Ready to PURCHASE a new DVX - But where?

TDE

TDE

Active member
Hey guys!

Thanks in advance to reading and replying!

I am the marketing director for a racing company, and I have a background in film and design. I currently own a VX2100 and have been wanting to go with a DVX for a long time. We brought it up at the latest marketing meeting, and I have a budget to get all the equipment I need, from the DVX to sticky pods to a new manfrotto and a pelican case.

So, the question. Where do I get it from?

You have so many online retailers offering the camera at differences of more than $1000, how do you know who is good or bad? And also, there are different versions of the DVX now I see, the old one, the new one, and now a HD one.

Which one do I buy?

I will be using the camera for RACING footage, mounted on our outside of race cars for promotional video and event capture.

So, where is the best deal online (I see them listed from $2000-$5000) to get one? And do I want a DVX100B or a HVX? Or does it matter??

Sorry for so many questions, its just my job to provide my CEO with the best deal on this product so I can have more money for other campaigns, etc.

Please reply here, via PM, or by email!

-Jared
jared@texasdrivingexperience.com
 
go with bhphoto, bought mine from there (as many others have). Great price, great service, authorized dealer
 
Sounds like what I was looking for...

I bought my VX from B&H..

But which DVX do I want to buy?
 
Ok, DVX100B is what I am going to buy, but:

-Where is a good place to get it well under MSRP?
-Does it come with the large microphone you see in some photos?
-What should I expect to pay for it?
-What are the must have accessories?
 
TDE said:
And do I want a DVX100B or a HVX? Or does it matter?
Click to expand...

It matters a lot. The DVX and HVX are very different cameras but both are great. The DVX is SD while the HVX is HD. That's a huge difference right there! Since you're shooting race footage I would recommend the HVX because you can shoot at variable frame rates. Shooting 60frames per second at 24pn would look great for some shots because of it's smooth slow motion.

As for where to buy - I recommend Specialized Communications. I received a packet from them just the other day and i think they are having a special right now where can buy an HVX and two 16Gb P2 cards for somewhere around $5995 or something like that.
 
Money is not an issue, although I am obligated not to "waste it", my boss wants to know that I worked hard to find the best deal.

As for HD or not, I don't think its a necessity right now. These videos are going to be made specifically for the web and internal use.

So, DVX100B, where do I get one for a great price with some goodies?
 
If you have the money, go for the HVX, you will not regret it. Even if you're not using HD per se right now, you'll really like the image and capabilities of the HVX. As Zander mentioned, spec-com is a good place to buy.
 
B&H for the DVX, Spec Com for HVX. You really should look into the HVX, seeing as HD is only going to get more popular, and it can also shoot beautiful SD.
 
It sounds like I do some similar work with shooting Rally and a lot of skiing. I own a VX2000, PD150, A1U, Canon A1 and a DVX. If you are potentailly going to damage the camera, which is a possibility if you are monting to a car, I would reconsider the DVX purchase. Parts are becoming unavailable and I have found the camera to not be very durable (ie you are gong to need parts). I have had much better luck with the Sonys as far as durability goes and I can still get parts for both my 5 year old VX2000 and PD150 where my 2.5 year old DVX is now a paperweight. Personally I love shooting 16:9 for any auto racing and the HD is fantastic, even for web applications. If money is not a huge deal I would get a Z1U for most shots and an A1u with a wide angle lens for any car mounted shots. It is cheaper to replace an A1u than a Z1u. I have mounted my A1u a few times to Rally cars with very good luck. PM me if you would like more info.

I buy everything from either B&H or newegg
 
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Nice, thanks for that post!

I am in love with my VX2100, it has been a great camera.

But I wanted a nice DV cam, and apparently the DVX is as good as you can get without going HD...

I dont know if I can spring for the HD.

I want to spend $6k on the camera and all the accessories...

If you want to check out what we do and maybe make a recommendation off of that,

www.texasdrivingexperience.com
 
Since you said you need a camera only for the web and internal work, then the DVX will be fine. The temptation is for people to say get the HVX, it's HD, etc. etc. Or whatever new flavor out there.

But it sounds like you don't need it and the P2 workflow, etc. etc. With this technology the way it is right now, by the time you feel you need HD there will be something better and cheaper than the HVX.

I would never over buy in this kind of climate. Maybe in a film camera but not in a video camera. There's no point. Things are evolving at a rapid pace.

Put the money into your production expenditures.
 
Just bought DVX100B, Azden SGM1X and a Petrol Bag PCCb-1-N from Full compass for 2800 including shipping (best deal I could find). It is an authorized dealer and they have great service (ask for Shawn Tallard). If you have 6k to spend I would get a nicer microphone (mine was all I could afford). Maybe try 2600 for DVX100B, 1500-2000 for audio, 150-200 for bag 100-200 for extended batteries, 200 for rain hood (if you are going to be outside). That is around 5200 bucks. You good throw in some nice filter set for 400-500 and you are pretty set to go.

EDIT: Remember HD requires extra hardrive space and processing capabilities. Depending on how you are exporting it can also greatly increase your output time. Basically, there are some hidden costs in going HD. Not saying HD is bad (it is great!) just saying be prepared to spend more money on computing hardware.
 
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HEY GUYS!!!

Just bought my DVX100B from amazon.com for $2550

Good deal?

Now how/where do I order that cool microphone that I see on it in all of the pictures! :)
 
The mounted microphone shown in all the DVX100B pictures is a cheap Panasonic mic, which isn't all that great. A lot of people around here recommend the Rode NTG-1 as a good starting point.
 
Just got the camera in hands guys...

Battery is charging now...

SO, anyone wanna link me to some helpful articles on where to start? I am interested in particular to know what the difference is between 24p/24pA/30p/60i, etc...

When to use them, etc.

I know I must be asking questions that you regulars have seen 1000000 times, so I am sorry guys!
 
24pA seems to lag in the viewfinder... will it clean up once its ripped?

I have looked at a 30fps viewfinder for the last 8 years, so this is new to me to see a shot like this...
 
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