Beginner Thinking DVX100B Is Too Much Camera For Me

T

treoguy

New member
I bought my DVX100B roughly a year ago and it's got only 8 hours or so on it. I'm doing mostly videos for the web. I run a website that deals with mobile phones and looking to do more YouTube viral videos. There are so many aspects to the result (camera, lighting,compression). I've got a great camera, my lighting is horrific and I'm using QuickTime to export to .mov before uploading to YouTube.

The one downside to the 100B is the size of the camera. I'm on the fence about eBaying the 100B and picking up a small HD cam. I'm not looking for movie quality, but rather good clean, bright video of the mobile phones. With the DVX100B, I'm completely intimidated. Having a smaller camera, would allow me to demonstrate the features of the phone without being hindered by the size of the camera.


Am I crazy or would I be better off with a more compact, easier to use cam?

If yes, does anyone have any recommendations? I'm using iMovie to import/export?

If there are any good articles about preparing movies for YouTube (or other video sharing sites), please let me know.

Does anyone recommend a service that would allow me to post higher quality videos on my website? Viddler?

I apologize for being a first time poster that's looking to move my DVX100B. This is more a reflection on my lack of skills, than a reflection on the camera. I did extensive research before purchasing and realize that it's an awesome piece of gear. Just not sure if it's right for me.

Thanks in advance.
 
treoguy said:
I bought my DVX100B roughly a year ago and it's got only 8 hours or so on it. I'm doing mostly videos for the web. I run a website that deals with mobile phones and looking to do more YouTube viral videos. There are so many aspects to the result (camera, lighting,compression). I've got a great camera, my lighting is horrific and I'm using QuickTime to export to .mov before uploading to YouTube.

The one downside to the 100B is the size of the camera. I'm on the fence about eBaying the 100B and picking up a small HD cam. I'm not looking for movie quality, but rather good clean, bright video of the mobile phones. With the DVX100B, I'm completely intimidated. Having a smaller camera, would allow me to demonstrate the features of the phone without being hindered by the size of the camera.

Am I crazy or would I be better off with a more compact, easier to use cam? If yes, does anyone have any recommendations?
Click to expand...

If you're looking for a more compact camera, I would highly recommend the HV20 or HV30 from Canon. A lot of people are very impressed by them and you can find some footage here in the site. They're also less than half the price of a 100B.

I'm using iMovie to import/export?
Click to expand...
I'm not a Mac guy, so I can't give you any advice in this area, but there are quite a few people on this site that use the HV series with a Mac.

If there are any good articles about preparing movies for YouTube (or other video sharing sites), please let me know.
Click to expand...
There's a great thread on youtube compression settings. Just do a search and you'll find it. :)

Does anyone recommend a service that would allow me to post higher quality videos on my website? Viddler?
Click to expand...
A lot of people here recommend vimeo.com

I apologize for being a first time poster that's looking to move my DVX100B. This is more a reflection on my lack of skills, than a reflection on the camera. I did extensive research before purchasing and realize that it's an awesome piece of gear. Just not sure if it's right for me.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Hey, the only way you'll find out thing is if you ask. :)
 
I 2nd that motion and get a hv30 and I would dare say the picture quality is superior to the DVX. Also, the extra money you will get for the DVX, you can get accessories.
 
No point in wasting the extra money on the Canon HV30. Get the HV20 instead. I've seen it produce some really nice footage. Look up.. "A Thousand Words" short film. If you can't find it PM me for a link.
 
Good lighting is important regardless of what camera you use. You can create good and bad images with any camera.

Proper lighting goes a long way to helping videos compress better for the web.

I would recommend reading 'Matters of Light and Depth'. A very good explanation of basic lighting principles.

Also, try to get your quicktime files as close to the limit that Youtube allows for upload (it used to be 100 MB, I think). Watch this tutorial video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP5Sokwftdc
 
I wouldnt necessarily do away with the DVX...like learning any new skill, it takes time and practice...and it really comes down to learning how to take and create professional images, your aperture for instance -- that rolly bar by your left thumb -- it controls how much light is hitting your film/CCD plain and will define and dictate how dark and light your images are -- There are ways to set this to automatic (the little button next the rolly bar) like any consumer camera, but on the DVX you yourself can decide the "look" youre striving to achieve...Maybe you want your image over/under-exposed a ("stop") little...

Same with the manual focus, lens length (zoom) shutter speed, "color" settings (chromo files, etc.)...All of these can be set to automatic like any smaller model camera...but the DVX's can do so much more, because you can make them manual as well...

It's not all about lighting...lighting will make you images more DYNAMIC, creating focal points, and moods...but what you do with the camera is your first step. HD requires more lighting to create the same dynamic image that in SD may not need any real additional lighting at all...I've shot for cable repeatedly without ANY lighting with a DVX (100, A, and B) and they shoot great...

It sounds like you bought the camera to do somewhat more professional shooting...I say follow through with it...I think that not only will your images improve, but so will the quality of your collective work, because of the thought that goes into it...With HD youre going to have the same issues and more detail to worry about...even if it's all automatic...

Good luck, and stick with it

b
 
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