SoCal DVX Users Group Meeting
 

I am planning a Southern California DVX users group meeting for December 20th. If you plan to attend please contact me, Craig Kitchens, either by email or by phone. The meeting will be held in Orange County.
My email is ckalan1@netzero.net
My phone number is 714 538-2484.
There is a guest speaker who will be speaking on fund raising for independent films.
I realize this is short notice but it is a start. I need to know how many are planning on attending.
Thanks,
Craig

DVX-100a footage intercut with ENG footage
 

Since I can't find a dealer with a 100a to demo, are there any users out there that have seen its 60i or 30p footage and could compare it to something I'd get from a 2/3" ENG camera. Would it be good enough to mix clips (with some post done)? I'm about to purchase the Ikegami HL-DV7AW, but need a more portable camera for some field shots in environments I don't want to bring the Ikegami into. This is all corporate work...

Thanks for your input!

Stuart

Southern California Users Meeting
 

Southern California Users Meeting
DVX100 in detail –
When: February 12th
Mixer and Refreshments – 6:15PM –7:00PM
Presentation 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Where: Irvine Studios
7 Whatney Street Building B
Irvine, CA 92616
Phone 949 460-7777
Who will be there: Panasonic Product Specialists
Jan Crittenden
Steve Milley
What: Jan and Steve will be answering questions that users have about the camera. They will be talking about the common issues that everyone has and about specific issues that have been submitted by DVX100 owners. They will also be discussing the differences between the DVX100 and DVX100A.

Contact Information:
Craig Kitchens
Ckalan1@netzero.net
714 538-2484

Email your questions to me ASAP so I can forward them to Jan and Steve.
We need to know ASAP, no later than February 10th, how many plan on attending. Craig also needs a volunteers to help with name tags, videotaping the meeting and someone to take pictures of the event.

16:9 still looks squeezed
 

I just shot some footage with the anamorphic adaptor before dubbing it across to Pioneer DVD recorder in 16:9. Having watched the DVD back on a 4:3 monitor with letterbox, the footage still looks a little squeezed. Has anyone else had a problem with the anamorphic image still looking a touch squeezed after conversion?

DVC80 synchro scan oddity
 

Just experimenting with synchro scan to shoot a picture of my computer screen, and noticed an oddity with my DVC80.

The menu control only works when the LCD screen is flipped out.

The control doesn't appear work through the viewfinder. All other menu controls work through the viewfinder when the lcd screen is closed.

Wierd.

However, the synchro scan really works! When I tune the control the computer screen flicker suddenly disappears. I get a solid, flicker-free image of the screen.

(Synchro scan is a DVC80 menu option that lets you fine tune shutter speed so you can shoot computer screens without flicker or bars.)

cheers,
tony

AT-897 MIC and its levels on a DVX100
 

Hey all. I am in the game of a mic purchase and after some research, I like the AT-897 over the spotty quality of the oktava set and the me66 steep price but I was curious if any users have experience with the AT-897 and the DVX100 without running it through any mixers etc., just straight into the xlr ports and setting the levels from shot to shot in camera? Is the DVX100 a good camera for just running this type mic and setting the levels internally? If so, the ~$279 seems like a steal. This will be my only mic I plan to use and will be filming mainly dialogue in settings that will be outside 60% of the time and the rest inside but also plan for it to capture some minimal wild sounds etc.

How do you guys catalog your scenes? Do you use Scenalyzer or some other capture program?

I actually dump the whole tape to a Panasonic dmr-e100 dvd recorder using firewire. Then I burn from the hard drive to a dvd-r blank at 4X. It provides a lower res backup of the footage but a dvd is faster to scan than a tape. If I have the time, I also put chapter markers to see where the scenes are timewise. When it comes time to capture footage on the computer, the whole process is a lot faster since you know what's on each tape and where.

Since I also preview tape footage on the camera and use the FF and REW buttons on the dvx100, I have also run into the problem of black footage where add-on recordings have been made. That's why having an mpeg-2 copy of the whole tape on dvd-r is a blessing.

anamorphic/25p/prem/pro
 

Can anyone help please.Ive just upgraded my dvx100 to a dvx100a pal. I was pleased with the 100 but Iam even more pleased with the 100a.The improvements are helpful in control along with picture and settings improvements.
My problem is Ive also bought the pana anamorphic lens and have shot some footage in scene file5 25p [thick]. I have a canopus storm 2 capture card with premiere pro.
Which settings should i use to edit this footage?
Should it be 4/3 or 16/9
Should it be anamorphic
Should it be [no fields progressive scan]
When ive been playing with these settings a warning appears that states that my capture card does not support this format?
I presume this would mean the progressive part rather than the anamorphic.As you can see any tips or help would be apreciated
thanks in advance

