Tim's HM700 review link & feedback thread at DVinfo.net

Chris Hurd · February 17th, 2009, 06:50 PM

Here's Tim's review:

JVC ProHD GY-HM700 An In-Depth First Look by Tim Dashwood on DV Info Net

Please use *this* thread for Q&A. Thanks,

Shaun Roemich · February 17th, 2009, 07:01 PM

Tim: the two "beefs" I've always had with Canon lenses, as compared to Fujinons, are: the focus ring always seems "loose" compared to Fujis; and the manual/auto iris switch on the lens control under your pinky is reversed relative to Fujis. Can you comment.

Tim Dashwood · February 17th, 2009, 10:16 PM

The focus ring felt fluid but come to think of it I think you're right about the servo switch being the opposite of Fujinon.

UPDATE: I've uploaded 720p overcrank and undercrank samples to Vimeo.

http://www.vimeo.com/3260937

http://www.vimeo.com/3261024

Harry Pallenberg · February 17th, 2009, 10:31 PM

Sorry to only ask for more, when you've basically given us all that is anywhere on the web... but...

Will there be any low light footage / grabs? Or at least some personal impressions of its low light performance?

Glad to hear the lens is better than the last generation of stock lenses.

Thanks again.

Tyge Floyd · February 17th, 2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks for the review! I've been really looking forward to this.

I too would like to request some low light frame grabs and your opinion as to how this camera performs in low light compared to the Canon XLH1 series cameras.

Thanks again for taking the time to shed some light (pun intended) on the GY-HM700.

Brian Ladue · February 18th, 2009, 12:14 AM

Great review Tim! Thanks, it sure does look like an awesome camera... One more thing we could add to your wishlist is an external dial to change framerates without having to dive into menus, just like the EX3. Look forward to your videos on Vimeo!

Alex Humphrey · February 18th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Tim, Thanks for the first review!

any news on Canon possibly releasing the lens for sale for us 1xx/2xx series camera owners? It should mount just fine I imagine. If so, similar price to the Fujinon 17x?

I think it's a steal of a camera. I figured my IDX battery system and FE DTE plus camera would come close to the 700 $$... (figureing rolling back time to when the 110 came out of course) but a newer better platform. It sounds like a winner. I'm not going to get rid of my 110 anytime soon though.

Simon Denny · February 18th, 2009, 01:23 AM

Love the look of this camera and I wonder how this cam will be in low light.
Can this cam shoot SD or is this a HD cam?

Cheers

Steven Lyons · February 18th, 2009, 03:08 AM

thanks for a great review Tim
Is the camera recording to sdhc still 8 bit 4.2.0?

Is the SDI output 4.2.2 10bit?
how was low light performance compared to HD251?
how were noise levels compared to HD251?
Panasonic seems to have raised the benchmark with their
AG HPX-300 1/3inch 1080 4.2.2 10 bit.
Still the hm700 looks like an awesome camera, as long as there is less noise I will probably go for one.

Scott Owens · February 18th, 2009, 10:19 AM

Tim,

Outstanding preview...I thank you for all the research/time you have taken with this new JVC to bring "us" such usable/knowledgeable info in such a timely manner.

You stated:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

....but the truth is that by simply downloading and installing the free open-source Perian XDCAM Quicktime component, the files can be read by most other Quicktime compatible applications. After installing the open-source XDCAM component I easily opened and imported the Quicktime clips I shot into Premiere Pro CS4, Media 100 Producer & Quicktime Player using an off-the-shelf Macbook that had never had FCP installed. To work with the XDCAM EX .MOV files in Windows I recommend Calibrated Software’s XD Decode. I was able to open the HM700 Quicktime files in the Windows XP version of Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 after XD Decode was installed."

Does this mean the OS Perian component will only allow editing capabilities, not for viewing the footage; thus, the need for CS XD Decode for the viewing on PC???

Once again, thank you. I have been sitting silently for years taking in all that DVInfo has to offer and waiting to take the "leap" into the HD realm for my Event Videography services; I am really leaning towards this JVC 700 as my first HD Pro Camera and thanks to you, I have been educated.

Thank you.
Scott O.

Brian Tori · February 18th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Tim,

You stated that you were able to import .mov files into Premiere CS4 on Windows XP without issue. My question is, do you have to use XD Decoder to do this, or, will Premiere import these regardless without having to render? Is XD Decoder only necessary if you want to playback files using Quicktime player?

Shaun Roemich · February 18th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Dumb question but has there been any discussion of the HM700 being compatible with the studio accessories for the HD250?

PS. THANK YOU for all your hard work and dedication to getting us this info.

Randy Johnson · February 18th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Any word on low light performance vs the older cameras ie GY-hd100's?

