This summer I'm shooting my first indie narrative, but right Now I'm confused, I want to buy the DVX100B, but I'm not sure if i'm doing the right thing because with all the HDV out there. I could only afford the DVX100B now. I love the way it looks. I'm i doing the right thing in buying the DVX100B? Anybody outt here reach and let me know if I'm doing the right thing in buying this camera or what should I get that is as equal as the DVX100B for that price or under?
It's 2008 - Should I buy the DVX100B?
- Thread starter rarofilms
- Start date
LightningFilms
Active member
I was in your shoes not too long ago. I could have saved for another couple months and got the HVX or go out that day for a DVX.
I ultimately decided on the DVX100b, only because I knew I didn't have the editing capabilities (hardware primarily) to play with HD footage smoothly. I didn't want to invest a lot of money into a more powerful PC, tapes, etc.
If you're just throwing the movie on DVD - the DVX with proper color correction and scene lighting can achieve pristine picture quality. If you look around this site, there are many user films shot on DVX's that are thought to be of HD quality.
Not to mention - that $1500 you're saving (roughly) can be put towards a mid range boom kit, tripod, tapes and...... and....gaffers tape!
I ultimately decided on the DVX100b, only because I knew I didn't have the editing capabilities (hardware primarily) to play with HD footage smoothly. I didn't want to invest a lot of money into a more powerful PC, tapes, etc.
If you're just throwing the movie on DVD - the DVX with proper color correction and scene lighting can achieve pristine picture quality. If you look around this site, there are many user films shot on DVX's that are thought to be of HD quality.
Not to mention - that $1500 you're saving (roughly) can be put towards a mid range boom kit, tripod, tapes and...... and....gaffers tape!
stinkpot
Well-known member
Buy the 100b used and you are getting a lot of camera for the money. If you know how create good composition, light your set right, etc. it won't matter to most viewers of your film that it's not HD.
Spend that extra cash on a dolly and jib... and look out! You're stuff will have the potential to impress your viewer more than just running around with a hand-held HVX.
:beer:
Spend that extra cash on a dolly and jib... and look out! You're stuff will have the potential to impress your viewer more than just running around with a hand-held HVX.
:beer:
Thats what I did just now: got a DVX100 and spent the rest on a good tripod, lights and a firestore. this way I am saving capturing time and have something for the future once real 16:9 is required.
HD ? what for ? I work in broadcasting and who broadcasts real HD ? I might get a small hd just because it might have a better quality for the size, when I have to run with my handheld steadycam, but the DVX is such a reliable and good camera ( for my needs) that I am sure to make good use of it for the next 2 years. Then my station is switching to 16:9 and I hope in the meantime some new cameras are brought out.
In the end the content matters more than the quality!
HD ? what for ? I work in broadcasting and who broadcasts real HD ? I might get a small hd just because it might have a better quality for the size, when I have to run with my handheld steadycam, but the DVX is such a reliable and good camera ( for my needs) that I am sure to make good use of it for the next 2 years. Then my station is switching to 16:9 and I hope in the meantime some new cameras are brought out.
In the end the content matters more than the quality!
Jason Adams
Section Moderator
I got mine just 8 months ago. I do a lot of broadcast work and all the networks in our market want SD. This camera will not be obsolete in 12 months. I have been hired to produce internet only work as well and the SD is perfect for that.
I aslo just worked on a gig for MTV a few months ago and they requested...4:3 SD 60i...We shot the gig with three DVX's.
This is a great camera.
I aslo just worked on a gig for MTV a few months ago and they requested...4:3 SD 60i...We shot the gig with three DVX's.
This is a great camera.
Zack Birlew
Veteran
My goodness there are A LOT of these threads going on lately! Look, if you want to get a DVX100B, if you are so ravenous for a videocamera and can't wait or don't want to look into future-safe cameras such as said HDV models, particularly the XHA1 for a few hundred dollars more, then the DVX100B is for you.