DVX 100 ag shutter speed settings?
 

i am new to video and recently purchased the DVX 100 ag,
i need to know what the various shutter speeds are useful for.
i have just been using the 1/60 speed with good results, why would i need to utilize the other settings? I would also like to learn more basics of camera technique -- Can anyone recommend any free online tutorials for shooting, lighting, how to get a pro look in my productions?
I am interested in shooting in the documentary styles.
one last request, can anyone reccomend a good tripod with decent to good smooth panning for less than $400
thanks

camera allignment with greyscale charts
 

Does anyone do this with thier panny's and if so does someone have enough experience with it to dumb it down for me a bit. What is involved?
thanks

How to use Cinema Tools
 

Where can I go to effectively learn to use Cinema Tools. I'm willing to spend some dough on a good tutorial or book! Please don't send me to lafcpug again, the tutorial on their site is worthless.

Question for Jan Crittenden re: Doc Trailer
 

Hi Jan--A while back I posted the trailer for my doc that was shot with the DVX100 and you posted that you might like to include it in a Panasonic demo DVD. Just curious to see if you are still interested. If you are, please e-mail me at: peterrichardson@ureach.com so I can get you the necessary materials. For a refresher on the trailer you can go to:

www.bicoastalfilms.com/clearcut.mpg

Thanks and best wishes,

Peter

Are "wide angle" filters necessary?
 

I've noticed that when you go shopping for 72mm filters, you see regular filters (threaded front and back) for less $. Then you also see "wide angle" filters (threaded only on the back) for more $.

Given the widest angle of view with the DVX, just wondering if there is any vignetting at the corners with regular filters, and, therefore, a "wide angle" filter is necessary.

Any experiences?

Thanks,
David

AG-DVC80 PAL version?
 

Greetings! Does anyone know if Panasonic is making or planning on making a PAL version of the AG-DVC80. I'm a Yank videographer but I live and shoot in Asia and Australia and I had to sell my NTSC DVX100. I agree with Videomaker magazine in that 24p is nice but if you don't need it why pay for it? I'm getting a AG-DVC80 PAL or a Sony PD-170 PAL. Just trying to track them down now.

century optics .3x fisheye for dvx100???????????
 

is this lens any good.? does anyone have it?

I found the perfect on-camera mike for my DVC80
 

If you think the on-board mike on your dvc80 leaves a lot to be desired, you are not alone. The $150.00 accesory mike Panasonic offers for the DVC80/dvx100 is better but limited. Doesn't cover all bases for me. I was looking for a light, studio quality omni/cardioid condenser that would fit in the camera's mike holder. Believe it or not, I found it in the Behringer B5 for $75.00. Check out this link: http://stores.ebay.com/SM-Productions-Inc

Panasonic DVC-100A
 

Anybody here who has a link to a place in the USA where I can get this camera in PAL at the best price ??????

Thanks for information

Meindert

DVX f-stops
 

I apologize in advance if these are real bonehead questions, but I want to make sure of a few things.

1) In a discussion of the contrast ratio of film vs. video under the “What is Cine Gamma?” heading in the supplemental PDF set-up menu guide, the guide states:

“The Cine-line Gamma feature of the AG DVX100 emulates this wider exposure range characteristic and with the recommended ½ f stop underexposure should help to maintain increased highlight handling abilities.”

So does this mean that I take whatever my meter is telling me and underexpose that by 1/2 a stop? I've been stunned by how off I was is my estimation when eyeballing it indoors insofar as what I thought exposure should be vs what my meter was telling me. My LCD always looked way too dark at the meter's suggested setting, but it was dead on when I brought the footage into the computer. And I should go a 1/2 stop even below that for optimal saturation, cine-look, etc.?

2) When my meter reads 5.6 (5) for 5.6 and 5/10ths, is that the equivilent of 6.8 on the DVX? Aren't the additional f-stops which aren't on my light meter but are on the DVX (3.4, 4.8, 6.8, 9.6, 14) the equivilent of 1/2 stops? Also, and this isn't critical, I'm just curious... why are the 1/2 stop numbers on the DVX different than the numbers on my 35 mm Canon? I never noticed it 'til now. Where the Canon reads 4.5 and 6.7 the DVX reads 4.8 and 6.8. I thought this stuff was pretty standard. Are they making allowances for DV vs 35mm exposure in some incremental way?

Marcia

Abelcine's dvx100a kits
 

I've been looking at these kits for a while and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with them. If you go through and add up the price of everything seperately it is a pretty good savings, specially when you get up to the filmaker's kit. I've only heard good things about Abelcine as well. Any different experiences out there?

