I have a VX 2100 and thinking about purchasing a HD camcorder. If I use the HD camcorder in standard DV mode and using a ratio of 4x3 can I mix the video from each in editing the same as I usually do using 2 DV camcorders?

thanks

Heavytiger

Sure, no problem. There are a lot of different ways to do it.

__________________
Adam
Proud owner of 8 Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."

Hi Acgold

Could you explain. I was thinking of just setting the camcorder to standard DV 4x3 to match the VX 2100. And edit as usual. This I assume would play on a standard TV (not widescreen). Nothing would look out of proportion and there would be no black letter boxing.
Is there another way?

Heavytiger

I think your way may be the best way at the beginning. You can also shoot HDV and downconvert either on capture, in your PC before you edit or after the project is done. But then you have mismatch issues and you make your life more complicated.

But once you see how great HDV is, you will be disappointed in DV. Soon you'll be shooting all HDV and only downconverting as you burn to DVD, and your trusty VX will be sitting, lonely, on the shelf.

It happened to me.

Just don't ever try to use the DV WIDE mode on the VX in an effort to try to match the HDV cam. See adjacent thread for reasons why.

__________________
Adam
Proud owner of 8 Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."

If I shoot in high definition then won't that be 16x9 format and not 4x3 which is what I need to match the vx2100. Even if I down convert high def it will still be 16x9. Right?

Or is it possible to shoot high def in 4x3?

You can crop it in post either in your editor or even when capturing if you have the right cam. I don't think any HDV cams shoot HDV mode in 4:3, so you're right about that.

Your plan of shooting SD 4:3 on the HDV cam makes the most sense if you want to mix the footage from both cams. My caveat was only to warn you away from the wide mode on the VX once you see how nice widescreen looks on the new HDV cam. Even though the VX can simulate a widescreen look it won't mix with the HDV, even downconverted and on a standard DVD.

__________________
Adam
Proud owner of 8 Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."