townhobbler
Member
Has anyone had trouble using the DVX100a as a DV deck?
Using the DVX100A as a DV deck
- Thread starter townhobbler
- Start date
BareKnuckled
Member
Hi. I'm really new to all of this. I have been very cautious, well, terrified using the DVX100A as a device to upload my footage into my computer with. I read all about how the heads get worn down and everything. Thing is. I don't know where to buy a deck. I dont' know much about them. Do you need a special deck to export 24p via firewire? Do all decks use firewire? How much do mini-dv decks usually cost? I cannot afford one more than 1500 dollars. Actually, I can't even afford that. More like 500 dollars is the only way I'd be able to afford one. Anybody have any suggestions? Can I just find the cheapest mini-dv camcorder I can find and use it as a deck? And if so.......Will it export the 24p into my Mac??? Thanks very much for any answers to my questions. I just got my DVX a week ago and already I'm having major problems although I seriously love it. Any help would greatly be appreciated...
vidled
DVXuser Sponsor
Hello BareKnuckled.
You shouldn't be TERRIFIED from using the DVX-100 as a deck, especially as you are just starting out. I certainly wouldn't recommend to use it if you are thinking about transferring 24 tapes/day, but the occasional tape, here and there, wouldn't hurt it at all. It's part of what this camera is designed for, don't forget.
I WOULD advise to SAVE up for a good deck however, starting probably with something like a DSR-11, which goes for a little over $1500. If you can save that amount in the time you have used the DVX for a few dozen tapes, no harm will have been done.
BUT: using a cheapo cam is always an option too, and once the footage is recorded as 24p (using the DVX), it doesn't matter if the cam you are using is a cheapo $200 job that can't RECORD 24p itself: it will still output whatever you recorded, bit-for-bit just fine.
Small caution: some cheapo cams have a cheapo tape mechanism (naturally). In time it may be that the two devices, your DVX and the cheapo cam drift apart as far as the head alignment is concerned, then you might experience difficulties in playing back the DVX tapes on the cheap cam. Doesn't happen right away, but it can.
Summary: don't be terrified, relax, use what you have got now, and if you see you are enjoying what you have and are using it a lot, start investing in more gear. And most of all: enjoy the DVX!
You shouldn't be TERRIFIED from using the DVX-100 as a deck, especially as you are just starting out. I certainly wouldn't recommend to use it if you are thinking about transferring 24 tapes/day, but the occasional tape, here and there, wouldn't hurt it at all. It's part of what this camera is designed for, don't forget.
I WOULD advise to SAVE up for a good deck however, starting probably with something like a DSR-11, which goes for a little over $1500. If you can save that amount in the time you have used the DVX for a few dozen tapes, no harm will have been done.
BUT: using a cheapo cam is always an option too, and once the footage is recorded as 24p (using the DVX), it doesn't matter if the cam you are using is a cheapo $200 job that can't RECORD 24p itself: it will still output whatever you recorded, bit-for-bit just fine.
Small caution: some cheapo cams have a cheapo tape mechanism (naturally). In time it may be that the two devices, your DVX and the cheapo cam drift apart as far as the head alignment is concerned, then you might experience difficulties in playing back the DVX tapes on the cheap cam. Doesn't happen right away, but it can.
Summary: don't be terrified, relax, use what you have got now, and if you see you are enjoying what you have and are using it a lot, start investing in more gear. And most of all: enjoy the DVX!
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
I have said this before and I will say it again, I do not like the idea of doing transfers with the DVX. Too often it seems that things that are done on occassion become habit. Regarding Decks, as was said, you can go get a $1500 deck, and that will last for a long time and handle import and export. The real benefit of this is that you can normally also export out to a DVCam tape, which will allow for more than the 63 minutes of most MiniDV cameras/tapes.
As has been said, the other option is to use a camera as a deck. I went out and bought a Panasonic GS9 as a deck. This camera is about $150 new (depending on who you know) and works perfect for this function. It's also something that I have no problems lending out to friends when they say they want to go shoot something because its not a high quality unit or anything. The biggest concern, in my opinion, with using a cheap camera as a deck comes down to whether the cheap camera can timecode. The GS9 cannot, but since I capture tapes at once, not a big issue for me.
If you are going to use a cheap cam as a deck, I would always suggest getting something that has the potential for more than one application (I use the GS9 for test shoots sometimes or to let my script supervisor shoot various things). A $1500 will always give you more of that deck function, but not always the extras that are nice.
And yet another shameless plug, I'm selling a GS120 (3CCD camera) right now in the marketplace. Could make for a decent deck or 2nd unit camera.
Vidled is right though, just enjoy the DVX, you're starting down an awesome journey.
As has been said, the other option is to use a camera as a deck. I went out and bought a Panasonic GS9 as a deck. This camera is about $150 new (depending on who you know) and works perfect for this function. It's also something that I have no problems lending out to friends when they say they want to go shoot something because its not a high quality unit or anything. The biggest concern, in my opinion, with using a cheap camera as a deck comes down to whether the cheap camera can timecode. The GS9 cannot, but since I capture tapes at once, not a big issue for me.
If you are going to use a cheap cam as a deck, I would always suggest getting something that has the potential for more than one application (I use the GS9 for test shoots sometimes or to let my script supervisor shoot various things). A $1500 will always give you more of that deck function, but not always the extras that are nice.
And yet another shameless plug, I'm selling a GS120 (3CCD camera) right now in the marketplace. Could make for a decent deck or 2nd unit camera.
Vidled is right though, just enjoy the DVX, you're starting down an awesome journey.
townhobbler
Member
Thanks for all the advice chaps. I've been having trouble uploading footage from my DVX100a camera onto final cut. In the log and capture it looks like the fields are off. We tried many, MANY different combos in the vid settings and nothing worked.
Has anyone else had field problems when using the cam as a dv deck?
Again, thanks for all the responses.
Has anyone else had field problems when using the cam as a dv deck?
Again, thanks for all the responses.
Jay Rodriguez
Coffee Member
Not HORRIBLE to use it as a deck but I agree, get a seperate desk soon........