Should I buy the DVX100B?

[Norman]

Hey guys,

My friend and I are on the verge of purchasing a DVX100B. We're very excited about this powerful machine and I'm already a fan of it. However, my only last reservation is the camera's ability to capture film-like images. I've done a lot of research and know about the gamma and frame rate and lux and all that... I'm not asking you for technical thoughts. I'm asking you for honest opinion. So, please answer these questions HONESTLY (I stress "honest" because I know that most of us are already biased in favour of the DVX100):

- Does DVX100 footage REALLY look like film? Or just "awesome video"?

- Does DVX100 footage look like film on regular television monitors (whether NTSC or PAL, standard or HD... whatever...)?

- Does DVX100 footage look like film when projected? And I don't mean projected in your living room -- I mean projected in a proper cinema.

As you can see, all I'm really concerned about is how closely DVX100 footage can replicate the look of film.

Please tell me your opinions. Thank you very much!

-- Norman

 

[Ed Kishel]

- Does DVX100 footage REALLY look like film? Or just "awesome video"?

Both. 24p mode is a close to 16mm as a video camera in this price range can get, AND its 60i looks awesome

- Does DVX100 footage look like film on regular television monitors (whether NTSC or PAL, standard or HD... whatever...)?

Yes, again like 16mm- NOT 35MM!!

- Does DVX100 footage look like film when projected? And I don't mean projected in your living room -- I mean projected in a proper cinema.

in a proper cinema?-what is your comapirison, 35mm? Then No. When projected that large you will start to see artifacts, but thats not the DVX fault, that just DV and its compression

Keep in mind, this cameras 24p looks great and can look so much like good 16mm that most viewers shouldnt tell the difference. But keep this in mind:

this camera is a tool- its cine gamma and 24p will not save footage from an unskilled shooter. It will only provide film like images if you take the time to use it correctly.

Before you buy it- get Barrys book with DVD. Same info applies to the 100B and you will be able to see the footage for yourself. Infact, on the DVD they put the DVX next to 16mm, and shot the same scene. The diff was VERY minimal.

 

[George D]

Hi Norm,

A good movie to watch is November in the theatres. It's also coming out on DVD in a couple of weeks or so. You can then decide for yourself. I think it's closer to 16mm film - just a little different but nevertheless it's a gorgeous look. It's very customizable and you can dial in-camera settings that emulate different popular movies. I really like the almost film like grain that the DVX has - very analogish. The biggest contribution to it's film like capabilities is the 24p cadence. With the proper lighting, zoom angles for shallow depth of field and good actors and story, you can have a very very good film that looks great on TV/DVD or even blown up to film or HD.

Good luck and get Barry Green's book if you want to learn more.

 

[Noel Evans]

this camera is a tool- its cine gamma and 24p will not save footage from an unskilled shooter. It will only provide film like images if you take the time to use it correctly.

Before you buy it- get Barrys book with DVD. Same info applies to the 100B and you will be able to see the footage for yourself. Infact, on the DVD they put the DVX next to 16mm, and shot the same scene. The diff was VERY minimal.

Thats all you need to read.