If memory serves me correct today is the 15th birthday of the Forums. Congratulations Chris on running one of the best sites on the web. Failure never was an option and you proved it.

I just checked my join date.....October 27, 2002. It was of course the XL1 Watchdog when I joined. After all of the years in analog tape I clearly remember looking at those first digital images from my XL1 and being blown away. I shot a lot of Betacam in those days but I owned VHS, SVHS, and Hi8 equipment.

I think my XL1 paid for itself in the first year on rental savings alone. When the XL2 came out I bought two of them. I don't know if I have ever had a camera before or since that time that gave me such a huge ROI as that three camera kit. And DVINFO.net was critical for me as I transitioned from a Betacam operator to a truly full service video production service provider.

I try to provide the best information I can when a DVINFO user asks a question I have the ability to answer. I do that as if I am paying a debt of gratitude because far more often I am on the receiving end of the learning process. I want to thank Chris and every single one of you guys that has generously shared so much knowledge with me. I could not have done it alone and this community has been a saving grace for me countless times.

Thank you all and long live DVINFO.net!!!

Kind Regards,

Steve

What Steven said, and more. Happy to have been participating here for 14.5 years myself. It's wild to think of where the industry was then and how much change we have seen (even in the past five years).

What some may not know about DVInfo is that it was a leader in requiring real names and enforcing civility while other sites were (and some still are) filled with trolling and flame wars. Chris is a gentleman and expects the same of others and I have always applauded this.

Viva la DVInfo!

If memory serves me correct today is the 15th birthday of the Forums.

Memory indeed serves you correct and many thanks for the sentiment.

Sure appreciate all y'all. I don't know how to humble-brag about this sort of thing.

Lots more to follow from DVi, that much I can say.

Congratulations Chris on running one of the best sites on the web

Congrats Chris and thanks.

Bravo Chris!!!! And thank you!

WOW, I just checked my join date, October 2002. DVInfo. Like Steve I started with the XL1, then went to the XL1s and then to the XL2. I now have the XF300. I have met so many great people on this site, and, I have learned so much. Here is to the next 15 years. Bob

Like Steve, I found the site after getting an XL1, later replaced by two XL2 cameras. My first XL2 was out of the first shipment to arrive at ZGC a long time DVINFO sponsor. It was then that Chris asked if I would moderate the XL2 forum and I graciously and humbly accepted that role.

DVINFO has been responsible for the success of many who participate here, myself included. I could never thank Chris enough for all he has done, but a few six packs of Shiner Bock should put a dent in that debt of gratitude.

This forum has always been a breath of fresh air as Charles alluded to above in the civility department. There is a lot that goes on behind the curtain here to keep it that way.

I raise my bottle of Shiner to Chris and DVI, and look forward to what might come to pass in the years to come. 4K video adoption rate seems to be happening in a much shorter time frame than the transition from SD to HD. A couple years from now, we may all be shooting 8K and marveling at how lifelike the images are.

-gb-

Congratulations! Doesn't seem that long. I joined in 2003. I appreciate all the advice and knowledge that has flowed over the years and will continue to check in almost daily.

Cheers!

Wow, 15 years? Where did they all go? I've been away for many years, but I'm back and glad to see everyone is still around. Actually, I just began a project editing lots of footage that I shot on my VX-2000 almost 15 years ago (in February 2002). Quite a lot has happened since then…. for example, I can now get Shiner at my local store in Mays Landing, NJ. :)

Congratulations Chris, and best wishes for the next 15!

I'm eleven years old and I concur, this forum has always been my main source for expert information. Congrats Chris on running a forum that has helped so many folks. This should be the number one source for camera and gear makers to get a solid idea of what the community is looking for.

When's the party?

Jeff Donald! Long time no "see." Thank you for your great memory that allows us to come here and tell CH how much we have appreciated him and his fabulous DV Info board all these years! I learned so much from pros like Charles, had so much fun and made some lifelong friends. When I joined we didn't use real names, and it was the first forum I had ever joined. My username was so stupid I was relieved when Chris made the switch.

Lots more to follow from DVi, that much I can say.
YAY!!

Edit: Hi, Boyd! So funny about the Shiner. It came back to Idaho, too, and is the only beer I'll buy. :)

I'm going on 10 years here. Started on an old GL1 and then have just kept going from there. This site has been an invaluable resource for me in learning video.

SB

Congratulations Chris, always a top notch site. Hope for many more years to come.

Mike

Happy 15th birthday, Chris!

many good years here. many fine folks!

That's awesome. Easily one of my top 3 resources in the industry for knowledge sharing. Whenever I hit a wall there's always someone to help you figure something out, troubleshoot, and our questions hopefully save someone else time when they read the threads.

Thanks so much DVInfo, you rock!

Belated birthday greetings from Berlin and many happy returns !

Congratulations Chris! Pretty new here, but learnt all that I needed here to start professionally, and made some great friends along the way too. Thank you for running the board so well!

Looking forward to many more years as part of DVInfo.net.

I've been celebrating the DVinfo party for the last month straight... where have you all been??

I think I was waiting on an all expenses paid trip to Vegas!

It's been 15 years? It seems much longer.

I have been reading on these forums since 2004.. time sure does fly! Happy Birthday DvInfo

Happy (Belated) Birthday to DVINFO.com! Like others have shared, this web-site is one of my "go-to" places as I seek information regarding video recording & editing. Thank you!

Memory indeed serves you correct and many thanks for the sentiment.

Sure appreciate all y'all. I don't know how to humble-brag about this sort of thing.

Lots more to follow from DVi, that much I can say.

Chris Hurd is the greatest!

I'm coming up to 10 years and I've learned soooo much in that time - DVInfo has been my goto place for any question I have.There is so much useful information, history & background on so many subjects, not to mention the people willing to help on any subject. Many of us have made 'virtual' friends on this site.

Unfortunately it's only when you spend time on other sites that you realise how well run DVInfo is, that takes time & effort but is unseen by most

- thank you Chris