Just bought a JVC100 - here's why

J

jdv

Well-known member
After six months of research, waiting, and more research, I finally took the plunge and bought a JVC 100.

Why? Well, the 4-cam shoot-out's basic conclusion seems to be that all four of the 'baby cams' were more or less in the same neighborhood in terms of performance, w/ some having certain advantages along w/ some weakness.

I had already ruled out the Sony because it didn't do 24p.

Well, what about the other three? When it comes right down to it, the JVC 100 was the cheapest of the bunch. I ordered it today for just under $5 grand - and with that order I get a coupon for a thousand dollar battery pack/charger.

It was a deal that I could not pass up - esp. when the Cannon lists for around $10 grand (and also doesn't do a true 24p), and the HVX w/ 2 P2 cards and a lap top also comes in at around $10 grand (and isn't available).

I've seen some pretty pictures comming out of the JVC - wish me luck in producing more of the same. I'll keep you guys updated as I start using the thing....

John
 
Good luck with the HD100... I love the the quality of the HD100 clips I've seen, think I'm going to buy that or the HVX when the price drops significantly and my good old DVX isn't working anymore.
 
I have made the same decision. In the UK it is basically 1/2 the price of the HVX and Canon. The Sony has no progressive, so there is no contest.

Also it looks the part. Clients will love it. :)
 
Well, mmm, Congrats! It's a great surprise. I've been following your interesting inputs until to have these news. I'm studying the same hypothesis between Pana & JVC. But I like so much HD100 clips... My doubt is the 720p vs. 1080/25p...don't you have fear for this JVC handicap (OK I know more if film-out oriented but...), as well, regarding 19 megabits vs. DVC100?
 
AlrdydedonArival said:
where was it that you bought the jvc, and do they still have the coupon deal.
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I bought the camera from Rush over at EVS. He was very nice and helpful.

I believe the JVC is going up in price at all authorized dealers as of 2/1/06. This might be due to battery deal, or the suspicion that the HVX itn't quite the knock-out everyone hoped it would be (myself included).

I believe the battery coupon deal is good for any camera purchased through the end of Feb.

Hope this helps -

John
 
Rush if your reading this can you confirm what the battery deal is.
By any camera you mean any HD100 right.
Thanks
David
 
Thanks Stephen,
That is killer. Know I am reconsidering. Uhhhhhg. Does that battery normaly go 4 hrs and what does a second one cost.
 
Emanuel said:
I'm studying the same hypothesis between Pana & JVC. But I like so much HD100 clips... My doubt is the 720p vs. 1080/25p...don't you have fear for this JVC handicap (OK I know more if film-out oriented but...), as well, regarding 19 megabits vs. DVC100?
Click to expand...

I think JDV made a smart decision. At the end of the day, these cameras are pretty similar - the quality of your work won't be determined by whether you have the HVX or the HD100 but rather your skills as a film maker. Besides, spending some cash on some nice lights (and using them effectively) will go a lot further towards creating a nice image than any difference in the cameras.

A lot of myths have been perpetuated about HDV, with some calling it "unusable". I don't have an HDV camera myself but it seems JVC's choice of 720p/19.7megabits holds up pretty well. And of course there are massive storage advantages, as well as the abiity to record to firestore and back up on tape simultaneously.

As for the 720/1080 thing, it seems - although obviously more testing is required - the JVC resolves more lines @ 720 than the Panny @ 1080. With 1/3" cams, it seems like 720p was a smart option (and 1080p perhaps more of a nod to marketing).

Also with the JVC you're getting 63 minute run times in an arguably superior form factor, with aparently better highlight handling/skin tone rendition. Perhaps the lens and SSE let it down a little, but hopefully these will be fully addressed soon.

Myself, I'd be happy with either camera, but the JVC is definitely the price performance winner.
 
When I played with the pre-production units at NAB 2005, I could tell this would be a very nice camera. I know it's HDV but the footage looked great in 24p and the formfactor was top notch in my opinion, not too XL-like, not too small, just the right size all the while maintaining a professional look.

Congratulations on your purchase, you made a good choice. :thumbsup:
 
david jerome said:
Thanks Stephen,
That is killer. Know I am reconsidering. Uhhhhhg. Does that battery normaly go 4 hrs and what does a second one cost.
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It's a 4 to 5 hour battery with D tap for the ProHD DTE (FS-4) and IDX X3 sungun. It was designed for the HD-100 and the voltage level passes through to the LCD. An extra battery is $189
 
Should be getting a newer model...

