Footage from P2 card is dark.

Maybe it's the way you imported the card.

I recently tested the HVX 200, imported following the Shane Ross tutorial listed below and everything was great.

http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_shane/p2fcp6/video-tutorial.php

Well... never trust the viewfinder. Unless you had a calibrated HD monitor on set, there's no way of knowing what exactly you shot. Once it's on the card, it's just a file transfer to your computer.

Did you use the zebras or a light meter when you lit and set exposure? You can't rely on just a viewfinder/LCD for exposure/color. They can give you a general representation, but can be off. Calibrating them to color bars will help.

Try connecting the camera (with P2 cards) to a video monitor or TV (as long as it is calibrated with color bars), and check playback. Eventhough it's downcoverted, it won't throw exposure out of whack (it won't be exactly like the HD footage, but will work).

Also, compare with what FCP's waveform monitor reads on the imported clips.

tim

Just to be an echo in here, the viewfinder is only there to show you your framing and general exposure level. If you needed critical exposure viewing, you should have had an HD monitor on set connected to the camera. HD Production monitor, not an HD TV.

Shane