DVC30 Questions? at DVinfo.net

Ian Landy · December 12th, 2005, 03:47 PM

Hi Friends,

Well I've taken the plunge and just purchased my new DVC30. I would appreciate some help with my journey in getting to know how to get the most out of my new camera. Now that I have a cam that is designed for manual shooting I need some help with the driving instructions as I have been a mainly auto shooting filmer prior to this.

I'll just start off with a couple of simple questions. ( I hope. )

What is the difference between field shooting and frame shooting?

Is it essential to attach the ferrite cores to the firewire cable?

Thanks, Ian

Michael Fossenkemper · December 12th, 2005, 08:10 PM

This is what i've found with the DVC30.

I like the look of frame mode but not really the resolution. Frame mode basically looks like it lops off a field. so sharp edges look stair steppy. I'm now shooting in normal mode which is interlaced video.
I like shooting in anamorphic or squeeze because I have a 16:9 tv, but lately i've been shooting normal with a 16:9 template on the LCD. That way it allows me to have a little up and down movement when I letterbox.
Go ahead and get the XLR adapter if you are going to get an external mic which I recommend. It made my life much easier and opens up more options. If not, I have an xlr to mini sure transformer for sale if you want to buy it :-).
If you shoot at a shutter speed of 1/30, it looks exactly like frame mode except with more light.
One useful thing i've found is if you setup one of the user buttons to autofocus, it's nice to be able to hit that button, let it focus and then release it to go back to manual. There is also an option to AF + zoom which is helpful in getting a nice quick focus on a particular item.
The preset white balance options seem to work nicely. sun, bulbs. I don't always have a white card on me.
no need to put a clam shell on the firewire, use it for your external mic cable.

set the setup to zero, not 7.5.

I think i've spent more on extra junk than I paid for the camera.

Ian Landy · December 12th, 2005, 08:33 PM

Thanks Michael.
I need the higher res so I'd better stay with normal.
what do you mean by "set the setup to zero, not 7.5."

Michael Fossenkemper · December 12th, 2005, 09:26 PM

Under camera setup menu at the bottom, you'll see an option for setup.

Ian Landy · December 13th, 2005, 06:22 PM

Hey Michael,
I think you mean in the Scene File menu under settings where you can set the levels? Are you in OZ and can you give me some more info on the transformer?

Does anyone have any tips on shooting sunrises and sunsets?

Will the white balance be affected in manual mode if I cover the sensor after the initial selection or setting has been made? I like to cover the camera with a protective cloth when I'm outdoors - especially near salty sea breezes.

Enough for now I think!

Thanks Ian

Michael Fossenkemper · December 14th, 2005, 10:57 AM

if you are going to use an external xlr mic and you don't have the xlr adapter, you should use an xlr to mini transformer to match the impedence. Sure makes one for about $36 that does this, it also records to both channels. But the mini plug input is cheap and if your running around, I found that it could be real easy to break the input socket if you weren't careful. The xlr adapter input is so much more rugged and sturdy.

no, not the scene file. it's under the setup menu. at the bottom you'll see a setup selection. you have two options 0 and 7.5.

White balance, when set, will stay set until you shut off the camera. but I find the sun and bulb presets to work very good.

as far as sunsets, i've been playing around with different shutter speeds as opposed to closing the iris. I'm not sure if this affects whether or not the ND filter engages or not. I'm not really sure when the the ND filter gets engaged or how it's determined.

Mark Williams · December 14th, 2005, 11:26 AM

Ian,

One thing I really miss on the DVC30 is a manual ND filter. With the auto filter you just don't have the creative control you may need. Go out an buy a screw on ND filter for those times ND is necessary and you will be happy you did.

Regards,

Mark

Ian Landy · December 14th, 2005, 03:31 PM

Thanks Guys,

I do have a ND(x4), a polariser and a UV filter - all Hoya. I will experiment with them.

Maybe I'm blind Michael! All I have in the camera setup is synchro scan and aspect conversion. I can't see anything that resembles this 0 or 7.5 setting in the recording setup either. Do you have PAL like me or NTSC model?