Should be getting a newer model...

Jack_Felis said:
Congratulations on your purchase, you made a good choice. :thumbsup:
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Thanks Jack! I should get the camera some time next week whereupon I will put it through its paces.

It should be one of the newer models, as Rush told me that EVS was currently out of them, but that their orders should come in thurs or fri.

I will keep everyone updated as to any of the reported potential problems (SSE, etc) as well as to any thing that 'wows' me. I have bought a 50 inch HD plasma screen to for just that purpose!

Again, that you to everyone on the forum who's helped...

John
 
Just came back from the JVC filmout show at the DGA tonight, and I was definitely further impressed by the camera. And when I played with the one with the Chroziel mattebox, focus, and 13x lens, I nearly fell in love.

For various other reasons I'm still holding out for the HVX, I think. But if it hasn't arrived within the next few weeks, I may be switching over.
 
Oh, for what it's worth, I was definitely able to produce SSE, but only on the highest gain setting. Based on my limited knowledge of what to do about it (let it warm up, reset white balance) I wasn't able to easily make it go away. I would assume since this was the JVC demo, they had the latest, most updated cameras, but I'm not sure. Anyway, yeah... it was there for sure, and definitely noticeable under fairly low-light conditions... but then again, how often will you be shooting with gain all the way up?
 
stephenlnoe said:
It's a 4 to 5 hour battery with D tap for the ProHD DTE (FS-4) and IDX X3 sungun.
Click to expand...

Before anyone gets to exicited about the X-3 LED light... many of us that got them have discovered that they are gren as hell. It seems to take a 30M gel to color correct to daylight and that knocks the brightness down badly. Using the supplied CTO (mid grade)to go to 3200K also produces green images unless you add the same 30M gel, and at that point the light level isn't very good.

We've made IDX aware of this, but no solution yet... may have to get a Frezzi while we wait to see if IDX is going to fix this problem...
 
Actually, the batteries are rated at 2.25 (E7) hours but that's at 30 watt pull. The JVC only pulls 17 watts so you do the math...it's over 4 hours per IDX E-7.

We have a shoot gooing off in the desert Friday and Saturday and IDX was nice enough to load us up with E-7s and 10s so I'll post the real world results on Monday after the shoot.

As to the camera, yes it's true that JVC is upping the cost $600 but today is gone so the train's already left the station. Last night at the Dirtector's Guild in LA we met with the JVC people and Andrew Young who's film was awesome and really showed off the HD100's capabilities. Anyway, the bottom line is that they committed to a new lens package with 13X wide angle included oin the camera and 16X box. They refused to provide pricing even after a 5-minute soft shoe around the issue and question but said EVS would have their dealer pricing today, February 1sdt. After just gettinglut of there (EVS) today, no one had that pricing yet.

So, the bottoim line is that the battery deal is good at EVS where I bought our first JVC 100 HD and today committed to another 4 to complete our transition over to HDV from SD but we're holding off, at EVS' suggestion, to see what JVC does on the lens deal (See my other post in this JVC forum) I bought a screw-on wide angle for interiors today that I have going tomorrow for which the standard Fujinon lens won't work but as to the IDX and JVC separate deals, my advice is to follow what EVS suggested we do and that's wait to see what JVC comes up with this week or next on their new "Killer Deal" for camerta and 2 lenses. 200 of us heard their commitment last night and we can't be all wrong. Meanwhile, I'll post the real-world battery life results with our IDXs on Monday and any news I hear on the JVC deal when I hear it.
 
On the gain issue. with the new cameras it's not really noticable HOWEVER one of our cameramen had one of the very first models to hit the street and did notice the SSE. We don't know if it was a continuing problem because they replaced it immediately. With the "new" camera, Iv'e had 15-25 hours on it personally in the field and noticed nothing either in daylight or night exteriors with minimal gain or in interiors with good lighting. Neither did Andrew Young, again, except cold and high gain which you really shouldn't get up to. He shot at 6 and 9 and noticed no SSE at all and we've noticed nothing the last week we've been using the camera. That's why we committed to 4 more with Randy over at EVS.
 
jlames said:
That's why we committed to 4 more with Randy over at EVS.
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Thanks for the info. Did/are you guys also consider the HVX, or does the JVC impress you enough not to worry about it?

John
 
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