Anyone out there share tips on tapeless recording w/DVX100/A/B ??

Bernardo M.

Bernardo M.

New member
Hi all, Im a new member who is returning to the world of video making after a 5/6 year leave.I'd appreciate any tips on good fire wire/tapeless solutions for the DVX100 and whether it would be the same for the DVX 100B , which I plan to upgrade to. I have an old Dual Mac pro and FCP 3 as well and Im not sure if its worth it to upgrade to a new mac and version X of FCP or migrate to Premier??? any feedback would be highly appreciated. Regards
 
I've acquired a small fortune in Century optics add on lenses, panasonic anamorphic lens for the dvx as well as Chrosziel 16x9/4x3 mate box and rod support system which are very specific for the dvx family and for now standard definition is fine for my type of project. If there's a new camera as versatile as the dvx that is compatible with these cine accessories please let me know. Is that the case with the HMC150? I'm lost with the amazing evolution that video has gone trough these last few years. I was pretty well equipped for my purposes until 6/7 years ago. And I certainly would like to resume activities in video/digital cine productions using as much of what I have as far as accessories if possible.

Thanks for your reply
 
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I would echo the look at another camera. The HMC150 is going to be pretty close to a DVX in size & layout factor. See if there is a dealer near you that you can try out a new camera with your existing accessories. Beyond the HMC150, Panasonic, Sony, Canon & JVC offer a lot of good options.
In 2011, I wouldn't really consider a non-HD camera, unless I really, really, really know that I don't need HD.

In my opinion if you stick with a DVX the best tapeless solution to a DVX is a Sony HVR-MRC1. It comes standard with the Sony Z7 & S270, and attaches to the back of the Z5 as well. It can records DV or HDV (1080 for sure, 720 HDV I'm not sure) through the firewire out onto Compact Flash cards.

I've used it a bunch with HVX in tape mode & a DVX as well. I love that we still have a tape back up & that we don't have to capture the tape after the shoot. Just open up Log & Transfer in FCP & footage is ready to edit in 1/7 the time as capturing.
 
Thanks for your very helpfull reply Zijtal,

in the meantime I've made inquiries to Century optics (pasted below to sort of share and get further feedback with anyone in a similar dilemma as me since they are the US distributor for Chrosziel for some time) about my lenses and Chrosziel Mate box for the dvx cameras

To Century optics:
9/22/2011 2:59 PM
"Thanks for your prompt reply, I just thought that since both cameras are panasonic, have 72 mm thread on their lenses and that these seem to have similar specs that I would get lucky.... I also understand that the HMC is the evolved substitute to the dvx series and sort of caters to the DVX users.
Anyone at Century who can answer my Chrosziel inquiry (I understand that Century has become the US distributor for Chrosziel)

On Sep 22, 2011, at 4:56 PM, Korrey Kramer wrote:
Thank you for your inquiry. Our add-on lenses are bayonet mounted and camera specific. You would need to have the lens designed for your specific camera. The DVX100 and HMC 150 lenses are not interchangeable.

9/22/2011 2:12 PM
Hi there, I have a DVX100 camcorder and a wide angle &tele adapter
made by Century/Shneider. Would these be compatible with the HMC 150
as far as coupling and of course optically? I also have the wide
angle 16x9/4x3 Chrosziel wide angle matte box with rails, plate
adaptor, and all rings for the dvx and the century add on lenses as
well as for the anamorphic lens by panasonic. Any chance these can be
used in the HMC 150? Im looking for a camera to upgrade to that
hopefully will allow me to use them....

So please give me your feedback on the subject.

thanking you for your time,

Bernardo Machado"​
 
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capt chuck said:
I don't have any first hand experience with this recorder, but it looks like a reasonable way to get a tapeless workflow if you stick with your DVX: http://www.datavideo.us/products/pl...n-60-dv-hdv-solid-state-cf-card-recorder.html
Click to expand...
Hey, that actually looks pretty cool... I never liked the external hard disk recorders, but that unit goes to solid state, it's reasonably inexpensive, and it supports DV and HDV and even DVCPRO50. If it supported DVCPRO-HD too, that'd really be something pretty interesting...

But, yeah, back to the OP's original question, something like the aforementioned datavideo product, or one of the firestore or citidisk products are pretty much the main tapeless options. You're looking for something that's compatible with DV and firewire. For inputs it'd ideally have firewire, or perhaps s-video input. Any recorder that relies on HDMI or SDI or even component video, won't work.

DVX100B will be fully compatible with all your accessories from the original DVX100. I would also consider moving to the HMC150, it's an ideal camera for a DVX user to move to HD and solid state, but if all your stuff works only with a DVX, well, they still sell DVX's new while supplies last. It's out of production now, but I would guess that there are stores that still have stock.
 
Well, if both cameras are 72mm, they glass may be compatible. If you have the exact part numbers of the glass, you can always google it.

Otherwise, any medium-large pro video store should have an HMC150 in display. Bring your glass in and try it out on the camera and see what happens.
 
If you are going to be shooting inside locations or in a studio you could always hook your dvx up to a laptop as well, if you are going to move over to premiere pro it comes with onlocation which I personally really like for live capture, and has really cut down time for me. I still use tapes with my dvx when I am doing work outside, the DataVideo device that was mentioned earlier looks pretty good, it would be interesting to hear if anyone on here has used it, because on B&H there were a number of reviews that made the device sound very finicky.
 
Checked out the Datavideo thingy on B&H. Reviews mention recurring firmware issues. At $539, I can't help but think there's a less expensive way.
 
I've been using an MCE Quickstream DV/HD hard drive recorder with a DVX102B (PAL) - it's firewire connected with a 12 hour recording capacity and a range of capture file formats. It's been great - fault-free, simple to mount, fast to download from, quiet, and is a very tough little unit. Unfortunately my video life is over (career change blah blah) and both the Quickstream & camera have had little use. I'm about to put the DVX and the Quickstream (plus 3-hour extended battery pack, cables etc) on eBay.
 
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