Again with the cameras...

[MPTheory]

Okay, It looks like I\'ll be creating a mini series for my sisters band, and I need to get a camera. We\'re going HD, and I know NOTHING about it. If this were to be picked up for television, would 16:9 ration be best desired?  I was looking at this camera:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=399239&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

This is pretty close to my maximum budget.

Any input?

[GmanJoe]

Great camera. Pricey at the moment. You could try the less expensive Canon XL2.

Here\'s a forum for the most popular digital video cameras. GL-2 is what I ownz.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/

For your camera of interest:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=75

Holy cow that\'s a monster.

720p vs. 1080i that\'s the question.  ABC and FOX use 720p while NBC, CBS, and DiscoveryHD use 1080i.

Personally I\'d prefer 720p because I\'m sick and tired of fooling with interlaced material.  Everything should be progressive imo.  You may be able to cut that price in half if you go for 720p max.

Nice links Gman, looking at the parent forum that Sony seems to be the  most popular.

[GmanJoe]

Originally posted by THX
Holy cow that\'s a monster.

720p vs. 1080i that\'s the question.  ABC and FOX use 720p while NBC, CBS, and DiscoveryHD use 1080i.

Personally I\'d prefer 720p because I\'m sick and tired of fooling with interlaced material.  Everything should be progressive imo.  You may be able to cut that price in half if you go for 720p max.

Nice links Gman, looking at the parent forum that Sony seems to be the  most popular.

What\'s your major? Are you going Mass Communications or what?

I\'m graduating with some weirdo degree my college offers but my focus was in internets & multimedia which was really cool to learn.

I\'m just an enthusiast when it comes to this video production stuff, videoholic should give you a better rundown of what\'s what with cameras.

[GmanJoe]

Me too. I like gadgets, especially dildos . But my favorites are digital cameras (stills and footage) and editing them (PS and FCP).

I\'m through with weddings videos. I did three. Too much pressure. No one is ever satisfied and the amount of hours spent editing are not worth the money. Filming is more like a hobby now and no longer a side job.

At least I can enjoy it again.

[MPTheory]

I\'m kind of in the same boat as you THX. My degree is Graphics and Multimedia, But I love video production.

Thanks for the links Gman

[GmanJoe]

Originally posted by MPTheory
I\'m kind of in the same boat as you THX. My degree is Graphics and Multimedia, But I love video production.

Thanks for the links Gman

Those guys know there shit. Some have worked in big Hollywood projects. mm might register there and give everyone the rolly eyes.

Check out DVXuser.com as well, it\'s another favorite of mine (don\'t let the name fool you).

[Paul2]

I highly recommended you to "steer away" from going to HD format at this moment.

Reasons:

- the MiniDV tape for video bitrate is 25 Mbits per second, which is a high lossy compression for HD.  The video degration will be noticeable after generations of rendering/editing.

- Cost.  Still too expensive imo...

So, if I were you, I will would pick the original MiniDV if you don\'t have that already.  A 3 Chips 1/3" MiniDV is really good at the moment until there is a HD camcorder that supports bitrate higher than 25 mbps for consumers.  me, I prefer one running at least 100 Mbps or higher for way lesser compression ratio and better color sampling.

[videoholic]

That camera is HIGHLY compressed.


The compression scheme on HD is even more compressed than if you shot in DV mode.

It prints a frame every 15 frames.  It uses formulas and shit to figure out the other 14 frames inbetween.

It also has no native codec on any of the edit systems which means you can\'t scrub video on a timeline without transcoding it.

Panasonic\'s new one that will record on P2 cards is the way to go because since there is no tape they can print at 100mb/s... http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=93120&catGroupId=14616&modelNo=AG-HVX200&surfModel=AG-HVX200

Your best bet is something like: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/panasonic_agdvx100_camcorder_review.htm  from Panasonic or the XL2 which I think is coming out with an HD version soon (Or is it already out)


Don\'t get me wrong, I was hot on the Sony for a bit.  But it is HORRIBLE for anything fast moving. If you are just shooting landscapes or you just want a nice MIni DV camera, then go for it.  But for a band I wouldn\'t suggest it.  Especially if you are shooting stage shows.  Lighting and god forbid smoke would look fucking horrid on that camera.

[videoholic]

Originally posted by GmanJoe
Me too. I like gadgets, especially dildos . But my favorites are digital cameras (stills and footage) and editing them (PS and FCP).

I\'m through with weddings videos. I did three. Too much pressure. No one is ever satisfied and the amount of hours spent editing are not worth the money. Filming is more like a hobby now and no longer a side job.

At least I can enjoy it again.

Never done a wedding and would never do a wedding.  Oye.  I\'d rather die.

[videoholic]

Oh, and if you ever plan on buying any video equipment, message me first.  I have a guy who will beat anything.

So $1,750 for 4 minutes of HD video, lol.  No doubt it\'s the way of the future but they\'re jacking up costs like it\'s nobody\'s business.

Why is it I can get a 4gb iPod for $250 that\'s also solid-state based but their 4gb P2 card is $1,750??  Welcome to the world of pro DV I guess.  Let\'s hope a competitor also goes solid state so prices will drop.

[Paul2]

yeah, panasonic is getting a little too ahead into the future with the format storage.  I would prefer hard disk drive as a temporary solution until flash cards can get a very good storage capacity before moving into flash cards for video.

its just that the storage capacity isn\'t there yet, not to mention the cost of those cards.  Way ridiculously too expensive right now.  But in 5 years, that may change...

Panasonic is heading in the right direction by offering consumer a video camera that using 100 Mbps for HD.  While other company like Sony and Canon uses MiniDV 25 Mbps...