the DVX life

Zim

Zim

Veteran
I keep coming back to this camera. I seems to be selling really well. It is still being used for TV shows and movies. But how long will it last? HD is coming but it still seems to be going through growing pains, unless you have deep pockets. I don't.

I just want to make a doc and a indie.

Do you guys see the DVX100 still being a camera that will be useful in 2 years? 5 years?
 
The DVX is the 16mm camera of the 2000's. When the DVX is on sale at Best Buy for $499.99 in the "Camcorder" section and all the parents have one out at their kids' Little League game, then I'd worry about whether it's "professional" enough.

John G.
 
I used the DVX on two features and am pleased with them both. I recently bought an HVX and am pleased with it as well. I'm in pre-production for two more films, one will be shot with the DVX, and one with the HVX. After that, I can't see myself doing another SD fim unless it was for artistic reasons and really needed that look. I guess I would look at he script you are going to shoot and see if shooting MiniDV would limit it's appeal. I would say that there are still a couple good years left on the DVX if you are doing documentary or mockumentary, maybe a cheap slasher or two (but please don't add another one of these to the movie universe, PLEASE), but it sounds like you have limited funds and might be stuck with the DVX anyway. In that case, just do the best you can with what you've got. Also, write the script with the camera that you're using in mind. That's what I do and so far, so good.
By the way, where in Illinois are you?
John
 
It's not a tough question, DVXs will be still in use for years to come. At the end of next month I'm going to one of the largest television studios on the east coast, a place that owns several networks, to train them on their DVXs. They're using them for everything. David Thies spoke at the L.A. bootcamp about how MTV and other networks are using DVXs prevalently.

The DVX probably isn't the end-all be-all future camera, obviously; it's 4:3 standard-def and the hot buzzwords are 16:9 and high-def. But the DVX does a fine job of 16:9 for standard-def release. The manufacturers are transitioning towards high-def gear; I don't believe Sony or Canon has released a new standard-def product in a while; Panasonic did just release the DVC20 standard-def camera so they're not 100% high-def yet. 16:9 is a big deal overseas, not so much a big deal in the US (all standard-def broadcasts in the US are 4:3, we don't even have a standard-def 16:9 industry here) whereas in Europe they're actually broadcasting 16:9.

I don't know about five years from now, I mean, look at five years ago -- the VX1000 was still pretty strong five years ago, now nobody uses it at all (except sk8 videos).

Here's the thing: if you want to use the camera to make footage for standard-def television, the DVX will never go away. It's a great tool for that, it makes beautiful pictures, and there's nothing about it that needs to be improved on (for standard-def). If you want to make "future proof" high-def, well, the DVX isn't the best tool for that. It's not bad, InstantHD does quite well with it, but it's not the best tool, I'd be looking at the HVX or XH-A1 or something for a high-def product. But if your goals and plans are for standard-def DVD distribution the DVX remains a solid choice.
 
John Wesley Norton said:
I used the DVX on two features and am pleased with them both. I recently bought an HVX and am pleased with it as well. I'm in pre-production for two more films, one will be shot with the DVX, and one with the HVX. After that, I can't see myself doing another SD fim unless it was for artistic reasons and really needed that look. I guess I would look at he script you are going to shoot and see if shooting MiniDV would limit it's appeal. I would say that there are still a couple good years left on the DVX if you are doing documentary or mockumentary, maybe a cheap slasher or two (but please don't add another one of these to the movie universe, PLEASE), but it sounds like you have limited funds and might be stuck with the DVX anyway. In that case, just do the best you can with what you've got. Also, write the script with the camera that you're using in mind. That's what I do and so far, so good.
By the way, where in Illinois are you?
John
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Champaign Urbana
 
Zim said:
I keep coming back to this camera.......
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Tell me about it. I did several months of research trying to find a suitable and cost efficient camera for my purpose and time and time again, i kept coming back to that 100B!. I would reevaluate to try and justify a cheaper solution only to discover all kinds of limitations. So i went ahead and pulled the trigger. It was painful to write that check but after seeing the results i got, I have never once regretted it. It is one fantastic tool. Actually getting a rebate was the cherry on the cake.

BTW---If you go for it, try www.willoughbys.com and call for a price quote---dont rely on the advertised price. They beat everyone else by far: $3279 ( March '06) before rebate and free shipping. I actually found Willoughbys after giving up on AbleCine NY. Glad i did. I spoke to a human being and got a lower price.

Gary
 
thanks Gary. I'm not worried about future proving and all that. I do like the Canon A1 but we are talking a lot more money.

16:9 would be nice but I see people making movies with the DVX and it looks 16:9 to me.

16:9 broadcast is probably never going to happen. My wife works for a PBS station. Most stations barely got the digital broadcasting done in time. HD will take some time too.

I'm not planning on a huge company. I just want to do a few things and with a good camera.
 
Zim said:
thanks Gary. I'm not worried about future proving and all that. I do like the Canon A1 but we are talking a lot more money.

I'm not planning on a huge company. I just want to do a few things and with a good camera.
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That post makes me think the DVX is a perfect camera for you. I think you'll be as happy with yours as I am with mine. I don't need HD and I really like how my stuff looks.
 
HorseFilms said:
That post makes me think the DVX is a perfect camera for you. I think you'll be as happy with yours as I am with mine. I don't need HD and I really like how my stuff looks.
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Like my first post said,,,I just keep coming back to the DVX100. Really it would be one of the cheaper camera's to get into right now.

Does everything have to be HD? I was just thinking about that. I would say no.

But if I can save a few grand and get a camera that will make video like I've seen some of you all make man I would be happy, then in a few years they might have all the HD formats worked out.
 
