stop to save wear.
Then it takes what seems to be an eternity when you are missing something, but it really takes just a few seconds.
The quickest cameras are the ones that do not record to tape like the Panasonic HVX 200 that records to P2 or the Firestore.

Bill Pryor · May 23rd, 2007, 02:34 PM

As long as you're in standby mode it starts instantly. But, as mentioned above, like any camera it will revert to the save mode after awhile.

Uli Mors · May 25th, 2007, 01:02 AM

Thanks for the explanations.

Of course, spedding up the tape drum (from standby) takes a while - I had the impression that the HD200 even takes a few seconds when you just stopped (paused) recording 10 seconds ago...

I guess I will replace my VX2000 by the A1...

ULi

Bill Pryor · May 25th, 2007, 08:18 AM

What I did was turn off the power save mode (I think that's what it's called). That way the camera doesn't switch out of standby all the time.

Bill Busby · May 25th, 2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

What I did was turn off the power save mode (I think that's what it's called). That way the camera doesn't switch out of standby all the time.

Bill, I did this from day one, & it still will go into save mode (don't know the time frame), but at least it doesn't power down :)

Bill

Bill Pryor · May 25th, 2007, 12:56 PM

Yeah, it still goes into the save mode, but not for quite awhile. All cameras I've used do that, but with that power save on, it shuts down after a minute or two. Normally the save mode isn't bothersome, but if you're hanging out waiting on something to happen, it may cause a problem if you don't stay on top of it and make sure you're in standby periodically.

May 23rd, 2007, 01:36 PM	#1
Uli Mors Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 565	How fast is the A1? Playing with a JVC HD200 I encountered that it takes a few seconds from hitting REC until the tape moves. Since I do event video I want to know: a) how long does it take from power on to a recorded clip (have a try counting loud 1-10 while switching on and REC) b) how long does it take when the cam is already switched on? With my PANA DVC200 (shoulder cam) it takes ~1s to start, I dont want to give up being fast (see, focus , shoot) ULi

May 23rd, 2007, 02:11 PM	#3
Douglas Villalba Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA Posts: 479	All the cameras that I know have a head saving feature. After the camera has been in record/standby mode for a while the heads stop to save wear. Then it takes what seems to be an eternity when you are missing something, but it really takes just a few seconds. The quickest cameras are the ones that do not record to tape like the Panasonic HVX 200 that records to P2 or the Firestore. __________________ Douglas Villalba - director/cinematographer/editor Miami, Florida, USA - www.DVtvPRODUCTIONS.com

May 23rd, 2007, 02:01 PM	#2
Dirk Bouwen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: AC, Belgium Posts: 75	Startup of the A1 is pretty fast. But pushing on the rec button, the reaction time varies. Sometimes, it departs immediately, sometimes it takes a few seconds. Very strange, but I assume this has to do with the MPEG/long GOP streaming & positioning of I-frames. It's not like f.i. a VX2K, taking some time to start-up, but departing immediately after pushing on the rec-button.

May 23rd, 2007, 02:34 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	As long as you're in standby mode it starts instantly. But, as mentioned above, like any camera it will revert to the save mode after awhile.

May 25th, 2007, 01:02 AM	#5
Uli Mors Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 565	Thanks for the explanations. Of course, spedding up the tape drum (from standby) takes a while - I had the impression that the HD200 even takes a few seconds when you just stopped (paused) recording 10 seconds ago... I guess I will replace my VX2000 by the A1... ULi

May 25th, 2007, 08:18 AM	#6
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	What I did was turn off the power save mode (I think that's what it's called). That way the camera doesn't switch out of standby all the time.

May 25th, 2007, 12:56 PM	#8
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Yeah, it still goes into the save mode, but not for quite awhile. All cameras I've used do that, but with that power save on, it shuts down after a minute or two. Normally the save mode isn't bothersome, but if you're hanging out waiting on something to happen, it may cause a problem if you don't stay on top of it and make sure you're in standby periodically.