With NAB coming up in a few months and prices for current HDV cameras coming down little by little to the DVX100B range, I personally would think it would be silly for someone to spend $2,500 or so on the DVX100B. If your narrative isn't due until this summer, you've got a lot of time to make a decision and to save up, which I would advise you to do so. Also, I don't know where people got this idea that HDV can't shoot SD or the DVX100B can shoot better SD or something. All HDV cameras can shoot SD, even 4:3 SD, so editing requirements don't need to change!!!
I and many people are using as little as the Canon HV20 for filmmaking purposes. It gives a great image for such an inexpensive HDV camera and the 24p mode really helps sell the whole thing. If you got an HV20 for around $680 right now instead of $2500 for a DVX100B, you would have $1,820 to spend on other equipment or even to put towards a 35mm adapter setup with a few lenses. Only drawback is that you would have to get a Beachtek or external sound recording option for it.
Even better, spending a little extra and stepping up to an XHA1 will get you all the image controls of a DVX100B and more with an awesome HD image.
Also, who knows what NAB will bring? Panasonic may announce a new HVX200 successor or something, thus the HVX200 price could fall considerably. On top of that, RED is going to announce the Scarlet, but that may not be delivered any time before your summer shoot. Still, the point is you never know what will come out or what prices will be like by NAB time. Don't forget that there are NAB discounts around NAB time so that would be the ideal time to buy anything.
With NAB coming up in a few months and prices for current HDV cameras coming down little by little to the DVX100B range, I personally would think it would be silly for someone to spend $2,500 or so on the DVX100B. If your narrative isn't due until this summer, you've got a lot of time to make a decision and to save up, which I would advise you to do so. Also, I don't know where people got this idea that HDV can't shoot SD or the DVX100B can shoot better SD or something. All HDV cameras can shoot SD, even 4:3 SD, so editing requirements don't need to change!!!
I and many people are using as little as the Canon HV20 for filmmaking purposes. It gives a great image for such an inexpensive HDV camera and the 24p mode really helps sell the whole thing. If you got an HV20 for around $680 right now instead of $2500 for a DVX100B, you would have $1,820 to spend on other equipment or even to put towards a 35mm adapter setup with a few lenses. Only drawback is that you would have to get a Beachtek or external sound recording option for it.
Even better, spending a little extra and stepping up to an XHA1 will get you all the image controls of a DVX100B and more with an awesome HD image.
Also, who knows what NAB will bring? Panasonic may announce a new HVX200 successor or something, thus the HVX200 price could fall considerably. On top of that, RED is going to announce the Scarlet, but that may not be delivered any time before your summer shoot. Still, the point is you never know what will come out or what prices will be like by NAB time. Don't forget that there are NAB discounts around NAB time so that would be the ideal time to buy anything.
NeverColdCall
Well-known member
DVX is a great camera. I have both a DVX and an HVX - I got the HVX solely because I was doing a lot of training DVDs for a while in front of a green screen and needed DVCPRO50.
Now we're working on a fitness website and shooting our exercise videos, I use the HVX + DVX in a 2-cam shoot and you can't tell the difference between the two in the finished product. In addition, the DVX is far more light sensitive so it's the preferred cam for low-light stuff.
You can't go wrong, that's why I never sold mine after I got the HVX
Now we're working on a fitness website and shooting our exercise videos, I use the HVX + DVX in a 2-cam shoot and you can't tell the difference between the two in the finished product. In addition, the DVX is far more light sensitive so it's the preferred cam for low-light stuff.
You can't go wrong, that's why I never sold mine after I got the HVX
buy a used one, use for the summer, then if you want HD sell it. Maybe lose a few hundred on it, but it will be worth it.
or buy a used one, use for the summer, fall in love with it, and keep it forever.
i just bought a back up DVX and still just use the DVX (i'm doing mostly SD for broadcast). At some point in the next year i will get a HVX, but i am in no rush, still getting plenty of work with my DVX.
or buy a used one, use for the summer, fall in love with it, and keep it forever.
i just bought a back up DVX and still just use the DVX (i'm doing mostly SD for broadcast). At some point in the next year i will get a HVX, but i am in no rush, still getting plenty of work with my DVX.
