Various posts & questions about Panasonic DV / GS / MX camcorders

Frank Granovski · April 26th, 2004, 06:55 PM

The Sharp specs are now up here:

http://members.tripod.com/vincent_ysc/index.html

or here:

http://www.grandeye.com.hk/etx/900/index.html

And Allan has written his first impressions here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...5&pagenumber=2

Frank Granovski · April 30th, 2004, 11:41 AM

Note: perfect for small MX/GS cams

My Lowepro Vidcam 2 soft bag is still my favourite. Whether I take my video cam or my still cam around and about, this little bag sure is handy. For extra protection I lined the bag with 1" packaging foam so if I do drop it everything will be A-Okay. It just bounces when dropped (only did that once).

Frank Granovski · May 2nd, 2004, 08:01 PM

Back to the poor's man's 24P because it's got widescreen and frame mode and it's a great cam. SOLID, well-built, a side-loader---certainly a wise choice for even today. The slightly older MX3000 was also great cam but the PV-DV953 has a whooping 40 more lines of resolution with reduced flaring, ghosting and barrelling, contributing to a beautiful image quality. The lens is Leica of course, German quality all the way. Furthermore, the MX5000 (DV953) is easier to hold than the MX300/0. It has a bigger LCD monitor, crisp and clear. Smaller, and built more solid, unlike the puffed stuff---Hey, Ma! I see no plastic! It's a machine to be reckoned with, a pro machine, with good audio and all manual buttons and dials if you don't like being an auto man. Definitely another great hand-held. With the PMX50 accessory kit, UV filter, and VBD-5 hip battery, you are all set! And if you want total protection, consider getting the all-weather housing from Allan, but only if you have the MX5000 Japanese version, and not the American PV-DV953. Oops! Only the MX5000 works with the all-weather housing. That's why I'd rather have a MX5000 today than spend a year's salary on something that'll be obsolete tomorrow. Info here: http://www.dvfreak.com/mx5_go.htm and here: http://www.dvfreak.com/pana_mx5.htm

Frank Granovski · May 4th, 2004, 05:22 AM

Look here:

http://videoexpert.home.att.net/artic1/245lens.htm

And note the part about plastic lenses on consumer cams. Ohhh, nooo!

I wonder WHICH cams have these plastic lenses. Anyone? (If Panasonic has them I'm gonna kill myself.)

Frank Granovski · May 4th, 2004, 04:37 PM

Hot shot? There's always the MX5000 all-weather housing. Just pop in one of those cold packs and you are all set. Frigid shooting? There's always the MX5000 all weather housing. Just pop in one of those hand warmers and you are all set. Buy your MX5000 today. Questions?

Frank Granovski · May 4th, 2004, 08:31 PM

Optex and Velbon plastic tripods for bamboo like steadiness, but did you know that Optex makes batteries? I didn't, or I forgot---they any good? Expensive or inexpensive---or are they taboo?

Frank Granovski · May 10th, 2004, 07:08 PM

PV-DV953. Pokey's cam choice. :-))

New PC World digital video camera article but nothing about the GS100 or GS400. See here:

http://pcwnl.pcworld.com/t/76241/8695726/238747/0/

(GS100 is the king but has been saki'd by Matsushita guards for almost a year.)

Lea Lisa · May 11th, 2004, 07:20 AM

Hi! -This is a great place to learn from!! -Mabye you guys could
help me with a problem -How do i create new titles for my DV953? -I have a 640x480 jpg that
i want to use as a title -how do i convert that jpg to the title
(TTL) format? I have tried Sd viewer 1.2 that came with the
camcorder but in that version i cant convert to the title format.
Creating title in the camcorder with the photo function will not
work for me.

Thanx a lot!

Frank Granovski · May 20th, 2004, 07:38 PM

The GS400 is still a big secret. Carlos, Tom and I can't wait. :-))

Anyone else?

Mikhail Transact · May 26th, 2004, 10:22 AM

http://www.lagu-fotodiscount.com/index.htm?_artnr=31656

Delivery time approx.. 4-6 weeks.

It's not for me. I still wait for the fairer price from my local dealer...

Kamal Tailor · July 10th, 2004, 02:19 AM

There is a link for NV-GS400 USB Software to suit Video Streaming (in a 17.10mb zip)

don't know if it will tell you anything about the camera but it's might tell something to those of you that know something.

