I've been shooting some shorts for quite some time now (still surprised I haven't put any up on the site yet, but...), but i've gotten a bit tired of miniDV. At school, I found a SuperVHS camera that hasn't been used much, but a teacher knows all the works for it. Have any of you guys shot much on SVHS, and if so, how's the quality. I'm looking for something a little more cinematic, and so far, miniDV hasn't made the cut for me, personally. But tell me how SVHS is, before I waste my time...

Yikes!

I spent two years (!) stuck with shooting on SVHS, then editing linearly with it!

It's probably one of the most horrible experiences of my filmmaking attempts so far.

The dropout problems were bad. My college used to recycle the tapes so they'd get chewed up if you shook them.

Then to add insult to injury, we had to make our edit masters on VHS.

In short, don't bother using it! It looks bad ...

I used to have two films on this site. "Night to Remember" was SVHS ... and was pretty bad sound and video wise. "One Night Stand-Up" was MiniDV / Hi8 and was pretty good.

Richard Purves
Living Film
http://www.livingfilm.co.uk/

Sorry to say it but if your sick of MiniDV the next step is eithere.

1)BetaSP, DigiBeta. Higher reolution but no niffty "film look" features. Or even DVcam. Again higher res than MiniDV and there is the Panasonic DV9000 (or whatever its called) that is the DVX100's bigger brother. Shoots 24p, uses prime lenses, has more extensive color controls similar to the HD Varricam.. oh, and it costs $25,000 to buy WITHOUT any lenses.

2) Shoot film. Go 16mm, or even Supper8mm. It will deffinently give you a contrasting look to MiniDV

There is ofcourse also the DVX100 but im not sure what it is about MiniDV your sick of. If its the video look and movement this is a way to go. If its the resolution then nevermind.

If you cant already tell, SVHS is NOT the way to go. Archaic, bulky, and dated to say the least. It will give you nithing but heartache.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

Yup, Tizzy's got it pretty much right.

Oh, another good reason NOT to shoot SVHS ... the last couple seasons of "Airwolf" ...

Yes, a TV program was shot on SVHS and look really bad especially when they cut between their stuff and their stock library of the helicopter flying. (which incidentally was shot on 16mm film!)

Richard Purves
Living Film
http://www.livingfilm.co.uk/

Thanks guys. I honestly have to say I had never seen the type of footage SVHS shoots, and I'm glad you guys had an answer for me. I'd really like to shoot on film, but where can I get my hands on a camera. To lease it or whatever. That would be my ultimate goal.

If you want the film look at an inexpensive price you should consider getting a super8 camera. You can get a pretty good deal at this place.

www.pro8mm.com

They have this package deal, it's like 600, it comes with 4 reels of film, filters and some other stuff. The only thing about using it is that you have to get the film deveoloped, you can get it developed at the same place you buy the camera from and they will transfer it over to mini dv for you.

I also grew up in school using SVHS. But you know what? The funnest movies to shoot were done with that camera. It was crap, I admit, but it was definatly more fun than shooting with miniDV or HI-8 has been for me... I'm weird.

"We'll be able to get all the things we ever dreamed of... front, and rear spoilers for the cars!"

quote:

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Originally posted by Ademu:
I'm weird.

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Yep.



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http://www.jswfilms.com/

Yes, yes.

But you have to admit that eventually you will get bored with whatever format your using. It's fun to change up occasionally.

"We'll be able to get all the things we ever dreamed of... front, and rear spoilers for the cars!"

quote:

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Originally posted by Ademu:
But you have to admit that eventually you will get bored with whatever format your using. It's fun to change up occasionally.

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And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the reason why I will never sell my Super 8.

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http://www.jswfilms.com/