New High Definition Camera search

[Jennifer Sitter]

Anyone have any advice or suggestions for me about which HD video camera to get?
I shoot 25 green screen interviews once a month, weddings, corporate commercials, live events. It must have good controllable audio and be under $8,000.
I currently have a Canon GL2 and have been a big Canon fan thus far, but am willing to venture to another brand.
I have used the Sony HD HVR-Z1U and was very disappointed with the picture quality.
I love the old Sony DCR-VX2100 though, it is great in low light.
The JVC GY-HD110U would be my choice if it shot in 1080i, not just 720....
I love having master tapes to be able to go back to, but am tired of all the "dirty head" problems I've had lately and would love to omit all that digitizing time; Ideally my dream camera could record to tape and digital media at the same time
I edit with Avid Xpress Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro mostly.

Okay after reading some reviews last night and doing a bit more research I am very interested in the Canon XH-A1 but I would love to see some low light video or stills from it... and I am a bit concerned with the 24f and 30f (instead of 24p and 30p) and the playback deck options- ANYONE know anything about this?
and I still haven't lost interest in the Panasonic AG-HVX200 though...

[Shaw Productions Inc.]

Hi Jennifer!
I just want to know one thing... How did you get 25 green screen interviews monthly? Do you advertise somewhere special for that? I have a green screen studio but rarely use it. I could use some tips on your advertising technique!!!!
Joan - Shaw Productions Inc.

[Jennifer Sitter]

I do 25 green screen interviews at one event once a month- I go the job via a friend who was doing it and could no longer do it... I do very little advertising, I've just gotten lucky via connections...

Shaw Productions Inc. said:

Hi Jennifer!
I just want to know one thing... How did you get 25 green screen interviews monthly? Do you advertise somewhere special for that? I have a green screen studio but rarely use it. I could use some tips on your advertising technique!!!!
Joan - Shaw Productions Inc.

[Caleb Torres]

BTW, where would be a good site to purchase a sound mixer, 4 XLR inputs? Also, how do you go about posting a new question string on this site?

Francisco Borja said:

Hi Jennifer: If you're a canon nut like I am the XLH1 series are the best, from the XLH1-1A and 1S the latest model available in the market. i recommend you check them out and see if you can get a demo at a dealer and get a feel for the model that best suits your needs. I have worked with the XL2 for years and still love working with it. Getting the most out of the DV format and making it look like film has been my best challenge. The colour you get from a Canon lens and CCD chips are probably the best for your money.
Good luck and let me know if I can be of service to you.

Francisco

[Jennifer Sitter]

Caleb- on the "forum" main page on the upper right corner of the whote box there is an "add a discussion" button, and there you go.
I use B&H photo video for most of my stuff- a very informative site, and competitive pricing. Once I find what I want there I search around to see if there are any better prices, but I usually order from B&H because they are so great all around!

Caleb Torres said:

BTW, where would be a good site to purchase a sound mixer, 4 XLR inputs? Also, how do you go about posting a new question string on this site?

[HdCamOp - Detroit]

Just had client pick up Sony EX 3, great camera, shot a feature with it , instead of using the f 900 and footage was great, solid state media is a plus and the removable lense allows greater control over depth of field. EX 1 same cam without removable lense meets your $8K cost the EX3 is $8400
EX 3 has time code in/out and sdi/hd outs, nice for this price point
Also look at the new 200 replacement from Panasonic haven't shot with it but have heard good things from the field

[Mathew Quaife]

Jennifer, do like I did. There is alot of good information here. Now take this information to the good ole Google search engine and look at the reviews, pay close attention to the why's, do and don't's and what actual users have to say about it. After several weeks of research, I settled on the Canon XHA1, reviews, user input, and price all were final factors in my decision. Would I, Could I, have been happy with another make and or model, maybe so, but then expierience is by far the best suggestions. Would you buy from a fly by night camera company without knowing some background? I hope not. One main factor to my decision on the Canon was the 20x zoom, and since I do football games and sports, that extra zoom makes a difference. From my first JVC JYHD10, the canon makes it look like a toy again. Do the research, after you decide your price range.

Mathew Quaife

[Gordon Lamb]

The only HD cameras I've used are the Canon XLHD and a Panasonic. I like the Canon just because it has the same functionality as the XL2. I'd say go with the Red One if you have the money, if not, go with Canon.

[NehemiYah Yisrael]

The HVX is the one I'm interested in. I agree that eliminating the digitizing step is crucial for turnover. The HVX does all those things you were talking about and can be had brand new for around 5000.

[Cordell - Ogden Utah Video]

I think the best bang for your buck is the Sony ex series. I have shot on several HD cameras. For 8K, you can't go wrong with the Sony EX-3. They have nailed their compression while still giving an excellent picture. The work flow is simple and you get far more record time than P2.

Ogden Studios Utah Video Production