But of course, I guess, one could still use one's expensive HDV camera. Not recommended, but that would do it - Leslie?

Problem is if you're like me and don't own a camera......

Where it gets really sticky is there's more than one camera out there that records in a format that no VCR will play (thanks Canon) and one that you need a different VCR for (thanks JVC) and there's a soon to be released one that I think my HDV VCR will cope with but not Vegas (thanks Sony).

Bob.

uh - huh . . ugh . . And then BD? Getting back under my duvet.

wish i'd never asked ;- (

have to say the more i look at hd, the less appealing it becomes. maybe i should put it on the back burner until the dust settles (or i settle into the dust), or the whole hd thing becomes the poor cousin to holographic recording in 3d (without the glasses).

leslie

> But of course, I guess, one could still use one's expensive HDV camera. Not recommended, but that would do it - Leslie?

Actually, that’s what I did. The HVR-M15U cost the same as the HVR-A1U camera so I just bought an A1 which can double as a second camera on a shoot (and is also small enough to take on vacation).

~jr

JohnnyRoy approach has my vote if you do not process a lot of client tapes.

I'd thought about that but how do you get those D5 shell tapes into that transport?
The M15 also means that with the camera you can record 4.5 hours of non stop HDV.

I don't think that is an issue for JR. Maybe for others ( clam shell? )Whatever he shots on his Z1 he can then transfer to the "vacation-cam". Neat solution! You CAN'T take a DECK on vacation. Well, you can, but it is a waste of space when trying to shoot anything. Tried it. No one told me it didn't have a zoom option - Seeesh!

Grazie,
I was referring to those of us who work mostly in post.
A client can come to you with anything plus it's quite likely that you'll want to output a master in HDV that's over 60 minutes.

The HVR-M15U / 25 handles DV25 in both size tape, PAL or NTSC PLUS HDV in both sized tapes.
It's also a feasible solution when shooting events that run for over 60 minutes, I haven't been in too many auditoriums that don't have mains power available.

Plus and perhaps the biggest reason to upgrade now. You can still get a decent price for SD gear, DSR-11s, PD-150/170s are still fetching good money so the cost of being HDV Ready isn't too painfull. I can't see the cost differential getting better in the future, SD gear will go down in value while HD gear remains pretty static.

Just my business gamble of course but I know some who've held on to previous generation gear that they're now lucky to get scrap metal prices for. Once the last generation stuff starts to get replaced the price plummets as almost no one wants it and almost everyone is trying to sell it.

Bob.

Very diverse industry this. As you know, I only have to deal with my own output. I really do appreciate that there are others needing a more comprehensive approach to format management.

Point taken on the resale values, and something with which I can concur.

I've already resigned myself to the idea that I probably won't sell my existing SD gear, but will keep it around.

Until HD cams are as light-sensitive as my PD-150, I'll definitely keep that... I shoot too much stuff in dimly-lit bars to do without that old warhorse. My DV deck already doesn't have much resale value, but will still be useful as a preview device. Plus, I imagine there will still be lots of DV material floating around for some time to come that I'll need to work with.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for this HD-DVD/Blu-Ray mess to get sorted out. I see Sony has delayed delivery of PS3 again, due to more Blu-Ray problems. I'm kind of hoping that by the time a standard HD consumer delivery format emerges, that I can bypass HDV entirely and jump to something better, like a 1080p XDCAM.

Brian,
ALL HDV decks (and almost all cameras) can record and playback DV. You don't loose anything switching to a HDV capable deck, you can still capture and PTT DV. The other upside is Sony seem to have improved the mechanics of the transports, certainly the M15U loads and spools tape smoother than the DSR-11.
Bob.