Nice! I wouldn't think this would support 720p (HDV1) would it?

I'm pretty sure it will do playback, probably not 720p60, though. And I doubt it records to 720p; that's why Sony and JVC have higher-end models.

Heath

Well, if it at least plays 720 24p I can use it as capturing and review deck for my Hd100 besides having a portable set monitor for those situations where you have no power. I have no need to record 720p.

I believe I read somewhere that the PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camera will have a live HDV feed out of the firewire jack.

If so, this deck might make an interesting backup device/external monitor for the PMW-EX1. It would be useful if you need an instant archive of an XDCAM shoot, or for for those projects where the client expects you to hand over an HDV tape at the end of the day.

Brian,

That sounds incredible! Immediate tape back-up once you're done shooting.

Heath

It sure would help resolve some of the misgivings I have about abandoning cheap, archival tape media for expensive, temporary flash media, wouldn't it?

Of course, the tape version wouldn't be an exact copy, since it would be HDV codec, instead of XDCAM. But it would probably be good enough for most uses.

I'm sort of a "belt and suspenders" kind of guy when it comes to irreplaceable documentary footage; I want redundant backups. When I make the jump to HD, I'm thinking the way to go is either:

1. A PMW-EX1 with one of these HDV decks, OR;

2. One of Sony's proposed interchangeable-lens HDV handicams with an HDMI version of Convergent Design's new flash memory deck.

Either way, you get tape AND flash -- the best of both worlds.

Since neither of these options are available right now, it's a good thing I don't have the money anyway. It will force me to wait until they're both on the market. ;-)

EDIT: Sorry Brian. You posted your post while I was typing mine.
FYI...
Bear in mind that according to a reviewer in the UK, the HDV port only works at the lower 25mbit 1440x1080 not 35mbit 1920x1080 datarate. Which makes complete sense. Also at the lower rate, 1080/24p is sent out over 60i.

Still, it is great that they included that option.

although not listed, i hear this machine could play back dvcam. Anyone tested it yet?

All decks I've ever used from Sony playback DV and DVCAM; the HDV decks playback those and, obviously, HDV (1080i60 and 50; 24p is packaged in a 60i stream). Some decks, I believe, playback the 720p HDV formats.

heath

For us, backing up to HDD is both cheaper and easier to duplicate for security. We're doing 1920 x 1080 productions and the Cineformed input "original" files are saved (from tape or HDMI direct capture), as well as the final program "output" masters. Even if we go to the EX1 or another cam, we'd do it that way. Until there are large capacity optic formats (1 TB), for the quality, security and speed, it seems like the best way to go.

There are some real benefits as well. CF'ed masters are fairly compact and very high quality, as well as allowing us to easily find, copy and reuse our material.

We are building "stock video" libraries this way as well, and having things on HDD (eSATA drives) allows us to easily plug in a HDD and find or add to our material.

Forget tape, it's from our past and is well forgotten.

Aren't you nervous about hard drive failures? And do you have a laptop on the set to do the transfer to HD?

I'm thinking about "run and gun" situations where portability would be key. Can't really lug around a laptop or stop and transfer.

I like hard drive storage too, but I've has a few drives get flaky on me, and I don't think I'd trust them for long-term storage of anything important.

Karl,

it is not entirely clear from Sony's literature if the GV-HD700 can record HDV. The literature mentions SD record and playback and HDV playback. I don't expect it to be able to record to HDV from the analog inputs, but can it record HDV from the IEEE 1394 input?

For example, with my Canon HV20, I can input HDV into my computer, edit it, then encode it as an HDV stream and write it back to a tape in the HV20. Could you please verify if this is possible with the GV-HD700?

Also, are you overall happy with it?

hello,

yes it does over the ieee1394.
my new sports package is a small hd sony hc7 and the walkman.
have done several football games (how boring!) and basketball games. the big screen acts like my lcd monitor. i record 2 tapes at the time, one for the coach, and one i keep as a master.
the very best thing are instant replay, frame by frame, slowmotion, (had an injury during a soccer game, could show where, when, and how it happens)

for an upcoming basketball tournament the refs. agreed to use this function for viewing if needed.

can use my old sony batts., use and store/ carry it in a hard case ($ 20 from lowes) will take a pic of the set up, so you can see.

downside..i have not figured out how to connect a lcd monitor to it, getting only a b&w pic. also think the audio part is weak (speakers) need to use headphones.

Can this unit back up (record) and play canons 24f? from an hv20 and xha1? and if so is it recompressed or just a copy of the original compressed hdv from the camera?

24F or 30F from a Canon XH or XL -- no it cannot. That's known as Frame mode and this deck is not compatible with Canon's Frame mode.

24P from a Canon HV10 or HV20 -- yes it can. Since that video is recorded in a standard 60i stream, compatibility is not a problem.