Editing time base

Unless you choose 720p 24pN with the HVX, the camera shot 24p at 59.94...the default for 720p is 59.94. If you want 23.98, then you need to shoot 720p 24pN And yes, there are settings for that in FCP. DVCPRO HD 720p 23.98.

And the HDV cameras shoot 24p at 29.97...as 1080 defaults to 29.97, and HDV cameras, tape based, only shoot 29.97. Some higher end ones shoot 24pA that allows for pulldown to be removed when you capture to get you 23.98, but consumer level cameras like that one shoot the 24p look at 29.97.

You can edit both at 29.97 or 59.94...those are compatible formats (30fps and 60fps mix well).

Can I mix clips from both cameras in the same timeline?

Yep. They are essentially the same frame rate.

As Shane noted, next time if you want a straight 24p recording, use the 24pN settings in the camera recording setup.

However, if you are going to mix the footage with other 29.97 material, the way you (inadvertently) recorded is the better way to go.

x

If you are editing in a 59.94...60fps...timeline, then shooting 60fps for smooth slow motion won't work. You need to shoot at a frame rate higher than that you are using. So for 60fps, you need to shoot 120fps, 200fps. 60fps works great for timebases of 30fps, 24fps.

>1. Does this mean that editing in a 59.97 time base as dictated by the use of the FireStore, I am not taking advantage of the 24 progressive frames?

Yup. The only way to get 720p at 23.98 is with a P2 card and shooting at 720p 24PN. You can shoot 1080i 24pA with the card as well, and FCP will remove the advanced pulldown. I don't think the Firestore records the Advanced pulldown...worth a test.

>2. If I use the Variable Frame Rate, and shoot in 60FPS, then I am unable to get the smooth slo-mo feel? The camera maxes out at 60 FPS.

Yup. You are not able to get smooth slow motion if you shoot 60fps for use in a 60fps sequence. Just like 30fps slowed down in a 30fps sequence isn't smooth.

>I purchased the camera for the same reasons most people do. To get that 24 progressive frames and have a film like look.

Then get a 64GB P2 card. They are only like $650.

>Using the Firestore, seems to eliminate all of the benefits of this great camera.

WRONG! You reap a LOT of benefit of this camera. Shooting 4:2:2 color space, instead of 4:2:0 that AVCHD, HDV, XDCAM shoot in. Shooting with 3 CCDS, and not a single sensor that can give you rolling shutter (CMOS sensor). Nice codec for easy editing in FCP (DVCPRO HD). You can also shoot directly to QT on the firestore, eliminating the need to log and transfer.

But yes, the P2 card, that the camera was designed for, has more options. You bought a great camera, but a third party add-on device that doesn't do everything that a P2 card does. BUT, I think the drive can record 1080i 24pA...and you can remove pulldown to get to 23.98. And then shoot 720p60 for smooth slow motion...upscale the footage 50% from 720p to 1080. It doesn't do a bad job of that.