Highlights of the 2nd Toronto User Group

[Pure]

Hello all!

I'm happy to report that our second meeting had a higher attendance than the last meeting. 4 extra people showed up.

We we're treated to a short promo of the new HD camera. Basically, whatever has been revealed on this website about this new camera is what they revealed at the meeting. They are expecting to sell this camera for about $9,995 U.S. And for what is all speculated about this camera, it's priced just right for my budget.
We should expect this camera in our hands (hopefully) in August. All HD footage will be recorded on P2 through 2 slots. SD footage will be recorded on DVCPro.

P2 is an amazing new format, the demo we received showed me that once again the future of Production and Post Production are headed in a great direction.

Our first Mini DV Festival was a great opportunity for people to show their stuff.
4 tapes were submitted, however I disqualified myself (confict of interest). So with the three official submissions, everyone left with a prize.

The 1st place prize of 25 Panasonic Mini DV tapes and a DV Rack to hold them in Sponsored by Tapeworks went to David for his music video

2nd prize went to Rane for her short film. She won a DVC Pro Shooter jacket and clock Sponsored by Panasonic

3rd prize went to Len for his Music Performance video. He was awarded a Panasonic T-shirt and clock also sponsored by Panasonic.

Thanks to all who participated and attended. Special thanks to Kevin and David from Panasonic who helped put this great event together. Thank-you to our judges and most importantly, all those who support this group.

That's it for now

New meeting after NAB.

Peter

[Barry_S]

Sounds like you're doing a rockin job up there in Toronto. So, they confirmed a DVCPro tape drive for SD, eh? :shocked:

[RyanM]

Hi, Everybody.

I appeared onscreen in David's music video. I found him a delight to work with. He was very capable and judicious, able to work deftly with the raw ideas I presented to him and bring them to life cohesively and vibrantly in the finial cut. If you get a chance to work with him, I say jump at it.

The entries were all quite alot of fun to watch. Len's music video made me feel like I was front row in the concert in the bar. I wanted to go grab a drink and watch the rest of the performance. Maybe boogy a little. Rane's video left me feeling like a voyeur, taking guilty pleasure from viewing the protagonist's private moments. Then when the girl killed a fellow who she felt was intruding on her in the same way I was, I felt like I was in over my head - I was watching too, and I could be next! Great punchline on that piece too that indicates that he wasn't the first to die in this way. David's piece had an adventure feel to it. A music video, yes, but visually it narrated a story of one brother pursuing another on the final steps of his final journey. There's an urgency to capture one more bit of time with the dying brother, but peaceful resolution when the desperate chasing yields nothing, and all that can be done is to have a drink in his memory. 4 minute epic. Yay.

Though not in the competition, Peter's display of his work on a new zombie movie was extra exciting. Here's why: There were interviews with the filmmakers, and one could clearly see that the believe in their project wholeheartedly. As a layman, it was a treat to come behind the scenes and see that the DVX100 and the new HD camera are bringing fantastic fimmaking within reach of all of us. The fellows on this zombie movie truly BELIEVE that they can change the face of zombie films forever. And now, the don't have to get that difficult pitch sold to a studio, or even high-rolling backer. They can go ahead and change the world of zombie movies. The only one left to pitch to is their audience.

So, from my point of view it was great to be at the User Group Meeting and to see the momentum in digital filmmaking. It's opening up a world of creative possibilities for me, and I can't wait to explore it. Thanks to everyone for making myself and my brother (also onscreen) feel welcome.

See you again,
Ryan

[bgundu]

Sounds like you're doing a rockin job up there in Toronto. So, they confirmed a DVCPro tape drive for SD, eh? :shocked:

oh oh Peter. Lookout for the barage of questions!

Bob

[Barry_S]

Bob--were you at the meeting? Does the HVX200 record DVCPRO and DVCPRO50 to tape?

[bgundu]

Barry - I missed the meeting. I know as much as you do. Actually... I think you still know more than me.

[Barry_S]

Thanks Bob, we'll wait for Peter or someone else to explain.

[Pure]

Hey Guys

Honestly, I don't know the answer to Bobs question. I can only remember that David from Panasonic said that SD would be recorded on DVC Pro tape. I figured that meant that it would not be a mini DV tape.

Does it record DVCPro 25 and 50?

I don't know.

