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thinking the jvc dvx100 that does 24p HD, i've already shot some stuff on regular DV

The camera does 24p, but it does not do HD.

i'll be using FCP4 to edit, is there any compatibility issues with the 24p format and the usual miniDV one?

The camera scans at 24p, but does an in-camera conversion to 60i, which is standard NTSC. Therefore, you can edit dvx100 footage with regular DV footage. This, of course, means you can edit the footage in FCP3 as well.

Just a note: FCP4 handles *native* 24p. In order to edit on a 24p timeline, the footage captured on a dvx100 must be reverse-telecined from 60i back to 24p. Luckily, FCP handles both standard reverse pulldown (3:2), as well as the advanced (2:3:3:2), which is perfect for the camera. Understand, however, that any footage you record in plain' ol 60i, you'll have to reverse telecine to 24p as well. All this would be pointless, however, if your final video is to be shown on regular TV, which is 60i. You'll have to reapply the pulldown for final output. Of course, if you're creating a DVD, there are other issues, but I won't get into it.

(there is also a bunch of footage being shot on 35mm, 16mm and even some super8, all are going to have to be assimilated together in the end, i only half know what i'm getting into, any advice would be appreciated)

Any film-originated footage must go through a conversion to tape if you're going to edit it. I'm assuming you're not going to be working with any Cineon files, so I won't even get into that. Anyway, 35mm and 16mm film get telecined normally, whereas the Super8 format (I'm assuming this is film) might show a speedup, since it's often (if not always) filmed in 18 frames per second, instead of 24 frames per second. In the end, all the stuff will be in 60i, or NTSC when transferred to tape. Oh yeah, this is done at a video transfer center.

I recommend editing in standard NTSC rather than dealing with 24p. The only reason that I can find to edit in 24p is if your edit will be transferred to film in the end, or if you want to create a 24p DVD. At this time, I don't know if the QuickTime MPEG-2 encoder will do that (only NTSC and PAL). It would be cool if it did that when DVD Studio Pro 2 comes out. Check out the info on Apple's site.

ps: anyone have any complaints about the dvx100, looks pretty good to me.

I think the specs are good, and I heard the quality (at least the 60i stuff) outperforms the Sony PD150. I don't have it, so I can't really give an opinion. Sorry.

-droo

The point of 24fps is that it is a traditionally established standard for cinematography, which was developed long before people learned the word "digital". As for the looks of the analog 35mm footage vs. DV, the frame rate is less important than resolution, and that's where you can't beat 35mm film, at least for now.

ok....so, just to clarify one thing, i can shoot in 24p mode to get a film look, then edit it together with regular mini dv and not lose the film look, right? basically taking advantage of a process designed for a different purpose to get that film feel.

thanks for all the responses, when i was checking cameras out in shops i didn't really know what to be asking, this helps alot.....

see ya's!