I'm about to buy an HDR-FX1 because I don't know any better.

Bryan McCullough · February 4th, 2005, 09:24 AM

Pulling the trigger today on the FX1 along with the DVRIG Pro and a Beachtek XLR box, not sure which yet.

Wish I could also snag a matte box, but I can seem to find a clear answer as to what's the best for the FX1 and what will even fit.

Anyway, pretty excited about this jump.

Bryan McCullough · February 5th, 2005, 01:18 PM

Placed my order this morning:

FX1
Beachtek DXA-4
DVRig Pro
Pertro Case
UV Filter

Ouch.

Steven Gotz · February 5th, 2005, 02:59 PM

At least you made an informed decision. But the price takes a while to get used to, doesn't it.

(Bryan and I got together yesterday and I let him play with my FX1 a bit. )

I did learn one thing. I need to either get better at compressing to WM9, or I need to set up my Linkplayer on the network so I can play Cineform AVI over the network to it. The picture from the camcorder had much less interlacing problems than the WM9.

Bryan McCullough · February 5th, 2005, 03:30 PM

Thanks for your help Steven.

You also sold me on the bag, so you should contant B&H about your fee. :)

Steve Crisdale · February 6th, 2005, 05:40 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Steven Gotz : At least you made an informed decision. But the price takes a while to get used to, doesn't it.

(Bryan and I got together yesterday and I let him play with my FX1 a bit. )

I did learn one thing. I need to either get better at compressing to WM9, or I need to set up my Linkplayer on the network so I can play Cineform AVI over the network to it. The picture from the camcorder had much less interlacing problems than the WM9. -->>>

Whether this is of any use to you I know not; but, I found TMPGEnc 3 XPress (the encoder - not the player) to be the best WMV9 encoder. Simple, straightforward, relatively fast and better quality than trying to find the sweet spot on the options using Microsofts own encoder.

I'll admit I haven't used it on any FX-1e stuff yet, so I'll not vouch for any lack of interlacing problems, but it was the best of the bunch with the 720p 30fps clips from my HD10u.

Steven Gotz · February 6th, 2005, 10:22 AM

The value of using the built in Adobe Media Encoder is that it is one step. No encoding to a file and then using another application. But with some practice, I am sure I will find the right settings.

I will give TMPGEnc a try. As well as a few other options.

In the meantime, I also need to get it set up to play the Cineform AVI directly.

Chris Whipple · February 6th, 2005, 01:12 PM

Thanks for pointing out the Petrol bag in this thread. I just ordered one from B&H as well. Two commisions are due. I was going to get the Sony bag, but in reading descriptions closely it looks like for $10 more than the Sony@ $149 vs. $159 for the Petrol .....B&H is including what seems to be the $84 Petrol Rain cover for the FX1 free!!!. It's not seemingly in the same bag description at Adorama.
It isn't clear from the Sony description if the the Sony rain cover is for the case or the camera, but the Petrol is definitely for the camera and a professional level cover even if the Sony one is for the camera as well. Thanks again. ....

Bryan McCullough · February 6th, 2005, 01:21 PM

Didn't even notice about the raincover!

Sweet!

Steven Gotz · February 6th, 2005, 04:24 PM

That's new since I bought mine.

So far, they lowered the price $200 and added additional freebies.

I couldn't wait, but it is hard to look at this stuff anymore.

At least with my TV the prices were advertised, so when they went down, I got $200 back just by going in and showing my receipt.

No such luck at B&H since it isn't advertised.

Bryan McCullough · February 9th, 2005, 09:20 AM

My FX1 and all my goodies are out for delivery according to UPS.

To the wrong address.

Aggghhh!!!

Jeff Parker · February 9th, 2005, 10:05 AM

Now that kinda sux huh... But I'll be waiting to hear that your first production with that bad boy is HD broadcast quality.

Bryan McCullough · February 9th, 2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Parker
But I'll be waiting to hear that your first production with that bad boy is HD broadcast quality.

I don't know anything about the specs of 'HD brodcast quality' but I can say that it will probably be some time before one of our finished productions is in HD.

While we get up to speed on the camera, and waiting on a native HDV solution for FCP, we'll be shooting in HDV and downconverting and editing in SD.

Jeff Parker · February 9th, 2005, 09:05 PM

Yeah... DNxHD hardware not doing so well on the MAC I hear. Apple still kinda dragging their feet I guess. Can always go PC. (That was a joke now).

At anyrate... awesome cam. Have fun!

Brian Bechard · February 9th, 2005, 10:38 PM

What kind of low light capibilities does the FX1 have. I've heard that it only goes to 5 lux. Is this true?? Also I've heard that the SD video is actually WORSE than the PD 170's video. Can't be can it???

Bryan McCullough · February 9th, 2005, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Parker
Yeah... DNxHD hardware not doing so well on the MAC I hear. Apple still kinda dragging their feet I guess. Can always go PC. (That was a joke now).

At anyrate... awesome cam. Have fun!

