Why You Should Consider Buying An HDV Camera

[qwertyuiop61234]

go buy hd flash cards video tape are going out 16gb or 32gb will work and get nother comptuer and keep 4 hard drives and you will be fine

[panoramarick]

@qwertyuiop61234 Since I produced this video I have gone tapeless. Lots of SDHC cards in my gear bag now.

[XboxGamerKidd]

right now me having a sinus infection i cant hear you speak up and yes i have my laptop up as loud as it can go and it is loud

[formaset]

Because of people like you and your ancient customers, I have to make a blu-ray and DVD! twice the work! God damn! HD has been around since 1997 and people still stuck on the 440 resolution. it's like... Have HDTV?...Yes. I want a "flat screen"...yeeeyy!!!

do they feed their HDTV with 1920 X 1080p video? no... :) Picture looks like shit on a HD intended TV. yes. :) this makes me give up video. the good side of that is that I make my customers pay another $650.00 to make a project on HD and DVD.

[panoramarick]

@formaset Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I now shoot all HD. However, as a service provider, you have to meet the needs of your market, and if they want SD DVDs, that's what you have to provide. Not everyone, by a long shot, has blu-ray. As you say, you make more money providing both formats. So what's the gripe?

[formaset]

@panoramarick Because of ancient people, I hate to have to make a DVD AND blu-Ray I wish I could just make ONE FORMAT and everybody can view. it takes THIRTEEN hours to render, even on a Mac Pro 12 cores! it is just a pain in the ass. C'mon people! Everyone has a HDTV and Blu Ray player you can find at Blockbuster as CHEAP as $49!!!!!!!!!!!!NO EXCUSE to NOT have a BD player!

[ElvisRocksVinyl]

@formaset You sir are rude! I'm surprised you have any customers with your attitude, If I run my film business like they way you do I would be bankrupt, if you are in this line of business then you film or convert to you customers needs as I do, I grew up with all formats so I don't mind what they ask for, In fact I had a wedding last month for an elderly couple that wanted the wedding shot with normal VHS! So you have to cater for everyone's needs or don't be in the business!

[formaset]

@ElvisRocksVinyl You don't know how I conduct business. And yes, I do everything mu customers want. My business facebook is repleted with nothing but +!! I got 7 weddings from a single client by word of mouth for having the best camera work, behavior and c. service. Shut the fuck up.

[ElvisRocksVinyl]

@formaset LOL @ "shut the fuck up" ok this sums you up straight away fella, it's pretty sad and childish not to mention very arrogant you have to swear to get your point across. lol I know what... why don't you go the whole hog in proper youtube style and make personal insults, You are a disgrace to the film/photography profession, all I can say is your poor customers "if any"

[formaset]

@ElvisRocksVinyl I'm sorry...I was too lazy to read your long reply...

[TK42138]

Great channel.

Totally agree with you on not wanting to go to flash memory or hard drive. Seen too many hard-drives crash and memory flash cards can be fickle - even the high quality products. Okay, so tape mechanisms can jam up but I've got a 8mm Sony digicam and 10 year old tapes that still playback and record perfectly. HD is great if you have powerful pc, editing software and fast broadband. None of which I have at the moment.

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@TK42138 Since I posted this video on why I bought an HDV camera, I have purchased and am using some AVCHD cameras. But I still do a lot with my Canan HV30 because some of my computers aren't powerful enough to deal with the digital files.

[RiPATV]

Nice video but now im hoping you can help out. A year + on from doing this film. Is your opinion the same? Im arguing with myself between buying an AVCHD Sony CX560 or the older Sony HDV A1. Either way it needs to be Sony because I need the nightshot. I dont want to buy A1 if HDV isgonna die out any time soon. What do you suggest now?

Thanks.

[dasy1000]

@RiPATV - Going the Sony HDV route is the best- I have a Sony HDR-FX! and a Sony HVR-A1U- both Cams are just wonderful with quality- Also, some people complain about the time it takes to log the video. If using FCP2- It's easy...Now, FCP2 has a program called Compressor- Once you finish collecting and puttiing together al the clips for a movie- Transfer it to Compressor- It's a Magical Program- You can perform final touches such as adding filters to enhance colour correction etc...

[RetroPCDOS]

@dasy1000

You better off skipping over Sony HDR-FX, even thur it a 3cmos camera, they are 2006 models, don't assume that a 2006 three-chip camcorder is automatically a "better" camcorder than a single-chip 2010 or 2011 model, has a 1440 x 1080 resolution instead of 1920 x 1080. I had one of those and can easily see the difference, comparing clips. Go with a newer avchd cam. The sensors are better, the audio is better, the ois is better...etc. If you can afford it go with PMW-EX1 "XDCAM".

[dasy1000]

HDV is not going anywhere- More and more ppl are getting into it once you have a good computer Mac G5 with 4gb or Ram and u can do magic.

