In Reply to Chris and Tony,

I agree that the "measurebating" which occurs in the video (and film) world and on these discussion boards is counter-intuitive. I base my opinions of a camera on how the image "feels" and how comfortable I am using the camera. I am not one to measurebate.... (really, whoever came up with that word is a genius)

However, as Tony pointed out, there are some unfounded, nasty oppinions of HDV out there. I believe many of them are unfounded, and a result of people scruitinizing the numbers and not looking at the pictures.

24F (to get back on topic) is another casualty of word-of-mouth. I have recently lost quite a bit of money on my purchase of a Canon A1 due to 24F and HDV putting prospective clients off. Instead, they have asked me to shoot on HVX or even DVX over the Canon A1.

I mean, come on... a DVX 100 over a Canon A1. I know that it is the story and substance that make an image, not a camera, but I have become quite snippy and actually offended by people not wanting to use Canon's HDV formats simply because they have HEARD that Panasonic is better.

I even had one client prefer to shoot SD on a rented HVX to tape instead of saving 1/2 his money by renting my camera (I was DP as well) and being able to shoot HD. The Director also had to then invest $500 in cineform to edit the DVCproHD in premiere instead of a free upgrade to edit 24F from adobe.

Don't get me wrong, the HVX is a fantastic camera... but I don't get where all this "anti-canon" and "anti-HDV" sentiment comes from.

Anyway, I am just frustrated and am a staunch supporter (not out of brand loyalty mind you) of Canon and it's 24F HDV format. As an artist, I use whatever works, aand to any doubters out there, this camera really REALLY works.

Just tell them it shoots 24 frames per second progressive at a higher resolution than the HVX. Which is true. It is 24p; Canon chose to use the "frame" designation because they get progressive from interlaced chips.

Recently a friend of mine shot some TV spots for our festival, and the agency producer wanted to use the HVX200, but he had a Z1 and pointed out that the HVX would cost the agency the rental fee, so they reluctantly went with the Z1. Then they saw the footage and were blown away. And...the XH A1 looks better, in my opinion. Not hugely better, just has a nicer look, and you don't really have to do anything to the footage after the fact to get rid of the "video look." And, the people who rant about HDV obviously haven't seen any professionally-shot HDV footage. They did the same thing in the early days of DV.

I agree Bill,

Not to start an Anti-HVX rally here, but I have often thought of the DV-HDV comparison.

I find the difference between HDV and DVCpro HD is similar to the difference between DV and DVCpro.

Much like their "H" counterparts, DV was shunned at first while DVCpro quickly gained broadcast approval by the masses. But, in my limited oppinion, I think that DV can look just as good, if not better.

I really hope HDV starts getting some appreciation soon. It needs to be used on some huge movie, like DV was for 28 Days Later....

Several films have already been shot HDV. I've seen one, "Mojave Phone Booth." It was making the festival rounds earlier in the year and may have some limited distribution now. It had a great look, and I was surprised to find out after I'd seen it that it was shot with the Z1.

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I really hope HDV starts getting some appreciation soon. It needs to be used on some huge movie, like DV was for 28 Days Later....

Nick Hiltgen used an XL H1 to shoot a movie that, if I recall correctly, has got 5 screenings at the upcoming Sundance. Not too shabby, and I'd bet a buck it'll get picked up for some kind of distribution.

Sounds interesting Phil...

Still, even the mighty Canon XL2 had difficulty taking a piece of the DVX's nieche.

I think that the Canon, Panasonic divide runs deep in the indie film/videography world with professionals favouring Panny's out of habit. (I understand Panasonic makes MANY more professional cameras than Canon, while Canon makes Many more lenses...)

Still, many DP's I know refuse to work with Canon's without even having tried them. Even when they can get them cheaper or more easily

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Still, many DP's I know refuse to work with Canon's without even having tried them. Even when they can get them cheaper or more easily

That's a real bummer. Maybe you could put together a small DVD with some outstanding sample footage and give it to them? Some well shot footage from an Xh A1 on a 42"+ TV is mighty impressive...

Heck, tell them its an HVX200 at first :)