What to buy? Input please...

H

houstonje

New member
I am looking for a buy a camera. I am looking at the DVX100B or the XH-A1. I know the differences/strengths and weaknesses of each but I would like some outside input from knowledgeable people. For my purposes, HD is not a necessity. One of the only reasons that I would go with the A1 is HD (although it is not true HD etc...). I like the weight, shape, and eye cup of the DVX better than the A1.

My main concern is the lack of true 16:9 on the DVX100B. How does the DVX100B's footage look on the wide screen when shot in squeezed mode? If the DVX had a true 16:9 chip it would be ideal but to bad.

Or should I just spend more (quite a bit more) and ge the HVX200?
 
If HD isn't in your plan, then I'd take the DVX100B over the XH-A1. The squeeze mode on the DVX produces some very pleasing 16:9 material. Check out this section of DVXUser for some great examples of DVX squeeze footage: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Now, if you can afford to get the HVX, you get the best of both worlds. You'll have the look that Panasonic engineered... the one that has made the DVX legendary. And you'll have forward compatibility when you do decide to start working in HD. Yeah, you'll get forward compatibility with the Canon, but there's just so much about the Pannys that take the cake when it comes to the images recorded.
 
Footage shot in SQUEEZE MODE with the DVX100B looks very good when displayed on a wide screen; comparable with the images one gets when viewing a DVD on widescreen TV. Some of my stuff has been projected onto a full sized theatrical screen with excellent image results. In my opinion, the image is equal, or superior, to 16mm film.
 
Great, Thanks for the responses!

Right now I have a Canon HV30 so I could shoot HDV if I had to. If shooting and viewing 16:9 on the DVX is fine, that is looking like the way to go. Id would rather have a top SD camera like the DVX than a lower tier HD camera like the A1.

What about buying a DVX100A for a little less than a 100B to use for a few years and maybe an HVX later down the line?
 
remember you can always get the Anamorphic lens and get 16:9 widescreen with your DVX if you really want to.
or
you can shoot SD with the HVX too because it's 16:9 as well.
either way, do want you want. it's your money!!
 
I would definitely go with the 100B! It has some better features than the 100A. One thing I usually do is uprez the squeeze footage to 720 or 1080... Of course it is not real HD, but it looks a little sharper when it comes to larger screens. You can find a used one for about $1200 or more or a new one for about $2800...
 
Really??? I got my DVX used for $1000 and at that same store, it was $2700 new. I didn't get it off Ebay or Craigslist. I got it from a store in Glendale, CA called EVS. They were really nice and gave me a sweet deal on a used 100B.
 
That is what everyone said... I am suprised! They just gave it to me from rentals and said Do You Want This One? $1000... and then I was very happy. They day I got my DVX100B!
 
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