JPJ Studios
Active member
I'm not missing something am I? Is there a way to store footage directly to a firestore from a DVX? I thought that was only with HD footage? Don't laugh too hard when you read this btw lol.
William_Robinette
Shallow Member
Some version of the Firestore works with the DVX.
Just get it and go shoot something. Your skills will not improve with you sitting on your hands waiting for that A1 or HVX, that I will promise you. And believe however much you want too, but more pixels never levels the ground between someone with experience and someone without.
Just get it and go shoot something. Your skills will not improve with you sitting on your hands waiting for that A1 or HVX, that I will promise you. And believe however much you want too, but more pixels never levels the ground between someone with experience and someone without.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
william is right. you need something now.
Motherboard
Well-known member
Buy the 100b and then export your stuff 720p via Instant HD
filmguy123
Veteran
If you're shooting in SD and delivering in SD then an SD camera like the DVX has way better low light than an HVX. The low light - ie anything indoors without pro lighting - looks way better on th dvx. So far I've yet to deliver a single HD project. And there's times I wished I'd have saved a few thousand and got a DVX and more other equipment and had way better low light image quality...
But when HD becomes the standard delivery format in a few years... you'll want HD.... its a tough call...
But when HD becomes the standard delivery format in a few years... you'll want HD.... its a tough call...
no worries.... the Firestore Pro HD which I bought has a function called " tapeless" So I can easily record onto it with no tape and have the files in FCP for editing in 0 time.
Plus once I have to got 16:9 or HD the firestore will still work
Scott W. Smith
Active member
I'm with Watson, but a used DVX 100 or DVX 100A. Start looking now and you'll eventually find what real estate people call a "don't wanter." That's where someone just needs the money and it's a win-win deal. And since you're a creative guy you might be able to find someone to do a trade out with. Believe it or not people and companies buy cameras and equiment thinking it's easy and will save them money and then find out differently. That's your opportunity.
For your budgets and other criteria, I would not consider a DVX-100B. I've loved my 100 and 100A, but the 100 series just doesn't make sense with all of the HDV tape cameras that are out now- it's been eclipsed.
For the same price range you could have a Canon XHA1, a far better camera with HDV capability to boot.
FWIW, while you may not need the full blown HD capabilities of the HVX, even shooting SD DVCPRO-50 makes it a significant improvement over the DVX series.
For the same price range you could have a Canon XHA1, a far better camera with HDV capability to boot.
FWIW, while you may not need the full blown HD capabilities of the HVX, even shooting SD DVCPRO-50 makes it a significant improvement over the DVX series.
dory_breaux
Todd Wannabe
If you are going out to SD 4:3 TV, then by all means get the DVX. I will not lie, though; I hate how it looks on my HD monitor. However, that same footage on my SDTV (wich is about 12 inches larger, albiet 4:3) looks AMAZING!
E_D_N
Active member
Well, I was in the same situation as the OP...with my aim really getting a HVX or a XA-H1... but I found a used DVX100p (older model) on craigslist for just $700 (!!!!) with "only" 237H on the tape heads. Still, I figured it would be a great opportunity to spend my money on other essential things like a good tripod, audio gear, etc... plus, if I save a little more, I'll still be able to add that XH-A1 or HVX... the DVX image quality is superb.
E_D_N
Active member
^ yeah, I bought it. Lucky too, cause the girl who posted it got tons of emails and calls. Happened to see it first.
Not only is the thing in excellent condition physically (very few scratches. barely visible) and mechanically - it also came with a Petrol Panasonic bag worth $150. I was just lucky.
Not only is the thing in excellent condition physically (very few scratches. barely visible) and mechanically - it also came with a Petrol Panasonic bag worth $150. I was just lucky.