Michael Fossenkemper · December 14th, 2005, 09:27 PM

that's the right menu, just look down at the bottom of that page. I have an ntsc model.

Ian Landy · December 15th, 2005, 02:53 AM

This is a mystery.

Does anyone have a PAL DVC30 with this setting on it that Michael is referring to? It definitely is not on my cam - unless they left it out. What is it used for Michael? Is it important? Maybe it is only on NTSC.

Michael Fossenkemper · December 15th, 2005, 06:51 AM

I didn't realize you had a Pal version. It's only on NTSC. It's a confusing setting regarding black level in the US, but only on the analog out. But some cameras record it to tape which raises the black level.

Martin Duffy · January 26th, 2006, 05:02 AM

Can anyone tell me if when set to "Auto" does the DC30 camera have a compressor similar to the Sony TRV900 or VX2000.

I have the full size version of the 30 the DVC62 and can't believe it does not have auto level control as result I am getting really bad audio spikes!!!!

Devin Dukes · February 17th, 2006, 03:44 PM

Can't you just go XLR to mini?

Michael Fossenkemper · February 17th, 2006, 09:40 PM

yes you can. You should use an impedence matcher like the sure A96f line transformer. It also routes the signal to both channels too. This combined with a shotgun can be very long, so make sure you take that into account. I think it runs $36 at B&H. I bought one before I purchased the xlr adapter, but I still use it when I rent a camera now and then like the vx21000 that just has mini in.

Devin Dukes · February 21st, 2006, 10:22 AM

Thanks, lifesaver. How's about if I wanted to use a simple behringer mixer (2-4 channel) into the camcorder? Could I just use an attenuating cable? All because, in my business I may go from an interview needing one mic one day to a choir needing 4 the next.

December 12th, 2005, 03:47 PM	#1
Ian Landy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ocean Shores NSW Australia Posts: 28	DVC30 Questions? Hi Friends, Well I've taken the plunge and just purchased my new DVC30. I would appreciate some help with my journey in getting to know how to get the most out of my new camera. Now that I have a cam that is designed for manual shooting I need some help with the driving instructions as I have been a mainly auto shooting filmer prior to this. I'll just start off with a couple of simple questions. ( I hope. ) What is the difference between field shooting and frame shooting? Is it essential to attach the ferrite cores to the firewire cable? Thanks, Ian

December 12th, 2005, 08:10 PM	#2
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	not an expert but my 2 cents This is what i've found with the DVC30. I like the look of frame mode but not really the resolution. Frame mode basically looks like it lops off a field. so sharp edges look stair steppy. I'm now shooting in normal mode which is interlaced video. I like shooting in anamorphic or squeeze because I have a 16:9 tv, but lately i've been shooting normal with a 16:9 template on the LCD. That way it allows me to have a little up and down movement when I letterbox. Go ahead and get the XLR adapter if you are going to get an external mic which I recommend. It made my life much easier and opens up more options. If not, I have an xlr to mini sure transformer for sale if you want to buy it :-). If you shoot at a shutter speed of 1/30, it looks exactly like frame mode except with more light. One useful thing i've found is if you setup one of the user buttons to autofocus, it's nice to be able to hit that button, let it focus and then release it to go back to manual. There is also an option to AF + zoom which is helpful in getting a nice quick focus on a particular item. The preset white balance options seem to work nicely. sun, bulbs. I don't always have a white card on me. no need to put a clam shell on the firewire, use it for your external mic cable. set the setup to zero, not 7.5. I think i've spent more on extra junk than I paid for the camera.

December 12th, 2005, 09:26 PM	#4
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	black level Under camera setup menu at the bottom, you'll see an option for setup.

