Interesting look to the HVX200

[Samuel Berger]

I saw this guy on YouTube do a successful film look with his HVX200. What do you think he did to get this out of it? It may be a bit saturated but it reminded me of Fuji Provia.

 

[Matthew J. Walker]

In comments section of the uploader's prior video Panasonic HVX200 DVCPRO HD - Beach Footage, a user did question the striking appearance of the digital footage to which the responded with a lengthy and detailed breakdown of the unusually simple editing process which involves simple editing and the use of basic filters. At first glance, it is easy to assume this color grade must be achieved with an elaborate LUT of some sort, but the facts are contrary. The uploader writes that no color modifications are made using the camera's software and that the effect is created with default camera settings thus a large degree of the color rendering is a result of the wrong white balance. Regarding exposure, the creator uses the Panasonic AG-HVX200 DVCPRO HD integrated ND filters, specifically "9 and 11", (A reference found in the HVX200 user manual) and a variety of iris settings to control the image which is something the uploader believes creates "washed out colors" which tones down the effects of an improper white balance. Interestingly, the uploader only uses simple image adjustments (Vibrance, brightness, contrast, levels, hue and saturation) and swears by Adobe After Effects because it "behaves very similarly to photoshop." However, the most jarring of admissions is the uploader's use of solid color layers with low opacity that the video uploader believes to "punctuate certain colors, like shadows and highlights." To myself, the latter reminds me of the old Telecine color grading process which consists of limited exposure to pure red, green, or blue light filters. Nonetheless, it turns out the images are neither some awesome LUT nor color grading skills, but rather the CCD sensor itself. It's funny because less really is always more.

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by Matthew J. Walker

[Gautam Valluri]

I think Matthew's reply pretty much answers your question. I just wanted to add that this was such an important camera back in the mid-2000s when you absolutely had to print out your film to 35mm for projection. It was one of the only cameras that did 24p in its budget range and the DVCPRO HD was just brilliant. It had a great lens too. A really great step up from the earlier DVX100 that defined most of the early "mumblecore" films in the US.

I saw a 35mm scan of the Duplass brothers' Baghead a while back, which was shot on the HVX200 and it looked like old grainy fast film from the 70s.

[Samuel Berger]

Thanks for the replies. I found this other guy's footage and in another video he explains his grading process. I might have to buy a cheap HVX200 to play with. 

 

[Matthew J. Walker]

45 minutes ago, Samuel Berger said:

I might have to buy a cheap HVX200 to play with. 

The Panasonic HVX200 DVCPRO HD is incredibly affordable in 2024 so, in my opinion, there is no reason for any digital filmmaker who loves the pictures this camera can produce not to own one aside from insufficient funds. I am easily possessed by any high quality CCD sensor as opposed to the current standard of CMOS sensors and now; one of the reasons I own an Olympus E-1 DSLR.

[Samuel Berger]

On 9/28/2024 at 10:28 AM, Matthew J. Walker said:

The Panasonic HVX200 DVCPRO HD is incredibly affordable in 2024

Matthew, I missed out on the HVX200 craze because back then I exclusively shot film. Would you happen to know the difference between the HVX200A, HVX200P and HVX200AP?

[Jon Kline]

Back then, cameras couldn't switch between NTSC and PAL, so some of those model numbers may be PAL (25 fps) versions. I believe the A, P, and AP are all US versions, though. There was also an HVX-205 which was an incremental improvement. As long as you have the right power, they should all support 24 or 23.976 fps anyway. 

They really were incredible cameras for the time. I remember always shooting either wide open or using insane ground glass adapters to get more control over depth of field. "Budget film look" was such a hassle back then.

At this point, I don't know what the media situation is like. Make sure you plan for a few P2 cards. The series doesn't have SDI outs, so you'll be stuck converting from analog HD if you want an external recorder. 

[Jack Jin]

On 9/28/2024 at 8:35 AM, Samuel Berger said:

Thanks for the replies. I found this other guy's footage and in another video he explains his grading process. I might have to buy a cheap HVX200 to play with. 

