Topic: Buying New Cam.... HD or 3CHIP DV ??? Opinions....suggestions

[spearheadtaper]

 so far looking at B+H although they are alot higher than the random web store.... but most of those no warranty

Looking at this JVCHD DVD cam

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=278495&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

and then the sony hc3.......  kinda looking at the Sony HVR-AU1  but think its going to be way over budget.........

but then again those are three chips.....
so maybe better to go with a panasonic 100xb or something like that....

suggestions...anyone thats shot concert style lighting with any of these cams... low light situtations.... easy of exposure adjusting.....

[kuuan]

Obviously HD has a much higher resolution than SD.

However you will need a HD TV, and as there are no HD-DVD or blue ray recorders out yet.
You will have to use the cam itself for playback, and a min. P4 3,6 GHz or equivalent PC for editing. The later also is true for the cams which record to a HD or a DVD as they record in mpeg2 just as a HDV cam does which is not ideal for editing.
The HC3 performs exceptionally well at low light, but lacks manual controls. Many would not consider it because ot does not have any mic-in nor headphone-out, but there are some Sony Mics which can be connected though. The HC1 does have Mic-in and headphone-out but does not match inlow light performance. Both can also record in SD or you can downconvert the HDV to SD for editing.

DV or SD ( standard definition ) is much easier to edit,
even cheaper models may offer manual adjustments, a mic-in, a headphone out.
Could be still the better choice of not owning or wanting to invest in a top PC, HD TV etc.

please forbear if any of my infos are incorrect, I am no specialist, and my knowledge is limited to cams below 1500 USD. In that range Panasonic 3CCDs are tops, and the Sony HC1 and HC3 are the first HDV in that pricerange.

for more relyable info please check:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f5
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/index.php
http://pana3ccduser.com/index.php

[VA_TAPER]

I've got an A1U that works great for concerts: If you want a compairson of DV to HDV for concerts even after downrezzing to DVD resolution check out this footage I shot

http://www.comebackdownload.com/Marigoldstest30p.mpg

the A1U is the straight on shot and was at the sbd, the onstage camera is a PD-150 one of the best Sony prosumer 3-CCD DV cams, there is no compairson.

That being said I don't use the camera enough (1 trip to europe and two concerts in 9 months) and would consider selling if interested.

peace, chris

[kuuan]

the moderator of the camcorder buying guide forum at camcorderinfo.com, Dennis Vogel, puts it, in this thread: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t128242.html , this way:

before you get to deciding if an HC3 is what you want, are you ready for HDV?

It's a big step up from DV and needs a fast computer, lots of disk space, a high def monitor to edit on and a high def TV to watch your video on. HDV DVDs are in their infancy and very expensive so viewing your work will require you to use your camera like a VCR. Friends and family will need something similar to see your work. Plus shooting HDV takes a little more skill than shooting DV.

So make sure you are ready for HDV before you narrow your choices to a HDV camera.

Good luck.

Dennis

if you really want to go HDV to my knowlegde the sensors of the JVC are somewhat outdated, and the much smaller looking, and less professional looking Sony HC1 could even produce better video.

[jebi]

btw...that jvc is junk

i wouldn't buy a HD video camera unless you plan on spending 5,500.00 or more. 

Stick with the 3 ccd cams that can shoot 24p. 

Like a panisonic dvx100b or DVC30

[BlackLab]

HD cams wil come down in price in a year or so - so hang on if you can. If stealth is an issue - the HD models tend to be a bit bigger.

PS go Panasonic (better colors) or Sony (low light performance)

[formengr]

3ccd panasonic PVGS300 is what i have.  my 1st outing:  http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=118888&viewcomm=1412625

the camera was totally on auto.  i think the capture was really nice.

[willndmb]

all i know is i have a dvd shot on HD cams and on my normal tv it looks much better then any "normal" dv cam/dvd i have seen
i am not sure why but its a lot better picture

edit - it was shot by a college tv station and mixed to dvd
i am thinking of BT it

[truecolors]

Question  -  would you buy a Panasonic PV-GS36 for around $200?   It is a discontinued model, but anyone think this is a bargain?

[poorlyconditioned]

Does anyone know which cameras do *progressive scan*, either 24p or 30p (preferred)?  This is a big deal for me, and should be for anyone producing Mpegs or the like for computer viewing.

  Richard

[BayTaynt3d]

FWIW, HD cams need about 1 or 2 stops more light than standard def typically, which can be a BIG difference in concert situations. Also, the workflow is more of a PITA right now. Regarding 30p or 24p, there are a few TRUE progressive-scan chips out there. There are probably more than this, but for standard def the DVX100B does true 24p/30p and so does the XL2. The XL2 also has true widescreen and swappable lens system, but it's WAY BIGGER than the DVX and the DVX blows it away when it comes to filmic look (b/c of its customizeable scene files and settings). The DVX has a wider lens and the XL2 has a longer lens out of the box. The new panny HVX200 also can do variable framterates in true HD progressive mode (720p), and I think there is one more true "p" HD cam out there in the prosumer space, but I forget which one. But watch out for 24f/30f "frame mode" cameras (hello Sony and others) because those are fake progressive derived using interlaced chips -- they are getting better at it, and if you are taking 1080i (interlaced) down to standard def progressive, there's enough resolution where de-interlacing can look pretty good these days, but it's not a true progressive capture to begin with.

[kuuan]

you may check out http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/index.php and http://pana3ccduser.com/index.php