Just got my DVX, and all I have to say is...

Jeremy Ordan

Jeremy Ordan

Major Contributor
So I got my DVX yesterday from EVS Online. I had tickets to see some of the actors I use in a play, so by the time I got home and was able to unpack the box it was like midnight. I carefully unpacked it, picked up the camera and using the AC Adapted just turned it on. Then I sat down on the loveseat and read Barry's book cover to cover (incredible book)

Today we had call backs for our next project, and while my DOP was using our old XL1 to record the call back, I decided to break out the DVX and see what the 24p looked like.

To anyone considering buying this camera there is only one thing that can be said. You need to see the footage with your own eyes to believe what you are seeing. We were in a living room doing callbacks, and the footage looked just like film, crisp, and just breathtaking.

Because we only shot on actress on the DVX we had to keep watching the XL1 footage to keep things on an even plane, because I was all for getting her (I kept saying, but look how incredible she comes across, and then when we watched the other tape, well that gave me second thoughts).

Either way, the look alone is worth every penny. The first time you shoot someone, you get in close, and just watch them, it is worth everything. By far one of the best moments I have experienced since we began making our learning projects (they can hardly be called films until we get better).

I don't want to get minister like, but this is just incredible. When you see the footage your jaw drops and you freak out at what you are seeing and how it looks. I'm amazed, and Barry, thank you for writing that incredible book. I'm planning on reading it again before the weekend is over (is it bad that I highlighted certain sections like I was back in college?)
 
Hey man you are destroying my abillities to wait for the DVX im getting, at monday... :cheesy:
 
Wow, what a great testimonial! I gotta say, my first experience with the DVX pretty much parallels yours -- it's just amazing what that camera does to your footage. And I'm glad you like the book -- it's always nice to hear that you've done something that helps people!

Good luck shooting, and we look forward to seeing some footage!
 
I love the book Barry but if you have the time could you explain the terming "crushed blacks" (is this a bad thing?)
I like rich shadows in my movies and the slightest of detail (extremely slight). I've tested for a setup of 0 and a master ped at -7 and it looks pretty good, yet I have not seen it projected yet.

Thanks,

jonathan
 
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Blacks crushed: compare the shadows

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That's an excellent visual example. Crushing down the blacks refers to making the shadows harsher, which means losing detail in the shadows (you can see grass in the shadow on the top picture; nothing but solid black in the bottom picture).
 
The one thing that everyone needs to understand when it comes to the DVX is everything you have done before the DVX turns to garbage when you go back to look at it. I have been working on the editing for a project we shot, and I am looking at the footage and just disgusted (actually I just called one of my actors and asked him if he wanted to reshoot it... he isn't happy with me right now).

The instant you look at the footage you are completely blown away. During the call backs I was sitting maybe nine feet away from the person reading and just zoomed in on her, forehead to chin in a letterbox (nonsqueezed) frame. The footage really looks like film.

Big problem now is simple, I just got done watching Glengarry Glen Ross, and I really want a dolly now...

Regarding the book... without trying to kiss @$$, it is really enlightening and an entertaining read. It flows really nicely, plus its organized pretty much in the order that questions come up. If you don't have this book, it is so valuable. Just really great stuff, and you learn just as much about filmmaking in general (I haven't shot on film since college and most of that... we'll just leave it at that), its just really valuable.

Highly recommended.

Wow, I'm glowing over a camera... Pathetic yet very very cool.
 
Thanks for the business yankee! :thumbsup: And welcome to a wonderful club of enlightened video shooters who have experienced the incredible abilities of a great camera.
 
Thanks Sirius...great examples! My movies would benefit from both settings depending on the scenes. What was the setup and master ped for each shot?
 
jonnothin said:
Thanks Sirius...great examples! My movies would benefit from both settings depending on the scenes. What was the setup and master ped for each shot?
Click to expand...

Sorry Jonnothin - those photos were taken with my Canon 20d digital camera and tweeked in PhotoShop to show what crushing the blacks "looks" like.
 
Hi Everyone!

I've been reading, borderline obsessing over, these boards for a while now, and I've finally decided to chime in.

I'm ready to jump to the DVX after many years of owning an Xl-1. Yankee, your post got me stoked! All the footage I've seen online from the DVX looks amazing. I can't wait to see it in person.

I got burned on buying a single 1.8 G5 a month before the dual came out, so I'm a little gun shy. I might wait on the 100b, but, damn that rebate package is teasing me.

Thanks for this incredible forum,

Xavier
 
I've said it to almost everyone I know. I have owned Canons for a while, and did not buy into the whole 24p thing simply because I doubt the stuff we make will ever get a film export, so what's the point? I figured with some Vegas plugins that right away I could get a film look and be good to go. My Canon ended up not doing everything I needed, and after some thinking I finally caved in and got the DVX. I bought one without ever using it, and just blind because of the testimony of people on this board and reviews I had read.

When you see the very first frame of 24p footage (I recommend letterbox, a lot of people here use squeeze), you are going to completely forget about every other camera.

If you want I will post some real quick audition footage for you and you are honestly not going to believe how incredible it looks. It is in a whole new world.

Regarding the B... There are always going to be upgrades. If you buy a computer, as you have, the moment you get it, there is something newer, better, faster, yada yada yada, out. Big deal. You don't buy a camera because it will appreciate in value. The 100A will no doubt lose value, especially with the HVX and 100B coming out.

In my opinion, the 100A does everything I need for it to do, I am sticking with it for at least a couple of years. I say, go ahead, call Rush at EVS, and order it. Get your $300 rebate and start shooting. If you're disappointed, which I doubt you could be, you can unload it right away at what you paid.
 
To add to this post of feeling great about the DVX, Travle Channel shoots a new show called "5 Takes" where travel journalists go through different cities in europe documenting their experiences, etc. My favorite part is that the journalists are using the DVX! When I watch the show, I get so excited just too see the DVX on screen. It feels just like the first time I found this website.
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
Sorry Jonnothin - those photos were taken with my Canon 20d digital camera and tweeked in PhotoShop to show what crushing the blacks "looks" like.
Click to expand...
Alright! Thanks for everything...

I'll just put it to the test with the DVX.

J
 
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