Sorry Narayan, the International versions are probably a year or two down the road.

Robert, I want one. I agree with Derek. No apology needed. I made a decision with lot's of research and I was about to make a change. When that didn't work out, I decided to add, not delete. So everything I liked about the HVX still holds. And I will do some testing of my own in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon the week after next. As for which camera I add, that remains to be seen.

I would like to get one.

I want one! I think my wife would really like the DVD and I'd love to see the video quality (OK, I'd probably benefit from the content as well).

www.philipwilliams.com

Need Hosting help
 

The HVX color test clip will be ready to go this evening. However, I can't post it here since it busts the file size limit.

I want everybody to have the ability to see the results as clean as possible, so I'm outputting it as full-res QT (1280x720 24p).

The finished QT file will be around 250-300MB when I'm done cutting it together; I don't have any hosting sites yet and the free services can't take a file this large.

Does anyone have a site that wouldn't mind hosting this?

Oh well...

Robert,
I'm just as interested in your subjective judgement about the results (which I see you have not yet revealed) than in actually looking at the files as posted on the web.
I guess I never trust web pictures - maybe that's not technically sophisticated.
So what do you think?

Leonard,

I'm not posting web images this time; the full-res QT file is being put online for downloading. You can either view in QT or import it into FCP and watch it on an external monitor.

More when the file is online.

Color sample online
 

Since this thread has digressed from the main topic I'm putting up the HVX color test clip in a separate thread. It's online now.

is it too late to ask for one of your dvd's?

Jason

Not too late; I'll put you down on the list. Volume One is scheduled to start shipping in January. Tell all your friends; it's available now on Amazon as a pre-order.

Great! Thank you very much
Jason

I want One? Michael Schoenfeld
 

Hey Robert,

Happy Holidays.....

I want one?

too late?

All the best,

Michael Schoenfeld

View my newest portfolio offerings at:

www.michaelschoenfeld.com

I want one... looks great. No prob on the mislead, btw :).

Is it too late ? Can I still say I want one?

tks~

Both Michaels and Barry; you're on the list.

I did not follow this thread for a while but what is the final outcome of how the HVX performs in landscape sceneries? Is it significantly worse than it's competitors or just very slightly after your handelings skills improved down the road?

If you dial detail coring to +7 (filter ON) , you will lose important small details.

If you dial 0 to -2 detail coring, it will look fine, not as much detail as the H1, but i'd say reasonable detail, and you'll have beautifull 4:2:2 color detail (the HVX strenght).

With detail coring set at +7, the HVX image looks evasive IMHO.

I always use 0 to -2, a lot crisper, and a much better image finesse.

My take on this has always been that in the black areas the HVX looked noisy just from images I've seen versus any particular detail issue. Some people have said Panasonic cameras are generally noisy in black areas, (not something I've experienced with the DVX100 or maybe I'm not looking hard enough). Panasonic in the beginning ran HDV through the ringer but as it turns out all of these little cams did a fine job.

The killer for me was the workflow combined with storage issues. Honestly tapeless may be the hot new thing but tapeless is also a very expensive set-up for some. I was looking at the Sony FX1 very hard but the A1 just trumps this camera easily (for my needs) but the FX1, no matter what, can still be had for about $1000 less via ebay and I've seen some great stuff shot with the Sony and A1.

But how much does all this take away from the Panny? I don't really know. They are being used right now professionally and people love them, but while Panny got all the press, most of the articles on actual production seem to have been about the Sony or the JVC. (Nothing on the A1 yet but it's still very new). I could be wrong about this but I haven't seem many articles about people using this camera on low budget shoots etc.

I think the price point for the tapeless workflow still scares many people off. The whole idea of low end HD was "price". What I mean is this: If I buy the A1 today (which I can but I don't think it would be smart right now because prices usually drop again after Christmas) I pay $3669 (or whatever the going rate is now) and then another $50 for a pack of tapes and I'm ready to shoot.

