Well, the thread goes a new direction for me. I'm ready to sell my HD250 b/c I shot for a month with two EX1s and was blown away by the image. So, to be keeping this form, shooting XDCAM EX + the larger frame size and to SDHC - is brilliant; must have even.

But...there's one product that is making me pause just a bit - and that's the Flash XDR (http://www.convergent-design.com/CD_Products_FlashXDR.htm). If I can get rid of some of the chunkiness of HDV and essentially collect a pure signal to the same SDHC (or whatever; no tape) then I might be a little less needy for the HM700...

If I can get so much more out of my 250, then perhaps I CAN wait a year or so to upgrade....only thing about this Flash thingy - it's not cheap. It's $4800. That's awfully close to what the body of the 700 will probably be... B&H needs to figure this out, but they list it with the 14x as 6995 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606881-REG/JVC_GY_HM700U_GY_HM700U_ProHD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html) then again as just the body for 7495 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606886-REG/JVC_GY_HM700CHU_GY_HM700CHU_ProHD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html). For a 2k upgrade to the XDR, you can toss in a whole video camera...

Any thoughts about this??? I need to spend some time on the XDR thread - but can you nip this in the bud for me? Can you say - no, dude - go buy it? The difference is amazing???

Thanks...

Just checked the HM700 price at B&H: with 17x Fuji lens, $9,995. Ouch! That's for 1/3" CCD's.

If I can get so much more out of my 250, then perhaps I CAN wait a year or so to upgrade....only thing about this Flash thingy - it's not cheap. It's $4800. That's awfully close to what the body of the 700 will probably be... B&H needs to figure this out, but they list it with the 14x as 6995 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606881-REG/JVC_GY_HM700U_GY_HM700U_ProHD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html) then again as just the body for 7495 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606886-REG/JVC_GY_HM700CHU_GY_HM700CHU_ProHD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html). For a 2k upgrade to the XDR, you can toss in a whole video camera...

John, Jeffrey,
Check the Flash XDR younger brother called Nano Flash.
The 250 is embeding the sound on the sdi out signal so the nano will do just fine.
Check the specs on convergent design site.
Good luck,
Eugen

According to my calculations, at 35mbps you should get 1h5m out of a 16GB card. 1h30m at 25mbps.

On the EX1 @35 mbs, 16 gigs gets you 59 minutes. @25ms you get 79 minutes.

I would think that the JVC would record the same times.

Daniel Weber

Thanks Daniel. I LITERALLY just did the math and didn't take into consideration file systems and other overhead.

John, Jeffrey,
Check the Flash XDR younger brother called Nano Flash.
The 250 is embeding the sound on the sdi out signal so the nano will do just fine.

Thanks Eugen - it is intriguing. Still not exactly cheap at $3495 - two SR12s or one new HM100s...or 500 back hair removals...I guess at some point, substitutional pricing breaks down.

Going tapeless at a higher quality than I've been shooting at...really going to have chew on this one...

Does anyone know what the second file format extension is when using the HM100 or HM700? The cameras are obviously .mov compatible, but I'm confused as to what we get on the PC side. What does "ISO based" mean? On the HM700 page it states that it can record to XDCAM EX compatible .mp4 files only with the optional SxS recorder. What is the extension going to be when shooting to the SDHC cards?
Here is an explanation of the ISO based file format:

What is MP4 Format Video? (http://www.tansee.com/what-is-mp4-video.html)

I'm curious - my dealer is offering me an HM-700 with a Fujinon 17x lens for < $7k. His claim is that the 17x is a better lens than the Canon lens that the 700 is scheduled to be bundled with the package.

What would you do if you had the $7k?

Thanks ~ Lee

It really depends on whether you need to go long or go wide.

I'm holding out for the Canon SOLELY because I already have 2 16x5.5 lenses from my 2 - 200U's. And I know I can buy a 17x from B&H for about $3k. Not sure how long before the 14x Canon will be available as a "for purchase" lens instead of being available in the kit but this is merely my speculation.

