Riley,

Your name rings me a bell...
Was your award for a short film given by a video magazine this year?
Anyway, moving up from D8, you'll gain control on white balance and better lenses, whether you choose a GL2 or a DV953.
It's not all about the equipement, you know, it has more to do with the talent you have.
Also, check the audio features on your nest cam.
Look for complete manual controls overall.

I currently have the following:

Sony Digital 8
Sennheiser MKE300
Athlon XP 2400 w/ 512 DDR, 80 gig HD, Firewire, XP Pro - Main Edit
1ghz Duron w/ 512 DDR XP Pro - Render Node

I Figure I'll probably upgrade RAM and get a bigger Harddrive if I don't end up building the P4 w/ HT.

I made a short film on freedom called "Utopia" that won a contest in Oklahoma.

I figure I've probably got a good editing machine and mic. So I guess I just need some reassurance to get the GL2.

And not to sound cocky or anything, but I think I probably have the talent. B/C I was accepted to the summer film school last year as a sophmore but couldn't attend due to prior obligations. But I am making it a priority to go this year.

If your'e going to film school, you may not need anything. They probably have cameras available for students to use.

well its a summer one and its funded by the state education and private donors, its basically an art school, like they have poetry acting etc. and from what i understand they only have 3 sony handycams....who knows if they have 3 ccd's, plus i do alot of video work around town, like commercials, etc.

If you're doing any commercials, then I'd say you need at least a 1/3" chip camera. Now that the VX2100 is out, it's a pretty good time to get a VX2000 at a very low price...probably about what the GL2 costs.

yes....but the sony does not have frame mode, 20x zoom, etc....

also is my computer suffiecient for editing and after effects rendering

You should be able to run Vegas fine on your computer. Premiere Pro may not run depending on whether or not your AMD processor has the SSE instruction set.

Make sure your monitor can run at a high resolution (1280X___) or have 2 monitors (need a video card that supports dual monitors [most do] with the right connectors). No NLE works well at 800X600, while 1024X768 is quite cramped. Try a high resolution and see how your eyes take it.

A faster computer will of course render faster. For After Effects you can setup a render node/farm to render faster. I don't have any experience with that program though.

frame mode may not be too important (more vertical resolution, worse looking motion, progressive images)
20X zoom isn't too useful unless you're using a tripod. For controlled shooting situations, it might help you get more depth of field, but the VX2000 has bigger chips. Not sure which is better.
The VX2000 has a lot better low light, but that isn't particularly useful for movie making. It would be useful for documentaries and weddings though.
To me the VX2000 gives slightly nicer images. There are some image comparisons over at http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel....html&lp=ja_en.

You'll probably be happy with either. The only major difference I see is that the VX2000 has superior low light.

The main difference is that bigger chips give you a cleaner, sharper image. If you play the same footage from a 1/4" chip camera next to that from a 1/3" chip camera the 1/4" chip stuff will appear soft. Frame mode and a longer zoom are not relevant in most TV spots. You want the highest resolution and cleanest picture you can get.

i do have a render farm setup, its quite nice, i just have to turn on the node and it starts up AE upon OS boot

shoot the vx2100 is only 2400 at B&H, if i could get 1400 for christmas (Doubtful) i could get one, i have a while, i could save.....

with the render farm of the 2400 and the 1 ghz duron i can render 1 min of magic bullet footage with look suite applied in an hour...not too shabby....

Riley, I'd be looking at the best camera possible. You computer set-up sound pretty good and you can upgrade computers gradually as money comes in. You wouldn't be dissaapointed in either the VX2100 or the GL2, or the 953 for that matter in terms of image quality but the VX/GL win in terms of image control.

A good first DV mini cam?
 

I'm sure I'll get many opinions on this subject, but here it goes anyway. I'm looking to purchase my first DV mini cam. What camera would you say would be the best overall camera? Take price,performance,reliability and everything into account. Right now I shoot mainly outdoor sporting events, hockey games, and some other thing's. I've had many people try and sell me on the Canon XL1-s but $4,600 is a little out of my range at this time. Besides, I've read reviews saying this is not the camera to be carried around in the way I would use it. ANy help would be great. Also I really like the Sony's. So anyone with any of the Sony camera's I'd really like to hear what you have and how you like it. Thanks

Check out the Panasonic 953, it's a very popular, well featured entry level priced 3CCD camera.