[LyndonTCorbett]

Just stumbled upon this as I too am looking to go HD. I've decided on the JVC HM100u for three simple reasons - can't stand CMOS chips (too jumpy) and the fact that the HM100 records native .mov and .mp4 files that requires no transcoding, and the fact that it records both 1080i and 1080p, while all the others in it's price range are 1080i only.

If you are worried about drives crashing and losing footage, save to external solid state drives - no moving parts = nothing to crash.

[HowToSellYourVideos]

Update: since I shot this video a year ago I have gotten some AVCHD cameras and am shooting digital. I like the capturing aspect of digital, but transcoding for Final Cut Pro is a pain. Although USB drives are inexpensive and adequate as storage for video files, it takes a lot of time to transfer large files. It still seems like an awkward way to work.

[trailerfitter2]

@HowToSellYourVideos can't see that AVCHD is worst than importing tape based videos. I used a DVCAM camera and had a lot of heart aches trying to get the tape to successfully log and capture. AVCHD however I logged it and just let it transfer...easy.

[cannedgravy]

@HowToSellYourVideos I used to go the tape route, but once you figure out the best workflow for AVCHD You'll love it. Having a beefy computer really helps. I shoot on RED now (finally) and proabably won't ever go back to tape. I love film though!

[bouchandre]

@HowToSellYourVideos you should consider something like the XF100, wich records on compact flash

[nottinmatterz2day]

Just backup the hard drive, go digital dude!

[panoramarick]

@liamjdowler You are absolutely right. Although the camera manufacturers are moving away from HDV, there are a lot of things about that HD format to love. It is less demanding on my Mac, for one thing. It still looks great for the file size, and I like having a tape backup. My little Canon HV30 (and the HV40) are very well designed, easy to operate cameras.

[One4TheTechnoGuy]

Its the guy from CSI!

[JacobShillander]

what tripod is that on the xha1s

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@JacobShillander That tripod is a Manfrotto 351MVB2 with a 503HDV fluid head.

[hobocamptheater]

what project types do you usually do:

recordings of great moments

or

fantasy short/feature films like dramas and stuff?

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@hobocamptheater I use this camera in my video production business and for my How To Sell Your Videos dot Com site. For my personal use, I like to use my Vixia HF20.

[panoramarick]

TheShootTruth10, you don't need to spend $1,000 - $2,000 on a camera. I recently bought a Canon HF20 off Craigslist for $200. I LOVE my HV30 and you can find them used fairly inexpensively. If you want to to tapeless, look at the Canon Vixia line. TigerDirect has the HF R11 for $299. Save some money for a good external mic, some lights and a few tutorial videos. HDV will require less computer power to edit than AVCHD, so consider that. See my blog at howtosellyourvideos and you'll learn a lot.

[TheShootTruth10]

this reminded me a a milder andy rooney segement. I want to get a camcorder but I want to spend 1,000-2,500 and I got a lot to learn. I want to make movies.

[GinoValentiniPro]

What camera did you use for this upload?

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@GinoValentiniPro Good question! We used our Canon HV30 - another HDV camera. Thanks for asking.

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@amvideo, for many years I used Sony miniDV tapes and never had a problem. When I bought my XHA1s the guy had been using Panasonic tapes, so I switched to that brand. Again, never have had a single problem. When I started shooting miniDV tapes 12 years ago I had a few head clogs and dropouts, but either I am lucky or they have changed the formulation so that it isn't a big deal any more.

Oh, and when I first started shooting HDV I bought the far more expensive HDV tapes. Now I use miniDV tapes.

[amvideo]

Hey Rick thanks for the video. My question is what kind of tapes are you using, and do you worry about dropouts?

[ninjashidan]

What lanc remote control have you attached to the camera? I'm looking to get one too.

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@ninjashidan The two I use are Mafrotto 521 and a Varizoom VV-PRO-L. Like them both.

[ninjashidan]

@HowToSellYourVideos Thanks for your reply.

I need one with accurate focus capabilities because i'll be using it on a crane.

How easy is it to focus with those remotes?

Thanks

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@ninjashidan You'll need a monitor, of course, to check focus. My Varizoom is built to last forever and I've used it for probably 10 years. I still prefer it. the Manfrotto 521 is smaller, lighter weight, but just doesn't have the feel of the Varizoom model. I have no problem remote focusing as long as you are not trying to do whip pans on the crane and you have a good reference monitor to judge focus. It'll take some practice shots to get it right, but I think it would work out fine for you.

[ninjashidan]

@HowToSellYourVideos Thanks for your reply. I went with the Manfrotto 521LX. Because it has a sensitive joystick for zoom and focus and since i will be panning and doing all sorts of movements on the crane i wanted something that'll let me focus as fast or slow between subjects as i wanted. That is why i wanted to stay away from buttons in focus. I'm sure it will take practice to use to joystick though. I have a monitor for the crane. It is not a good monitor for color but good for focus.

