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 I've been thinking about upgrading to the relatively new HDV format (I say "relatively" because it's been around for about a year now), but I still can't decide whether or not it's time to take the plunge. Fancy new equipment, especially a camera, always gets me invigorated for shooting and producing new work. I still enjoy using the tricked-out Canon XL1s and it makes great pictures, but the consumer in me just wants something fresh.
Problem is that monitors and DVD players for presentation just aren't there yet. While there is some benefit to shooting high-def and down-converting to standard-def 4:3, is it worth the extra money? All programming, commercials, marketing videos are going to end up on a standard TV right now, at least for the majority of customers. It's only within the last year that the old VHS duplication system has been gathering serious amounts of dust and is ready to be put to pasture.
What most HDV cameras have that we are ready for is true 24P. Video traditionally runs at 30 interlaced frames per second, while film runs at 24 progressive frames per second. It's merely one of the reasons that film looks better than video. Lest we forget better lenses, greater color depth and lighting techniques that most film directors employ. I chose the Canon XL1s originally because their "frame" mode de-interlaces the video and gives it more of a film-style look. Unfortunately, it also softens the picture and creates a strobing effect occasionally. The XL1s also has a black line about 5 scan lines high at the bottom of the picture. I find particularly annoying when playing productions back on a monitor that shows the underscan area. After five years, I'm beginning to find those small things more and more annoying, particularly because a lot of clients play productions on laptop DVD players.
Clients aren't clamoring for high-definition yet, but I do like to stay ahead of the curve. Final Cut Pro can handle the transition easily, but I would need to upgrade production monitors. Currently, they all work well, and even my 32" Sony TV at home still fires up without a problem. So the question is... to HDV, or not to HDV?
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