What's your budget?
The Panny 953 that Adrian suggests is certainly a good choice. I'd also consider a Canon GL2 if you have the $2300 to spend.

You mentioned sports - hockey games. Don't consider a PV-DV953 because it requires more LUX than most other 3 chip hand-held cams. Though larger, I would look at the Sony VX2000. It's a very good buy right now.

The GL2 (or XM2 as its called in PAL land) is a top camcorder, you should consider it for sure.

After a lot of research, i have decided to go with the XM2(GL2) for myself, if you can afford it i would go with it...
(asuming you don't need the ability to change lenses).

It has many of the great features of the XL1s (frame movie mode, clearscan, great lens) It also has a very simular image quality to the XL1s, some prefer the image quality of the GL2/XM2, some prefer the image quality of the XL1s.
It competes strongly with the camcorders that are $1000-$2000 dollars more (xl1s, vx2000) Often compared to those cameras in reviews/forum posts...
Also the GL2 is smaller and lighter than the XL1s.

However, it depends if your looking for a consumer style cam for a first purchase, or a semi-pro camera.
But if its a semipro camera your looking for, the GL2 is by far the best in the price range, and even outdoes some of the more expensive cams in some areas:) (although i agree the VX2000 should also be considered if you have the money, depends what features you are looking for) Personally even if i had the money for the VX2000 i would go for the XM2 (frame mode is a very important feature IMO)

Your really need to work out exactly what you wan't out of your camera, But with any of the above cams, there all well above the quality of average consumer MDV cams.
The 953 won't be as good as the canon xm2/gl2/xl1s, or as good as the vx2000, but it does , from as far as i can see, offer good quality video, but pretty bad low light performance.

suitable camera for heavy duty?
 

Dear all,

I'm looking for a camera that can tolerate heavy duty (such as mountain climbing (shaky), asia forest (hot), winter snowing (cold) etc.). XL1s probably a bad choice for this purpose since it needs good care and it's sensitive. PD150 is a good choice I think. How about DVX100 and VX2000?

Any camera you choose is going to need to be taken good care of. Remember you are dealing with a piece of sensitive electronic gear that has glass and electronics and little rollers all stuffed tightly inside.

Having said that, the camera you choose is up to you but I can only tell you that most of the cameras that US newspeople and video journalists used while covering the "war in Iraq" were PD150's. Of course the networks bought them by the dozens and the camerapeople had to clean them daily or more AND take take careful care of them.

I personally like the Sony but thats me, perhaps others will have a different choice but whichever you choose, take good care of it.
Good Luck in your choice,
Don

The PD150 shoots in DVCAM mode which may or may not make a difference in hot/cold shooting environments (heat affects the length of the tape slightly). DVCAM uses 50% more tape to record which makes should make it more robust.

Reporters in Iraq I believe had a lot of problems with dust killing their equipment although lots of equipment there have that problem.

I read one article written by a cameraman in Iraq who used a PD150 for most things. He kept it wrapped in plastic and never opened it unless inside out of the blowing sand. He didn't have any problems, but people who didn't properly care for their gear under those conditions did have trouble. I would go with the PD150 or 170 also for what you're talking about, because it is a bit more rugged than the others and shoots DVCAM. Even so, you still need to care for it properly under all the different conditions you describe.
The main problem in climbing is going to be bashing the camera into rocks and things like that, so I would keep it in a well padded backpack or Portabrace bag. The hot steamy rainforest will probably be the biggest challenge, and you might want to use some of those dessicant packs in your bag, as well as a rain cover. For cold weather, the biggest issue is taking the camera inside or outside from cold to warm and vice versa. You can get condensation that will cause the camera to shut itself down automatically till it's dry. When I go inside from being out in the cold, I'll open the camera, take the tape out, and let them sit for awhile before shooting, till the temperature is equalized. You may need extra batteries in cold weather, too.

