Sony V1U vs Sony HC7, which is better for a TV show.

Hi All,

I am new to this web site but am hoping someone can give me some sound advice.

Here are my questions. Does anyone have any advice on the following:

I am going to shoot a TV Pilot of action type scenes, in remote places in the world, with hopes of it going to one of the bigger networks.. It needs to look great but I need 4 cameras.

1. 25% will be shot under water, never deeper than 60 feet and mostly in the top 30 feet of water. Always in good to great light.

2. The other 75% will be shot above water. Everything again in good to great light.

3. It must all be shot in HD, 16 x 9.

4. Century optics wide angle lens will be used and a higher end lens is available for the V1U at 62mm.

5. Audio is naturally a must, so it can not be the HC5.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD:...

(a) If I shot with the V1U I would shoot it in 30p, but I have been told that you can shoot with the HC7 and convert it later in post to look like 30p.

(B) I have been told that you really can Not see a difference between the HC7 and the V1U picture when shot in good light? That even though one shoots in 30P and is a 3 chip and the other is a single chip, but can be converted in post to look like 30p..., So, then why should I spend the extra money on a V1U.

I will be getting a Mac Book Pro as well.

© Also,.. for the price of ONE V1U and One water housing...

I can get TWO HC7's and TWO water housings for it.

(again, I need 4 cameras and three water housings)

(d) Or... Do I get ONE V1U with housing and 3 HC7's with two housings.

So, I want this Pilot to look amazing. This is my life long dream and I know it can be a success. But... if I shoot it all with the HC7, will a big network see the difference after it has gone to color correction & post production.

Ok all, please impress me with your wisdom and answers.

Thank you!

You may want to take a look at this thread regarding HDV/HD broadcast etc.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18695&hl=

i really can't answer any more than just say the V is progressive, not sure if the HC is? i am thinking not but don't know.

The progressive should therefore look better and i would also say the 3 chip would make a huge diff, especially underwater where proper WB is important.

If you want this to look its best, i would say go for the V.

And of course, are you hiring underwater shooters?

I am worried that if you are shooting a pilot for broadcast, you may be aiming too low on the cam side. You may consider the Panasonic HVX200 for your topside and the Z1 or V1 for your underwater material.

Could you fill in some more details on items such as:

-Why do you need 4 cams?

-What kind of material are you targeting underwater?

-Are you targeting SD or HD tv broadcast?

Detials on the above points can have a big bearing your purchase decisions.

-shawn

Erik

First of all, you have to find out what the final product will be. Broadcast stations take 60i or 24P. 30P is an intermediate which you will have to pull down to 24P in the final product anyhow. Most people shoot 30P to reduce the jarring stutter (read: bad camera work or choice) of 24P.

The HC7 is a nice camera but it will give a very common video look that any experienced person will see. You are not looking at just resolution but also color saturation and other factors. I would suggest you also consider the Canon HV20 which has better resolution and the ability to shoot 24P.

Since you are shooting for surfing/high action, I would suggest you look at the HVX200 which can shoot at 60fps, giving you much better overcrank ability. This is for underwater use. Even at 720P, it upresses very nicely to 1080/24P and the overcrank is awesome.

The aesthetics of 24P is much appreciated for top side but trickier to get right. 60i has the best motion but an obvious "video" look to it. Many shoot 60i and convert to 24P in post. The only camera that can do 720/60P, 1080/24P/60i is the Panasonic HVX200. However, the 20x lens of the V1 is very useful for the beach topside shots. Another contender which has nice 24P ish look is the Canon XHA1. It is awesome as a 60i camera and the 24F is as nice as the 24P from the V1 (albeit with a little less overall resolution in 24F mode).

You may also wish to consider using a wider fisheye lens for specialty shots of surfers (over/unders etc). Good luck in your project and maybe see you and Karina at the corner of Ulu.