[OT]: Pro Camera Recommendation

rtbond wrote on 10/23/2009, 4:59 AM

Folks,

I am looking for a Pro HD camera that also allows recording from an external analog source (e.g., S-video IN, Component-IN). Prefer this camera be memory-based, but that is not an absolute.

The desired to record from an external analog source is the one feature that seems most allusive. My thinking it that perhaps we'd be better off looking for another solution for the ADVC function, separate from the camera.

Budget is around $10k - 20K USD

Comments

farss wrote on 10/23/2009, 5:42 AM

I doubt one exists. S-Video cannot carry HD.
If you exclude the ability to record standard def from analogue sources then the very recently announced PMW 350 falls in your price range and by all accounts is going to be one very nice camera.

And, yes. You'd do far better looking for another solution for the ADVC function. Also begs the question, do you want to upscale it to HD at the same time.

Bob.

Jay Gladwell wrote on 10/23/2009, 6:12 AM

I second Bob's suggestion. The new Sony PMW 350 would be the way to go.

rtbond wrote on 10/23/2009, 6:31 AM

Bob,

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes I know S-video is SD-only.

Basically the guy in our lab is looking to kill two birds with one stone by throwing in the analog capture requirement. In this case it may not be a viable approach.

farss wrote on 10/23/2009, 8:56 AM

Two reasons to separate your requirements:

1) Even the SD cameras that will capture from composite / S-Video do not have time base correction. Depending on the source of your SD signal that can be significant. If you also require component from say Betacam SP you also need to be cautious as most of the ADVC units I've seen with component inputs also lack a TBC, it seems to be assumed the signal will already be corrected. If you don't need component then the ADVC-300 is about as good as it gets and they're around $500.

2) Taking 1) into account it seems quite limiting to tie up a $20K resource doing the work of a $500 box. Not that there's any wear and tear on a solid state camera doing that kind of work, it's just all that connecting and disconnecting cables is another way in which something can get broken.

Bob.

musicvid10 wrote on 10/23/2009, 9:29 AM

I am looking for a Pro HD camera that also allows recording from an external analog source (e.g., S-video IN, Component-IN)

Kind of like adding a sissy knob to a Porsche?