Currently Panasonic only offers 4 GIG P2 cartridges and a 8 gig to be released at NAB. With the release of this camera to consumers, I would expect cards to be at least 32-64 Gigs in size when its available late this summer. They need those sizes for the camera, because the camera only has 2 P2 slots. The cards are meant to be reusable. You would need a separate harddrive to store media, or back it up to a professionl format to maintain quality which would mean HD tapes and that could get very expensive. Large harddrives are a better option for people who want to archieve their footage, and with the cost of hard drives always getting cheaper, this should be more of an inconvience than a cash burden.

However at the same time, for all we know a 32 Gig cartrige might only cost $10 a year from now, so you could buy P2 cartridges as often as you buy tape.

P2 cartridges are repairable, no tape shredding, no lose of data unless you tape a hammer to it.

Do you guys agree?

Ask away on anything else. It was clear to me that Panasonic is very excited about this product. Their smiles were from ear to ear, they are proud of this product, and they should be.

Peter

[Barry_S]

Peter,

Thanks, it sounds like the answer is yes--"David from Panasonic said that SD would be recorded on DVC Pro tape". I'll believe it when I see the HVX200 tape compartment, but this is the strongest info to date.

[LENV]

Hi, Ryan,

Len here. It was a real pleasure to meet you last night.
Thanks for the kind words about my music video.
David's video of you performing in "Guinness for 2" was awesome.
Just like watching a music video on TV.
I hope to come out to see to you perform in Oakville in the near future.
I brought 2 friends to meeting and they were vey impressed.
David Craig Product Manager of Panasonic put on an excellent presentation of the latest goodies.

I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all, and I look forward to the next meeting, as long as it's not on between May 6 - 13, because I'm having a wee trip to Glasgow at that time !

LENV

[LloydC]

when is the next meeting? I'm back in Toronto on april 22nd (last exam!!! woooo)
but I'd love to come to the next meeting

[bLueButterfLy]

first, many thanks to peter for organizing yet another successful toronto dvxuser meeting. and also to kevin and david of panasonic for a very informative presentation on the HDX200. they gave us a quick 3 second flash of the unveiled HDX200..................i wish!
it's nice seeing you guys again. and congratulation to david, rene, and len for bringing home prizes.
RyanM, you rock man! great performace at montana.

[DavidP]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words about the music video(after the screening. I too enjoyed Ryan sing in the middle of montanas restuarant)

[Sirius_Doggy]

for all we know a 32 Gig cartrige might only cost $10 a year from now,

That's a pretty freakin huge "might"...:shocked:

What's a 4gig P2 card going for today $1k-1.4K? That's a drop to 1/100 current cost. And you're talking bout a 32Gig card.....

Blank CD's cost $2.00 in 1996 and now run about .50-.75 cents. That's a drop of 1/4 over 9 years.....:undecided

When a 32Gig P2 card cost $10.00 I'll Buy 3 HDX's and a case of 100 P2 cards! :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Pure]

Yes, I'll be honest and say I have no idea how much a P2 disk costs. I didn't realize they were that much. I would like to say though that in 96 I was paying $10 per blank CD, but thats up here in Canada, now they are .50 cents.

I like to speculate. Even though most of the time I'm only half right.

[XCheck]

Hey everyone, wish I had the opportunity to stay longer and mingle and meet all of you; unfortunately, I couldn't.

Yes, the entries were all very nice, even though my vote would have gone to 'Next to David' - but that's just because I prefer narrative film over music video. Really, they were all great!

As far as the new HVX200 camera - I didn't understand from David's presentation that it would actually record to tape in DVCPro. Rather, the SD footage would be stored on a P2 card in DVCPro format (and yes, I understood it was going to be DVCPro 50).

But hey, we only have one week left. Not that I'd be buying the new camera any time soon, though... I am pretty happy with the DVX as it is. :happy:

[raneparish]

Hi XCheck,

Thanks for your vote! That was the first time I've showed anything to people other than friends or family, and it's encouraging to get postive feedback. By the way it's called: "Next to Steven".

Thanks again,

Rane Parish

[XCheck]

By the way it's called: "Next to Steven".But I knew that! How on earth did I come up with 'David'? Must have been dreaming about my neighbor again... just kidding.

Sorry about that.


Keep on filming! :thumbsup:

EDIT:
Oh, I know! I had 'David' from Panasonic in the back of my head when I was writing it!

[LENV]

Or perhaps you were thinking of DavidP, the film maker of "Guinness for 2"

LENV

[DavidP]

Hey Lenny Boy!

Make sure you come out Saturday night to Oakville. I am showing the video at a pub full of female McKennna fans(so if Lava Life insn't workin I'll be sure to hook ya up)

D

[XCheck]

Too many Davids, for sure... :beer: (that's a Guiness...)