Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES

h2ophotopro · 2nd March 2006, 05:56

Gates released information today on their new HVX-200 housing. The initial run is scheduled to begin shipping in the next 4-6 weeks. Although the housing is significantly more than the FX1/Z1 housing, it still came in less than initially anticipated. Retail is currently set at $6,860 (subject to change).

I have attached a photo of the housing. Orders are being taken by Gates dealers as these housings are a custom order and the run is going to be small.

We will have a housing and camera available in our rental department mid-April.

RebreatherDave · 2nd March 2006, 06:24

What does that HD camera do that the HDR-FX1 doesn't?

**vidodivr** · 2nd March 2006, 07:38

these are some awesome articles
http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/HVX200/
http://toshpit.blogs.com/

after you have read the articles,
The biggest downfall I believe about this camera is the price of the p2 cards. An 8 gig card will set you back $1,400 retail and when shooting 1080p HD you get roughly 700mb per minute for a grand total of 11:23 of space, on the other hand 720p will save you some space and get you down to 357mb per minute, for a whoping 22:25 of space, it's still HD and looks good, but not as good.
I guess it's back to the selective shooting days of film, the indie film guys will feel right at home with p2, although the P2 can be recycled

The other option is recording to a firewire drive like the firestore FS-100 drives for 90 minutes of HD, but it probably wouldn't fit in the housing

It may fit, correct me if I am wrong.

hope this helped

h2ophotopro · 2nd March 2006, 21:41

The main deal with the HVX is it shoots 24p and will give the film look to those who need/want it. If someone is just looking into getting a top notch HD and wants a lot of versatility with the camera then the HVX may be the way to go. For someone already shooting an FX1 or Z1...the HVX is not worth it.

As previously mentioned, the big downfall is the P2 cards. The 8gb (largest available) is $1,400 and to shoot 1080i like with the FX1, you only get roughly 8minutes of video. SO if you put 2 8gb cards in your camera (HVX holds two cards) you will get 16 minutes of video. Fine for normal diving if you are editing in camera, but when you are in action filled situations or if you are rolling film so you dont miss anything, this is useless. Its almost like having Howard Hall's IMAX cam...3 minutes of shooting and an hour to change the film!!!

Anyways its going to be a great camera it just wont be for everyone.

RebreatherNut · 2nd March 2006, 22:20

I returned from the PMAI Trade Show in Orlando yesterday and I was at the Panasonic booth twice to look at this lovely new Panasonic HD Camera. I spoke with the sales rep from Broadcasting and he told me that in April Panasonic anticipates to have the 16 gig P2 Cards out. Also, there is apperantly a consumer version of this HD camera in the hopper, but don't expect an announcment for at least another year.

I think tht P2 Technology is great, yes it is very expensive at the moment, but as Panasonic keeps increasing the card sizes, the prices of the smaller sized cards will steeply fall and become much less expensive.

There is also an external 100 gig drive available, but that can be mounted with a bracket on the side of the camera. I bet Gates did not plan for that external Harddrive mounting so it fits in the housing.

As far as the size goes, the camera has approx. the length of the VX-2000, but the camera is much bulkier and wider. Almost looks like a brick. And the top handle can not be removed, there are also start/stop and Zoom Controls built in.

I have the feeling that the housing from Gates is going to be rather large and heavy, therefore I am interested to see what Panasonic comes up with the consumer version of this model. I know, it is still far away, but these days size and weight does matter when it comes to airtravel

Just my 2 cents.

RebreatherNut

h2ophotopro · 3rd March 2006, 03:24

Gates did state the external hard drive will not fit in the housing...and for the most part we ought to be glad as that would make the housing that much larger.

This housing is going to be slightly larger than the Gates FX1 housing. I did see the prototype unassembled a few weeks ago while down at Gates. They did make some nice changes to this housing which will make it much lighter (although not less bulky).

A nice plus is the HVX will be able to go to 450 feet where as the FX1 was only rated to 300 feet.

Bob · 9th May 2006, 13:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by RebreatherDave)

What does that HD camera do that the HDR-FX1 doesn't?

Well for one the Panasonic is a real HD camera ( as well as being able to shoot DVC Pro 50) while the Sony is HDV and there is a huge difference between the two.

