You really should check out XDCAM EX before making any decisions.

I agree, but is it shipping yet? Or on the horizon?

Prototypes are out there, footage has been shot etc.

I believe will ship at IBC time.

Don't trust my word though, do some digging. There's a DVD about it being produced (if not already available) and it's being shot with the prototype cameras.

Not impossible that it's being cut with Vegas, but that's just me joining some dots.

Bob.

Join those dots, Bob...
Prototype HDCAM EX cams are indeed out there.

I too was looking at teh HVX route for camcorders, but for me, the NLE is where i spend most of my time, so integration was paramount. To me, the NLE is far more important than the camera of choice and when the XDCAm EX was announced, it totally changed my ideals.
Im NOT a sony man.. in fact, im far from it, but the camera does everythign the HVX can save for the actual encoding onto card (being DVCProHD vs XDCam.

XDCam is already a proven format and within vegas, is a fast and effecient workflow. Much faster than P2 could ever on ANY NLE simply due to the bandwidth requirements of the format itself.
Perfect example is having only the need for 2 16 gb cards to last u all day (with a laptop of course)
The transfers are fast enough for you to only have one card in the camera system at once without the need of panicing due to transfer times. IN addition, cost of Cards are already much cheaper as these cards already exist

If frame rate and resolution is an issue, the XDCam is apparently running full res CCD?CMOS ? block unlike the HVX which is scaling
THeres also the isue of Block size, and versatility of the format itself.


A perfect example of a XDCam workflow is this -
Record to card, transfer footatge to laptop, burn footage onto BlureRay disc for archive.
Come to edit, open vegas and XDCam explorer, and use teh BD Discs as your source drive. THis is done through low res proxy if needed but to date with tests, its perfectly fine to cut straight as MXF using the BD disc as your source.
For intense work, Raid is much better obviously, but not necessary as ive got really good performance straight out of a 7200rpm IDE drive
Another thing, is that you DONT have to convert ANYTHING if u dont want to.
When i see ppl using a HVX and telling me they have to conform the file for FCP, to me, thats atotal waste of time and defeats teh purpose of Solid State recording.. some might disagree wtih me, but to me, SS recording is record, wack it in the drive and cut.. thats how it SHOULD be.

DOnt get me wrong, my DVX100's are still the workhorses for my studio, and ive sold my Z1's to go a couple of A1's and an XLh1, but in all honesty i dont think i'll need more than 1 A1 if the XDCam EX is coming out soon.

With Raylight you can edit straight off the card

yes we know that, but the issue with DVCProHD is the bandwidth requirements for archiving.
Theres also the issue of rendering requirements through raylight and the speed (or lack of) therein

For those doing longform, the only real option is Hard Drive, and for those doing weekly longform projects (such as weddings and concerts) its not a viable solution.
If P2 was cheaper, or there was a 50mbps option for HD, it woudl be the perfect compromise, as the HVX is a brilliant camera
Its only let down by slow transfer rates of cards (can u imagine how long it will take to transfer 32gb??? Youd need at least 2 to make teh transfer rate vs filming time viable)
You dont have these issues with XDCam though.. teh EX using SS through PCIe is running at least 4 to 6 times faster than PCMCIA bus speeds

Fair enough the optical discs of BD are expensive, but at least the option is there

or there was a 50mbps option for HD, it woudl be the perfect compromise, as the HVX is a brilliant camera
There already is an option for sub 50Mbps...24n.
Optical discs of BD are actually very inexpensive.
~Consider HDV@ .40 per gig
~Consider BD/XDCAM @ .90 per gig
~Consider Infinity @ 1.80 per gig
~Consider HDD systems @approx 20.00 per gig
~Consider P2 at over 200.00 per gig.

You can edit straight off of XDCAM discs and same with Infinity. Same with Firestore/similar systems as well. Having worked with the Infinity for the past few days, I'm very impressed.

Thanks for your suggestion,
There are some useful liks about XDCAM EX...?

As I told the Panasonic 200 in my opinion is the natural "step ahead" of the 100 on different point of wiews:

.1 small camera operator training needed...the two camera have 60% to 70% of function button etc...in similar places
2. DV funcion...ok It is not the future...but here in Italy most of low budget production in newsmaking and short docs is still in DV format.
3. Accessories (same battery - same optional externar microphone...)
4. Price / used camera: in my opinion the panasonic have the best ratio on buy/sell used camera....unlike SONY that seems a camera must be replaced by a new one eache 6 month....the Panasonic production of cameras is aroud 3 - 4 yeras develop.

No one answer about why Vegas in your opinion didn't develop the dvcpro HD on board?

Ciao.

No one answer about why Vegas in your opinion didn't develop the dvcpro HD on board?

Silviogo, this one has been answered several times on this board; cost. The codec isn't free from Panasonic, and the cost of the codec is very expensive.

...So you mean that a "small" company like DVfilm, is able to afford this "expensive" codec cost....and SONY that is a GLOBAL company and sell thousand of VEGAS/years suite cannot....?

And then.... why not sell a Vegas upgrade (target price around Dvfilm) as a part of the customer service for Vegas customers...?

.......mah.....marketing mistery....