Pana Australia Camcorder Site

Nihal Jayasinghe · August 14th, 2004, 04:02 AM

Sometime back I was using Pinnacle DV500 with Premiere 6.5
and Liquid Edition 5.5 for NLE. I have now found a much easy/faster
and better NLE solution as follows:

1.Capture GS400 footage a to Panasonic DMR-E60 DVD Recorder(DVD-RAM
via Firewire in realtime rendering with all the hardware assisted
goodies found on the E60. The sound is converted to Dolby Digital
AC3 2 channel.

2.Convert the DVD-RAM VRO format to MPG2 and edit the MPG2
with Womble Mpeg Video Wizard(IMHO the very best mpg2 editor) with
no re-rendering(very fast).

3.Author DVD with DVDLAB.

IMHO with the above combination you have a very easy/fast and
fantastic DVD production system. So who needs Pinnacle or Adobe
any more!.

The finished DVD is just over 2 hour with Dolby Digital sound.

Chris Campbell-R · August 24th, 2004, 09:10 PM

Just picked mine up a few hours ago (after 2 grueling weeks of waiting)

Anyway, apparently for the Australian model (not sure about other PAL models) we have a proper aspect ratio for the LCD screen. ie 16:9 widescreen is displayed as letterboxed instead of stretched!

That was one of the biggest concerns I had about the camera, but now I'm only disappointed that we don't get a black version :)

Edit: oops, think I got a little ahead of myself, I was in Cinema mode, not 16:9 :p

sorry guys

Mike Cecotka · August 26th, 2004, 05:41 PM

Hi,

I know there is "helping hand" forum but I couldn't find anybody looking or offering this cam for hire.

I'm looking for 2-3 cameras for Sept. 22 (12:30-3:30pm)

just put it on the tripod press record and go for a walk and come back in 3 hours

$75 per camera/ half a day rate

if you have wirless mic I'll pay more

You can use private email

Thanks
Mike

Young Lee · August 28th, 2004, 08:41 PM

<1024x748 pic>

http://www.dvuser.co.kr/zboard/data/...8/IMGA0996.jpg

April 26th, 2004, 06:55 PM	#31
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Sharp specs - VL-Z800U links & review The Sharp specs are now up here: http://members.tripod.com/vincent_ysc/index.html or here: http://www.grandeye.com.hk/etx/900/index.html And Allan has written his first impressions here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...5&pagenumber=2

April 30th, 2004, 11:41 AM	#32
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Vidcam2 still my favourite Note: perfect for small MX/GS cams My Lowepro Vidcam 2 soft bag is still my favourite. Whether I take my video cam or my still cam around and about, this little bag sure is handy. For extra protection I lined the bag with 1" packaging foam so if I do drop it everything will be A-Okay. It just bounces when dropped (only did that once).

May 2nd, 2004, 08:01 PM	#33
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	No HD for the kiddies? Back to the poor's man's 24P because it's got widescreen and frame mode and it's a great cam. SOLID, well-built, a side-loader---certainly a wise choice for even today. The slightly older MX3000 was also great cam but the PV-DV953 has a whooping 40 more lines of resolution with reduced flaring, ghosting and barrelling, contributing to a beautiful image quality. The lens is Leica of course, German quality all the way. Furthermore, the MX5000 (DV953) is easier to hold than the MX300/0. It has a bigger LCD monitor, crisp and clear. Smaller, and built more solid, unlike the puffed stuff---Hey, Ma! I see no plastic! It's a machine to be reckoned with, a pro machine, with good audio and all manual buttons and dials if you don't like being an auto man. Definitely another great hand-held. With the PMX50 accessory kit, UV filter, and VBD-5 hip battery, you are all set! And if you want total protection, consider getting the all-weather housing from Allan, but only if you have the MX5000 Japanese version, and not the American PV-DV953. Oops! Only the MX5000 works with the all-weather housing. That's why I'd rather have a MX5000 today than spend a year's salary on something that'll be obsolete tomorrow. Info here: http://www.dvfreak.com/mx5_go.htm and here: http://www.dvfreak.com/pana_mx5.htm

May 4th, 2004, 05:22 AM	#34
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	wanna know about lenses? Look here: http://videoexpert.home.att.net/artic1/245lens.htm And note the part about plastic lenses on consumer cams. Ohhh, nooo! I wonder WHICH cams have these plastic lenses. Anyone? (If Panasonic has them I'm gonna kill myself.)