Zim said:
then in a few years they might have all the HD formats worked out.
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That's one of the main reasons why I'm not going HD yet. I don't know what's going to happen with it. I'm not jumping in until I see something emerge as a standard the way that DV did.
 
for me this is something I've wanted to do for years. I'm not doing it because I need to make money. If I make something that I like and only 10 people see it, then I still did it. If more see it great. But I don't want to do it with a half ass camera either.

The Canon A1 is pretty tempting, but it is also $4,000 unless the price drops when it comes out. So armed with a good camera and this powerbook I'll give it a shot.
 
I'm with you, Zim. I'm an old newsphotograper-turned-attorney who kinda missed being creative visually, so I rounded up a bunch of attorney buddies and made four shorts with the original DVX. It was a hoot, bunch of fun; we got one in a small film festival and that was a blast. Just got a DVX 100b, we're gonna try and shoot a feature-length in January. Just having fun with it and you never know when you might luck up and capture lightening in a bottle. Party on, dude.
 
Good luck with the next film.

The new Canon looks pretty nice too, but if I can save some cash on the DVX100 and use that money to buy Final Cut Pro (studio) I might be better off.

Or I can just deal with Final Cut Epress for awhile,,,,maybe even upgrade to FCE-HD if I would get the Canon.
 
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Zim
if you have any reservations about the 100B and standard def, may i suggest you look here:
http://www.pinelakefilms.com/

Mr. Dempsey has moved on to HD but his SD work showcases this camera.

my vote: get the 100B and hold the money you save for what you'll discover in the Audio threads. If you are a PC user, check out the Vegas threads as well.

Gary
 
Barry_Green said:
It's not a tough question, DVXs will be still in use for years to come. At the end of next month I'm going to one of the largest television studios on the east coast, a place that owns several networks, to train them on their DVXs. They're using them for everything. David Thies spoke at the L.A. bootcamp about how MTV and other networks are using DVXs prevalently.

The DVX probably isn't the end-all be-all future camera, obviously; it's 4:3 standard-def and the hot buzzwords are 16:9 and high-def. But the DVX does a fine job of 16:9 for standard-def release. The manufacturers are transitioning towards high-def gear; I don't believe Sony or Canon has released a new standard-def product in a while; Panasonic did just release the DVC20 standard-def camera so they're not 100% high-def yet. 16:9 is a big deal overseas, not so much a big deal in the US (all standard-def broadcasts in the US are 4:3, we don't even have a standard-def 16:9 industry here) whereas in Europe they're actually broadcasting 16:9.

I don't know about five years from now, I mean, look at five years ago -- the VX1000 was still pretty strong five years ago, now nobody uses it at all (except sk8 videos).

Here's the thing: if you want to use the camera to make footage for standard-def television, the DVX will never go away. It's a great tool for that, it makes beautiful pictures, and there's nothing about it that needs to be improved on (for standard-def). If you want to make "future proof" high-def, well, the DVX isn't the best tool for that. It's not bad, InstantHD does quite well with it, but it's not the best tool, I'd be looking at the HVX or XH-A1 or something for a high-def product. But if your goals and plans are for standard-def DVD distribution the DVX remains a solid choice.
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Barry I know you have heard me ask for 16:9 a few times, but today I flipped through the 83 channels on my TV and the only thing that looked 16:9,( black bars at top and bottom) were two commericals!! So I guess you have to think that 4:3 is going to be good for a few years and if done right it will look good on the big screen,,,,,
 
gco said:
Zim
if you have any reservations about the 100B and standard def, may i suggest you look here:
http://www.pinelakefilms.com/

Mr. Dempsey has moved on to HD but his SD work showcases this camera.

my vote: get the 100B and hold the money you save for what you'll discover in the Audio threads. If you are a PC user, check out the Vegas threads as well.

Gary
Click to expand...

I just went and looked at his website. The DVX100 is really nice.
 
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Zim said:
Barry I know you have heard me ask for 16:9 a few times, but today I flipped through the 83 channels on my TV and the only thing that looked 16:9,( black bars at top and bottom) were two commericals!! So I guess you have to think that 4:3 is going to be good for a few years and if done right it will look good on the big screen,,,,,
Click to expand...

The American TV industry is 4:3. If you're shooting local commercials or local-broadcast shows, you're going to want to shoot 4:3.

Even if you shot in 16:9, if you want it broadcast on local TV you'd have to convert it to 4:3 for broadcast.

If you're making product for HBO or someone like that, they may demand 16:9, but that's a different industry. I'm talking about local broadcasters, local stations. Those are all 4:3.

The high-def channels are broadcasting 16:9, of course, because HD is 16:9. But all standard-def broadcasts in the US are 4:3.
 
true that most US broadcast is 4:3, but a lot of it is letterbox. In my opinion, most narrative pieces are enhanced by widescreen or at least letterbox. And a lot of TV commercials have colored letterbox, like white for toothpaste ads and blue for medicine ads.

As far the DVX's use and worth in the coming years, I absolutely love it and think that as long as SD DVDs are a standard, it is fine. However, my one problem is the lack of detail in wide shots, like crowds or horizons. That's where the HVX really shines.
 
SD DVDs and regular TVs are going to be around for quite a while and the DVX has lasted this long because it simply looks great thanks to an excellent film gamma curve and some great colors.

That said, when it came time for me to buy my own camera instead of continuing to rent, I went with the HVX and, now that I've used it, can never go back. Even on an SD-DVD it's going to give you a sharper, cleaner image and it'll no doubt blow it away when projected onto a big screen.
 
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