Using DVX 100A as a deck

C

cunyx

Member
I'm using my DVX 100A as a deck for my own personal projects. I know there is danger of wearing down the heads, but I've heard different opinions. Some say if you're only using it for your own personal films (in my case I did one 9 minute short in the last 4 months) then it's no problem.

What's to be avoided is mounting it open and going into the post business with the DVX as your deck for a heavy consistent load.

Comments???


-Michael
 
If you are going to have a "heavy load" of work you may want to buy a dedicated deck - Or at least a consumer camera to spare the wear and tear on DVX
 
yeah its all good to use it as a deck. they build these cameras tough these days, its' basically a way to get u to invest in more crap that u dont need. I've been running my camera for 2 years doing post work 2-3 times a week for a tv station and it is still ticking. Keep it clean and its a breeze dude.

T
 
its up to you, but the number of hours on the meter will dictate what kind of price it will fetch when it is time to upgrage. Personaly I would rather my $70 Sharp Viewcam take all the abuse from capturing-rewinding-fast forewarding-repeat
 
I highly recommend a cheapo 1 chipper, or a deck if you can afford it. If you're going the deck route, I have heard JVC's aren't the greatest, so if you're going to spend the money, I would say go with a DSR-11 from what I have heard.
 
i'd never use a main camera as a deck..especialy something like the dvx....shurgs..
get a 400 dolar mini dv cam from your local circuit cit/best buy..etc...
 
saturnin said:
i'd never use a main camera as a deck..especialy something like the dvx....shurgs..
get a 400 dolar mini dv cam from your local circuit cit/best buy..etc...
Click to expand...


Have to agree with that. Don't take the chance that your machine is "rugged". Invest $250.00 in a small DV camcorder like the ones mentioned above and leave the wear and tear to it. Strongly recommend buying a new one. Never trust your precious hard fought images on tape to a used unit. Your increasing your chances for disaster.:beer:
Additionally, does the DVX keep track of all hours spent using the deck in any manner, not just shooting hours?
If it does, those extra "deck" hours would decrease the value of the camera when it comes time to sell it.
 
PANA-MAN said:
does the DVX keep track of all hours spent using the deck in any manner, not just shooting hours?
If it does, those extra "deck" hours would decrease the value of the camera when it comes time to sell it.
Click to expand...

The hour meter runs when ever tape hits the heads, so yes. A friend is about to put his "new" DVX for sale and he was floored it had 150 hours on it... Shot 10 tapes. Rest editing

As said by most above. Get a cheap 1 chipper.
 
My vote is for the cheap 1 chip camcorder too. Putting all that wear and tear on your DVX will only increase the chances of it breaking down on you when it counts the most: PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY! Plus, as someone mentioned before, all those hours will lower your resale value dramatically.
 
I have to agree with these posts. I use a small one chip camera as my deck. It's worked out great and I don't have to worry about the wear and tear on my DVX which was about 10x the cost. I've used it for log and capture as well as running it between the computer and monitor for color correction. Works well, great peace of mind.
 
What kind of one chipper?

What kind of one chipper?

Does it matter what kind of one chip camera you get? Will most of them work with Final Cut Pro in terms of remote controls from the computer keyboard? Is there any quality loss when capturing with a cheapo camera?
 
Quality is unchanged - Once on tape it's all 1s and 0s. The DVX does the magic when recording. Playback can be any mini DV cam. You will want to be sure the camera can do time code though...
 
Recommendations for DV cam's to use as a deck?

Recommendations for DV cam's to use as a deck?

dakotapod said:
Quality is unchanged - Once on tape it's all 1s and 0s. The DVX does the magic when recording. Playback can be any mini DV cam. You will want to be sure the camera can do time code though...
Click to expand...

I am assuming I should get a new dv cam to make sure the heads are clean and in good shape. What would be a good quality camera that I can control with FCP?

Edward McCain
 
You would have to check. I have to assume anyone would work if new. No need to get a top of the line model. I just got an old pany off ebay for $100, cleaned heads and no prob - But if the budget fits a new one why not. You can always use it as a family cam too...
 
I just picked up a new Canon ZR100 - Works great with the time code on a PC using scenalyzer to capture - However I'm extremely dissapointed using it as a family cam, indoor low light is a disaster - I'm spoiled with my 3 chip old Sony TRV900. Now I'm looking to get the Panasonic 3 chip PVGS250 for the family DV cam.
 
PixelWrangler said:
I'm extremely dissapointed using it as a family cam, indoor low light is a disaster - I'm spoiled with my 3 chip old Sony TRV900..
Click to expand...

Most [if not all] 1 chip consumer cams suck ass in low light. Maybe some higher end ones are not too bad. easy to get spoiled....
 
Might want to get a cheapo Panasonic that uses the same batteries as the DVX.

Can always use an extra battery around.
 
I am also using the Canon ZR100. I haven't tried taping on it though. I just use it for my deck. I use it between the computer and monitor. I'm sure you can find something cheaper. I was just in a hurry at the time, not wanting to use the DVX I just rushed out to Best Buy, checked out the different choices and decided on the ZR100.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top