Panasonic AG-HMC150

[ShadowVision]

Hi, I'm planning on upgrading to the S4000 in November and probably purchasing an HD camera that shoots in 24p (either the HVX used, or the new AVCHD Professional Panasonic).

I know that the new editing system that ships with the S4000 is supposed to handle AVCHD, but before I take the plunge, I want to chat about workflow.

My only experience with hard drive or solid state camcorders is the Flip that was sent to me to write about. That little camera is pretty amazing but I cannot put the footage into my AVIO except analog using the breakout option. There is a loss of quality. Of course, I could use the Mac to convert to tape (but that is a major workflow stall).

My understanding is that the Bogart editing software has AVCHD compliance or can handle it.

How does the workflow go with that?

The Panasonic camera I'm interested in is that HMC150 that looks like my DVX. I have gotten into HD using that entry level Sony broadcast camera the 1000U, which has performed well for my golf course work. The colors do not compare to a 3CCD camera however, word to the wise. The Panasonic comes with a USB reader. Would the reader work with the S4000?

Any help you guys can offer would be much appreciated. Archiving is another issue altogether. Looks like DVD might be an option that is mentioned on the Panasonic website.

Thanks!

[dmp4000]

I too am VERY interested in the PANASONIC 150 and got a close look at it at the HDEXPO in nyc last week. Very cool camera. It is basically a dvx100 with CMOS and an SD CARD slot.
I've been shooting with a DVX ever since it came out and feel that the 150 will be my entry into affordable HD. I considered the Sony z7 but a format test by Digital Content Producer shows that avchd at 24 mb is better than hdv. Anyway, I have the s4000 pro and would love to hear about compatability as well. Ingest is the grey area for me and my s4000pro until the sofware upgrade is available in November. If there is a chance that beta testers can try the PANASONIC 150 out and work with some footage as part of their research I would love to hear about it.
Thanks!
Paul

[JBrooks]

It is my understanding that MS will support solid state cameras. They are working on it.

I just purchased the new Sony PMW-EX1 SxS camera and all I can say is WOW! I highly recommend this camera and right now, you can upload the footage to your Casablanca via firewire in real time until the card reader/writer compatibility becomes available.

Joel Brooks
http://www.mitvideoproductions.com

[ShadowVision]

From what I've read about the HMC150 is that it is based on the DVX. I love shooting with my DVX and would love to have an affordable HD alternative and use the DVX as the second camera. For aspect, I'd have to invest in a widescreen lens for the DVX.

The key to this is workflow and whether the AVCHD will work in Bogart. One key question is whether the 24p with the AVCHD will create any problems. I considered the Canon XHA-1 but my understanding is that 24f looks jerky.

As for the EX-1, that's a great camera but it's over $6K, which is a budget buster.