DVX, XL1, XH-A1, or XL2?

telemaine said:
However, to me, the more important decision maker would be Panasonic's discontinuation of replacement parts. I have a DVX with only 100 hours that is useless because I can't get the parts to fix it.
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You know I've read your posts about about Panasonic discontinuing parts but I just don't see how that can be true with so many DVX's still in use as well as being still in production. Are you sure you are getting the correct information from whomever is repairing your camera? Also have you tried contacting Panasonic directly or other certified repair centers?

Now I won't deny that the DVX is a delicate camera. Mine took a dive and hasn't been the same since so I'm looking at replacing it.

If you look at this from an investment standpoint, IMO, the HDV camera will hold it value better than the SD cam.
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I don't quite agree. Sure if you need to deliver HD now then it makes sense to spend the $900 more. However unless you're doing broadcast then you're probably not going to be delivering HD for another couple of years. By then no doubt there will be better HD cameras and solid state recording will be mature and affordable enough to finally rid of tapes. I would say that by saving the $900 now and instead invest in other aspects of your business that could yield a higher return on investment.
 
It is a fact.

Panasonic has already discontinued making many of the circuit boards for the DVX100 and DVX100A.

However you can still get your camera repaired at the component level. That means it will take a little longer and cost a little more. But it is still possible to repair them under most circumstances.

This being said, I still would recommend the DVX100B to young people wanting to try their hand at film making. It offers so many more options than other cameras in that price range.

Buy a DVX100B but, like any video camera, don't expect it to last forever or have the company that makes it supply parts forever.
 
Like I have written in other posts, I like the DVX. I think it has a nice picture, handles well, has some nice features, etc. If it were not for the issue with obtaining parts I would be recommending it to others wholeheartedly. Especially to those getting into filmmaking where you want to be focused on your content, not your equipment woes. I'm coming from the point of trying to help others. I don't want anyone else to be burnt like I was in paying money for a camera that effectively cannot be repaired. Of course Panny has some parts it is just the ones I have been breaking that have been discontinued (XLR jack and PC component board. I also have broken the focus ring attachment a few times so I have had a hand in draining the supply there too. 4 microscopic screws holding that on? Come on Panasonic! ). I am sure others are being discontinued as well but these are the ones I am aware of. MathewM, I can assure you that I have spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for the parts that I need. I have dealt with two reputable service centers on the repair of my camera and they were not able to find any parts either. They gave up two weeks ago and sent the camera back to me. Some service centers are even beginning to refuse to work on the DVX, I am guessing in part due to the parts issues. I have spoken with Panasonic about an XLR jack and they asked me how to spell XLR?!?! That kinda' sums things up!

Lensmith, I don't expect a company to supply parts forever but how about 5 years? I have had my 100a for 3 years (In May it will be one year it has been out of commission because of the lack of parts). I also don't expect a camera to last forever and I have no problem with their repair. I have spent a lot of money with Sony service and can still get parts for my 6 year old VX2000. I have found the DVX to be a very delicate camera as compared to the Sony PDs, VXs, Z1s as well as the Canon A1s. Just my experiences that I am passing on. I can be hard on cameras so what might take me 2 months to break may take someone else 1 year to break, but when it does break you may not be able to find parts.

Things being equal with serviceability, I might lean toward recommending the DVX to those on a budget and/or just getting into filmmaking. Like I have said, it is a great camera. But if you cannot service the camera you are left with an expensive pile of plastic and wires.

The HDV vs SD argument does depends on your situation. True, HD is not as deliverable as SD at the moment. However, in my situation I have been using the AppleTV for delivery. It is half the resolution of HD but when you look at the video played through the AppleTV on a HD television it is very difficult for the average person to tell. Also, with Blu-Ray winning out you will see the cost of many burners and players coming down as the industry focuses on that technology. So I think you are going to see a greater switch in much less than 2 years as HD becomes more mainstream.

