The HD100 on location in Madagascar - my experience
 

Several people have written me wanting to know more about my experience with the HD100 during a grueling two week shoot in Madagascar last October. Unfortunately, I have not had time to write it up, but Studio Monthly's Beth Merchant did a nice job summarizing the experience in the current issue.

The article is available on-line at: http://www.studiodaily.com/studiomon...ssue/5887.html

What the article does not mention (because it happened after the interview) is that the camera had to go back to the factory for extensive repairs afterwards. This is not surprising considering that the camera was literally (and unintentionally) underwater more than once - with nothing but a rain cover for protection. But, in any case, you may want to think twice before you run off and try the same thing!

Awesome story Andrew, your experience with the camera is just classic. I love the Gorilla glue. When can we expect to see the show?

Air Date
 

Great Job Andrew, I got to tip my hat for you, I read the article the other day, very great job. When will it be on the air? Other threads said it would air this Sunday 8th @ 10:00am, is this true. Please let me know , I am eager to view your footage.

So you shot it in 720p HDV 30fps right? why not 24p, just a question, curiouse of your descion... thanks for taking the time to post a thread Andrew.

Manny Rodriguez

Likely so he could edit!

Andrew, in the text of the article, you talk about how durable you thought the camera is. In contrast, for some reason over the months I've had mine, I feel a need to baby it...unlike say, an LTR or a BVW-400. I guess I tend to think the lightweight DV transport is easy to mess up.

After all the bouncing around on the shoot, did you have any trouble getting tapes to digitize due to tracking errors/recording head misalignment?

Hi Nate,

Yes, that's exactly why. I had a delivery deadline to deal with and there was no reason not to shoot 30p for my two clients. The filmout was an afterthought and done as a test. It was MOS, so there were no consequences of slowing the footage down - just like shooting film at 30fps.

I don't have that much experience with Betacams, but I would definately not say that the camera is durable like an LTR. Nore was I expecting it to be, given that is has much more plastic than an LTR. I was just amazed that it held up as well as it did.

It is also worth pointing out that while this was a very abusive shooting experience, I have only used the camera a handfull of days since then, so your own experiences may be more telling.

I had no such problems, but I did often get the "Heads need to be cleaned" warning, which was very unnerving - although none of the footage turned out to have problems. In any case, I'm anxious to switch over to hard disk recording asap.

Tapes
 

what type of type did you use?

when will it air?

Tapes
 

Hi Manny,

I used Sony PHDVM-63DM. They're the most expensive ones on the market (about $18). I guess I was attempting to buy peace of mind.

In about 18 hours of shooting I had about a half dozen "incidents." All but one of these turned out to be the tracking errors David Leitner spoke of in the article - not real dropouts. One was a real humdinger - and it was on the very first tape!

I know there was a post on the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ, out there but can't find it, you ever used these? As per a JVC rep. @ the Los Angeles Dv Expo, they told me to stick with either the Sony 63min pro, Or the Panasonic 63min pro, just stick with one brand, incase of emergency stick your head cleaner and swap the other brand, but they insisted I stick with one. It's pretty hard to decide on what type of tapes to use when you have the end user giving their beleives and expiriences on these products. thanks for your info..

Manny

They did??? I like those and have been using them with Sony gear but I am reluctant to use them with the JVC. So far nobody was able to really explain the difference between the 'wet' lubricated SONY and 'dry' Panasonic/JVC, etc. tapes.

Hi Andrew,

Is it you that's coming to Columbia College on Feb 2?

Yes, Stephen. I'll be showing the 35mm filmout. I think I'll be doing the same in LA on Jan. 31st, but it's not in stone yet. I'll keep you all posted.

Good stuff Andrew. Can't wait to see how yours turned out. Our group is working on an HD-100 film out for a follow up event. I'll be there and am looking forward to it.

Looking forward to the LA screening Andrew--did you get to do that second pass on the filmout you were hoping to?

Hi Charles,

Hoping to in the next few weeks. Your mini35 test should be in the mix as well.

HD100 footage on PBS this Sunday
 

Hi Michael,

From what I can tell, the first installment will go out this Sunday (Jan 8) on PBS, as a part of National Geographic's Wild Chronicles series. I saw 10am on the web but check local listings. (Ahem... not exactly prime time). The second installment is due to follow a week later. This is a news magazine show, so the segments are fairly short.

For those interested, I shot this material at 720p30, edited at 720p30 on FCP, then downconverted to DV 4x3 on FCP (also did pan & scan on FCP). It was then output to DVCAM for delivery to NGT.