Is The DVX102AE considered a Broadcast-quality Camera?

A

andybiz_2005

Well-known member
I was talking on the phone with a representative of a production house here in Malaysia that covers sports events using multiple cameras & live footage (live feed).

According to this representative, they use what she terms as "broadcast standard cameras" that cost RM100,000 (USD26315.78) each!

I then told her that I am using the Panasonic AG-DVX102AE, which is also a broadcast-standard camera, but she insisted that it is just a professional camera & not a broadcast-quality one, just because it doesn't cost RM100,000 like theirs. I think she was just boastful & exaggerating because her company's cameras cost so much compared to mine, which I purchased for RM11,100 (USD2921.05).

I'm pretty sure mine is considered broadcast-quality as the Panasonic brochure quotes "The DVX102A features an A/D converter that uses the same 12-bit processing as broadcast camera recorders" Another quote from the brochure "AT it's heart is a 3CCD RGB system comprising 3 1/3 inch, 470,000-pixel progressive CCDs developed especially for broadcast & professional applications".

Another testiment to how good the DVX really is : my videographer friend was covering a PC Fair at a huge convention center (Kuala Lumpur Convention Center) or KLCC. There were about 5 other cameramen. All 6 cameramen were loaned the AG-DVX102AE & all cameras were hooked up to a switcher unit & switcher unit hooked up to 6 LCD projectors to have the images projected in real-time (live-feed) on 6 large screens throughout the convention center.

This is what my videographer friend reported back to me: While he was shooting with the DVX at one end of the convention center, the switcher unit was right on the other end of the hall (he estimated it to be about 100m to 150m) Even with such long distances, the video images projected on the 6 screens from his camera still remained crystal sharp. He was amazed the DVX could carry such clear images even when the cable length was so long. On his older Panasonic camera, just about 25m from the switcher unit & the video image on the screen would lose it's resolution & color information.

So, what do you all think? Is the DVX102AE also considered as a broadcast-quality camera? Or just a professional camera like the company rep. said it is? Would invite comments from all of you. Thanks in advance.

Andrew
 
Is The DVX102AE considered a Broadcast-quality Camera?

I was talking on the phone with a representative of a production house here in Malaysia that covers sports events using multiple cameras & live footage (live feed).

According to this representative, they use what she terms as "broadcast standard cameras" that cost RM100,000 (USD26315.78) each!

I then told her that I am using the Panasonic AG-DVX102AE, which is also a broadcast-standard camera, but she insisted that it is just a professional camera & not a broadcast-quality one, just because it doesn't cost RM100,000 like theirs. I think she was just boastful & exaggerating because her company's cameras cost so much compared to mine, which I purchased for RM11,100 (USD2921.05).

I'm pretty sure mine is considered broadcast-quality as the Panasonic brochure quotes "The DVX102A features an A/D converter that uses the same 12-bit processing as broadcast camera recorders" Another quote from the brochure "AT it's heart is a 3CCD RGB system comprising 3 1/3 inch, 470,000-pixel progressive CCDs developed especially for broadcast & professional applications".

Another testiment to how good the DVX really is : my videographer friend was covering a PC Fair at a huge convention center (Kuala Lumpur Convention Center) or KLCC. There were about 5 other cameramen. All 6 cameramen were loaned the AG-DVX102AE & all cameras were hooked up to a switcher unit & switcher unit hooked up to 6 LCD projectors to have the images projected in real-time (live-feed) on 6 large screens throughout the convention center.

This is what my videographer friend reported back to me: While he was shooting with the DVX at one end of the convention center, the switcher unit was right on the other end of the hall (he estimated it to be about 100m to 150m) Even with such long distances, the video images projected on the 6 screens from his camera still remained crystal sharp. He was amazed the DVX could carry such clear images even when the cable length was so long. On his older Panasonic camera, just about 25m from the switcher unit & the video image on the screen would lose it's resolution & color information.

So, what do you all think? Is the DVX102AE also considered as a broadcast-quality camera? Or just a professional camera like the company rep. said it is? Would invite comments from all of you. Thanks in advance.

Andrew
 
Is The DVX102AE considered a Broadcast-quality Camera?

I was talking on the phone with a representative of a production house here in Malaysia that covers sports events using multiple cameras & live footage (live feed).

According to this representative, they use what she terms as "broadcast standard cameras" that cost RM100,000 (USD26315.78) each!

I then told her that I am using the Panasonic AG-DVX102AE, which is also a broadcast-standard camera, but she insisted that it is just a professional camera & not a broadcast-quality one, just because it doesn't cost RM100,000 like theirs. I think she was just boastful & exaggerating because her company's cameras cost so much compared to mine, which I purchased for RM11,100 (USD2921.05).

I'm pretty sure mine is considered broadcast-quality as the Panasonic brochure quotes "The DVX102A features an A/D converter that uses the same 12-bit processing as broadcast camera recorders" Another quote from the brochure "AT it's heart is a 3CCD RGB system comprising 3 1/3 inch, 470,000-pixel progressive CCDs developed especially for broadcast & professional applications".

Another testiment to how good the DVX really is : my videographer friend was covering a PC Fair at a huge convention center (Kuala Lumpur Convention Center) or KLCC. There were about 5 other cameramen. All 6 cameramen were loaned the AG-DVX102AE & all cameras were hooked up to a switcher unit & switcher unit hooked up to 6 LCD projectors to have the images projected in real-time (live-feed) on 6 large screens throughout the convention center.

