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Gaybucks · 02-09-2007, 08:09 PM

We just bought an HVX-100 after about a year's worth of research off and on.

Couple of clarifications:

-- The HVX-100 is the only true HD camera (meaning, 1080/60i or 1080/30p, 100Mb/sec of data) in its price class. When you record hi-def on an HVX at DVCPRO-HD format, you're recording a full resolution image using lossless compression. That is why it is impossible to store true HD content to DV tape; there simply isn't enough capacity on the tape.

-- HDV is a completely different, noticeably inferior format. In order to fit the necessary data onto tape, it has to throw away about 3/4 of the data, because tape can only store about 25Mb/sec worth of data. HDV accomplishes this by throwing away a substantial portion of the color rendition data, and compressing the video into MPEG format (which is a lossy format). The resulting video is still of perfectly decent quality, but noticeably inferior, particularly in color depth, to true HD. Additionally, since the tape recording format is a highly compressed MPEG (same as DVD), it does not store individual frames; it rebuilds them from changes from the last frame, which is definitely an inferior format for editing. Long and short, it's serviceable, but nothing close to the quality of true HD at 100Mb/sec.

-- For porn use, you're probably best off getting either a FireStore (specialized portable hard disk that attaches to the Firewire out of the camera) or wait and get the CineStor which will be coming out late this summer. Both allow large amounts of video (about 100+ minutes at highest resolution) to be stored directly to hard drive. The units are designed to be mounted to the top or bottom of the camera, so there's no real concern about the Firewire plug being yanked out as long as your setup is sensible.

-- Another option is a laptop with DVRack Pro software, allowing capture direct to the laptop. As long as you can strap the laptop to your back or something, this is a very serviceable method.

-- The video files are enormous. Figure 1GB per minute of video in full 1080 hi-def. Good news is, you don't have to capture off of tape, as the data is stored directly to hard drive.

-- The HVX-100 can record in either standard DV definition (480p) on regular DV tape or any of a number of hi-def modes (720 or 1080) on flash memory cards or hard drive. It cannot simultaneously write to tape and to the memory cards, though it can, in 480 mode, write to tape and simultaneously output standard definition to Firewire for storage on a hard drive.

-- Getting precise focus on any HD camera is a problem, much more than on any standard def camera. Because it's hi-def, the built-in viewfinder or LCD screen will not be able to display the full definition, and therefore you cannot see if you're in total focus or not. You need to either use the focus assist, which shows you a tiny portion of the entire image in full def (like telephoto) or use an external monitor to ensure you get correct focus. It's VERY noticeable in HD.

So far, we've done only one large shoot (about 25 scenes) using the HVX, but it's a great camera, very flexible, amazing color and definition.

If anyone has any questions about it or its use, please feel free to contact me (chip at gaybucks dot com)

02-09-2007, 08:09 PM
Gaybucks Confirmed User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 451	We just bought an HVX-100 after about a year's worth of research off and on. Couple of clarifications: -- The HVX-100 is the only true HD camera (meaning, 1080/60i or 1080/30p, 100Mb/sec of data) in its price class. When you record hi-def on an HVX at DVCPRO-HD format, you're recording a full resolution image using lossless compression. That is why it is impossible to store true HD content to DV tape; there simply isn't enough capacity on the tape. -- HDV is a completely different, noticeably inferior format. In order to fit the necessary data onto tape, it has to throw away about 3/4 of the data, because tape can only store about 25Mb/sec worth of data. HDV accomplishes this by throwing away a substantial portion of the color rendition data, and compressing the video into MPEG format (which is a lossy format). The resulting video is still of perfectly decent quality, but noticeably inferior, particularly in color depth, to true HD. Additionally, since the tape recording format is a highly compressed MPEG (same as DVD), it does not store individual frames; it rebuilds them from changes from the last frame, which is definitely an inferior format for editing. Long and short, it's serviceable, but nothing close to the quality of true HD at 100Mb/sec. -- For porn use, you're probably best off getting either a FireStore (specialized portable hard disk that attaches to the Firewire out of the camera) or wait and get the CineStor which will be coming out late this summer. Both allow large amounts of video (about 100+ minutes at highest resolution) to be stored directly to hard drive. The units are designed to be mounted to the top or bottom of the camera, so there's no real concern about the Firewire plug being yanked out as long as your setup is sensible. -- Another option is a laptop with DVRack Pro software, allowing capture direct to the laptop. As long as you can strap the laptop to your back or something, this is a very serviceable method. -- The video files are enormous. Figure 1GB per minute of video in full 1080 hi-def. Good news is, you don't have to capture off of tape, as the data is stored directly to hard drive. -- The HVX-100 can record in either standard DV definition (480p) on regular DV tape or any of a number of hi-def modes (720 or 1080) on flash memory cards or hard drive. It cannot simultaneously write to tape and to the memory cards, though it can, in 480 mode, write to tape and simultaneously output standard definition to Firewire for storage on a hard drive. -- Getting precise focus on any HD camera is a problem, much more than on any standard def camera. Because it's hi-def, the built-in viewfinder or LCD screen will not be able to display the full definition, and therefore you cannot see if you're in total focus or not. You need to either use the focus assist, which shows you a tiny portion of the entire image in full def (like telephoto) or use an external monitor to ensure you get correct focus. It's VERY noticeable in HD. So far, we've done only one large shoot (about 25 scenes) using the HVX, but it's a great camera, very flexible, amazing color and definition. If anyone has any questions about it or its use, please feel free to contact me (chip at gaybucks dot com) __________________ Gaybucks.com 100% exclusive American guys - hosted movie galleries - NATS - Boyfunk.com - Boysfeetclub.com - AJsCloset.com- SkylerDeVoss.com ICQ 272-995-402