Suggestions for a 2 camera HD studio

[Marty01]

Currently using VT5.2. Wondering what would be a good camera to use for a 2 camera HD studio. Also, since the VT won't do HD switching, what is being used by anyone for a small 2 camera setup? I've looked at the Panasonic HVX170 and JVC GY-HM700. Also, the HVX200A might be a good choice. If the switcher had HD-SDI inputs, I think the HVX170 might be a good choice.

I would use one of the 2 camera's for on-location shooting also.

Also, since the CG in VT5.2 is not really a HD CG (I think) what's being done for CG graphics?

Possibly the best and lowest cost for everything except the camera's may be the HD Tricaster that's coming.

Thanks for any idea's on this topic.
Marty

[Marty01]

Well, I guess no one has a small 2 camera HD studio since there are no replies. Maybe everyone is waiting on the XD300 Tricaster.

Still interested on input on camera's, since eventually with another HD switcher or the XD300 two of them would be used together and the VT5 would be used for the editing. I kindly like the Panasonic HMC150 or the HVX170 since they are newer than the HVX200A.

Marty

[ted]

Marty, as you may know we have 2 of the HVX 200's and 1 Betacam. But there are a lot of good cameras available now days.
I would start with, how much are you willing to pay per camera?
Will you be doing any other work, i.e. low light location shoots?

Personally I like the ability to record to tape when needed. We did 2 more gigs last week on the HVX mini-DV tape drives. Having options has been a blessing for us. But there are so many options at all price points.
Best of luck!

[Marty01]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for the reply. I did know that you had 2 of the HVX200's. I'm guessing you don't have a HD switcher though, and getting the HD signal out of those camera's would kindly be a problem anyway.

I kindly like the HPX170, which doesn't have a deck but I have a DVC80 Panasonic that does a great job I think shooting on mini-DV tape and it's much more light sensitive than the HVX200. I have 2 of the HVX200's at the hospital.

The only thing about the HPX170 I don't like is having to shoot on P2 cards. They are just too expensive in my opinion. I would rather get a Firestore for location shooting.

Just contemplating a lot of this and what would be the best bang for the buck. More and more every day I wish I could start up my own business. Only problem is with today's economy I might get hungry. You never know though, so I would like to explore the best solutions out there. As far as a switcher for HD, the XD300 might be a great way to go and then edit with the VT5.2. I could record in the studio to the XD300. Not sure about how easy it would be to transfer the files over to my editing pc to edit. Maybe I could hook up an external array to the XD300. Not sure about that.

Thanks,
Marty

[SBowie]

As far as a switcher for HD, the XD300 might be a great way to go and then edit with the VT5.2. I could record in the studio to the XD300.Why not just edit right on the XD300?

[Marty01]

Editing on the XD300 would be okay and still have my VT system also. I just wasn't sure if the editing capabilities would be the same as the VT system. Of course, there is a good chance they may be better.

Marty

[SBowie]

Of course, there is a good chance they may be better.Does multiple HD hardware outputs (HD-SDI or HD-Component) count as "better"? ;)

[twalker17]

So far what I've seen and read teh Panasonic 400 hd multi format switcher is the best bang for the buck..
the multi screen viewer helps get rid of any 9" monitoring...

[lvsoule]

So any word on whether there will be a way to get a VT5 in HD. The XD300 looks great- how many inputs? in the past I've found the VT5 to have many more features than the tricaster series. The drawback of the VT5 is it is built in any random machine. I like the idea with the tricaster that we get a proven box that works through engineering and to spec of exactly how Newtek intended. However I like the fact that I can do stickam streaming on the VT5 and run various programs, such as photoshop while running the VT side of things.
thanks
-Larry

[bbeanan]

I just finished a gig with a Panasonic 400 as the switcher and let me tell you one of the most painful gigs I have EVER done... it crashed no less than 100 times over the 3 day event (at least the reboot time was only 7 seconds, but that is still around 12 minutes of black video during the 22 hours of on air time)
But when it was working it was nice I was able to make up some great looks with a HD PIP, DSK CG and DVI video.

Check out the Tricaster General thread I listed it all out there

[lvsoule]

You must have a forgiving client! If I went through that scenario, I would be canned... It is amazing what people go through to get a job done. Good job- I hope it all turned out in the end. If only there were a silver bullet solution to all this stuff. Maybe the XD300 is it?

[bbeanan]

I just ran it... we wanted the XD3000 but had to settle for the Panasonic and it was sub-rented from VER so it showed the client that NewTek gear is really great and worth 3 times the price...

[edmellnik]

As for cameras, I know these are more expensive than the ones talked about here - but
I love my EX1 cameras. SDI out so you can record HD in the camera and send a 16 x 9 or 4 x 3 SD SDI signal out to the tricaster or send component or composte out to the Toaster.

Problem with the pany 170s is the codec it uses for recording... AVCHD. This has been an issue with many systems not ready to work with it. I hear the 170s look great though.
ed

[davedude]

I probably should not recommend such a cheap camera for "professional" use but I use two Canon HV30 cameras with my VT5 for my live set. They have component out that is compatible with the VT5 and look good to me. The best part is that I got them for $500 refurnished at circuitcity.com with full canon warranty. I have no problems with them at all. They record pretty good in HD as well (HDV tape format) but I primary use them for live streaming use with the VT5.

[Royal]

I am going to purchase two sony1000u with two prompter to use for tricaster studio. Is this camera is good enough.
I am low budget but I could pay couple hundred dollars more.
I need cameras for my 300sq studio with good looking shape and good quality. I am a new business. Some people offer me sonyfx7, pd170, I talked to B&H technician and he told me sony1000u is good but not perfect.
If you have any other suggestion let me know as soon as possible.
Also if you want grade all 1 to 100 send you suggestion with grading.
Thanks