Videomaker Magazine
 

The May, 2003 issue of Videomaker (on newstands as I write this) features a review of the PDX10. The first sentence in the review sums up their findings:

In my opinion, if I may be so bold, Videomaker is crap. But the mag that's really garbage (in my opinion) is Camcorder & ComputerVideo---now that's a winer! I looked at the cover not too long ago, and it had a feature on the Streamcorder. Funny thing was, the picture was the 1 chip, GR-DV3000U. Then I went to the article, about the Streamcorder, and lo and behold, more pictures of the 1 chip GR-DV3000U! This is nothing new with this magazine, though. The writers seem like children re-hashing specs and making really dumb comments. For example: "Press in on the Menu dial and a colorful display of options pops up on the screen. (Note: The menu is only available in Manual mode.) This is your doorway to manual features...." Want more? Read this line from the same article: "NightAlive is the DVL920's answer to shooting in extreme low light. Basically, the camcorder shutter speed is automatically set to 30 times normal." WHAT???

I only read articles written by Dr. Peter Utz in that mag. So, if I see his name, I buy it.

Actually, I think Videomaker features many good tips for hobbyists. But to each his own, eh?

I've only seen Camcorder & Computer Video once, and agree that it's landfill waiting for the truck.

That was just my 2 cents. I've been reading Videomaker since it first came out, and then about 4 years ago, it went down the tubes by way of quality.

The other one, was always hot and cold, depending on who the writers were. It's still the same way. I highly recommend Peter Utz's articles. He's another Adam Wilt.

You should read some of those British publications...there's always a surprise.

Britain's Camcorder User can be just as feeble. The review of the Sony TRV30 said it was a three chipper. They said it twice in the review, just to ram home the lie. The reviewer couldn't even be bothered to read the outside of the box it came in. The editor let it through. Would you have him edit your films?

tom.

I have my ups and downs with Videomaker, enough to not want a subscription. They occassionaly have a decent article, but then they blow it with something lame. For instance: Lighting article this month. They tell you about different types of kits and reflector, and show you pictures of this manufacturer and some prices.

What I would have liked, would be a comparison, filled with DETAILS about the lights. It would be like Motortrend mag having an SUV roundup like this- "Toyota and Chevy have some wonderful colors out this year. All models have four wheels.

They did have a decent article on using reflectors, and some decent reviews. Just not consistant from page to page.