Tapeless HD Pro Camcorders, Best Options for FCP 7

[rickdetrick]

Since AVCHD is not the best recording format for FCP 7 with its slow workflow and restrictions for transcoding, it may not be worth the cost to move up from tape at this time. I agree that tapeless is the way to go eventually, but with AVCHD you have to jump through so many hoops, and you still end up with problems. It would take some arm twisting to get me to consider AVCHD, ie; unless I knew Apple was taking a second look at this.

For under $4000 the only appealing model I have seen is the JVC GY-HM100U. It is a small compact package with some limitations, but it is a perfect match with FCP, fast workflow with MPEG-2 video and Quicktime format, no time consuming transcoding. It looks like the new Canon XF300 (June ship date) has got it right also with the MPEG-2, XF codec, but it is going to be in the $7000 range. I may wait this situation out and stay with tape until I see something better. For those of you committed to FCP I would like to hear how you are dealing with this issue as you consider a purchase of a new HD Camcorder.

If someone has something good to say about AVCHD with FCP I would like to hear about it.

Rick

 

[SeanDL]

I can't say I've had any problems with AVCHD and Final Cut Pro. Log and Transfer may be a nuisance to some, but I find the ability to just select the clips I want from a card, import to ProRes (LT) and edit has been nothing but simple. Before I was working with HDV and it was either deal with the long GOP problems inherent with native HDV, or transcode the footage to ProRes anyways.

The file sizes for AVCHD with ProRes (LT) are not that daunting either, and I'm only using a dual core (2.8 Ghz) MacBook Pro and the transfer time is near or close to 1:1 (1 hour of footage results in 1 hour of transcoding). It's not perfect, and the easy of use with that JVC camcorder might be more ideal for your situation but I would hardly call the format "not the best." Getting AVCHD to work with Avid MediaComposer on the other hand is a complete headache. It looks like they'll be changing that with version 5.0 but in the meantime I find Final Cut Pro's method to be pretty seamless.

For the record, I shoot with the Panasonic HMC40 and edit off Firewire 800 drives. Nothing too fancy or expensive, and just popping in a cheap SD card to transfer rather than dealing with tapes is a dream to me. Just remember to archive the entire file structure of the SD card when backing up and not only the raw video files.

 

[MacPhilosopher]

Why?

I agree that tapeless is the way to go eventually

Rick

I find the convenience of tapeless in terms of immediate workflow efficiency to be somewhat intriguing, but why is it better overall? As a video editor and producer, I find its lack of long term storage to be its biggest drawback. I have shot hundreds of hours of tape, and cannot imagine paying for and maintaining without failure a hard drive or static medium storage system for this much video. Though, I hope the day comes when I can do so with confidence.

 

[xStep]

I have shot hundreds of hours of tape, and cannot imagine paying for and maintaining without failure a hard drive or static medium storage system for this much video. Though, I hope the day comes when I can do so with confidence.

For long term storage, why not use LTO?

 

[puckhead193]

what camera do you have now? Are you happy with it? Is the only reason to upgrade is to go tapeless? Have you thought about a DTE? (Direct to Edit)
Focus Enhancements makes some nice stuff. One nice thing is that you can record it to various formats, one being quicktime. So all you need to do is plug in and drag and drop.

http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/video_production.asp

 

[matteusclement]

I don't know a whole lot about the AVCHD cuz I am on tape too, but once you convert to ProRes, you're laughin and if what one of the other writers said that it's about 1:1 on a MBP, then that's SO close to tape which is about the same.

But again, I LOVE TAPE. best back up for the buck.

 

[rickdetrick]

Hello everyone. I am back and just wanted to share with you my purchase of the JVC GY-HM100U ProHD Camcorder. Awesome little camera, with all the many features of the big boys. Perfect size for shooting video on the run and video production. Its is little weak in low light, but you can work with it. With two card slots you can shoot plenty of footage. The workflow with FCP is perfect. JVC got this right. No transcoding. When I read the the 1 to 1 transfer rate of AVCHD I was convinced that was not for me. What in the world was Sony thinking when they came out with their mid range SD card camera HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder. A fantastic camera with an inferior format. You might as well stay with the DV tape HD camera.
Sony, you almost had me, but I am dedicated to my FCP.

SEANDL

Thank you so much for you reply. This is exactly why I joined this Forum. You really clarified some of my issues. I need to speak with someone in the real world that is working with AVCHD. The workflow issues that I was speaking of was based on my search over the internet, and as you can imagine, I read comments from all over the board. I was ready to move ahead with a purchase until I read some of the posts from people that were having problems. So that is where it went down hill from there.
Here is just one example that I read at this blog. Not all bad but just caused me some concer.

http://adamwelznxcam.wordpress.com/

His first comment: Log and transfer takes extraordinarily long to transcode long AVCHD clips. His list goes on.
I guess I read to much on the negative side of this issue.

Sony has just come out with its new HXR-NX5 NXCAM which is AVCHD and the Panasonic Ag-HMC150 has been a stand out for over a year. They are in my price range and have gotten great reviews. Opps there I go again reading the reviews. I have looked at the Panasonic HMC40 that you are using, sounds great.

We are all in this transition so its good to have input.
I am currently using a Canon Vixia HG40 HDV uses mini DV's. Great image.
Had a really nice review in the October 2009 HDVideo Pro Magazine. Makes a great second camcorder and was compared with the image of the Canon XH-A1S HDV Camcorder. Also have a Canon XL1s DV Camcorder which I may sell. It is a top end camcorder, lots of settings with removable lens.

Puckhead193, I will check out DTE, sounds like another good option. Especially if you have a good camcorder, with a nice feature set and lens.

I want to thank everyone who has replied, very helpful. So now I can refocus and look at this from your vantage point.

Rick