BBC and DVX100AE

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Placeman

Member
I've heard that the BBC have refused to accept delivery on DVX100AE's due to technical issues (audio, I think) and that their supplier in London is also refusing to take more in stock until these issues have been resolved.

Does anyone know more about this, what these issues might be, and what might be done about them?

Also, talk of a price drop here in the UK over the next month or so, and also of a new version, although maybe this is more of a 'bug-fix' (see above) than anything else, as it seems very quick...
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

the original version of the dvx100 (without A) had a the audio a few frames off sync i heard. easy to be worked around by shifting the audio for that amount on the timeline.

the "A" should have this fixed though.
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

There are also tools to rectify the sync audio issue - in FCO there is a plug-in that post processes the captued clip and Xpress Pro has an audio delay feature in the capture window. DVFilmmaker also has a feature to fix the sync. And yes, the "a" version of the camera does fix this.

Michael
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

I'm afraid that I was talking about the 100AE here, not the earlier model which I know had problems.

I know the BBC are extremely stringent in their tests, and so maybe it's something relatively minor, but it doesn't sound good though... I'll try and find out more tomorrow...

Anyone heard about price cuts here in the UK?
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

Placeman, would you please care to tell us where you got that information ?
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

It was from a major film and video industry supplier in London, who had been recommended to me by Panasonic. I'm about to buy a complete 100AE kit, and spoke to him about a month ago. He said that there had been some comments re. audio from the BBC and that I should wait a month or so to see how things went. I just got back in touch with him to see how things were and was told that the problem was ongoing and that he wouldn't get them back in stock until it was resolved. I will check with other suppliers over the coming days to see what response they are having but given that I have the money burning a hole in my pocket right now, I'm not sure why the supplier would be advising me not to buy yet unless it was a genuine issue...

And obviously, I'd rather not name names...
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

That sorta makes me laugh... As they (at least they used to) use Sony VX2000's in the field which have horrible s/n ratio. They actually have what's known as a BBC mod for the VX2k to improve the audio...The common Joe off the street can send their VX2k in for the mod, if desired (for a price obviously).

The DVX has the cleanest audio I have heard from a camera in this price range.

Interesting thread...

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

Placeman,

I'm sorry but I don't see why you wouldn't "name names." If an institution as respectable as the BBC claims there is a problem with the 100A's audio, then there must be... And if there is, then Panasonic have obviously been informed... Seeing how Panasonic have been listening to user feedback when designing the 100A, them guys in Japan gotta be working on it very hard, especially since Panny's market leading position is much stronger in the UK than, say, in France, from what I hear.

Seeing also how 100As are selling like hot cakes in the UK like everywhere else, one prominent retailer who doesn't re-stock the item must stick out like a sore thumb...

So, my point is this : if there is an audio issue which no one had spotted before the BBC did, then it can now be considered as being "in the open" : this board is watched by Panny, and I wouldn't be surprised if it were by the BBC guys, too. Then let's discuss it openly, let's trade sources, let's talk to them and to others (I happen to have some contacts within the BBC and with some UK pro suppliers as well).

Otherwise, and with all due respect, it will be hard not to treat it as just another commercially motivated rumor...
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

Could it be related to the sound delay problem while monitoring through ur headphone...reported in some of the earlier threads here. ??? ???

though I have not experienced it myself :D
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

I know a technical guy who works at the BBC and he was saying that they weren't going to touch the DVX100 or A because of the sound sync issue. Having worked for them myself I know they rely on the PD-150 as the mini-DV camera of choice and use it as a second camera on shoots as well as a reccy camera for checking out locations and contributors. In regard to the latter, it wouldn't do if, after a reccy you played back your rushes of a contributor to your producer and it was out of sync - it would seriously annoy him! Yes the problem can be fixed in post, but why the hell should you have to? The PD-150 doesn't have a sync problem and it records on a DVCam format, which is seen by many in the industry as more stable and reliable. As a result the BBC uses PD-150s and is probably going to order-in PD-170s now they are available. The progressive mode on the DVX is not considered particularly impressive over here either.

It's a case of striving for the most reliable make of camera, and little glitches (like sync problems) put major broadcasters off.
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

But what I understood from the experiences of some of the dvxusers, shared in some earlier threads, the sound sync was NOT an issue in the ultimatley reordered footage on the tape. It was annoying only while monitoring it live, through ur headphone or mic,.

But cant say more than that as I have myself not experienced either of them so far. 8)
 
Re: BBC and DVX100AE

You're right, Aejaz, it *was* fixed. This thread sounds more and more like someone is trying to play little tricks again, and if it is the case, it's not even too cleverly done. >:(
 
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