Camcorder upgrade

[MikeMattke]

I sent Lou Bruno a private message but in case he didn't get it I thought I would ask the group. I shoot with a Canon XL1s right now and am looking to upgrade. I was quoted a price of $3,790 for the XL2. I will be dumping my video to my S4000 Pro. I listened to the presentation at the MGT about the camcorders using card media but I am not that familiar with them. Do you think the XL2 and miniDV is the way to go yet.

THANKS!

[LouBruno]

Mike and Group,

I am currently cycling the Blue Ridge Mtns for a few weeks and luckily have my laptop with me.


.This is a tough decision for most individuals who wish to upgrade

.Though the XL-2 has been out for several years, it is NOT HD. However, the camera has the ability to "shoot" in TRUE 16:9

.ALL HD cameras are widescreen and ALL tape-style cameras also shoot in widescreen SD and HD. ALL HD is widescreen or 16:9

.TAPE will be for archival purposes only in a few years but is still viable and CHEAP today

.SOME flash drive cards are very expensive while others are not

.CARDS have their pitfalls: Static electricity, electronic storage, small cards can be misplaced, an important file/scene can be erased by accident. However, all major companies are going over to a complete card system such as JVC and the consumer market.

.Using cards, in theory, have faster downloads

.FORMATS: There are MANY type of formats to consider in regards to CODECS...most common are .m2t (HDV) and AVCHD. The more expensive cameras can have .mov .mp4 and all types of wrappers at different mps rates.

SO.......My personal advice is to get the BEST of both worlds. Definitely purchase a HD camera that fits into your budget

.Assuming you want a 3-chip semi-pro camera, the CANON XHA-1S is outstanding albeit a tape-driven camera. But good news, the SONY HVR-MRC1 flash recorder by SONY works well in tandem with the tape/record button. This allows dual recording of tape and compact flash simultaneously. Even downconverting on the fly making AVI and DV25 files that the current GEN 3 editing systems can read.

.SONY makes several models such as the HVR-z5U and Z7U. Both of these is what I call a "hybrid" camera as the above flash recorder is incorporated into the body of the camera rather than being attached externally as in the CANON cameras.

In closing, there is NO real answer. Personally, buying a SD camera is throwing money away unless there is a return on the money. There will be NO value on a SD camera next year.





OK...the sun is coming up, I have another 53 ride into the mountains today.

I sent Lou Bruno a private message but in case he didn't get it I thought I would ask the group. I shoot with a Canon XL1s right now and am looking to upgrade. I was quoted a price of $3,790 for the XL2. I will be dumping my video to my S4000 Pro. I listened to the presentation at the MGT about the camcorders using card media but I am not that familiar with them. Do you think the XL2 and miniDV is the way to go yet.

THANKS!

[chucke]

Mike...
I just went through this...I was using a Sony Vx2000 and wanted to make the jump. I was looking at the new Sony FX1000 and the Cannon XHA-1s. After many hours of asking questions I choose the Cannon because on the CCD chip instead of the CMOS. Nobody could ever give me a clear answer how the CMOS chip would react in some environments. As lou said you can record on tape and card at the same time if you want. You can shoot in HD, SD 16.9, SD 4.3. I have used the camera for several weeks and have found it very, very, easy to use. I haven't used any presets but all of the controls that I use are in great locations. You have XLR's and great control in setting levels. The onboard mic works for me as well. The LCD screen could have been bigger but it has a very clear picture and I have no problem following sports action. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Hope this helps. Chuck

[andra]

I'm also looking into an HD upgrade and the Canon's are what I have been researching.

My questions is this: I will upgrade my camera before I upgrade my editing machine which is a prestige, so how well will the Canon XHA-1s work with a prestige if at all?

At present I am not getting many HD jopbs but I see the "writing" on the wall so to speak!!!

[LouBruno]

The CANON XHA1 and the "S" model work fine w/o problems. BTW: Even if you do not want to offer HD, the CANON camera is a TRUE 16:9 widescreen camera when set to even SD.

I'm also looking into an HD upgrade and the Canon's are what I have been researching.

My questions is this: I will upgrade my camera before I upgrade my editing machine which is a prestige, so how well will the Canon XHA-1s work with a prestige if at all?

At present I am not getting many HD jopbs but I see the "writing" on the wall so to speak!!!