What are the current issues with using HDV?

[Morgan Peline]

Hi,

 

I know that this has probably been asked already but I can't seem to find the answers in the previous forums.

 

These new Sony HDV cameras come up a lot in discussions at the moment especially when I'm putting myself forward for DP jobs on short films. I have a notion that there are issues with using these cameras but I don't understand what these problems/issues are at present.

 

- In the back of my mind I have acquired some idea that you can't yet use HDV properly because of a lack of compatible post-production machines currently available...or something to that effect.

 

- And also that you need a HD monitor to watch your footage back properly (as opposed to downconverted to DVCam) does this mean that you have to transfer HDV to digiBeta or some other more common format before you can 'see' the quality of HDV?

 

So my question is: Can you or can't you effectively shoot a short film in HDV mode yet? Or do we have to wait for some new machines to be designed first?

 

Could someone please simply explain these issues for me?

 

Any help is much appreciated - thank you very much!