This is what my videographer friend reported back to me: While he was shooting with the DVX at one end of the convention center, the switcher unit was right on the other end of the hall (he estimated it to be about 100m to 150m) Even with such long distances, the video images projected on the 6 screens from his camera still remained crystal sharp. He was amazed the DVX could carry such clear images even when the cable length was so long. On his older Panasonic camera, just about 25m from the switcher unit & the video image on the screen would lose it's resolution & color information.

So, what do you all think? Is the DVX102AE also considered as a broadcast-quality camera? Or just a professional camera like the company rep. said it is? Would invite comments from all of you. Thanks in advance.

Andrew
 
Hi Uhrgl,

Well, sorry about the "spam" I was just so anxious to get a reply from as many forum members as possible on this topic. So, what's your opinion on the DVX versus a RM100,000 camera?
 
I shoot a lot of sports for multi-camera live production companies. Actually, some of the things I shoot might not be defined as a 'sport' by everyone here. ;) I think one of the main advantages of the bigger cameras is their lenses. We use huge 70 X - 100 X Canon, Fuji, and Angenieux box lenses (costing $50,000+ each) that allow you to really zoom in and get some supertight shots. The huge tripods and heads these things sit on are like driving a Cadillac.
 
I see, so the powerful zoom lenses you're talking about also cost quite a bit. Well, the representative I talked to mentioned that each camera costs RM100,000, but I'm not sure if that includes the lens as well.

Would you consider the DVX also to be a broadcast-quality camera, even though it may be less expensive than the rest of the cameras that you mentioned?
 
Andy, I think everyone here believes the DVX is a broadcast-quality camera. It really comes down to whether or not it fits the need for whatever type of shoot you're doing. :)

When we shoot hockey games, we sometimes stick small 1CCD/400 line cameras in the penalty box for a quick cutaway. I would suppose if they're considered "broadcast quality", then the DVX most certainly is too.
 
Well...essentially..cant you broadcast anything from any kind of camera? It jus wouldnt be great quality...as long as it meets the NTSC PAL or SECAM standards and color space...there wouldnt be any problems then right?.....but I dont know about live...but i would think you could broadcast a tape from a DVX...i mean..look at MTV
s reality shows..they film on like 200 dollar cams.
 
Well OK, it is true that the DVX is a broadcast-quality one, as in it can project its images real-time to large screens via LCD projectors & the images still look super clear, super sharp. Thanks for all your opinions.

Well, I guess that representative didn't really know the meaning of "broadcast-quality" & was a bit mis-informed by the term just because of the price difference between theirs & mine. Someone should educate her...LOL :)

Andrew
 
Whether the DVX is "broadcast quality" or not is purely subjective.
Are show shot on this camera? Yes. Are live feeds such as sporting events broadcast using these? Not that I'm aware of.
Personally, I'd agree with the rep and say that it's a pro camera but not broadcast quality. You also need to take into account color sampling... you really can't base whether it's pro or not on it's A/D converters.
Also, there's really no need to post this same question on two different threads... may just be an accident, but wanted to make that apparent.

-pasty
 
I'm still inclined to believe that the reason major sporting events use these big cameras is more because of the following:
• focal range with the huge lenses
• remote control of cameras image controls by engineers in the live truck (iris, color balance, etc.)
• weight, balance, and operability of these cameras when rigged on high end tripods and heads

So, you see, it is more than a question of the DVX's image being 'good enough' or "broadcast quality".

All that said, I'm currently working on a huge sports-related documentary DVD project that I shot entirely with my DVX100A. Actually, it will contain 2 dual-layer DVDs - (nearly 8 hours of content).
 
Hi,

Well, I've seen the DVX used to broadcast sporting events in my country before & projected on large screens & image quality looked to be quite sharp & clear. Well, the Panasonic brochure mentions that the DVX color sampling is : Y:13.5MHz, PB/PR:6.75MHz. So does that mean that the sampling ratio is 4:2:2?
 
Yep Terry_Lasaster,

I fully understand what you mean. That it has got more to do with other factors as well. I do agree that the zoom factor of the DVX is somewhat limited compared to the powerful zoom lenses you mentioned earlier. Perhaps the bigger, heavier cameras when mounted on pro tripods make it easier to manipulate compared to a small DVX.

But since the DVX has a 25 progressive recording mode, it is true that it can be suited for budget movie making? I know that the Sony HVR-Z1P costs alot more (RM25,000), but does not have a progressive recording mode & hence not suited for making movies with, even though it is more expensive. In fact, it's suited more for HD.
 
I don't think you'd ever see a DVX used over here on broadcasting a major sporting event... not that it wouldn't look good, just wouldn't be as detailed as the high-end broadcast cams. Color sampling is 4:1:1 (or 4:2:0 for PAL, which is about the same quality as 4:1:1).

-pasty
 
Tomorrow night, I get to shoot the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets versus the Miami Heat. ShaqDaddy comin' to OKC.

Maybe we should change out to DVX100s before the game. :grin: :)
 
LOL :) Terry, that is such a brilliantly ingenious idea.......why hadn't any1 thought of it earlier..... :) Well, so far my DVX has been giving me really excellent footage for my wedding shots. Good luck to you in the videoshoot 2moro :)
 
Oh, you're very welcome.......after the shooting, do post a summary of what you learnt during the shooting kay? So we can all learn from your experience.....thanks pal :)
 
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