I really like the PD150/170 but for climbing, I think their form-factor is just too big and too clumsy.

I'd go for a 900 (first choice) or PDX10 (if the light is going to be OK) because of their small size. I would tear a PD150 up if I were climbing with it. And it is really hard to hold steady in any kind of wind.

Another camera that I really like but is now obsolete was made by Sony about 6-7 years ago. Called the PD-1, it was a DVCam format camera sized just about the same size as the PC110 I have now. Either one of those cameras act very rugged because of their small size. I cannot tell you how many times my PC110 has been dropped inside its padded case. A nylon from Case-Logic a little smaller than a lunch-box.

The PD-1s have survived 7 years of use by students at the local community college. I've mounted one on a G-scale flatcar and had it pushed all over a backyard train layout, getting thoroughly whacked by bushes during the ordeal.

Did I mention that a zip-lock baggie will hold one of these cameras?

The PC110 is my #1 choice when I'm riding with the police during the day.

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Rehmus : I really like the PD150/170 but for climbing, I think their form-factor is just too big and too clumsy.

I'd go for a 900 (first choice) or PDX10 (if the light is going to be OK) because of their small size. I would tear a PD150 up if I were climbing with it. And it is really hard to hold steady in any kind of wind.

Another camera that I really like but is now obsolete was made by Sony about 6-7 years ago. Called the PD-1, it was a DVCam format camera sized just about the same size as the PC110 I have now. Either one of those cameras act very rugged because of their small size. I cannot tell you how many times my PC110 has been dropped inside its padded case. A nylon from Case-Logic a little smaller than a lunch-box.

The PD-1s have survived 7 years of use by students at the local community college. I've mounted one on a G-scale flatcar and had it pushed all over a backyard train layout, getting thoroughly whacked by bushes during the ordeal.

Did I mention that a zip-lock baggie will hold one of these cameras?

The PC110 is my #1 choice when I'm riding with the police during the day. -

Oh, and I can buy 2-3 of the little cameras for one PD150. The little cameras can also be multi-megapixel digital still cameras and have night-shot.

Multi-megapixel stills aren't that good (some of them don't even have enough pixels and resize the image to get more megapixels!!!). Low light on a lot of the consumer cams isn't going to be anywhere close to a VX2000/PD150 or VX2100/PD170 but they can be workable. Nightshot has limited range and turns everything... green. You can change that in post to black and white.

A small camera could be a good idea though. You could even carry a backup, and any digital still camera.

From what I've read, Sony prosumer cams have a bit more tolerance when it comes to fuctioning in extreme weather conditions compared with Panasonics. All-weather housing, Zip-lock or Saran Wrap will help to keep the dirt out, keep it rain-free and warm, but humidity is another story.

Thanks guys for sharing all useful and at the same time interesting experience. I've been taking my JVC DVM1 around the world since Jurassic Park the movie (8-9 years ago?)...and yes, one of the major reason I bought this camera is because of the movie -- "they are shooting in forest with dinosaurs with this camera!", haha! It's a good idea to use smaller camera, but low light is also an issue. Looks like Sony has made more effort to make their camera a little more rocky.

I Need Help With Choosing A Mini Dv Camcorder
 

hi. i'm interested in purchasing a mini dv camcorder and need help deciding which one to get.

will be shooting video art and short films.

i'll make a list of things which are and aren't important:

ONBOARD MIC: if the mic is just so-so, i'll live with it
MANUAL/AUTOMATIC CONTROL: very important the camera has manual and automatic control over focus, zoom, iris and shutter speed.
PICTURE QUALITY: very important, but i realize my budget won't allow me to hit the top notch cameras.
SPECIAL EFFECTS / DATE AND TIME: no need for them.
SIZE AND WEIGHT: flexible. picture quality and the control issue go first.
LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE: i rarely use lighting equiptment, so a camera which performs well under low light conditions, definately presents a plus. but again, quality (horizontal lines) and control are first priority.

BUDGET: $500

if you have any qustions for me, please don't hesitate to ask.

thank you very much.
adihead

$500USD? (you live in Israel is what your profile says) It's not much for a camcorder.

