I know, I am scratching on a level above DV and HDV here asking this question, but maybe I am lucky and someone here knows a hint:

Panasonic supports Apple with the DVCProHD codec of its Varicam and therefore Apple users are able to capture Varicam footage from the Panasonic 1200a deck via firewire at 14MB/s. Which is a wonderful thing compared to SDI connections and datarates that need tons of RAIDs and hardware which alone costs more than my movie.

Is this codec also available in the PC world? Are there any editing solutions that can handle DVCProHD or do I have to buy an Apple and Final Cut HD?

I am asking because the rental of a Varicam package would be affordable to me, but buying a complete new set of hard- and software (and learning it) would make it much less economic, not to mention that the people who'd make the VFX and colorgrading all work in a PC environment.

BTW, I heard/read that the compressed footage of the Varicam captured via firewire is not as good as the uncompressed one which got captured via SDI? How is that possible when the compressed footage is exactly what was recorded on the tape?

Cheers, Peter

Peter: the best answer I know of for the PC platform is the new Canopus Edius SP for HDV with the Codec Option Pack, as described at the following URL:

http://www.canopus.us/US/products/EDIUS_HDV_SP/pm_EDIUS_HDV_SP.asp

"With the Codec Option Pack, EDIUS SP for HDV supports direct HD lossless capture and print–to-tape functions
with the Panasonic DVCPRO HD VTR (AJ-HD1200A) in native 1080/60i/50i via EDIUS SP for HDV's onboard
FireWire connector. "

Regarding DVCProHD editing issues, you may find the following discussion of this topic interesting--especially the last section at the bottom of the page:

http://www.cineform.com/technology/quality.htm

Kevin, thank you! Your answer was exactly what I was looking for!