HDTV cameras and VTs

[Amyd]

Which HDTV cameras and which VTRs?

There are some competing standards, and the prices vary wildly, depening on whether you want 720p, 1080i or 1080p, tape recording or HDD recording, etc.

I have seen 1080i cameras sold by Sony at a blow-out sale for $25k the piece (without lens), but they were mostly designed for broadcast TV.

On the other hand Sony sells the CineAlta package for real Digital Cinematography for slight more than $100k (without lens and accesories), and the HDCAM SR version costs about $10k more (remember you need an external recorder for it). This as list prices of course.

Panasonic's lower resolution Varicam goes for usually around $60k for the camera body, list price. But you will need to add some hefty frame rate conversion devices ($10k), if you want to use it with NLEs that don't understand its 60p format. If you don't need variable frame rates, but you need DVCPRO HD format, substract around $10k from the above mentioned price.

VTRs vary wildly also. Depends on whether you actually *need* a full-fledged editing VTR, with linear editing capabilities, pre-read and other goodies, or you will settle just for a simpler recorder, or even better just a player.

For instance Sony's J-H-series has HDCAM compatible players that go for only $15k.

If on the other hand you want to jump almost to the other end of the scale with a Panasonic D5HD mastering deck with multiformat capabilities, you can easily look at $100k in cost. The equivalent from Sony, but with slightly less capabilities is only $85k.

If you want a compromise between those two extremes, a DVCPROHD or a HDCAM recorder from either Panasonic or Sony can be found for around $30k-$40k, again list price.

A reseller that carries all of the above is hard to find, you should really better contact Sony and Panasonic and ask about the products you want to buy. They will either direct you to your local HD-specialist shop, or if you are lucky they will sell you directly - and depending on the total value you buy, you can get some interesting discounts from the prices I talked about above.

I didn't give you prices for the Varicam & co type of products, because I assume that's out of your budget, if you have to ask for the price. You know how the saying goes... :)

Cheers,
Andrei

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