To get HD from the Panny I have to buy into their whole tapeless structure, which equals another $500 - $1000 no matter how I spin it. I just dropped $1000 on the MacBook and my still have to drop another $1000 on the small Canon to edit 24f but I don't have to do that until I'm ready because I can (do the unthinkable) use the camera as a deck. But even if I do drop the extra $1000 that camera can be used as B-roll in certain situations, not just as some kind of storage device.

As for the quality this is no suprise as several shootout have been done and the A1 (actually the H1) and JVC came out on top in terms of sharpness. I actually like the way the JVC handles skin tones. The reason I don't get one of those is because I'm a run and gun "guerilla" action shooter so the small cams are best.

I am still on the fence. Wait and get the A1 or get the FX1 from eBay at the going rate. I am leaning toward the A1 since Sony made the imagers anyway it's almost a none issue. I am suprised at how the A! has become so popular so quick. I am a fan of HDV and I think it will future proof many of us for a good while. I still want to do a 1080i horror film though and since the A1 is 1080 and 24f that works out.

-Nate

Nathan,

If you're only considering initial investment costs when comparing camera system choices then you'll be in for sticker shock later on.

The truth is, the P2 workflow and equipment investment is actually much less over time than any tape-based format. XDCAM also has similar cost-over-time benefits but the ROI factor takes much longer for XDCAM since all the equipment costs are much higher than P2.

P2 doesn't require a special deck to "capture" the footage and there are a wealth of options in exactly how to transfer from the P2 card to the NLE or storage device. HDV tape requires either using the camera heads to capture/transfer or, having a deck that talks to the HDV codec. And of course, P2 is reusable, tape is not. (of course, technically it is, but nobody in their right mind reuses tape for a serious production)

And most importantly, the HDV codec requires a great deal more horsepower from the NLE system to work with, especially when it comes to any renders.

Comparing the HVX and P2 to an HDV-based system is comparing apples to oranges. There is no perfect setup for all uses in either system, but there is a perfect system for specific needs.

It depends on a lot of factors. If I buy an A1 and a Firestore it would be pretty much the same as buying an HVX and several (many) P2 cards, so again it would still be cheaper overall. And while renting P2 cards is admireable and cheap it's not particularly convenient all the time. Owning your own equipment is always the way to go if you can afford it. If I get a call for tomorrow I can mount up and go. No renting. I've got the camera, lights, ect. I'd have to buy more tapes but that's 15 minutes or less in Walgreens or any of the video shops in Downtown Chicago.

It mostly depends on who you are and what your workflow is. And once I slap a Mack Warranty on there it's all good. Then storage. I store everything (at least all the takes) so the clips for a 90 minute action film takes up a ton of space. HDV is the overall better choice for my needs. With my DL DVD+RW burner and I've got enough space to create an HD DVD that will play HD on a standard DVD player connected to an HDTV. Check that out. With that set-up you just been pimped.

-Nate

As I said, there's a specific-fit-to-job for every system out there, and it would seem you've found your perfect fit with HDV; this forum has many categories dedicated to the HDV cameras and the associated workflow.

Nothing against the HVX. I was just dropping my $.2 on the subject. Since we are talking about the "HVX Truth" I'm simply adding to what seems to be the intent of the original poster which is a lot of people think the HVX is "better" because of it's codec, but it's simply just one in a line of very useful cameras all with pros and cons. Not better or worse. I simply wanted to point out how HDV seemed to be (and sometimes even now continues to be) a codec under fire but those who use it work through it and seem to be making it great art. So please don't take this as a burn on the HVX. I was (and am) a supporter of Panny products in general.

-Nate

Nathan - different cameras and different uses will always have enthusiastic followers. I continue to be stunned by the color delivered by the HVX. In my opinion it is unmatched by any other HD camera under $ 10,000, and produces life-like images that are phenomenal. Used for making a horror movie in low light, this would be useless, and the extra sharpness of the Canon or another camera might well be better. Different tools for different jobs ...