And I know I can buy a 17x from B&H for about $3k.....

That was his point - that the lens by itself was around $3k, so that amounted to $4k for the camera. It seems that everyone regards the 16x that comes with the 200 as a 'throw away' worth a few hundred bucks. I have a couple of 16x's also, but I'm thinking about selling my 200 for a 700, and I read somewhere that when the 'official' 700 comes out with the 17x option it will be north of $9k.

He said that when the Canon lens became available to him that the $7k price would be the same and that the 17x would be an upgrade. Just trying to figure out if it's a real deal or not.

Thanks ~ Lee

If I could justify it, I'd own both the 17x AND the 14x Canon. I just don't know what the best cost benefit is to do it... The 17x5 still isn't QUITE as long as the stock 16x (although more useable in terms of CA at tele) and I find I use full tele on my 16x out of necessity often enough that I know the 14x isn't going to be a "one size fits all" solution for me. ARGH! Can't we all just win the lottery or something?

I'm waiting to see what the body only price will be.

The 17x5 still isn't QUITE as long as the stock 16x (although more useable in terms of CA at tele)

Well; the 17x is 85mm at tele, the 16x is 88m at tele. There really isn't anything in it...

This might have been asked and answered earlier, but I didn't run across it tonight.... but..... does the HM700 come with a battery system charger and battery, or do we pick IDX or AB in addition to the camera/lens package? Getting close to selling my HD110/IDX/DTE system, and I have an ugly feeling that the HM700 doesn't come with a battery system.

This might have been asked and answered earlier, but I didn't run across it tonight.... but..... does the HM700 come with a battery system charger and battery, or do we pick IDX or AB in addition to the camera/lens package? Getting close to selling my HD110/IDX/DTE system, and I have an ugly feeling that the HM700 doesn't come with a battery system.

I was told that the unit does not come with battery and charger (ac adapter). Also, if you want to use IDX, you'll have to use the small adapter plate that converts AB to IDX - I think they are initially releasing only AB mounts.

This info came from a dealer. It may be right...or not.

It appears that North American "U" versions will ship by default with Anton Bauer mounts, battery and charger. Other regions may embrace IDX.
The battery mount plates can be easily changed just as with any professional camera. It's only held on with 4 screws.

Another thing: I've not heard any mention of the ability to store configuration (scene) files with the 700. Anyone know about this?

Another thing: I've not heard any mention of the ability to store configuration (scene) files with the 700. Anyone know about this?

Yes it is there and even easier to work with than the HDXXX series.

It appears that North American "U" versions will ship by default with Anton Bauer mounts, battery and charger. Other regions may embrace IDX.
The battery mount plates can be easily changed just as with any professional camera. It's only held on with 4 screws.

Thanks Tim! Hopefully it will! If not I need to know before I sell my IDX system then have to turn around and rebuy an IDX or AB system. It also means I can get more for my used 110 system obviously. I may have a buyer for my 110/IDX/FE-DTE as well as my old GYHD10 from the old days. JVC should be happy that so many of us sound as though we are ready to jump when it comes out with only some sample footage from a pre-production model.

Tim, how did you like the Canon lens vs say the Fujinon 17x? or did you post your thoughts elsewhere?

Just got an update from BH photovideo from their sales rep. They are led to believe the HM700 with 17x lens will come with AB Plates... no batteries, no chargers. I may have to keep my IDX system and charge less for my used HD110.

Ouch, that means if we currently don't have an Anton Battery camera, then we are going to have to invest in that system.

Is it possible to buy only 1 anton battery and then just charge it while its on the camera? Or do we have to spend an extra $1000 to get that battery with a charger?

Well we shouldn't jump the gun yet. There might easily be a deal for the first 4 months like there was with the HD100/110 where you get a rebate for an IDX/AB system or a rebate for $$$ if you buy the AB charger/battery.

