Newbie Questions

M

meddesigner

Active member
Hi -

I am new to this group and I am considering a purchase of the DVX-100a. Budget is not that much of a consideration. I just want to make the right choices. I feel this is going to be the right camera to choose but have a few quick questions

1. What is the best way to buy the camera - just as the camera body or one of the camera "packages" that Panasonic offers? If it is one of the packages - which is the best one to get (value & usefulness).

2. Audio - I am considering using wireless mics with a camera mounted receiver. (Letrosonics, AKG, ect.) What is your opinion on this and does anyone know of a dual channel receiver that has the ability to output two discrete signals into the XLR inputs of the camera? How do you all handle audio for talking head and interview type video?

3. Deck - I want to get a deck to capture from so I do not use the cameras transport for anything other than recording to tape and "basic review". Does anyone have any suggestions as to which deck would be a good one to get? What about the Panasonic AG-DV2500?

4. Any other considerations? Other things to get up front to make life easier?

I have to shoot with a teleprompter for some of the videos and two things bug me -

a. Unprofessional talent (medical students and doctors) clearly are reading the script. Any ideas?

b. Video shot thru prompter glass has a clearing cast to it or appears softer and darker than when shot directly. It is as if the glass of the prompter affects focus somehow and makes the video look darker when viewed back on a NTSC monitor vs. the LCD screen of the camera.

The work I do is medical training videos that end up on DVD and internet streaming. Also produce short "skit" videos with medical students and wanting to expand into other things - short "films" ect. (mostly for personal satisfaction)

I am looking to raise the bar on my own work. I currently have a Sony VX-2000 which I do not really care for. (audio not so great, colour not so great, ect..)

Thanks for any advise in advance...

Richard in Nashville
 
Re: Newbie Questions

For the deck, I use the Sony DSR-11 which is very good and it support DVCam. It could be a good idea to buy a good tripod with a fluid head.

For the package if it depend on what you want to do with you cam and what you need (anamorphic lens, telephoto, wideangle, .....)
 
Re: Newbie Questions

1. Personally, I would simply buy the camera from EVS (www.evsonline.com) Unless one of the packages absolutely tailors your needs %100, it's a waste to get a package deal.

2. I don't have enough experience with wireless audio gear to comment on this.

3. I would suggest saving your money and getting a cheap miniDV camera and use that. Unless you've got the spare cash to drop an extra $900 on a deck, it's not worth it.

4. As Ronik suggested, a good pair of sticks with a good fluid head. Get some spare batteries from this site. A UV lens for the camera, screw it on and never take it off. A good case for the camera. I'm sure there's other things that people will chime in with. I personally think that a field monitor is very important to have, though pricey.

Teleprompter queries- Barry Green used a great teleprompting system on the DVX DVD, I'm sure he can suggest it to you.
 
Re: Newbie Questions

Also: the LCD (at its defaults) is very much brighter than what would appear on an NTSC monitor.

I spent about a half hour last night calibrating the LCD to the image I see in DVRack.  The Color, Brightness, and Contrast wound up waaaaay down.  All three show two bars in the setup now.  

Dan
 
Re: Newbie Questions

Hi meddesigner, here are some suggestions, based on your request not to concern with budget:

1. I personally like custom packages, where I handpick every component, but sometimes manufacturer packages (not dealer packages) save you money.

2. Lectro is obviously the highest quality, but also the highest cost. I would shy away from 2-ch receivers, because you are paying more than 3 times the cost of a single receiver, and if the unit goes down all your audio is down, whereas if one independent receiver is down, you can still rely on the other. Also having two receivers is cool because you can split one transmitter to two receivers and give the same audio to two cameras. Sennheiser 500 series is great quality, broadcast.

3. DSR-11 has been my best seller, all in all, as far as reliability and longevity. The upgrade to the DSR-25 gives you timecode, RS422, an LCD, and audio levels. DSR-45 gives you XLR connections and component video.

4. For medical videos in medical settings, flourescent lights like Kinoflo Diva or Lowel Caselight are indispensible. No heat, soft beautiful daylight. High-quality tripod, compact jib with remote head, wide angle lens, telephoto lens, mattebox, good 4x4 filters, are all creative tools that make life easier.

5. As hateful as prompters are they are an absolute neccessity with regular folks. Most people, even highly spunky realtors, clam up and are all twisted as soon as you ask them to memorize a script then point a camera at them. If you value your time, get a prompter, and get one with a glass screen (not plastic), that will minimize focus issues. I think the darkening of the picture happens due to the 50% trasnsmissive mirror in the prompter, that allows light from subject to go through to the lens, but reflects light from the monitor below also. Field monitor is expensive but also a requirement for proper acquisition with lighting, mainly for eye relief, so you can look at a good size screen all day.

If you have questions, ask away at rush@evsonline.com
 
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