To make a Horror movie (lowlight) with the HVX, you simply flood light in and drop it in post. Very doable.

I want to shoot a horror film 1080i one day. Go for that 80's straight to video look. (Only with HD video). Get some cute actress types and a scary vampire guy or something cheesy like that. I think that would be a lot of fun.

-Nate

Hey Robert I will definitely get the HVX200 especially after learning about Chroma sampling. I will always respect the other camera makers because they're products can deliver, but with the manual functions I adore the HVX. Only reason I'm waiting is due to funds, and it being the 1st revision.

Question though... I am soo lost with the entire p2 workflow.
It seems you grab files off a card, final cut translates them to footage
and boom you edit and deliver.

Also what's the right setup for a Macpro in preparation for the HVX?

RAID 0 using 3 drives?
4gigs of RAM?

By the way is it too late for your DVD?

Hi Dante,

The P2 workflow is the simplest and most robust with ingest options than any tape-based system. It even has more versatility than XDCAM. What method you use for importing your clips into FCP is up to which method works best for you. Some of the most common methods for transferring P2 are:

- Using a Powerbook (or PC laptop with PCMCIA slots) to transfer directly off the cards.
- Transferring to the P2 Store.
- Using the HOST mode in the camera and copying directly from the camera to an external drive or directly to your NLE.

If you import the P2 files directly into FCP it will need to "translate" the MXF files into workable QuickTime files; this process of ingest and "wrapping" the files takes a bit longer than simply copying files from drive to drive. One alternative is using P2 LOG which is a stand-alone program that let's you view, mark, set in's and out's etc AND export selected clips into Quicktime files or just about any other NLE format. I highly recommend the product as it converts files faster and doesn't require FCP to be running - or even loaded - to work. Regardless which method of import you use it's just like any other footage at that point - edit away.

Your exact workflow will depend on what kind of shooting you do and what hardware you're setup with now or plan to purchase.

Do a search on the forum and you'll get more ideas on transfer/import options.

There is no specific setup required for the MacPro; install FCP 5.1.2 and you're ready to go. Although many have setup internal arrays using the extra drive spaces in the MacPro I don't recommend it; it's always best to have any array physically separate from the edit system itself. Instead I'd use those internal drives for placing the cache files, project backups and other miscellaneous data storage items. Most importantly, I'd create a bootable repair partition on one of those internal drives with either TechToolPro 4 or DiskWarrior 4 so that you can affect system or file repairs to your boot drive if need be.

With respect to system RAM, 4GB seems to have plenty of headroom for most editing scenarios however I've installed 8GB simply because I usually have multiple apps open at the same time while editing and want them all to run smoothly.

Lastly, all the free Photos in a Flash DVD's are spoken for, sorry, but you can pre-order a copy on Amazon. I forgot who asked this question before, but yes, the entire PIAF production (with exception to stills) is shot on the HVX.

Robert thanks a lot...

I am working towards the HVX, I just want to get my hands on the it test out the transfer times (I heard it does take time to transfer),I also know if you have 2 cards loaded you can copy from one (on the powerbook) and record with the other (in the camera).

I guess I'll have to get a raid setup from G technologies or Medea. At any rate
I am confident the Macpro can do the job. I recall you creating a color test with the HVX (have watched it quite a few times...) Was the audio tracked use from Batman Begins and did you add any transitions effects to it?

I was considering selling my powerbook in favor of getting a Macbook Pro
the rendering times on the powerbook are insane (and that's not even HD yet). Would selling it create an issue as in would I have to buy a P2 card reader being that the slots are different on the 2 laptops?

Yes, the audio track was from Batman Begins but no effects were added. And since the MBP uses the new ExpressCard 34 slots instead of PCMCIA then you'll need an ExpressCard or other adapter to load P2 cards directly into the laptop. I haven't followed the adapters recently but I think there was a thread specifically about that here on the forum.