Or maybe the information is wrong and they are shipping the AB charger and a battery. A little too early to worry too much. However I did just email the person I'll be selling my HD110 with IDX system that I might want to keep the battery and charger and they keep the IDX mount, and change the price accordingly.

Well just spoke to a manufacture rep and here are the points we discussed

1 Camera will ship by the April 1 configured only with the fujinon 17 lens
(Canon 14 will not be available till June !
2 camera does not come with a case or a tripod plate ($325) (:
3 In order to do mp4 ex format you need to order the card recorder that attaches to the back of the camera ( $500) Without this you can only record .mov format on the sd cards
and finally no discounts .

The rep told me that no big discounts will be offered by any of the vendors

Doug

How about a free 5-year warranty like Panasonic's HPX300?

Doug

Your details are all correct. You'll have to invest in a 3 pin battery option and charger. I'm a big fan of Anton Bauer but I realize the price is a bit much sometimes.. so check out Switronix options. I'm going to be working with the Abel sales team to make a package around the HM700. What would you like it to include?

This is what I have for a basic package:
Camera
Batteries + Charger Combo (Anton Bauer or Switronix)
Case
Tripod Plate
2 x 16GB Class 6 SDHC Card (Transcend)

Addition packages would include:
Light Weight Support Rods
Arri Mattebox
SxS Back & SanDisk SxS card

JVC is setting a price minimum like Sony so buying a package is the way to save money. Any ideas of what else to add? We could even replace the standard gold mount with a V mount and add a V mount battery option.

We've done similar packages for the HPX300, which you can find here - HD 24p Cameras :: SD, HD 24p Cameras :: Cameras :: Equipment Sales :: Abel Cine Tech (http://www.abelcine.com/store/home.php?cat=331&sort=orderby&sort_direction=0&page=2)

Will we be able to preorder at Able Cine?

The Hm700 can record on SDHC and SXS simultaneously.
What happens if you have 2 32 gb sdhc cards and 1 32 gb sxs

Does the Hm 700 stop recording before it switches to the second 32gb SDHC ( to allow for sxs swap) or does it continue recording to the second SDHC card ?.

This is not very clear in the documentation.

Here is so oooh so exciting slow motion footage from the camera. It's Matt from our sales department, if you were wondering. This is an original MOV file off the SD card. It is in XDCAM 35mb so you'll need FCP 6.03 and above to play it.

http://www.shipsides.com/download/JVC700Slow.zip

Another note.. I talked to our sales team and we can't do custom packages because of JVCs new pricing policy. But gives us a call for a custom quote.

Andy

It is in XDCAM 35mb so you'll need FCP 6.03 and above to play it.

http://www.shipsides.com/download/JVC700Slow.zip

Or you can download and install the open-source PerianXDCAM Quicktime component for Mac if you don't have FCP6.
Discrete Cosine: Perian for Pro Codecs - Free HDV/DVCProHD/XDcam decoders (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mcfa0086/discretecosine/164630.html)

Windows users can download Calibrated's XD Decode XDCAM component for Quicktime.
Calibrated{Q} XD Decode (http://www.calibratedsoftware.com/QXD.asp) The demo is free but watermarked. (Calibrated{Q} XD Decode will gray out the middle 1/3 of the video frame. The top and bottom thirds will also have 1 horizontal gray line and 2 vertical gray lines embedded in the video frame.)

Tim! You always got the rockin info! It might get me by for a couple months before FCS3 is released some time this year. Thanks! (still using FCS 1)

Andy (and Matt from Sales),

Thanks... nice to finally see something. I oh so badly want to comment on the highlights, or the dark corners, or any of the many things I see... but, I'll just say nice to see that the camera takes moving images that can be used to make films / doc and so on.

Thanks.

