1st DVX100b!! Capture Camera Recommendation

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DeepBassEX

Member
Sorry if this isn't the correct forum. My first DVX100B is coming in today!!!

Can anyone recommend a cheap capture camera? I don't want to ruin my new friend so soon!
 
I think this "capture cam" thing is getting out of hand. :)

It started out with good intentions . . . no need to put unnecessary wear on camera heads at a time when no one really knew what the useful life of the heads was . . . but after almost seven years on the market, the verdict is in -- the DVX isn't a delicate flower. :) When it's gotten to the point where someone's afraid to capture from it at all because they might "ruin" it, then it's gone way too far. It can take being recorded on and captured from. It wouldn't be much of a camera, and it certainly shouldn't be considered in any way a pro camera, if it couldn't. You're good for thousands of hours, and who knows how much more, because no one's ever worn their heads out.

Having a deck can be convenient, so that you don't have to keep connecting/disconnecting the DV . . . but guys, don't worry so much.

As for a slave camera -- this can be a great tool if you have to record something lengthy and don't want to miss anything because you have to switch tape. You can get hours of continuous recording that way. Or, if you're recording something unbelieveably crucial and don't want to risk losing something because of a tape dropout, it can be an insurance policy. But if you're not doing things like that, and you're doing it solely to save head wear, I'd say the inconvenience -- not to mention the risk of pulling the firewire cable -- far outweighs the utility.
 
True,
I would actually really like to hear if anyone out there has ever experienced replacing the heads for their DVX?
so far, I've never heard anyone.
 
yes, but i was just stating that since heads do not tend to wear out, the biggest problem would be to have the heads cleaned. easy fix yes, but most users tend to have their DVX's professionally cleaned no? still, at around $150(can't remember) thats not a bad deal
 
we started out with 6 DVX100's we now have 2.5 (one has PSD warning). We've jad these cameras for 4 years. Two have been set out for repair ($1,000+++). These camera get used a lot and are abused. (Almost) Everything that could ever happen to a DVX100 has happened. 6 HVX200's are going strong at 3 years no repairs.
 
barnapkins said:
we started out with 6 DVX100's we now have 2.5 (one has PSD warning). We've jad these cameras for 4 years. Two have been set out for repair ($1,000+++). .
Click to expand...
does that mean you got 2 DVX repaired (clean up) or heads replaced?
if so, how many hours did you use before the heads got replaced?
 
I get what you guys are saying, but I mean if you are going to get a cheap MiniDV cam for a slave, why NOT use it as a capture cam? Then if you ever need to import something for someone else and it isn't the tape you use for your DVX, then you have the freedom to import with the capture cam... I have had my DVX used for 3 months, started with 580 hours on it, it currently has 822 hours on it and I have had to clean my heads 3 times since! I have always used Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ on it and those were the tapes always used before... I am planning on getting a 4-pin to 4-pin cable for a slave cam connection. I use a Sony HC26 handycam for my capture cam/future slave unit...
 
There aren't many situations where I'd recommend a slave cam. I'd only do it, like I said above, if I had to record something longer than an hour and absolutely could not miss a frame of it, or if it's something so ridiculously crucial that I wouldn't want to risk a tape imperfection or dropout. Both situations are rare. I certainly think it's overkill if the only reason you're doing it is to save wear on the heads. I guess it doesn't hurt anything, really, but it's inconvenient to have to drag a second cam everywhere, worry about a second battery, worry about cable pulls (4-to-4 is the very worst for that) and cable wrangling. I'd imagine it's nigh unto unbearable in any run-and-gun situation. Like I said, too much inconvenience for the benefit if you're just looking to save wear.

But if you ARE using a slave cam, then sure -- use it for capture. Might as well.
 
barnapkins said:
we started out with 6 DVX100's we now have 2.5 (one has PSD warning). We've jad these cameras for 4 years. Two have been set out for repair ($1,000+++). These camera get used a lot and are abused. (Almost) Everything that could ever happen to a DVX100 has happened. 6 HVX200's are going strong at 3 years no repairs.
Click to expand...
Hey Barnapkins, I am new to this forum but I had the PSD on my DVX100a and got quotes of $800 to $1300 to repair. Then I found a tech in Gainesville, Florida (Old Town to be exact) who repaired it by re-doing the cold solder points and told me that other shos are too quick to do a lense assembly replacement. His charge was $450.00 and my DVX is back in business. Are we allowed to mention businesses here? If not shoot me an e-mail and I will gladly give you his info.
 
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