May 4th, 2004, 04:37 PM	#35
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Hot shot? Hot shot? There's always the MX5000 all-weather housing. Just pop in one of those cold packs and you are all set. Frigid shooting? There's always the MX5000 all weather housing. Just pop in one of those hand warmers and you are all set. Buy your MX5000 today. Questions?

May 4th, 2004, 08:31 PM	#36
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Optex batteries Optex and Velbon plastic tripods for bamboo like steadiness, but did you know that Optex makes batteries? I didn't, or I forgot---they any good? Expensive or inexpensive---or are they taboo?

May 10th, 2004, 07:08 PM	#37
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	cam queen of the USA PV-DV953. Pokey's cam choice. :-)) New PC World digital video camera article but nothing about the GS100 or GS400. See here: http://pcwnl.pcworld.com/t/76241/8695726/238747/0/ (GS100 is the king but has been saki'd by Matsushita guards for almost a year.)

May 11th, 2004, 07:20 AM	#38
Lea Lisa New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 13	Create your own titles with DV953 Hi! -This is a great place to learn from!! -Mabye you guys could help me with a problem -How do i create new titles for my DV953? -I have a 640x480 jpg that i want to use as a title -how do i convert that jpg to the title (TTL) format? I have tried Sd viewer 1.2 that came with the camcorder but in that version i cant convert to the title format. Creating title in the camcorder with the photo function will not work for me. Thanx a lot! __________________ lealisa

May 20th, 2004, 07:38 PM	#39
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	The big secret The GS400 is still a big secret. Carlos, Tom and I can't wait. :-)) Anyone else?

May 26th, 2004, 10:22 AM	#40
Mikhail Transact Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 60	GS400: Germany price is 1.711 euro http://www.lagu-fotodiscount.com/index.htm?_artnr=31656 Delivery time approx.. 4-6 weeks. It's not for me. I still wait for the fairer price from my local dealer... __________________ Mikhail

July 10th, 2004, 02:19 AM	#41
Kamal Tailor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne Posts: 65	NV-GS400 Software released on Pana Aus site There is a link for NV-GS400 USB Software to suit Video Streaming (in a 17.10mb zip) don't know if it will tell you anything about the camera but it's might tell something to those of you that know something. Pana Australia Camcorder Site

August 14th, 2004, 04:02 AM	#42
Nihal Jayasinghe New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Helsinge Denmark Posts: 12	GS400 and NLE Sometime back I was using Pinnacle DV500 with Premiere 6.5 and Liquid Edition 5.5 for NLE. I have now found a much easy/faster and better NLE solution as follows: 1.Capture GS400 footage a to Panasonic DMR-E60 DVD Recorder(DVD-RAM via Firewire in realtime rendering with all the hardware assisted goodies found on the E60. The sound is converted to Dolby Digital AC3 2 channel. 2.Convert the DVD-RAM VRO format to MPG2 and edit the MPG2 with Womble Mpeg Video Wizard(IMHO the very best mpg2 editor) with no re-rendering(very fast). 3.Author DVD with DVDLAB. IMHO with the above combination you have a very easy/fast and fantastic DVD production system. So who needs Pinnacle or Adobe any more!. The finished DVD is just over 2 hour with Dolby Digital sound.

August 24th, 2004, 09:10 PM	#43
Chris Campbell-R Tourist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canberra, Aus Posts: 4	Good news about Australian GS400 Just picked mine up a few hours ago (after 2 grueling weeks of waiting) Anyway, apparently for the Australian model (not sure about other PAL models) we have a proper aspect ratio for the LCD screen. ie 16:9 widescreen is displayed as letterboxed instead of stretched! That was one of the biggest concerns I had about the camera, but now I'm only disappointed that we don't get a black version :) Edit: oops, think I got a little ahead of myself, I was in Cinema mode, not 16:9 :p sorry guys

August 26th, 2004, 05:41 PM	#44
Mike Cecotka Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 53	GS 100,400 make small $$$Toronto Only Hi, I know there is "helping hand" forum but I couldn't find anybody looking or offering this cam for hire. I'm looking for 2-3 cameras for Sept. 22 (12:30-3:30pm) just put it on the tripod press record and go for a walk and come back in 3 hours $75 per camera/ half a day rate if you have wirless mic I'll pay more You can use private email Thanks Mike

August 28th, 2004, 08:41 PM	#45
Young Lee Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 268	Royce Hall (MX5000) <1024x748 pic> http://www.dvuser.co.kr/zboard/data/...8/IMGA0996.jpg