Here is so oooh so exciting slow motion footage from the camera. It's Matt from our sales department, if you were wondering. This is an original MOV file off the SD card. It is in XDCAM 35mb so you'll need FCP 6.03 and above to play it.

http://www.shipsides.com/download/JVC700Slow.zip

Thanks for the clip Andy. Overall, the image looked pretty clean. A little noise in the blacks on the column on the right in the shadow, but basically very smooth looking.

Interestingly, I was able to import the quicktime into a Avid 3.05, 720/60 project with no problems. In fact it was pretty fast, about 15 seconds, so about realtime.

So, if one isn't in a huge hurry you could import QT's and save $500 by not buying SxS.
I'm sure mp4 to mxf is faster overall though.

Thanks, Cheers.

That looks good for 8bit 4:2:0.

The new panasonic hv-300 has lot's of sample video(more then 8 so far, that I know of) from a variety of sources to judge camera performance, but I want to see some from the new hd-700. To me it's really hard to grade this camera so far with the 3 current samples available. With all the new features this camera has over my hd-100, I want to buy one but lets see some good video in mp4 samples.

have u seen this..

JVC GY HM 100 Demofootage Testsession on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/3768207)

A quite run thru on the 700

JVC GY-HM700/ A QUICKY LOOK on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/3816256)

Been there, done that. I'd like to see some low-light footage. Off to Vimeo..........

http://www.siroma.com/AreaRiservata/Unicity/SelezionePuglia10.m2v.zip

Check here some MPEG2 (DVD quality) made from HM700 footage (also lowlight and 1280 60p slow motion)

http://www.siroma.com/AreaRiservata/Unicity/NightSlowTest.m2v.zip

Yesterday I bought my HM 700 with Canon 14x, I like the DOF
and less/nearly nothing CA's. The lens really good centered
when I zoom in, really nice, I love this lens.

>Marcello:
On my shots yesterday no problems like yours,
I think the new Canon will be one of the best lenses
for the HM700. Today a shot on a 12 hours mtb-race
on the shoulder, yesterday a opening-ceremony
Tomorrow one shot in an church.

Just checked the HM700 price at B&H: with 17x Fuji lens, $9,995. Ouch! That's for 1/3" CCD's.

If I can get so much more out of my 250, then perhaps I CAN wait a year or so to upgrade....only thing about this Flash thingy - it's not cheap. It's $4800. That's awfully close to what the body of the 700 will probably be... B&H needs to figure this out, but they list it with the 14x as 6995 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606881-REG/JVC_GY_HM700U_GY_HM700U_ProHD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html) then again as just the body for 7495 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606886-REG/JVC_GY_HM700CHU_GY_HM700CHU_ProHD_Solid_State_Camcorder.html). For a 2k upgrade to the XDR, you can toss in a whole video camera...

John & Jeff,
I tested out NANO FLASH with HM 700 using SDI feed , the test was recorded at 140 mbs . I was very disappointed, u can hardly see any difference comparing to the results from 35 mbs on SDHC card. I would not spend money on this device . The owner of the unit also commented that he is disappointed since he can't see any significant difference using it with EX 3 speaking about the quality, although you get a higher bit rate. I think this unit is just a matter of budget not necessarily much better quality footage.

I did some tests recording with an AJA io box. There's a negligible quality difference for low-motion shots, but it makes a world of difference in high motion, particularly with high detail.

Dear Yuriy,

One of our friends, Mr. Steve Phillips, requested that I respond to your post concerning the user of our nanoFlash with the HM700.

At first glance, the difference between quality 35 Mbps 4:2:0 and higher bit-rate 4:2:2 recording is not always obvious.

There is always a difference in that 4:2:2 retains more color information and this can ususally be seen, but it does depend on the scene being recorded. But, this can be fairly subtle at times.

The real difference, according to image experts, is that a higher bit-rate 4:2:2 recording holds up better in post, but this all depends on what is done in post.

The other difference is handling motion, either in the image, or camera motion, with higher bit-rates being better.

Please understand that modern cameras that record 4:2:0 at 35 Mbps can and do produce high quality images.