Canon 24F

[ShadowVision]

I've been using my DVX for the last three years and "upgraded" to HDV 1080 interlaced with a cheap Sony broadcast camera. I still use the DVX for my serious documentary work, but the Sony is great for shooting golf courses.

So, I'm considering purchasing a Canon XH-1A and a HV30 (which will work with my Letus). The idea is to use the HV30 as a deck and second camera on my documentaries.

Has anyone used the XH-1A in 24f in the new S4000? How does it compare to the DVX in 24p? Will I be able to match them?

I know that the HV30 has progressive modes, but I was also wondering if anyone used the HV30 as a deck for 24f. Will that work?

My grand upgrade is looking like a November 2008 purchase, so, I'm doing my due diligence now. Thanks!

[LouBruno]

I've been using my DVX for the last three years and "upgraded" to HDV 1080 interlaced with a cheap Sony broadcast camera. I still use the DVX for my serious documentary work, but the Sony is great for shooting golf courses.

So, I'm considering purchasing a Canon XH-1A and a HV30 (which will work with my Letus). The idea is to use the HV30 as a deck and second camera on my documentaries.

Has anyone used the XH-1A in 24f in the new S4000? How does it compare to the DVX in 24p? Will I be able to match them?

24 F does not function in the 4000 when using the XHA-1.I used both swap frames and normal to no avail


I know that the HV30 has progressive modes, but I was also wondering if anyone used the HV30 as a deck for 24f. Will that work?

The HV30 will read the 24F from the XHA-1 but the "S"4000 reads it as a jerky picture. However, the HV-30 24F works in the "S"4K when used as the recording camera. XHA-1 has a different 24 progression. SE 7 DOES read the XHA-1. Both SE 7 and BOGART read 24P from the XL-2.

http://www.elurauser.com/articles/canon ... _modes.jsp

My grand upgrade is looking like a November 2008 purchase, so, I'm doing my due diligence now. Thanks!

[ShadowVision]

Wow, I'm so glad I asked. Thanks! I was considering saving around 2K by buying the Canon instead of the HVX. The bottom dropped on those XH-1As. Now, I'm forced to go with the HVX, which is what I wanted all along.

Have you had any trouble with 24p HD with the HVX and s4000? My understanding is the the HVX does 720p and 1080i.

The price on the Canon is extremely good, almost too hard to pass up.

Also, I've heard about ways to match the DVX to the HVX by controling the noise with more gain. I've been doing pretty good with the DVX and the cheap Sony HDV by treating the video in post on my AVIO.

Since I'm now going to have to buy the HVX, would you suggest buying the 16:9 lens for the my old DVX? It is about $600.

The reason for this is pretty basic. On my last documentary feature, I ran a consumer Panasonic 3 ccd SD camera (that has manual features, like a ring) the entire time and it paid off. You know, I had a second camera to protect against drop outs and to give me a second angle. This was so important because I had no idea what I was doing on the project (you know, the law of thirds was a mystery and eyeline was contantly shifting). I've been using the Sony HD camera with a Letus as a second camera on some reshoots and I'm not that happy with it. The color is just not the same with CMOS. The Letus is amazing though.

So, I'm going to try to upgrade as painlessly as possible in November so that I can shoot with two cameras and not suffer.

Finally, by the way, I interviewed Oscar nominated Director Nanette Burstein a couple months ago and she told me that she used a DVX (on some shots) on her latest feature called "American Teen." Not only was the movie really pretty good, but it looked great. SD is not dead. Not yet!

[LouBruno]

Let me also update something:
The 30 F works with the new BOGART SE system using the XHA-1. It appears to be only a CANON PROGRESSIVE 24F issue and NOT the "S"4000 model. Canon uses a different drop frame rate than SONY. That is why CANON XHA-1 24F does not play on SONY decks. The CANON XHA-1 has to be utilized as a source deck. The CANON HV-30 is a different story....works like a charm. The CANON HV-20 even downloads FASTER to the BOGART SE. It really boils down to the camera and not the operating system like with any editing software.

NOTE: Downconvert works fine from the XHA-1 in 24F to SD. No jerkiness. Therefore, it is isolated to HDV from the CANON XHA-1 in 24F only.


BTW: You can match the XHA-1 to the DVX and now you have HDV as well.

[ShadowVision]

I should have looked at this earlier. So, when I upgrade to the S4000 with the Bogart Editing System, I can use the 24f from the XH-1A and use the HV20 as a deck? And the 24f from the XH-1A will not come off jerky in the system? Will it look like progressive 24? How about the cine-gamma, will it look good too?

Here's what I've determined after shooting about a couple hundred hours with the DVX: 24p for my interviews is the best look, hands down. And from what I've read 24f looks very much like 24p. And the XH-1A is no less than 2K less expensive than the HVX. I stupidly shot my documentary feature in both 24p and 60i, I couldn't decide which I liked better. The AVIO has handled it all pretty well, even at the end when I started using the HDV camera as a second camera.

I also have a Sony HDV camera that I've used for golf course work and it has been great. I have filters and a wide angle lens that is perfect for shooting the course. And the camera is shoulder mounted permitting me to run and gun all over with steady results. And it shoots 4 to 6 megapixel photos that are perfect for my golf course jobs. Still the color is way better on the DVX. But my clients expect Hi-Def, so, I have to make the jump.

I'm going to upgrade to the S4000 in November along with a new HDV camera: either the HVX or the XH-1A. I'd prefer to buy the XH-1A and a HV20 (to use as a deck and with my Letus mini). The savings in money will permit me to purchase a flat screen HD TV for editing too. If I buy the HVX, I'm going to be pressed for cash, you know.

Has anyone tested the 24f in Bogart and compared it to the 24p?

Thanks for your help, it is shaping what I'm going to invest in.