New High Definition Camera search

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Permalink Reply by DigitalArena on August 28, 2008 at 7:54pm

I don't know much about the difference between brands, but before you venture into HD make sure your editing software can cope with it. A friend got a HD Canon (used miniDV but I can't remember the model number) and found it was not compatible with Premier CS3 for capturing. He tried EditStudio 6 and had the same problem. A quick google later and we learned that Vegas was the only one at the time that could capture from his particular HD camera model.

Make sure your software can capture HD from the camera model you have in mind before you hand over the money.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on August 28, 2008 at 8:01pm

Hi Jennifer... I'm a bit of a newby to videography, though I am buying a Canon XL H1 HDV.
After seeing what the XL2 could do, I figured that based on the features that the XL2 has and the high quality of camera that it is, for my money it was the obvious choice.
Cheers...
Tony

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Permalink Reply by Shane Killian on August 28, 2008 at 8:06pm

This seems like a good place for a related issue:

What do you all think of the CMOS vs. 3-chip CCD debate? From the research I've done, there seems to be no consensus as to which is better for high-definition video. What are your experiences with each?

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Permalink Reply by Main Frame Digital on August 28, 2008 at 8:06pm

We are having great experiences with our Sony EX-1, have had it since December 2007. Now a newer EX camera has also been released, the EX-3. We have not done green screen with the EX, but think it would perform well. Are you ready to move into the future with a tapeless camera? If so, look at the Sony EX. It meshes well with Final Cut Pro for importing and editing. There's a bit of a learning curve with the transfer software.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Tutrone on August 28, 2008 at 8:07pm

Jennifer --

I personally own a Panasonic HVX-200 and love every single bit of it. The quality is top notch, records HD video to solid state P2 cards and also has a tape drive that shoots to SD Mini DV.

Seeing as how you shoot 25 green screen interviews, I'd say the DVCPRO/HD codec is perfect for you. From personal experience, the footage keys beautifully with very little tweaking needed to get a really good key.

It doesn't have any type of AGC for the audio (THANK GOD) but using the built in knobs isn't too much of an issue. Personally, if you're shooting a lot of interviews, I would use some type of mixer in between the camera and the microphones.

The downside is that it only records HD to the P2 cards which are very expensive at the moment (although, truthfully, they aren't totally out of reach, they really to pay for themselves in a year or even less depending on how much work you do.) I bring this up only because if you shoot HD weddings, the cards could be a bit of a hassle. At 1080i, a 16gb card only holds about 12 minutes of video. at 720p/24fps you can get about 40 minutes to card.

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Permalink Reply by Dreams Creation Video Production on August 28, 2008 at 9:22pm

Honestly, my opinion, h.d takes up far more room than a standard film does, so get a bigger hard drive if you do. I shoot with a sony pd 170 which is far better than the canon and is lower than your budget. I also started with the gl2 but it seems like a toy now compared to the sony.

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Permalink Reply by Tyge Floyd on August 28, 2008 at 9:51pm

I'm very happy with my XLH1a. This version is sans the "pro pac" which runs the cost of the camera up quite a bit. ($3,000) If you don't need SDI or timecode jacks it's pretty tough to beat this camera. Great lens (manual iris now, yeah!), good manual controls and Canon quality all for $5,995.

I've also shot the XHA1 quite a bit and it's a great camera too, but I'm partial to the shoulder mounted form of the XL series. They are running around $3,300.

The sweet thing for you coming from a GL2 is your existing batteries will work on both of these cameras!

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Permalink Reply by Timur on August 28, 2008 at 10:04pm

Jennifer Sitter, please,take a look at www.sony.com/xdcam . What do you think? T.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Miller on August 28, 2008 at 11:18pm

I have a sony xdcam ex. The new one is called xdcamex3. It is under $8000. Awesome picture and the full 1080p with 1/2 inch lens. The new version offers interchangeable lenses.
I have used this camera for lots of corporate shoots and I love the ability to record to the cards.
I still use mini dv for live events that require switching. If your green screening can be done in a studio then you can run an sdi out to a hard drive that will give you 4:2:2 color space. Better for compositing.

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Permalink Reply by Francisco Borja on August 28, 2008 at 11:59pm

Hi Jennifer: If you're a canon nut like I am the XLH1 series are the best, from the XLH1-1A and 1S the latest model available in the market. i recommend you check them out and see if you can get a demo at a dealer and get a feel for the model that best suits your needs. I have worked with the XL2 for years and still love working with it. Getting the most out of the DV format and making it look like film has been my best challenge. The colour you get from a Canon lens and CCD chips are probably the best for your money.
Good luck and let me know if I can be of service to you.

Francisco

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Permalink Reply by Jordan Morrison on August 29, 2008 at 12:20am

panasonic hvx 200 is what I use. I am happy with the results..

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Permalink Reply by Bernie Day on August 29, 2008 at 2:45am

Actually, I capture using the Intensity Black Magic card - going to hardware to capture rather than software. After capturing in mpeg motion I can then edit in Premiere. I guess I got lucky the first time around since I have heard of many issues working with HD. Quality is just great for online ads so I'm not going beyond this method. It's not "perfect" but works for what I need it for.

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