[formattester6]

hardrives are so cheap now. $55 for a 1 TB. no big deal to afford a backup to every drive owned these days. i have much of my stuff on 3 different drives. importing from digital media is quicker (especially if you have a fast computer like a 4 core or 8 core) since you dont have to scrub in a linear fashion with tape. import what you want and discard the rest. HDV is still good quality although getting upstaged by almost every new 3k plus camera coming out now. good luck to you and enjoy HD!

[inhaleforthose]

hey i really enjoyed your video. do you have any others posted about this camera? i plan to get it later this year and i want to learn about it as much as possible before i buy it.

also, is it THE camera you would recommend for the $3,500 price point range?

[panoramarick]

@inhaleforthose I have a high regard for this camera. I shot with it last night and was again impressed with its capabilities. The ability to fine tune this camera and use presets is one of its strong points. For the reasons I previously stated, I like having tape to store my video on. Some people say tape is dead; I just don't agree. What camer you should get is up to you, but I have no reservation about recommending this camera. I also like HDV because it doesn't overtax my computers.

[inhaleforthose]

@panoramarick i totally agree with you about the tapes. it honestly doesn't matter to me if it's stored on to a reel as long as it looks as good as anything else.

what would say about this camera versus the 5d MrkII?

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@inhaleforthose They are really suited for different things. You can use the HX A1s for just about anything, even run-and-gun. However, it doesn not have the ability to use different lenses and thus cannot achieve the coveted shallow depth of field that the 5D Mark II can get. The 5D is a bit more demanding, partly due to the depth of field issue, lack of auto focus and because it doesn't have an adjustable electronic viewfinder, so you really have to be at eye level with the back of the camera.

[inhaleforthose]

@HowToSellYourVideos Thanks for your input! I've been researching like crazy all week. I think I'm come to a conclusion. I'm going to be buying the Canon 60D it records the same quality of video as the 7D and the 5D. Only difference being, it has a swivel screen, as well as manual audio controls. Also, the 5D only has 1 frame 1rate option, 30. And no, not 29.97... just 30, which apparently makes it really difficult to edit in FCP or any other program for that matter.

[panoramarick]

@inhaleforthose I like the 60D a lot. I got my hands on one at DV Expo West. I don't think you can go wrong there. As I recall, it has audio level meters, but is still auto gain. Also, the Canon rep still told me that you should record separate audio (I bought the Zoom H2n recorder). If money were not object, I'd get a 60D and about 3 lenses right now. Nice camera, for sure.

[shazam75]

thanks Rick - very good video!

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@shazam75 Thanks for the feedback!

[NiC3SH0T]

T2i or that camera?

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@NiC3SH0T I don't really know what you are asking here. Please explain and I can address your question.

[NiC3SH0T]

@HowToSellYourVideos you have a t2i, tht canon camera you just made a video about, how do these compare 

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@NiC3SH0T The Canon XH A1s is better for run and gun type work and with some of the presets you can get some stunning images. I can also control audio with this camera. However, for real film images, I use the t2i. Although you can use an external mic on it, you can't really control it except for the gain. It isn't as good for run and gun.

[techguy3000]

I was just wondering, how can you edit videos from a tape?

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@techguy3000 You need to put it on your computer in a process called "capturing." You can use your camera to do this or buy a tape deck. Then it's saved as a movie file (Quicktime for example) and then you can edit it through a program like Premiere, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas, etc.

[simxproductions9]

your cool what type of project is it

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@joelharkes Nothing is really 100% safe but after you capture your tape, you got it covered both ways. We've had flash drives go bad on us, 4 external hard drives crash and not one tape failure so we're not ready to give it up just yet.

[luisamedina1]

Please let me know if this would be good to record on PAL, considering the 24fps option. I understand this is a NTSC.

Thanks

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@luisamedina1

The one I bought in the US doesn't record in PAL. You can get this camera in PAL format but would probably have to find it in Europe or special order it from a European distributor. It does do 24fps.

Rick

[LegacyLord]

How much did you pay for it? I might be forced to sell mine when I start pre-pharm school. It looks like you have the same bogen tripod head as me also.

[panoramarick]

@LegacyLord I paid $2,000 for the camera in a Pelican case. The more I use this camera the more I love it. The control is just astounding and the images I'm getting are great. I have seen them on the used market for as low as $1,800. It depends on the condition, accessories and the market. It is a great camera.

[sweeperdave1]

No one has to apologize or justify shooting in the HDV format. HDV delivers a high quality image, a tried and true workflow and archiving solution and, along with shooting with onto a drive like a Firestore DTE, a greatly diminished risk of losing footage.

Professionals continue to shoot in HDV and there are many reasons for doing so. Folks should not let manufacturer hype mislead them into thinking tape is obsolete. It is simply too expensive for makers to build into cameras anymore.

Dave

[panoramarick]

@sweeperdave1

Thanks for the comment and you are so right. HDV is still the perfect for many applications and some television reality shows use HDV cameras.

I have a friend who shot a documentary in Vietnam using Canon HV20 and HV30 palmcorders and the images on a 40 inch high-resolution monitor are stunning. Other professionals seeing the final video couldn't believe he used those cameras, it looked so good.