I'd virtually talked myself into swapping my Sony HVR Z1 for the HVX200 when I read (to my horror) that the 200 doesn't do Variable Frame Rate in DVCPRO HD.

Is that correct - or is there some way around it?

While we're on the subject, can the 200 do Time Lapse in DVCPRO HD mode?

Thanks.

Andy

It does variable frame rates in 720p dvcpro HD. You can upconvert the 720p slowmotion to 1080i and you won't notice much resolution loss.

Indeed, the wide range of selectable frame rates in DVCPRO HD is one of this camera's primary features. As stated above, you'll need to use the 720p flavor of DVCPRO HD in order to leverage the copious number of frame rates selections found in the HVX200.

The frame rates are "selectable" in that there are a large number of them from which to choose. They are not "variable" in the strict sense of the term in that you cannot ramp from one rate to another during the same shot... you'll need a VariCam for that.

You can upconvert the 720p slowmotion to 1080i and you won't notice much resolution loss.

Mmm . . . I'd need to see it before I was convinced.
(Thanks for your advice though).

Andy

Chris is correct....
We have done this many times.

Chris is correct....
We have done this many times.

Chris is correct about what?
Upconverting from 720 to 1080 do you mean?

I didn't know he was referring to that!
Am I missing something here?

Andy

Sorry, yes - The variable frames rates...
Plus with the HVX200, there is an undocumented "hack" to
enable frame rates down to 2 fps....
And we have also upconverted 720 slo-mo footage to
1080 with good results.

Sorry, yes - The variable frames rates...
Plus with the HVX200, there is an undocumented "hack" to
enable frame rates down to 2 fps....
And we have also upconverted 720 slo-mo footage to
1080 with good results.

Thanks Mike, Chris and Sergio - that's the best news I've had all day!

Now all I have to do is convince myself those P2s aren't going to drive me around the bend!

Andy

I don't have much experience in anything (obviously), but I certainly love working with the P2 cards. I bought two 8 gig cards and they will let me shoot 40 minutes of footage without a single stop. If I were dumping bad clips as I went along, I'd be fine for a whole day with just those two cards.

Stephen

We weren't too trusting of the P2 workflow. As it stands now, we made a 40 foot unbillical cord that comes off of the hvx and connects directly to a box on wheels that holds our monitors and laptop. We move the box around when needed. Eventually our box will power our monitors and computers from within its casing.

We use FCP and capture directly to an external hard drive. The system has been working well for us and has also allowed to log each clip as we capture.

P2 workflow is not that bad.....
I have been thinking that way for years.
I usually shoot on location and rarely shoot in studio.
I have looked at the firestore but I find I can
work faster without being tethered to something.

Hey Mike,

I'm still leery. Either way, I'll wait for the cards to get bigger and/or for someone to come out with with a less expensive/higher capacity device. Our package is designed for field work, as we only do corporate style web video for the web in our studio. Our shoots usually take a lot of light, so we're used to being tethered.

Come Feb. we'll be shooting a short-form dramatic series, all out in the field, minus special fx. The package has been working well in all of our field tests thus far.

We also just purchased a decomissioned hostess truck. So if we have to run & gun, we'll just work out of the back of the truck.

We also built a remote follow focus that's working well. Our next item is an 8 foot jib that will hold a steadi-cam arm and the hxv/m2 package.

If you want to edit 24p don't you have to remove the pulldown in all of your video? My videos end up on DVD or the web. All 24p. I can start editing the minute I import the the P2 folder.....
What if you have a car shot or need to strap the camera to a bike
or motorcycle?

FCP automatically removes the pulldown while you capture. So that doesn't slow the setup down.

As far as car shots go, I don't know if we could mount to a bike or motorcycle. We could mount to the front or side of our step van. It could also be mounted to the side or front of the vehicle, looking in. We'll should have those tests completed by end of December, but I think enough tech exists now to work it out.