Not sure what your options are since you live in Israel. You can buy used to save some money.

Audio: Nearly all on-board mics suck a lot. If you need to record dialogue or whatever then you might be better off with an external mic like the MS907 ($80 at B&H). You should try out mics before you buy, but that mic shouldn't be hard to get your hands on.

Low light: All 1CCD cameras aren't that great in low light.

As for which old cameras are good, check out dvfreak.com's buyers guide. It has recommendations for old cameras. Some of the recommendations may be questionable so double check on sites like epinions.com and the user forums at camcorderinfo.com and at this site.

I've seen great low light from inexpensive single CCD cams like the Panasonic PV-DV852 and especially the JVC GR-DV3000.

Not sure about Israel, but B&H had the Panasonic DV852 for $569 earlier this month and I've seen several DV3000s on eBay.

Adi, in Israel you use PAL cams.

USA/Canada uses NTSC cams.

$500US won't get you a lot in way of a PAL cam you describe. However, I'm sure this fellow may find you something used, if you ask him:

yowch@yahoo.com - Yow Cheong Hoe

thanks everyone. i know $500 isn't much. i already own a sony pd150, which i am very happy with and cost me much more. this additional camera is actually for a friend who is more into stills photography, but is interested in making her first step into video photography. she has know idea where to start and i thought i might help her out by posting her question here. thanks again.

In the U.S. it seems the best deals on cheap camcorders are the Panasonics. I don't know about PAL versions, but you might check out Panasonic at B&H. I think you get more for your money than with the equivalent Sony or Canon.

B&H has the Canon Optura 10 for 499.95. Probably the best camcorder you'll find for $500US but that's a NTSC camcorder.

If you get an idea what cam you want, go to
B&H's PAL camera pages and see if they sell it. Might get a better deal.

Aaron

I don't know what to get for a first DV Cam.
 

I'm a film-maker that has been working with SVHSC for awhile, so I know my way around cameras.

I've decided to go digital but I don't know what camera to get.

I'm definitly getting a Sony, but which one? I have 2 days to decide while my brother is in England so he can get one a little cheaper then here.

I really have my eye on the TRV950, but I think that's a little too expensive, I know that one I'll defintily get isn HC18, but is this just consumer trash that wont be good for doing freelance video work (small-time band music videos, skateboarding videos) and serious film-making?

I can't find any specs on this cam, does it has manual controsl and mic-in or is it really a bad choice?

Any other reasonably priced, good models that can be reccommended??

Go to www.bhphotovideo.com and you can find the specs.
You might also look to see if they still are selling the VX2000. The VX2100 is out, but several stores still have the VX2000 in stock, and it's the best deal on the market, in my opinion, for quality and price.

If cost is a worry, look at the Panasonic MX500. The price should be down because it's going to be replaced with the GS400 in a few weeks. But if you can afford it, the TRV950 is a slightly better choice, if widescreen isn't one of your needs. An even better choice would be the PDX10, for widescreen and XLRs. Canon's GL2 in another good choice---I can't recall what the PAL version is called.

For a quick spec check of these cams, go here:

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

Thanks guys...

How is the Panasonic 3CCD NVGS120B for 699 pounds? It has a low lux level as well... Is it a good cam? Has everything I need.

Is it better to have a large inch CCD or not? The Panasonic has 3 1/6 inch's and the Sony TRV950 has 1/4.7. Is this Panasonic a good choie?

You see, price is a big thing because I'm also aiming on getting a $1300 PC

to make up for my:

Celeron 1.7GHZ
256 Megs Ram
20 Gig HD
Windows 98

If I got a bigger HD, would this PC be sufficient for video editing?

I was aiming for a

P4 3.2GHZ
Gig Ram
500GB HHD
Geforce FX5950 Ultra for high end gaming and editing.

I would get that Panasonic MX500, then. I can't answer your other questions. I suggest posting that on the PC editing forum.

If I were you I would try to get along with S-VHS and rent if you need digital for the next few months, because *everything* is about to change with HDV.