Chris Hurd · February 19th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Randy, I'm not sure that Tim's brief time with the camera allowed for any serious low-light testing, but rest assured that he'll put it through its full paces as soon as a thorough review can be arranged.

Alex Humphrey · February 19th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Well my motivation to buy a Panasonic HPX-500 or a Panasonic HPX-300 is completely gone. (as nice as the HPX-500 is mind you) I think JVC has me for another 5 years or so. My only complaint so far with either of the two new cameras is a lack of wired lens control on the HM-100. But I understand why they don't. I just think every camera should have one. Even just a Lanc type license would have been nice.

February 17th, 2009, 06:50 PM	#1
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Tim's HM700 review link & feedback thread Here's Tim's review: JVC ProHD GY-HM700 An In-Depth First Look by Tim Dashwood on DV Info Net Please use this thread for Q&A. Thanks, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 17th, 2009, 07:01 PM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Tim: the two "beefs" I've always had with Canon lenses, as compared to Fujinons, are: the focus ring always seems "loose" compared to Fujis; and the manual/auto iris switch on the lens control under your pinky is reversed relative to Fujis. Can you comment. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

February 17th, 2009, 10:16 PM	#3
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	The focus ring felt fluid but come to think of it I think you're right about the servo switch being the opposite of Fujinon. UPDATE: I've uploaded 720p overcrank and undercrank samples to Vimeo. http://www.vimeo.com/3260937 http://www.vimeo.com/3261024 __________________ Tim Dashwood

February 17th, 2009, 10:31 PM	#4
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Thanks Tim... Sorry to only ask for more, when you've basically given us all that is anywhere on the web... but... Will there be any low light footage / grabs? Or at least some personal impressions of its low light performance? Glad to hear the lens is better than the last generation of stock lenses. Thanks again.

February 17th, 2009, 10:56 PM	#5
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	Thanks for the review! I've been really looking forward to this. I too would like to request some low light frame grabs and your opinion as to how this camera performs in low light compared to the Canon XLH1 series cameras. Thanks again for taking the time to shed some light (pun intended) on the GY-HM700. __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

February 18th, 2009, 12:14 AM	#6
Brian Ladue Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 149	Great review Tim! Thanks, it sure does look like an awesome camera... One more thing we could add to your wishlist is an external dial to change framerates without having to dive into menus, just like the EX3. Look forward to your videos on Vimeo!

February 18th, 2009, 12:21 AM	#7
Alex Humphrey Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: california North and South Posts: 642	Tim, Thanks for the first review! any news on Canon possibly releasing the lens for sale for us 1xx/2xx series camera owners? It should mount just fine I imagine. If so, similar price to the Fujinon 17x? I think it's a steal of a camera. I figured my IDX battery system and FE DTE plus camera would come close to the 700 $$... (figureing rolling back time to when the 110 came out of course) but a newer better platform. It sounds like a winner. I'm not going to get rid of my 110 anytime soon though.

February 18th, 2009, 01:23 AM	#8
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	Love the look of this camera and I wonder how this cam will be in low light. Can this cam shoot SD or is this a HD cam? Cheers

February 18th, 2009, 03:08 AM	#9
Steven Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gold Coast Australia Posts: 28	hm700 review thanks for a great review Tim Is the camera recording to sdhc still 8 bit 4.2.0? Is the SDI output 4.2.2 10bit? how was low light performance compared to HD251? how were noise levels compared to HD251? Panasonic seems to have raised the benchmark with their AG HPX-300 1/3inch 1080 4.2.2 10 bit. Still the hm700 looks like an awesome camera, as long as there is less noise I will probably go for one.

February 18th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#11
Brian Tori Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 408	Tim, You stated that you were able to import .mov files into Premiere CS4 on Windows XP without issue. My question is, do you have to use XD Decoder to do this, or, will Premiere import these regardless without having to render? Is XD Decoder only necessary if you want to playback files using Quicktime player?

February 18th, 2009, 03:13 PM	#12
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Dumb question but has there been any discussion of the HM700 being compatible with the studio accessories for the HD250? PS. THANK YOU for all your hard work and dedication to getting us this info. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

February 18th, 2009, 08:35 PM	#13
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	Any word on low light performance vs the older cameras ie GY-hd100's?

February 19th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#14
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Randy, I'm not sure that Tim's brief time with the camera allowed for any serious low-light testing, but rest assured that he'll put it through its full paces as soon as a thorough review can be arranged. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 19th, 2009, 07:03 PM	#15
Alex Humphrey Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: california North and South Posts: 642	Well my motivation to buy a Panasonic HPX-500 or a Panasonic HPX-300 is completely gone. (as nice as the HPX-500 is mind you) I think JVC has me for another 5 years or so. My only complaint so far with either of the two new cameras is a lack of wired lens control on the HM-100. But I understand why they don't. I just think every camera should have one. Even just a Lanc type license would have been nice.