 

Ayy it's me! The HVX200, specifically the 200A is really nice! Good bitrate especially vs HDV (25mbps) at a max of 100mbps if you choose the 1080P modes. It's also solid state so no worries about the tape mechanism failing. And because the camera has a USB 2 port built in, you don't need to shell out crazy money for the P2 reader, you can just use the camera and drag and drop the files like any other modern cameras.

 

The HVX200A and HPX170 both has the revised version of the sensors with much better lowlight performance. Those are the versions that I recommend looking for, especially the HPX170 because of its drastically smaller and lighter footprint due to the exclusion of the mini dv tape deck.

 

The camcorder's prices these days are still a bit inflated due to its popularity with skateboard filmers. As it was the de facto "HD" Camera since 2009 when paired with the century Xtreme fisheye. But it's a great look still, and it's probably the best CCD camcorder these days because of the fact that you don't need to either maintain/fix the tape deck or try to capture the mini dv through fire wire which is really difficult to do these days.

 

Here is another one I shot with the HVX in tribute to my favorite film All about Lily Chou Chou, which was shot on the Sony F900, thus I was trying to emulate that look with the picture profile and the 3CCD definitely helps too.  https://youtu.be/_8vjZeaWD2E?si=F2Cl2p8Tws-nJjjE

Edited October 2, 2024 by Jack Jin

[Matthew J. Walker]

5 hours ago, Samuel Berger said:

Matthew, I missed out on the HVX200 craze because back then I exclusively shot film. Would you happen to know the difference between the HVX200A, HVX200P and HVX200AP?

The Panasonic AG-HVX200 series, according to research, was released between 2005 and 2006, with each suffix used as an identifier, mainly used for distribution purposes. The first of the line, the AG-HVX200, also known as simply the HVX200, is the original PAL variant of the camcorder. Another more elusive PAL version designed for distribution in Europe is the AG-HVX200E, as suggested by user Vinnie Urgo on the Creative Cow forum in 2011 where they wrote that ”you have 25 and 50fps options.” Additionally, there were two NTSC versions of the HVX200, namely the AG-HVX200P for North America and the AG-HVX200K for Japan. Interestingly, ZDNet's 2006 article Panasonic's AG-HVX200K video camera enables a new age of video production  conflicts with this, suggesting that 25fps is its lowest setting. Nonetheless, the AG-HVX200K is seldom to come by. While the suffix E, P, and K refer to distribution regions, the designations A and/or AP refer to something entirely different.

        According to a blog from the site Twisted Lincoln, LLC written in 2005 titled HVX200 vs HVX200a -- a side-by-side low-light comparison, the author tests the HVX200A against the HVX200. The blog author tested both cameras at factory settings shot at 24fps and 720p with “various light levels” to which they conclude "The difference was dramatic. The HVX200a performs much better at lower light levels than the HVX200. There is much less noise, and the picture is much brighter.” The author even posted two low light comparison photos for reference. Nevertheless, the ‘A’ suffix on the HVX200 refers to the upgraded CCD sensor. While there was never a PAL version of the HVX200A, it is speculated that the HVX205 is the latter.

        With insight that the AG-HVX200P is designed for the NTSC region and understanding that the AG-HVX200A is the same NTSC camera with an upgraded CCD sensor compounded with the fact that there is no manual (That I can find) for the AG-HVX200A but only the AG-HVX200AP, it is safe to suspect that the AG-HVX200A and AG-HVX200AP are the same camera; the acronyms are lost in translation from person-to-person and site-to-site. Hopefully this information is sufficient and I hope you soon fulfill your desire to own a Panasonic AG-HVX200. I may too.

References:

http://www.twistedlincoln.com/reviews/hvx200-vs-hvx200a

https://www.zdnet.com/article/panasonics-ag-hvx200k-video-camera-enables-a-new-age-of-video-production

https://creativecow.net/forums/thread/hvx200e-vs-hvx200p