Should I buy a DVX-100b

B

bfresh

Member
Thinking about buying a new DVX-100b. Do you think this is a good idea or are there new prosumer HD cameras coming out soon. Any insight would be appreciated.
 
I know panasonic is still selling many dvxs and the rice keeps getting lower. The only hdv camera to consider is the xha1 which is 3250 with rebate i think and the dvx is 2600. You may want to buy the future, although the dvx is an amazing sd cam. By now, I would go hd.
 
The DVX is a workhorse. For a first camera (or second, or third) it is an awesome buy. A year or two ago, when these HDV cameras were not available, the DVX had one of these best images you can buy under 15k.

While new cameras have come out, the DVX hasn't changed. It rocks.
 
I myself purchased a Sony hdv cam back a few years ago. The only thing I can say was the outdoor shooting was great. After seeing DVX footage, I regret not buying the panasonic. Not to mention the hdv codec blows versus dvcpro100! And if you got extra cash get the hvx.
 
Go hd my friend, the dvx100b is great but the price keeps going down...And that's not a good sign.
The A1 costs only a little more than the dvx, and has a lot more to offer...
 
Go A1. Records mini-dv, too. You can get scene files settings that closely match the dvx on the Canon forum.

DVX got me my job, and my first recognition in short festivals. But her time is gone.
 
Please. The DVX is far from dead. There is no camera in the price range that looks nearly as film like. And although HD is coming... it ain't here yet. You have to get out of these forums and realize that most people don't have and won't have HD for a couple of years. By then you could save up and buy the next generation of HD cameras which will cheaper and better.
 
logan3000 said:
Please. The DVX is far from dead. There is no camera in the price range that looks nearly as film like. And although HD is coming... it ain't here yet. You have to get out of these forums and realize that most people don't have and won't have HD for a couple of years. By then you could save up and buy the next generation of HD cameras which will cheaper and better.
Click to expand...

Well, My HVX produces much better SD pictures than my DVX. A feature I saw shot with the XL-h1 (same internals than the A1) received Blockbuster acclaim in Thailand. I've seen the projection and believe me when I say it looked like 35mm. Common viewer couldn't tell the difference. Off course, it was post produced in with top of the line color correction (Da Vinci 2k, telecined), but it was a Blockbuster movie that succeeded in the box office of Thailand shot in a convencional non-dogma way.

The DVX would never be able to do that. Not enough resolution. Would it look good? Yes. Some DVX shot projects even won Academy nominations. But would the same project shot with the A1 look better? Definetly.

HD from the A1 edited in an DVCproHD timeline or a Prores 4:2:2 timeline, then downconverted to Uncompressed 8bit SD for SD Mastering looks A LOT better than DVX footage.

Maybe YOU should get out of these forums and take a look at how its been done professionally nowadays. If you are, however, shooting Weddings and delivering a DVD, than maybe a DVX is fine... for today.

And I love my DVX. Its here, I'm not selling it, and am once in a while lending it to kids with ambition to become filmmakers.

EDIT- This in no way means current dvx users should just sell their cameras for the new HD ones. If you're making money, than you don't NEED to go HD. However, for anyone buying now, the price difference is just too little and the difference in quality is just big enough for me to not recommend a DVX. The jump in quality is high for such a small difference in price.
 
Last edited:
Calm down SPZ. I guess you know more than anyone with a dissenting opinion. The original poster implied that he couldn't afford an HVX. So I pointed out, correctly, that assuming that he was attracted to the DVX for it's filmic qualities, he wouldn't find a camera in this price range as close to film as the DVX. The DVX is available for close to 2K last time I checked the Canon is closer to 3500. Big difference for someone on a budget. As for advising him to get out of these forums, you made my point for me. Some people in these settings are too quick to write off anything that isn't cutting edge. Like yourself. And as for your attempted jab about weddings I haven't shot a wedding in many years because I'm making far more money running my production company which shoots in both HD and SD.
 
