Jvc Gy-dv700we

A

a1rys

New member
I am looking to purchase a camera for indy filmaking. Like many on here I have been caught up in the hype for the HVX, unfortunatly the release date seems to be making the camera less and less desirable. I am in the UK so looking at a March or so release. While I intend to start filming at the start of the year.

Anyway I have recently been offered a 2/3cdd JVC GY-DV700WE for the same price as an XL2. I have been researching this camera but still cannot see if it is worth buying? Or if I should wait for the HVX? Has anyone any experience with the JVC?? And is a SD 2/3 better or worse than a 1/3 HD?? I realise the HVX is still largely an unknown, but I ask as the JVC offer is limited. So maybe I should be asking this JVC versus others on the market... oh no Im begining to ramble. :huh:
 
If you could buy the JVC GY-DV700WE for the price of an XL2: GO FOR IT! really, no hesitation needed. That's a joke of a price for that camcorder (if a (good) lens is included)
 
I am SO with mezelf27 on this -- I mean, are you kidding? A DV700WE is almost an SDX900! It uses Digital-S, which is bit-for-bit identical with DVCPRO50. With 2/3" chips in there you're talking about a camera that's directly competitive with Digital Betacam, for the cost of an XL2...

I mean, yes it's interlaced. Oh well... it's still going to look fantastic. And even if you decide not to use it you should be able to sell that thing to someone for a whole lot more than an XL2! As mezelf27 said, it also depends on what lens is included, but as a base camera body that JVC is one of the bang-for-the-buck steals of the year.
 
Barry, you have that right on the 2/3 inch chips, but I guess you confuse with another JVC, this one is MiniDV (but you can go out without the compression I believe...)

On the other hand, I don't know which one you cfan buy for that price, but if it's a GY-DV700WECL (the CL is important, that's CineLine - but at the price of a XL2 it seems all very unlikely), this camcorder is also truly progressive...

Anyhow, are you certain that DV700 is in good shape? The price is very, very low...
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

I believe the camera comes with a canon YJ19 lens. I don't believe it's a CL, will have to double check that though. Although the more I read and Barry's chastising ;) I think I will get this camera. It does appear to be in good working order will be spending sometime with it at the begining of the week to find out.

My only problem is that Im an indecicive fella, been researching the hvx and dvx for weeks, even bought Barry's book. Good read by the way and useful in making things clear. Oh well I have a reserve on it and will look into it all weekend. Again thanks for your replies.
 
The GY-DV700 has a cool front end on it but the mechanism is the same as the 500's.
We are a service center and those mechanisms have the most problems. It would be a great camera if you didn't have to rely on the VTR section. Firestore would be a good solution.


Andrew Hoffman
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510
800-359-1858
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
Hi a1rys, just make sure you test the camera before you shell out the cash. Do a full focus check, remove the lens and check the mount for damage, check the lens backfocus and macro and make sure they lock on, as well as zoom motor smoothness, check lens front and back elements with a fluorescent light, check audio input fidelity (with your own shotgun), record at least 10 minutes of video, part of which you shoot a black surface and pan the camera to check for dead pixels, then go outside in daylight and weave it back and forth to try and make the record mechanism skip (sign of damage), check how fast the iris responds manually, roll through all the filters, listen for grinding when zooming and focusing, and check every little connection where a human can remove a cable. Then take the tape and play it on another deck. That way, if there is a problem with the tape transport, the other deck will have a problem with it. Sometimes bad cameras play their own tapes, but tapes don't play anywhere else.

Wow that would be a good price if all these tests come up roses. :thumbsup:
 
Indeed man, CHECK CHECK CHECK! This camcorder for such a price would be an enormous deal, just make sure the cam is okay. If it isn't remember this: any service that needs to be done on this camcorder will cost you tenfold of service on a prosumer camcorder....

Ah and check this: I'm quite a muscular guy and I've had one: be sure the little bracket is there to move the viewfinder to the front. If it isn't there and you're quite heavily built, you'll need it (and JVC charges €300 + VAT for a new piece of metal...)
 
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