Another plus for the HVX 200 is it is a varible frame rate camera ( not just 24 progressive) and that can be an incredible asset when shooting...

I just finished using the Panasonic on a non underwater job in Africa and the camera really impressed me I have used the Sony on a past project ( as well as the new Canon HDV) and the difference is pretty amazing.

Just for the record I have no connection with Panasonic and my opinions are simply based on twenty five years of shooting film and video for a living.

Bob
R.L.Wise SOC
Loose Moose Filmworks

Justyn · 30th July 2006, 17:58

There is a HUGE HUGE difference in the HVX and other HDV cameras. I own an HVX and have shot with the Sony HDV camera, JVC HDV and the Canon HDV and they aren't in the same league. For starters, it shoots REAL slow-motion. It shoots in 17 different codecs. It shoots 1080 24p... There's no digitizing. Moment you shoot it.. you can watch it, or edit it. There's also the much much better editing format of DVCPRO HD. HDV is GOP and hardcore on the computer. IT's 7 times more processor intensive, while being 5 times more compressed.

There's an obvious advantage in also the color sampling. 4 times... 4 times the color information and for underwater stuff, I could imagine that this couple with REAL slow-motion would be killer. Now, the cost of that Gates housing is out of my leage as I'm a rookie.... So, I will be buying the A1 and the cheap housing.. as I'm just getting into underwater stuff. However, after a while... I'll get the housing for the HVX... I was also thinking that even at current standards.. being able to record 40 minutes then offloading isn't that bad. I own the P2store which is awesome. This cam just gives raves and ahhhh...

Check this footage out. You will need quicktime 7 to watch.

http://www.electriccowtheater.com/video/ButterflyCC.mov

http://www.electriccowtheater.com/video/Factory.mov

Thanks all and glad to be a part of this forum..

Justyn

2nd March 2006, 06:24	#2 (permalink)
RebreatherDave Maximum **** Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s:** Join Date: May 2005 Location: L.A., where the debris meets the sea Posts: 226	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES What does that HD camera do that the HDR-FX1 doesn't?
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2nd March 2006, 07:38	#3 (permalink)
vidodivr swims in fishes toilets Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida/Michigan Posts: 501	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES these are some awesome articles http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/HVX200/ http://toshpit.blogs.com/ after you have read the articles, The biggest downfall I believe about this camera is the price of the p2 cards. An 8 gig card will set you back $1,400 retail and when shooting 1080p HD you get roughly 700mb per minute for a grand total of 11:23 of space, on the other hand 720p will save you some space and get you down to 357mb per minute, for a whoping 22:25 of space, it's still HD and looks good, but not as good. I guess it's back to the selective shooting days of film, the indie film guys will feel right at home with p2, although the P2 can be recycled The other option is recording to a firewire drive like the firestore FS-100 drives for 90 minutes of HD, but it probably wouldn't fit in the housing It may fit, correct me if I am wrong. hope this helped __________________ Have a good one, Rob LaLonde Rec and Tek Media, Inc. Full Service Film and Video Production CK #087, Narked@90 stand, URM
(Offline)

2nd March 2006, 21:41	#4 (permalink)
h2ophotopro Photo Pro Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 161	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES The main deal with the HVX is it shoots 24p and will give the film look to those who need/want it. If someone is just looking into getting a top notch HD and wants a lot of versatility with the camera then the HVX may be the way to go. For someone already shooting an FX1 or Z1...the HVX is not worth it. As previously mentioned, the big downfall is the P2 cards. The 8gb (largest available) is $1,400 and to shoot 1080i like with the FX1, you only get roughly 8minutes of video. SO if you put 2 8gb cards in your camera (HVX holds two cards) you will get 16 minutes of video. Fine for normal diving if you are editing in camera, but when you are in action filled situations or if you are rolling film so you dont miss anything, this is useless. Its almost like having Howard Hall's IMAX cam...3 minutes of shooting and an hour to change the film!!! Anyways its going to be a great camera it just wont be for everyone. __________________ Mike Luzansky H2O Photo Pros Underwater Photo & Video Visit our New Showroom 2429 W. Coast Hwy, #101 Newport Beach, CA 92663
(Offline)

