BUYING 12 on Monday.....NEED SOME ADVICE!!

J

Joe Decko

New member
Guys....

I have been approved to purchase 12 new cameras for our schools media program. Super quick turn around and I have to have everything buttoned up by Monday. I need help with the following:

MEMORY CARD - this is what B & H recommends. Thoughts? Any other cards that you would recommend?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1082349-REG/sandisk_sdsdxp_128g_a46_128gb_extreme_pro_uhs_i.html

BATTERY - thoughts?? Any bigger and better ones out there?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1043729-REG/panasonic_vwvbd58ppk_vw_vbd58_battery_pack_5_800.html/pageID/accessory
 
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These are better batteries...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._technology_sl_vbd96_7_2v_li_ion_battery.html

IDX isn't a cheap knock off, but a respected maker of pro batteries for much larger cameras. These batteries last me between 4.5 and just over 5 hours of continuous recording. And, they're cheaper than the battery you listed. That said, the 90 minutes listed on the product page you posted is for the PX270 P2/AVC-Intra camera. The one that came with my camera lasts for a little over three hours of continous dual card recording at higher bitartes for me.

Also I've been using the Sandisk Extreme's and Extreme Pro's for years without so much as a hiccup. However... that card you listed will hold almost three continuous hours at 4k. Amazon has these for a bit cheaper...

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extre...id=1461350958&sr=1-3&keywords=sandisk+extreme

The write speed is 40MB/s (MegaBytes/second) instead of 90MB/s of the cards you posted. I haven't used them, but the highest bitrate of the DVX200 is 200Mb/s (Megabits/second... which equals 24 MegaBytes/s). So those slightly cheaper cards should still be fast enough. And unless you plan on shooting everything at the 100Mb/s+ bitrates... and shooting a lot... it might make more sense to order more 64MB or 32MB cards (64MB still holds hours of 50Mb/s footage).
 
The Sandisk Extreme Pro cards have been totally reliable for me in my DVX200 (and lesser cameras). I would consider whether you really need 128 GB cards, though. You could buy almost twice as many 64 GB cards for the same money, which would give you more versatility in deploying them. You'd still get about 90 minutes of recording time per card, and could use two in relay mode if you needed a longer continuous recording.

The Panasonic batteries are fine and will run the DVX200 for about three hours on a charge. They're a good, safe choice. However, I prefer this Swit battery because it's a little cheaper and has external power connectors that can be very useful:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1130034-REG/swit_s_8d58_dv_battery_for.html

I have found the run time and overall reliability to be at least as good as the stock Panasonic battery.

You might also want to consider this dual charger that is more convenient to use than the one that comes with the camera:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1130041-REG/swit_s_3602d_dual_charger_adapter_for.html

Rather than either of the on-camera mics you listed, I would strongly advise you to look for something with a balanced output on an XLR connector, ideally using phantom power. In the same price range, the Audio Technica AT875R has a good reputation for punching above its weight in terms of both audio and build quality:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ica_AT875R_AT875_Short_Condenser_Shotgun.html

You could rig this to fit the standard mic holder on the camera, or add an external shock mount. You'll also need a short (one foot or so) M-F XLR mic cable to hook it up on camera, and a longer one for when you want to detach it.

- Greg
 
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The cards B&H listed look fine.

For battery, how many do you need? Consider that Panasonic has a promotion right now where they are giving away a free extended battery and a dual-battery speed charger, for free, as a mail-in rebate, until June 30. So each camera you buy will be coming with two batteries, the stock 3-ish hour battery and an extra 4-ish hour battery.
 
Barry_Green said:
The cards B&H listed look fine.

For battery, how many do you need? Consider that Panasonic has a promotion right now where they are giving away a free extended battery and a dual-battery speed charger, for free, as a mail-in rebate, until June 30. So each camera you buy will be coming with two batteries, the stock 3-ish hour battery and an extra 4-ish hour battery.
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Can previous purchasers qualify for this?
 
Thanks Everyone!!!!

Barry....is there a code or something you need to redeem the promotion? I went to BH and I don't see anything when I add the cameras to my cart.
 
Joe Decko said:
Thanks Everyone!!!!

Barry....is there a code or something you need to redeem the promotion? I went to BH and I don't see anything when I add the cameras to my cart.
Click to expand...
It took extensive googling to find; I've told the product manager he needs to make it easier. No, there's no code; instead there's a form you have to fill out and send in. The only place I could find the form was on Texas Media System's website, so -- if the price is the same, or you just feel like supporting a DVXUser sponsor, consider ordering it from them, and using the form that they make available.

http://shop.texasmediasystems.com/P...ld-Camcorder-w-43-Type-Fixed-Lens_p_6707.html

The link to the form is about halfway down the page, starting in red text.
 
Thank you so much Berry! I will add Texas Media System to my preferred list of vendors. The school has to send everything out to bid but at least TMS will be listed as a potential vendor. Thanks again for the heads up!!
 
The pictures (which are identical) show "AT875R" printed on both. AFAIK the 875R is the only designation currently in production (from the A-T website).

- Greg
 
Have a look to the description:

Typ AT875R:

  • Extra Short for Use with Compact Cameras
  • 11-52 VDC Phantom Power

Typ AT875 seemed to use Battery Power and may be longer.

Here in Germany they offered only the 875R

Klaus
 
Same microphone...just one's a kit, which includes additional accessories.

If you look at the "in the box", both include the AT875R.
 
Each year around this time, I always put a big order in (or go inside the store) of things I may need that Wed/Thursday (it was last week) before they close, ha. During other longer holiday observances around the year as well.

Regarding the mail-in offer...it should be the same form so I'm not sure it matters?
 
Sorry to bother you guys....but I seem to have another question for you.

We currently have 12 HVX 200's. We have hard pelican cases for each of them. My question is this, how much of a differnece is there in body design between the HVX200 and the DVX200? If I can get away with using my existing hard cases for the DVX200's, that would be stellar!!
 
Joe Decko said:
Sorry to bother you guys....but I seem to have another question for you.

We currently have 12 HVX 200's. We have hard pelican cases for each of them. My question is this, how much of a differnece is there in body design between the HVX200 and the DVX200? If I can get away with using my existing hard cases for the DVX200's, that would be stellar!!
Click to expand...


If memory serves, depending on the case, you might need to remove the microphone mount for them to fit.
 
Agreed COMPLETELY about the IDX Batteries. I bought one to try it out... absolutely amazing. I am ordering three more.
 
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