DVX100b not White Balancing on non white colors? Normal?

[sparereel]

I had an assignment today in a video production class I am taking, todays very basic assignment was a white balance exercise wich I thought would most definately be a breeze but I ran into a problem with my DVX. We were told to white balance on colors other than white, i tried a red chair, a green mailbox, and a yellow mailbox and i kept getting the "AWB Bch NG LOW LIGHT" error when there was more than enough light. If I balanced off a white card in the same light it would work great. The other students in class where using the school owned Canon GL2's and there were balancing off the same objects and getting color casts like they should. What was i doing wrong?? I would think that the DVX would have the capability to balance off other colors than white's. I even tried my Pany GS-70 against the dvx and it worked with no problems and still the DVX was a no go. Any help on the matter would be greatly apreciated?

 

[spencer]

It probably thinks there's low light because you're balancing on something that is way darker than plain ol white?

Just a thought

 

[Ian Wood]

I am going to guess that the color you were trying to WB from was too dark to get a white balance value that is in the camera's operating range. Try lighter colors that are closer to white and it should work. Stick with light reds and light blues to get the most meaningful results.

 

[sparereel]

Thanks guys I gave it a shot and it works, I can either balance from lighter shades or i can blast the object with light and that seems to work too.

 

[macintosh]

Thanks guys I gave it a shot and it works, I can either balance from lighter shades or i can blast the object with light and that seems to work too.

Opening up the iris works just as easily and it's faster than setting up lights. But of course, if your already wide open, then you've got to find another way. Such as adding more light, like you mentioned.