Last edited:
logan3000 said:
You have to get out of these forums and realize that most people don't have and won't have HD for a couple of years. By then you could save up and buy the next generation of HD cameras which will cheaper and better.
Click to expand...

My "getting out of these forums" comment was directed at you.

"I guess you know more than anyone with a dissenting opinion".

That the price difference of a DVX from an A1 is about 800$ ? That A1 footage properly edited is better than dvx footage? That the A1 is more future proof than the DVX, since new broadcast is going to be 1080i? That the A1 also shoots excelent Mini-Dv? That the A1 can be tuned IN CAMERA to look almost the same as the DVX? These are all FACTS. Proven. And obviously I know more than you on this aspect.

The HVX is 5000. Its the better camera. It requires a much bigger investment than an A1.

My advice is to the original poster. He can take it or not. Its his choice. Your advice should be to the original poster. And I believe this is enough.
 
That the price difference of a DVX from an A1 is about 800$
Click to expand...

Not bad, However I know not one person who has a blueray, or hd dvd player to utilize the quality of the A1. $800 bucks is little price to pay extra for an HD camera like the A1. But the editing and effects I do thru After Effects and such take too much time rendering and too much space... New Computer to handle HD start at $2000 (building yourself) and a TB of storage, $500..... The problem I see is you may have deep pockets, others dont.

Soon I too shall go HD, when I build the computer I need to handle footage. Till then DVX!
 
Kdawg said:
Not bad, However I know not one person who has a blueray, or hd dvd player to utilize the quality of the A1. $800 bucks is little price to pay extra for an HD camera like the A1. But the editing and effects I do thru After Effects and such take too much time rendering and too much space... New Computer to handle HD start at $2000 (building yourself) and a TB of storage, $500..... The problem I see is you may have deep pockets, others dont.

Soon I too shall go HD, when I build the computer I need to handle footage. Till then DVX!
Click to expand...

I would certainly agree with you, if one small detail wasn't taken into account: The A1 shoots mini-dv, too. Can't afford HD? Shoot HD, than do a downconversion to Mini-DV when you stream trough firewire! You keep the HD master untill you have the budget for a capable edit computer. (1500 should get you there in the PC world, DIY style.)

And youy can NATIVELY shoot mini-dv. Why you would want to do this is beyond me (for 4:3?), but there's that option. For 800 dollars more you get an excelent HD camera that also does DV. Only downpoint you could find is that the A1 might be 1 stop slower than the DVX. But that's not much, and should only be a concern if you are shooting in VERY low light.
 
Basically, the way I look at it....the a1 is an investement into the future. I am going to be getting an a1 probably and use my dvx as a b-cam. Clients want to know that you can shoot HD, so even if the dvd tech is not there yet, it shows people that you are prepared. Clients like options.

The only real downside I hear about the a1 is the crappy audio controls. Either you use xlr or on camera mic, but not both at the same time, and you can't control individual volume channels. Thats one thing I love about the dvx is having those controls right there so I can instantly adjust my audio levels.
 
I see your point SPZ. And to have the HD option is nice candy to the ear of the client (if you have those, I do it as a hobby). I personally know I will not get into HD for at least a year or two. I would like to have brand new heads at that point, and the updated version of the A1 or HVX, if there is one then...

I didnt mean to hijack the thread on some kind of this vs that, if you got the $800 or so go A1 otherwise, you may want to get some audio and lighting with that cash....
 
Again SPZ you missed my point. 800 dollars is alot of money to some people. (Plus the expense of upgrading your computer and video monitor, most likely) I'm trying to encourage someone to get the camera they can afford with pro features as opposed to a prosumer camera with crap audio. And again I shoot HD (XL-H1) as well as SD (DVX). I agree that HD is great if you can afford it. But I would still rather shoot on a DVX than an A1. My taste, my opinion. It's not all about the resolution. There has been alot of great art created with the DVX and there will continue to be.

P.S. Kdawg this went off track along time ago.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top