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Gaybucks · 06-11-2007, 06:34 PM

The Panasonic HVX-200 is the ONLY true hi-def camera under $30,000 at present.

True hi-def exceeds the amount of data it's possible to store on tape, so the other cameras that use tape (HDV format) use very highly compressed MPEG to cram the info onto tape, discarding most of the color definition information and also using a "lossy" compression format that does not lend itself well to multiple generations of edits. Likewise, MPEG compression doesn't do well when faced with lots of video information, such as detailed backgrounds (think rustling leaves or a bunch of people moving around in a room, that sort of thing). It gets blocky and focus.

The Panasonic can record in any of a bunch of different formats (including standard definition to regular DV tape), and in highest definition format, can record 1920x1080p at 30 fps (full frames, no interlacing) , or at 720p at 60 fps (no interlacing.)

Yes, the P2 cards are expensive, but coming down in price dramatically, and there are several hard disk and even direct-to-laptop solutions available. And the flip side is, you have no tape costs at all (except for backup media) and you don't have to spend any time capturing your video because it's already on your laptop. You also get used to capturing what you want, deleting the unwanted crap on the fly, so your editing time is much shorter.

We spent a good 6 months testing, evaluating and researching, bought the Panasonic, and have been delighted with it ever since.

The truth is, HDV is definitely serviceable, but it is NOT true HD, and if you're shooting your content with the intent of delivering high quality HD in the future, you'd be better off with the Panasonic.

06-11-2007, 06:34 PM
Gaybucks Confirmed User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 451	The Panasonic HVX-200 is the ONLY true hi-def camera under $30,000 at present. True hi-def exceeds the amount of data it's possible to store on tape, so the other cameras that use tape (HDV format) use very highly compressed MPEG to cram the info onto tape, discarding most of the color definition information and also using a "lossy" compression format that does not lend itself well to multiple generations of edits. Likewise, MPEG compression doesn't do well when faced with lots of video information, such as detailed backgrounds (think rustling leaves or a bunch of people moving around in a room, that sort of thing). It gets blocky and focus. The Panasonic can record in any of a bunch of different formats (including standard definition to regular DV tape), and in highest definition format, can record 1920x1080p at 30 fps (full frames, no interlacing) , or at 720p at 60 fps (no interlacing.) Yes, the P2 cards are expensive, but coming down in price dramatically, and there are several hard disk and even direct-to-laptop solutions available. And the flip side is, you have no tape costs at all (except for backup media) and you don't have to spend any time capturing your video because it's already on your laptop. You also get used to capturing what you want, deleting the unwanted crap on the fly, so your editing time is much shorter. We spent a good 6 months testing, evaluating and researching, bought the Panasonic, and have been delighted with it ever since. The truth is, HDV is definitely serviceable, but it is NOT true HD, and if you're shooting your content with the intent of delivering high quality HD in the future, you'd be better off with the Panasonic. __________________ Gaybucks.com 100% exclusive American guys - hosted movie galleries - NATS - Boyfunk.com - Boysfeetclub.com - AJsCloset.com- SkylerDeVoss.com ICQ 272-995-402 Last edited by Gaybucks; 06-11-2007 at 06:36 PM..