2nd March 2006, 22:20	#5 (permalink)
RebreatherNut Rebreather World Greeter Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Ray Other Rebreather/s: Ray Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 697	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES I returned from the PMAI Trade Show in Orlando yesterday and I was at the Panasonic booth twice to look at this lovely new Panasonic HD Camera. I spoke with the sales rep from Broadcasting and he told me that in April Panasonic anticipates to have the 16 gig P2 Cards out. Also, there is apperantly a consumer version of this HD camera in the hopper, but don't expect an announcment for at least another year. I think tht P2 Technology is great, yes it is very expensive at the moment, but as Panasonic keeps increasing the card sizes, the prices of the smaller sized cards will steeply fall and become much less expensive. There is also an external 100 gig drive available, but that can be mounted with a bracket on the side of the camera. I bet Gates did not plan for that external Harddrive mounting so it fits in the housing. As far as the size goes, the camera has approx. the length of the VX-2000, but the camera is much bulkier and wider. Almost looks like a brick. And the top handle can not be removed, there are also start/stop and Zoom Controls built in. I have the feeling that the housing from Gates is going to be rather large and heavy, therefore I am interested to see what Panasonic comes up with the consumer version of this model. I know, it is still far away, but these days size and weight does matter when it comes to airtravel Just my 2 cents. RebreatherNut __________________ "One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF
(Online)

3rd March 2006, 03:24	#6 (permalink)
h2ophotopro Photo Pro Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 161	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES Gates did state the external hard drive will not fit in the housing...and for the most part we ought to be glad as that would make the housing that much larger. This housing is going to be slightly larger than the Gates FX1 housing. I did see the prototype unassembled a few weeks ago while down at Gates. They did make some nice changes to this housing which will make it much lighter (although not less bulky). A nice plus is the HVX will be able to go to 450 feet where as the FX1 was only rated to 300 feet. __________________ Mike Luzansky H2O Photo Pros Underwater Photo & Video Visit our New Showroom 2429 W. Coast Hwy, #101 Newport Beach, CA 92663
(Offline)

9th May 2006, 13:07	#7 (permalink)
Bob New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: May 2006 Location: St Martin Posts: 3	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES Quote: (Originally Posted by RebreatherDave) What does that HD camera do that the HDR-FX1 doesn't? Well for one the Panasonic is a real HD camera ( as well as being able to shoot DVC Pro 50) while the Sony is HDV and there is a huge difference between the two. Another plus for the HVX 200 is it is a varible frame rate camera ( not just 24 progressive) and that can be an incredible asset when shooting... I just finished using the Panasonic on a non underwater job in Africa and the camera really impressed me I have used the Sony on a past project ( as well as the new Canon HDV) and the difference is pretty amazing. Just for the record I have no connection with Panasonic and my opinions are simply based on twenty five years of shooting film and video for a living. Bob R.L.Wise SOC Loose Moose Filmworks
(Offline)

30th July 2006, 17:58	#8 (permalink)
Justyn New Member Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3	Re: Panasonic HVX-200 housing from GATES There is a HUGE HUGE difference in the HVX and other HDV cameras. I own an HVX and have shot with the Sony HDV camera, JVC HDV and the Canon HDV and they aren't in the same league. For starters, it shoots REAL slow-motion. It shoots in 17 different codecs. It shoots 1080 24p... There's no digitizing. Moment you shoot it.. you can watch it, or edit it. There's also the much much better editing format of DVCPRO HD. HDV is GOP and hardcore on the computer. IT's 7 times more processor intensive, while being 5 times more compressed. There's an obvious advantage in also the color sampling. 4 times... 4 times the color information and for underwater stuff, I could imagine that this couple with REAL slow-motion would be killer. Now, the cost of that Gates housing is out of my leage as I'm a rookie.... So, I will be buying the A1 and the cheap housing.. as I'm just getting into underwater stuff. However, after a while... I'll get the housing for the HVX... I was also thinking that even at current standards.. being able to record 40 minutes then offloading isn't that bad. I own the P2store which is awesome. This cam just gives raves and ahhhh... Check this footage out. You will need quicktime 7 to watch. http://www.electriccowtheater.com/video/ButterflyCC.mov http://www.electriccowtheater.com/video/Factory.mov Thanks all and glad to be a part of this forum.. Justyn
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