I recently purchased a book “HDV: What you NEED to Know” from vasst.com. The authors of the book explain everything one should know about the HDV format, which is a high definition compression format for certain cameras such as the Sony FX1/Z1U, HC1/HC3/A1, Canon XL H1, JVC HD100, HD10/HD1.

For those of you how don’t understand what high definition is, check wikipedia. Currently there are quite a few high definition compressions out there. HDCAM, Blu-Ray, HDV, and DVCPro P2. There are others out there, but these are the main ones, as far as I know. After having spent hours reading up on the technologies, learning about each one’s work flow, and how much it would cost to purchase one of these kinds of HD cameras, I was split between:

Sony HVR-Z1U:

Sony HVR-V1U:

Panasonic HVX-200:

I had a few concerns (and still do), as to which will give me the best bang for the buck, while giving me a good investment, and having that ability to produce stuff at 24p while still being able to be produced for film. The V1 and HVX200 both have native 24p recording. V1’s image isn’t as good as Z1. HVX200 is completely tape less when it comes to HD recording. Its uses P2 cards instead which are VERY expensive at the moment. All three have the ability to record on hard disk via an expansion, providing a tape less solution for the Sony cams. With all the gadgets and gizmos, they come to about $7,000-$8,000…

…which one to choose…I can’t decide.

The book over all is great when explaining the HDV format (HVX200 and V1U not included). A review of the book can be found on EventDV.net.

     

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I had mentioned in an earlier post that keeping a steady shot is one of the three keys to having a professional production. FreshDV on thier day 2 coverage of the NAB conference showed two gadgets that caught my interest in particular.

One was the VariZoom DV Media Rig. (~ $600.00)

This light-weight rig is excellent for all day shooting. I’ve seen some DIY for this type of rig, but non come to the versitality of the VariZoom DV Media Rig.

• DYI Camera Shoulder Rest
• Build a PVC Fig Rig
• Improved SteadCam for under $30

The other was Advanta-Jib by Dykortech (~ $2000.00)

This baby is beautiful. Crane shots add another level of professionalism to one’s production. If you are a student filmmaker or a semi-professional, then this is a must have.

I’m putting it on my du’aa list.

To check out the video: Day 2 NAB Coverage

     

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The digital video market is ever changing with new technologies coming out and gagets being presented to filmmakers and videographers alike.

FreshDV was over at NAB in Las Vegas covering the conference there. One of the new gagets that was presented was “EyeLiner“.

This is a beautiful invention. What it does is that it allows for the individual to look into the camera when they speak.

Normally people have difficulty looking into the camera because it’s not normal for people to talk interactivitly with a machine.

This invention puts a reflection of the director where the camera lens is. See the following article and video. When you watch the video, skip to the last third of the video to see the EyeLiner: NAB Video - Day 1 Coverage

The Challenge:

• Make a poor man’s EyeLiner. Perhaps I’ll present this challenge to Mr. Chung Lee, the inventor of the “Poor Man’s Steady Cam“
• What I can understand is that we need a simple mirror, a one-way mirror, somehow fixate that to a wood housing, shaped like the eyeliner, and something that allows it to stand on a tripod by itself.

     

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