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Sony Hdr-FX1 question

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jmickels
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 48

Ok i just got a sony hdr-fx1 and i have a few questions.....i am just wondering if it is worth it to get an hv20 to use as a capture camera instead of wearing out the heads on the fx1.  I think I can get a used hv20 for like 400 off a friend.  Also if you are using a hv20 to captre the footage from tape to computer will you get the same quality that you would if you were uing the fx1 to capture footage off camera?  Last i was wondering what the best fisheye or wide angle would be for the fx1, I am thinking a century optics 0.6x wide or 8x wide angle converter or if  can find one used a .3x fisheye.

Thank for reading!

Nov 8 2008 12:23AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945

Yes you will want a capture camera although probably not the HV20 - that's a decent camera in it of itself.  Go with some shitty Sony Handycam that you can get on ebay for $100.  The type/quality of the camera doesn't affect the quality of the footy.

Nov 8 2008 12:42AM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
wait so you can use an sd capture camera and still get hd footy
Nov 8 2008 12:44AM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
No you have to use an HD camera. Blondie is misinforming. HV-20 Is pushing it for a capture camera. Go for something a bit cheaper
Nov 8 2008 12:46AM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
yeah thanks i was very confused for a second there
Nov 8 2008 12:48AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Shit, really Jeff?  Can you explain why?
Nov 8 2008 12:48AM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
wouldnt that make sense though, if the head can only record in sd why would they be able to play back in hd
Nov 8 2008 12:52AM
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jmickels
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 48
ok what camera would you suggest that would get me the best quality for the lowest price?
Nov 8 2008 12:54AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945

Touche.  Didn't think of that.

FACK!  Fail on my part, hahahaha

Nov 8 2008 12:55AM
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C0RN
Posts: 365 - Karma: 113
i would suggest looking for one that there is somthin wrong with it it like broken lcd or lens but still plays back footy. so you could get it reallhy cheap
Nov 8 2008 1:10AM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
I use an HV20 as a capture cam for my XHA1. You will not lose quality because the data is digitally encoded into the tape. The same digital information is being transfered no matter what. HDV will NOT play back in a normal DV camera. As asian allen said, if you're looking to lowball, an hv10 or HC3 are fine options, but 400 for an HV20 isn't a bad deal at all.

Keep in mind, this really isn't a huge deal. Unless you're shooting buckets of footage, playback isn't really going to be a huge deal. I shoot a lot being a journalist, I'm logging at least 30-60 minutes of footage per week, so it makes a huge difference for me, but If you aren't shooting tons, it isn't life or death. I've heard that the DVX camera heads have a life expectancy of around 2000 hours, so I'd expect sony to be similar.
Nov 8 2008 4:13AM
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jmickels
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 48
ok awesome...ya i think i may try and get the hv20 off my friend because it will be good for filming to if i dont wanna lug my fx1 around with me...
Nov 8 2008 4:12PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
I used to capture footage on my Fx1 all the time. I logged hours and hours of footage and never once had a problem. Just sick to one brand of tape and you'll be fine.
Nov 8 2008 5:49PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,089
Nov 8 2008 6:09PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
do you really need a capture cam? unless ur burnin like 2 tapes a day, id think it wouldnt wear the head that much
Nov 9 2008 9:43PM
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zisforzachary
Posts: 879 - Karma: 87
false. you loose 30 percent of the life of your heads if you use it to capture. come on now. dont do this.
Nov 10 2008 4:48AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,089
Horner > you.
Nov 10 2008 11:53AM
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jmickels
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 48
ok so its worth i to get a capture camera?
Nov 10 2008 1:40PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
It simply depends how much you are going to be filming. Realistically, if you use your camera a normal amount, you probably don't need one.

I use a capture cam for my xha1, but I shoot and upload tons of footage. I bought it in august, and I already shot a feature and covered several events/concerts.

If you can afford to do it, then there's no reason not to, but if you don't feel like spending the money you could also just wait a while and gauge how much you're going to be shooting before you think about buying a capture cam.
Nov 10 2008 7:08PM
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jmickels
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 48
sounds like a good plan because i want to get a mbp as well.
Nov 10 2008 8:04PM
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Reptar.
Posts: 1509 - Karma: 34
Horner>All.
Nov 11 2008 12:13AM
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