DVX100 -- various topics

[Logan Vollmers]

Well this is my dilema, I was originally thinking of purchasing a gl2, but lately I have been doing research on the Panasonic DVX100A and am finding that it is a much better camera, but here is my problem if i buy the gl2 I can buy mics,tripod,lenses, and still have money left over to pitch to a g5. If I buy the DVX100A I will only be able to get the camera and buy a g4. I mainly want to make my own films, music videos, montages, filming the outdoors, etc.. Each camera has its own +s, like the gl2 is cheaper. The dvx100a can shoot in 24p which would be usefull for filming movies. So I don't know what to do, please lend me your input.

[Mathiu Zimmermann]

First of all: As the DV signal is digital, there will be no loss of quality whatsoever using any DV camcorder. Except the camcorder induces problems of its own (dirty heads...).

DVXuser.com has some batteries, that are said to be very good. Multiple user reported that they take some time to deliver (2-4 weeks) - which is due to the fact, that the board operater selling them is no sales guy, but a videoguy too.

[Mathiu Zimmermann]

Connecting the camcorder to your PC it should actually show up as a different "hard-drive"... If you cannot even see the files using a card reader I would go back and try it another time, maybe with different settings and confirming, that the camcorder is actually "saving" the file.

[Kevin James]

One of my 30's stopped playing tapes. Panny's website shows one service center in Illinois. Anyone sent one in? Is that where you sent it? Thanks!

[Jeff Harper]

I have not dealt with them, but a Panasonic field rep has told me the company consists of retired/former Panasonic employees who know the 30's inside out. I have spoken with them, and I would feel extremely confident sending them my camcorders.

Fox Valley Video Service
771 South Eighth Street
West Dundee, IL 60118
Phone (847) 844-3330
FAX (847) 844-3887

[Jim McQuaid]

Logan, the real question is how you want to use the camera. The GL2 is a great value and you will get more movie making stuff for your money. You won't get 24P/PA, you won't get a true wide-angle [but you'll get a great lens and the best telephoto] and you won't get native XLR. The DVX is a better piece of gear but not tremendously better unless some of those features are mission-critical.

If "film look" is critical, you should first investigate the filters for FCP from Graham Nattress, which do a very good job of producing film look, even 24p, in post (for $99). You don't say if you are experienced and with which cameras, but if you have the eye and experience to use the image controls on the DVX, you will get huge control over the final look, though some of the effects can be done in post and some are better left to post.

In the interests of full disclosure: I made three shorts with GL2 and recently sold it and bought the DVX-100A after some agonizing.

[Jim McQuaid]

I'm partial to being able to see the actual image in a viewfinder and this is holding me back from using the "squeeze" mode. I assume there are various accessories available to clip over the LCD to unsqueeze the image for "normal" viewing. Can folks you have used them please list them with a comment on their utility?

[Barry Green]

There are at least two products that will do what you're asking, both are available from www.centuryoptics.com. One is an LCD magnifier/desqueezer, the other is a viewfinder desqueezer.

[Chris Ward]

We're shooting a feature with the Panasonic SDX-900 camcorder, but we may want to pick up some second unit with the DVX-100 (shot 24p and cropped for 16x9). Anyone mixed the two and gotten away with it?

[Zack Birlew]

I hear about this all the time. It's a common practice, but as with all mixed camera mixing, try not to put in too much camera B footage. =)

Hope that helps!

[Dick Campbell]

I'm upgrading to 3CCD equipment, but can't afford two DVX100s. Can I do a two camera shoot using any other 3CCD camera and have similar looking video? What about just using Panasonic cameras, like the GS400 as a second camera?

[David Jimerson]

You won't find a less-expensive camera which will do 24p, so you won't match that. However, in 60i and its frame mode, the DVC30 does quite well compared to the DVX's 60i and 30p modes.

[Jan Crittenden Livingston]

Hi all,

Got this from Jake Abraham, producer for November. Hope it comes your way. Done with the DVX100 not even the A version by Nancy Schreiber,ASC, a most talented DP. Intersting film, great cinema. Best Cinematography Award out of Sundance 2004.
:
Jake: Wanted to let you know the exciting news: a feature film I produced,
starring Courteney Cox, hits theatres in NY and LA this Friday, July
22nd through Sony Pictures Classics.

The Bay Area and other west coast cities will open the following
weekend, July 29th, with cities around the country opening each week
thereafter, hitting around 200 theatres nationwide.

Hope you get a chance to see it!

Jan


EBERT & ROEPER TWO THUMBS UP!
STARTS AIRING SATURDAY MORNING...


TRAILER
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/november.html

WEBSITE
http://www.novembermovie.com

FIND A THEATRE NEAR YOU
http://www.janellebrown.com/nov.htm

Please forward this to your friends, family and co-workers --
word-of-mouth is key when it comes to independent films.

Thanks for your support and see you at the movies...

Jake


------

IFC Productions Presents
an InDigEnt Production
in association with Map Point Pictures

NOVEMBER

Starring:
Courteney Cox
James Le Gros
Michael Ealy
Nora Dunn
Nick Offerman
Anne Archer

Edited and Directed by Greg Harrison
Written by Benjamin Brand
Produced by Danielle Renfrew, Gary Winick and Jake Abraham

Original Music: Lew Baldwin
Costume Designer: Danny Glicker
Production Designer: Tracey Gallacher
Director of Photography: Nancy Schreiber, ASC

Official Selection:
Sundance Film Festival - Dramatic Competition - Excellence in
Cinematography Award
San Francisco International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Los Angeles Film Festival

After a dinner out, photographer Sophie Jacobs (Courteney Cox) and her
boyfriend Hugh (James Le Gros) stop at a corner store for a late night
snack. While Sophie waits unaware in the car, Hugh is murdered in a
violent robbery.

Haunted by guilt, Sophie goes on with her life as best she can:
teaching photography at a local art college, meeting her mother (Anne
Archer) for lunch, and visiting her therapist (Nora Dunn). But one day
at school, a slide mysteriously appears in the projector’s carousel: an
image of what looks like her car in front of the corner store the night
of the shooting. Are these paranoid visions stemming from her grief and
guilt, or does someone know something about the murder? As her
investigation deepens, more strange events occur, drawing into question
exactly what happened the night of Hugh’s death. Soon, Sophie's life
begins to splinter, as the line between fantasy and reality becomes
alarmingly blurred.

November is a psychological thriller exploring a woman’s struggle to
transcend trauma through a surreal blend of emotion and memory. The
narrative and visual style are comprised of dreamlike moments and
images stemming from Sophie’s subjective experience, blurring the line
between reality and the subconscious.

[John C. Lyons]

awesome!

definitely one on the "must see" list!

[Stephanie Wilson]

Hi all,

I need some help with understanding whether the Paglight M series light will work on a DVX-100A. Specifically, if there is a connection which allows this light to run on the camera's Li-ion battery? Checked the Paglight website and am still not getting it....

Also confused about other on-board lights that have an XLR connection? I assume these draw power from the cam battery? And I also assume they utilize one of the XLR inputs? Never assume! And that's why I'm asking you bright people.

Thank you in advance!

Steph