Panasonic Pro Camcorder : AG-HPX170 or AG-HVX200A?

[dopplegangus]

Hi guys,



Just need some opinion. Nowadays, Panasonic P2 camcorders are getting popular by production company. I was just wondering, since most of us going tapeless, why most company (as far as i know) still uses AG-HVX200A series? Why not buy AG-HPX170 as i think, it is cheaper, lighter and has an SDI input/output? I want to hear the pros and cons of each camera. Everyone can share their own personal opinion. Thanks!!!

 

[tengo]

I feel what you see are the older HVXs bought in the past before HPX170 was released. Another reason could be that they still want the DV tape. You would be surprised that many projects are still shot in SD today.

HVX200A and HPX170 are almost identical cameras with the same sensors. The only significant difference is that HVX still has a tape deck.

 

[strawstar]

SDI is also useful if u need to send the signal to a mixer...

 

[dopplegangus]

I feel what you see are the older HVXs bought in the past before HPX170 was released. Another reason could be that they still want the DV tape. You would be surprised that many projects are still shot in SD today.

HVX200A and HPX170 are almost identical cameras with the same sensors. The only significant difference is that HVX still has a tape deck.

Yup, its true that many TV programmes are still shot in SD but if you're using a P2 camera, you can still shoot SD with the P2 cards, and without using the normal DV tapes. And as I mentioned, the other significant difference is that HPX170 series has the SDI output which is useful for Live Feed display. So why are most people are still buying the HVX 200 series compared to the HPX 170 series?

 

[tengo]

It can be quite a pain in the ass regarding footage archival with tapeless. You have to buy a hard drive to archive the P2 footage and very often give away the hard drive to the client at the end of the day. A portable hard drive is at least around $100 vs the cost of $4.50 for a DV tape. So you suddenly become $100 more expensive than before.

I feel we are still in a transition period regarding SD/HD and Tape/Tapeless. When the clients stop asking for tapes and SD, then tapeless HD will really take off.