Also, my argument on the financial end was on cost now, $900, but also resale cost, which is more difficult to quantify. IMO the HDV cam will hold its value better than the SD cam so the total cost needs to figure that in. I would estimate that it may only be a total cost of $500 or less for better picture quality, increased durability, a camera that will be useful over a longer period of time, and one that will probably be easier to sell when the time comes. If it is becoming difficult to get parts for the DVX now, what will it be like in a year or two. Black market DVX chop shops?
 
thanks for that informative post telemaine. I think that I am just going to get the dvx100b because it'll be my first camera with manual controls...semi professional camera...what are some good wide angle lenses for the DVx
 
Well don't come crying to me when....

Just kidding, it is a great camera but be gentle with it. Speaking of which, I would be wary of using a W/A. Every time I have broken the focus ring attachment (I may have the exact name wrong, but is is the where the lens hood attaches) it was when the W/A was attached. I have the Panasonic wide, don't remember the model, it has been sooooo long since I have been able to use the camera : ) but it screws on. The problem is the part the lens screws into is held on with 4 tiny screw into 4 tiny plastic tabs that break if you look at them the wrong way. The lens is just heavy enough to snap the plastic tabs. Not sure if other lenses are any lighter and I don't think a bayonet mount would help any.
 
telemaine said:
Lensmith, I don't expect a company to supply parts forever but how about 5 years? I have had my 100a for 3 years (In May it will be one year it has been out of commission because of the lack of parts). I also don't expect a camera to last forever and I have no problem with their repair. I have spent a lot of money with Sony service and can still get parts for my 6 year old VX2000. I have found the DVX to be a very delicate camera as compared to the Sony PDs, VXs, Z1s as well as the Canon A1s. Just my experiences that I am passing on. I can be hard on cameras so what might take me 2 months to break may take someone else 1 year to break, but when it does break you may not be able to find parts.
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Please understand...I agree with you about your comparisons between Sony and Panasonic. I've had my own frustrations getting my DVX 100A repaired. Panasonic just doesn't "get it" when it comes to customer service on the repair side like Sony does.

That being said, I don't think someone buying a DVX100B should be thinking about resale. At this point, it's a buy it and use it, then be prepared to throw it away camera in my book. Replace it with something else down the road in a couple of years as technology and competitive pricing improve.

By then HD will be much more important too and the selection.pricing of HD cameras will be more attractive than at present...no matter what camera manufacturer you prefer..

The DVX 100B is a fine camera and the image controls as well as the 24P Panny has puts it above Sony in my book for the small cameras. No, it's not a low light camera but for a person wanting to try and advance their film making abilities, it offers much better control over the color/matrix settings than Sony.

Just don't get it wet! :2vrolijk_08:
 
I believe the a1 came out summer of '06. So if Canon uses Panasonic's business model they will start discontinuing parts Summer of '09. However I doubt that will happen, I have never had an issue getting parts for much older Sony's or Canons, just Panasonic DVX's.
 
what if you have time sensitive material, meaning if you are filming a DOC that is about a person going through life and its challenges and you want to capture those moments as they come by, I really cant " wait" for too long of a period of time due to the subject matter. Filming a piece about a child born 3 months pre mature-- 10 years ago--so i will be using stills ,old vhs video ,and other media. I want to capture the life span as she approaches adolescents and the demands of life become increasingly more challenging. Just about the fight to become independent. So with that in mind, would distributors or DOC people need HD or can i use DVX100 SD and get the message across. What to buy becomes a little bit of a time issue--I just to want to make a crisp, clean shot, with times of low light situations. Basically a kind of daily life experiences. So it would not be a " scenic" type of film, but a human interest story of determination.

please advise
 
Get a DVX and you could use InstantHD from Red Giant. If you learn how to use it, it can come out really nice and it will compare with almost any 3ccd 720p camcorder (like the JVC GY-HD110u). I know guys who would shoot at 1080p and then run it through a similar software to make something like 2540p. The only difference will be a lot less noise.
 
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