It's got nothing to do with that really. I've been converting and editing the MT2 files in FCP that people have posted and feel very comfortable working with HD in FCP right now. It'll be great when it's got HDV support native, so as to knock out that extra step of conversion.

It's more that my clients aren't going to be able to have HD delivered to them just yet. I'd love to start finishing in HD for them, but until they can play it, it's going to be an SD DVD.

I might go ahead and edit in HD and convert at the end, haven't decided on the workflow yet.

And I switched from PCs about a year ago. Moved the entire office over. I ain't going back. ;)

February 5th, 2005, 02:59 PM	#18
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	At least you made an informed decision. But the price takes a while to get used to, doesn't it. (Bryan and I got together yesterday and I let him play with my FX1 a bit. ) I did learn one thing. I need to either get better at compressing to WM9, or I need to set up my Linkplayer on the network so I can play Cineform AVI over the network to it. The picture from the camcorder had much less interlacing problems than the WM9. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

February 6th, 2005, 10:22 AM	#21
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	The value of using the built in Adobe Media Encoder is that it is one step. No encoding to a file and then using another application. But with some practice, I am sure I will find the right settings. I will give TMPGEnc a try. As well as a few other options. In the meantime, I also need to get it set up to play the Cineform AVI directly. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

February 6th, 2005, 01:12 PM	#22
Chris Whipple New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Broussard, LA. Posts: 7	Petrol bag Thanks for pointing out the Petrol bag in this thread. I just ordered one from B&H as well. Two commisions are due. I was going to get the Sony bag, but in reading descriptions closely it looks like for $10 more than the Sony@ $149 vs. $159 for the Petrol .....B&H is including what seems to be the $84 Petrol Rain cover for the FX1 free!!!. It's not seemingly in the same bag description at Adorama. It isn't clear from the Sony description if the the Sony rain cover is for the case or the camera, but the Petrol is definitely for the camera and a professional level cover even if the Sony one is for the camera as well. Thanks again. .... __________________ Chris

February 6th, 2005, 04:24 PM	#24
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	That's new since I bought mine. So far, they lowered the price $200 and added additional freebies. I couldn't wait, but it is hard to look at this stuff anymore. At least with my TV the prices were advertised, so when they went down, I got $200 back just by going in and showing my receipt. No such luck at B&H since it isn't advertised. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

February 9th, 2005, 10:05 AM	#26
Jeff Parker New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles - California - United States Posts: 14	Now that kinda sux huh... But I'll be waiting to hear that your first production with that bad boy is HD broadcast quality. __________________ Jeff Parker Motion Synonymous To Thought stickandmove.org

February 4th, 2005, 09:24 AM	#16
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Pulling the trigger today on the FX1 along with the DVRIG Pro and a Beachtek XLR box, not sure which yet. Wish I could also snag a matte box, but I can seem to find a clear answer as to what's the best for the FX1 and what will even fit. Anyway, pretty excited about this jump.

February 5th, 2005, 01:18 PM	#17
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Placed my order this morning: FX1 Beachtek DXA-4 DVRig Pro Pertro Case UV Filter Ouch.

February 5th, 2005, 03:30 PM	#19
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Thanks for your help Steven. You also sold me on the bag, so you should contant B&H about your fee. :)

February 6th, 2005, 05:40 AM	#20
Steve Crisdale Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Katoomba NSW Australia Posts: 635	<<<-- Originally posted by Steven Gotz : At least you made an informed decision. But the price takes a while to get used to, doesn't it. (Bryan and I got together yesterday and I let him play with my FX1 a bit. ) I did learn one thing. I need to either get better at compressing to WM9, or I need to set up my Linkplayer on the network so I can play Cineform AVI over the network to it. The picture from the camcorder had much less interlacing problems than the WM9. -->>> Whether this is of any use to you I know not; but, I found TMPGEnc 3 XPress (the encoder - not the player) to be the best WMV9 encoder. Simple, straightforward, relatively fast and better quality than trying to find the sweet spot on the options using Microsofts own encoder. I'll admit I haven't used it on any FX-1e stuff yet, so I'll not vouch for any lack of interlacing problems, but it was the best of the bunch with the 720p 30fps clips from my HD10u.

February 6th, 2005, 01:21 PM	#23
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Didn't even notice about the raincover! Sweet!

February 9th, 2005, 09:20 AM	#25
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	My FX1 and all my goodies are out for delivery according to UPS. To the wrong address. Aggghhh!!!

February 9th, 2005, 09:05 PM	#28
Jeff Parker New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles - California - United States Posts: 14	Yeah... DNxHD hardware not doing so well on the MAC I hear. Apple still kinda dragging their feet I guess. Can always go PC. (That was a joke now). At anyrate... awesome cam. Have fun! __________________ Jeff Parker Motion Synonymous To Thought stickandmove.org

February 9th, 2005, 10:38 PM	#29
Brian Bechard Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 94	What kind of low light capibilities does the FX1 have. I've heard that it only goes to 5 lux. Is this true?? Also I've heard that the SD video is actually WORSE than the PD 170's video. Can't be can it???