December 14th, 2005, 10:57 AM	#6
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	stuff if you are going to use an external xlr mic and you don't have the xlr adapter, you should use an xlr to mini transformer to match the impedence. Sure makes one for about $36 that does this, it also records to both channels. But the mini plug input is cheap and if your running around, I found that it could be real easy to break the input socket if you weren't careful. The xlr adapter input is so much more rugged and sturdy. no, not the scene file. it's under the setup menu. at the bottom you'll see a setup selection. you have two options 0 and 7.5. White balance, when set, will stay set until you shut off the camera. but I find the sun and bulb presets to work very good. as far as sunsets, i've been playing around with different shutter speeds as opposed to closing the iris. I'm not sure if this affects whether or not the ND filter engages or not. I'm not really sure when the the ND filter gets engaged or how it's determined.

December 14th, 2005, 09:27 PM	#9
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	your on the right menu that's the right menu, just look down at the bottom of that page. I have an ntsc model.

December 12th, 2005, 08:33 PM	#3
Ian Landy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ocean Shores NSW Australia Posts: 28	Thanks Michael. I need the higher res so I'd better stay with normal. what do you mean by "set the setup to zero, not 7.5."

December 13th, 2005, 06:22 PM	#5
Ian Landy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ocean Shores NSW Australia Posts: 28	Hey Michael, I think you mean in the Scene File menu under settings where you can set the levels? Are you in OZ and can you give me some more info on the transformer? Does anyone have any tips on shooting sunrises and sunsets? Will the white balance be affected in manual mode if I cover the sensor after the initial selection or setting has been made? I like to cover the camera with a protective cloth when I'm outdoors - especially near salty sea breezes. Enough for now I think! Thanks Ian

December 14th, 2005, 11:26 AM	#7
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Ian, One thing I really miss on the DVC30 is a manual ND filter. With the auto filter you just don't have the creative control you may need. Go out an buy a screw on ND filter for those times ND is necessary and you will be happy you did. Regards, Mark

December 14th, 2005, 03:31 PM	#8
Ian Landy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ocean Shores NSW Australia Posts: 28	Thanks Guys, I do have a ND(x4), a polariser and a UV filter - all Hoya. I will experiment with them. Maybe I'm blind Michael! All I have in the camera setup is synchro scan and aspect conversion. I can't see anything that resembles this 0 or 7.5 setting in the recording setup either. Do you have PAL like me or NTSC model?

December 15th, 2005, 02:53 AM	#10
Ian Landy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ocean Shores NSW Australia Posts: 28	This is a mystery. Does anyone have a PAL DVC30 with this setting on it that Michael is referring to? It definitely is not on my cam - unless they left it out. What is it used for Michael? Is it important? Maybe it is only on NTSC.

December 15th, 2005, 06:51 AM	#11
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	Not on Pal I didn't realize you had a Pal version. It's only on NTSC. It's a confusing setting regarding black level in the US, but only on the analog out. But some cameras record it to tape which raises the black level.

January 26th, 2006, 05:02 AM	#12
Martin Duffy Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 156	DC 30 and audio Can anyone tell me if when set to "Auto" does the DC30 camera have a compressor similar to the Sony TRV900 or VX2000. I have the full size version of the 30 the DVC62 and can't believe it does not have auto level control as result I am getting really bad audio spikes!!!!

February 17th, 2006, 03:44 PM	#13
Devin Dukes Tourist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chas sc Posts: 3	XLR to mini Can't you just go XLR to mini?

February 17th, 2006, 09:40 PM	#14
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	yes you can. You should use an impedence matcher like the sure A96f line transformer. It also routes the signal to both channels too. This combined with a shotgun can be very long, so make sure you take that into account. I think it runs $36 at B&H. I bought one before I purchased the xlr adapter, but I still use it when I rent a camera now and then like the vx21000 that just has mini in.

February 21st, 2006, 10:22 AM	#15
Devin Dukes Tourist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chas sc Posts: 3	Okay, and a mixer? Thanks, lifesaver. How's about if I wanted to use a simple behringer mixer (2-4 channel) into the camcorder? Could I just use an attenuating cable? All because, in my business I may go from an interview needing one mic one day to a choir needing 4 the next.