Considering the HM100 for high motion footage at DVinfo.net

Ian Newland · November 5th, 2009, 04:52 AM

Hi Guys, I'm close to purchasing this camera (GY-HM100) for shooting high motion footage where the camera will be subjected to jerking and shaking from the back if a Jetski on the ocean. I also process most of the footage with software stabilizer Prodad Mercalli.

I use mainly full auto mode, the cam will be in a waterproof housing and used mostly in good light.

My reasons for considering this cam are ...

1. CCD (no rolling shutter issues)
2. Removable handle, small form factor.
3. High performance codec.
4. No moving parts (SD cards)
5. Good range of Formats and 60/50fps progressive

Anyone have any comments on suitability or anything i have overlooked?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

One final question ... how is the O.I.S on this Cam?

Cheers Ian

Colin Rowe · November 5th, 2009, 06:22 AM

Hi Ian.
I have been using my HM100 since May, The camera does have some basic design flaws, nothing you wont be able to live with. The zoom control, rocker or ring is not very controllable, the LCD is c**p, and the OIS could do with a lot of work. Having said that, I love the camera. The images it produces are amazing, and the workflow, awesome. I tend to engage the ND on all outside work, and compensate exposure by -2 in brighter conditions. When using in manual, you may find the controls on the back of the cam a little strange, but once you adapt and get used to them it all comes as second nature.
Hope this helps.

Robert Rogoz · November 5th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Ian , I shot some bike footage, and you will need to use 720/60p. However the camera doesn't have 1/120 shutter. Manual controls are funky and zoom is not workable.

Jack Walker · November 5th, 2009, 04:38 PM

Yes, for your use the camera sounds perfect.

The camera does a very good job in auto mode. You may need to use the compensation control as described above. You may want a neutral density filter on it as well depending on how bright the water is.

The camera is small and light. May have to protect buttons so they don't get accidentally pushed when bouncing around. I don't know if the camera will fall apart if shook around, but there isn't much moving, so should be okay. However, somebody may have experience with that.

Ian Newland · November 5th, 2009, 05:28 PM

Thank you Colin, Robert and Jack. The cam will be in housing so no chance buttons being knocked, also i believe the body of the JVC is metal so should be solid.

I would consider a basic CCD camera used in auto mode, but not many choices in the flash card format in older or S/H cameras, so might have to bite the bullet on cost factor and take a lot of care with it. These are paying jobs so the quality needs to be at a high standard (definitely no jello wobble)

Anyone else with suggestions or used the camera in high motion situations?

Cheers

Robert Rogoz · November 8th, 2009, 05:46 PM

Ian, I just shot some mountain bike footage for local store. The best results are 720/60p or 1080/60i. I think particularly 24 (much worst in 1080 then 720) looks like crap. OIS is so-so, but with steady hand you can get decent shots. I still want EX1 or EX3, but no budget for it at the moment.

Steve Mullen · November 10th, 2009, 08:25 PM

Depending on the type of vibration and bouncing -- OIS may not be ideal. Handholding the waterproof box may be better.

Also, shooting 1920x1080 and using s/w stabilization with a final 1280x720 frame might work.

Ian Newland · November 10th, 2009, 11:22 PM

Hi Steve, thanks for he suggestion, could you explain why the 1920 x 1080 - 1280 x 720 software stabilization downsize would work, i'm having trouble following that? Thanks.

Ian

Robert Rogoz · November 11th, 2009, 10:31 AM

Ian, one thing you'll have to look at is the software- Prodad Mercalli. I looked at it and it doesn't support XDCAM coodec, so you'll have to transcode it.

November 5th, 2009, 04:52 AM	#1
Ian Newland Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 319	Considering the HM100 for high motion footage Hi Guys, I'm close to purchasing this camera (GY-HM100) for shooting high motion footage where the camera will be subjected to jerking and shaking from the back if a Jetski on the ocean. I also process most of the footage with software stabilizer Prodad Mercalli. I use mainly full auto mode, the cam will be in a waterproof housing and used mostly in good light. My reasons for considering this cam are ... 1. CCD (no rolling shutter issues) 2. Removable handle, small form factor. 3. High performance codec. 4. No moving parts (SD cards) 5. Good range of Formats and 60/50fps progressive Anyone have any comments on suitability or anything i have overlooked? Thanks in advance for any feedback. One final question ... how is the O.I.S on this Cam? Cheers Ian

November 5th, 2009, 06:22 AM	#2
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	Hi Ian. I have been using my HM100 since May, The camera does have some basic design flaws, nothing you wont be able to live with. The zoom control, rocker or ring is not very controllable, the LCD is c**p, and the OIS could do with a lot of work. Having said that, I love the camera. The images it produces are amazing, and the workflow, awesome. I tend to engage the ND on all outside work, and compensate exposure by -2 in brighter conditions. When using in manual, you may find the controls on the back of the cam a little strange, but once you adapt and get used to them it all comes as second nature. Hope this helps. __________________ Colin

November 5th, 2009, 05:28 PM	#5
Ian Newland Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 319	Thank you Colin, Robert and Jack. The cam will be in housing so no chance buttons being knocked, also i believe the body of the JVC is metal so should be solid. I would consider a basic CCD camera used in auto mode, but not many choices in the flash card format in older or S/H cameras, so might have to bite the bullet on cost factor and take a lot of care with it. These are paying jobs so the quality needs to be at a high standard (definitely no jello wobble) Anyone else with suggestions or used the camera in high motion situations? Cheers Last edited by Ian Newland; November 6th, 2009 at 03:32 PM.

November 10th, 2009, 08:25 PM	#7
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Depending on the type of vibration and bouncing -- OIS may not be ideal. Handholding the waterproof box may be better. Also, shooting 1920x1080 and using s/w stabilization with a final 1280x720 frame might work. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

November 5th, 2009, 09:44 AM	#3
Robert Rogoz Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 457	Ian , I shot some bike footage, and you will need to use 720/60p. However the camera doesn't have 1/120 shutter. Manual controls are funky and zoom is not workable.

November 5th, 2009, 04:38 PM	#4
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Yes, for your use the camera sounds perfect. The camera does a very good job in auto mode. You may need to use the compensation control as described above. You may want a neutral density filter on it as well depending on how bright the water is. The camera is small and light. May have to protect buttons so they don't get accidentally pushed when bouncing around. I don't know if the camera will fall apart if shook around, but there isn't much moving, so should be okay. However, somebody may have experience with that.

November 8th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#6
Robert Rogoz Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 457	Ian, I just shot some mountain bike footage for local store. The best results are 720/60p or 1080/60i. I think particularly 24 (much worst in 1080 then 720) looks like crap. OIS is so-so, but with steady hand you can get decent shots. I still want EX1 or EX3, but no budget for it at the moment.

November 10th, 2009, 11:22 PM	#8
Ian Newland Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 319	Hi Steve, thanks for he suggestion, could you explain why the 1920 x 1080 - 1280 x 720 software stabilization downsize would work, i'm having trouble following that? Thanks. Ian

November 11th, 2009, 10:31 AM	#9
Robert Rogoz Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 457	Ian, one thing you'll have to look at is the software- Prodad Mercalli. I looked at it and it doesn't support XDCAM coodec, so you'll have to transcode it.