New guy! DVX100a vs HDV??

S

shootermg

Member
Hi folks...New to this forum. Have read posts extensively. I'm shooting a guerilla-style indie doc, for festivals, distribution, hopefully broadcast. Everyone and their dog in a production company is pushing me to buy in to HDV, as that is the demand from networks.

I have a shoestring budget, and blowing it all on a Sony V1U for example, leaves me no room for other needed gear, etc.

So, i'm looking at getting a low hours DVX100a pkg with boom + shotgun, 2 batts, 2 chargers, soft + hard case. Seems it will be more serviceable given concerns over low-light (definitely in my case) situations, audio xlr, ease of use with NLE, while still giving a great 24p film look, and even up-resable.

Please advise?
 
DVX: No brainer

DVX: No brainer

I would Def go with the DVX. I was in a very similar situation and chose the DVX and def. haven't regretted it yet.
 
Yeah, I have to agree. I was in the same type of situation and I went with the DVX. I have had it for about a week now and I am so glad that I made the choice of getting it. Good Luck!
 
I have researched HDV as well and found a large amount of the total cost would be in a high performance editing workstation. With SD my home computer has enough power but going HD, I would need to considering a much faster computer and larger drives, in addition to the more expensive camera.
 
Thanks for the reality check. Guess it's worth waiting and not being so worried about hours on the camera...the prices should be coming down on these now...still, $2600 for only 48 hrs, G2 Senn lav kit, bag, remote zoom is ok i think
 
shootermg said:
Thanks for the reality check. Guess it's worth waiting and not being so worried about hours on the camera...the prices should be coming down on these now...still, $2600 for only 48 hrs, G2 Senn lav kit, bag, remote zoom is ok i think
Click to expand...

Considering the price of a New DVX100b that would be a pretty good deal... if it is a B model... The audio equiptment is what makes that a good deal...
 
At this point I would want something native 16:9, especially if going for distribution. Ultimately, your story will matter most, surely more than the format and while the DVX is certainly "good enough" it is hardly the best choice. If you want to stay in the Panny family, the HVX in SD mode (as long as it is 24P and not 60i) will produce a much better image, one third more resolution that will hold up to an uprez MUCH better than DVX.

HDV, while not perfect, takes far too much grief on these forums. It is actually THE perfect format for longform docs. It is also worth noting that most the prosumer HDV cameras do 24P widescreen SD as well.

If you are stuck on DVX, I would HIGHLY recommend the "B" model. The improvements over the "A" are numerous and Panny downplayed them IMHO to not piss off all the "A" owners. I can tell the difference in ANY circumstance. The "B" is WAY less noisy and produces color more truly. The LCD is better, the build is better (tape mechanism and tripod mount), it is just a better camera and worth the extra money.




ash =o)
 
yeah, the 100b has some sweet revisions for sure. i'm gonna hunt around for one. By the time i bought i base HVX i would have the 100b + audio pkg, tripod, etc.
 
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