The filmakers's kit doesn't have the Chrosziel follow focus which is something I was considering getting. The only other kits I've found that include all the things in the Abel kits and the full follow focus are 15k!

As a secondary question, since the dvx100a has the numbered focus system in the display you can use that to make repeatable stops, right? Is the follow focus that needed or is it just that the higher gear ratios allow for smoother pulls?

I think that's enough different questions in one post. Any help is welcome.

matte box
 

Can I make a Arri 2C mattebox fit the DVX100?

Example, this one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43479&item=3809822815&rd=1

DVX firewire compatability ?
 

In our high school studio we have 3 Panasonic AG-DVX100A camcorders and an SVHS vcr as inputs to a Videonics MXPRODV. (two cameras are connected via firewire, the third camera and vcr via SVHS) Audio from a Mackie mixer is input to the MXPRO's line input #4 and routed as background. The main out of the MXPRO is then sent via firewire to a FireWriter CG and then via firewire to a Panasonic DMR T3040 DVD/hard disk recorder.

The problem we are experiencing is two-fold:

First, even with all equipment turned on, when left idle for a short time, the MXPRO will "drop" one or the other of the firewire inputs and freeze up, necessitating a restart.

Second, about 60% of the time, after performing any transition from one source to another, the audio will "stutter."

The only successful way to make the MXPRO work properly has been to revert to using all analog video inputs. Then it is rock solid.

Before reverting to all analog sources I tried all the following:

Switching cameras, using Sony DCR TRV70’s
Changing the delay setting in audio set up (happens on every setting)
Routing audio of input four to every source
Muting audio of every source but input four
Performing transitions, with different audio routing combinations in both video only and audio follow video modes
Every possible combination of power up sequencing between components
Replacing the MXPRODV with another one from our dealer

Is it possible there is a setting with the DVX 100's regarding the firewire that I need to adjust ?

So, I am open to any and all suggestions, especially if you think I missed something obvious.

Thanks,

Kris Kaufmann
A/V Technology Specialist
North Hills School District
kaufmannk@nhsd.k12.pa.us


__________________
A/V Technology Specialist
North Hills School District
kaufmannk@nhsd.k12.pa.us

Is there a DVC 80 Supplement available
 

Is there a setup supplement for the DVC 80 available. I would be nice if someone has already discovered the best "Scene Files" settings.

24p (from dvx) to mpeg-2 issue
 

I shot recently a tv commercial on my dvx100p in regular 24p (standard). I obviously worked with the material iin 29.97, and performed no "pulldown" since I didn't shoot in advanced. Creating a quicktime or viewing the commercial in my timeline before compressing for dvd output, i have NO problems with motion. However ... after exporting as an mpeg-2 file and creating a dvd in DSP2 and then viewing it on my 27" Panasonic television, I see some REALLY jerky motion problems that didn't exist in the uncompressed versions of the project. It's not just a subtle 24p strobing deal. it's obnoxious in one particular scene. Should I use innobits compressor instead ? Does the FCP supplied mpeg-2 compressor do this to all video shot in 24p (regular or advanced) mode ?

* I did put this in the FCP forum, but want the dvx100 gurus on here to see the question also since you guys edit 24p the most.

Many thanks for any help or advice anyone can offer.

Reliable DVX dealer in Europe
 

For the Europeans here searching for a good purchase without worrying about customs and warranty questions, I would like to recommend www.stoneheadcut.de in Germany. This is a local dealer in Berlin, biased towards the customer. We just purchased our AG-DVX100AE there and experienced truly good and friendly service. Furthermore, their price is excellent for a genuine European DVX with two years of Panasonic Broadcast warranty. It is 3950,- Euro at the moment, including VAT, or 3405,- Euro without VAT, which is the same charged by our usual suspects in Singapore without warranty, if you add the 4,9 percent duty fee for digital camcorders. You may contact them via e-mail info@stonehead.de and by phone 0049-30-8512992 or facsimile 0049-30-8516421. However, due to a high demand here in Europe which made us wait three weeks for the camera, a sales price increase of 3 percent ist expected within the next weeks.

Stay tuned for my examinations of the PAL version.

DVC30 review
 

Any good reviews or screen caps from the DVC30 out there? And no.. I don't count the one from camcorderinfo.com as a "review".. is there nothing out there yet?

n/a

Hmm..no answers, so took it down now..

dvc80 and avid...is there better than generic?
 

using avid 3.5 and avid sets to generic but would one of the panny settings work better with the dvc80?

question about k-tek k-ssm shockmount
 

Hello,

I am in the middle of buying a DVX-100A, Sanken CS-1 short shotgun and the recommended K-tek k-ssm shockmount. I am going to be using this on-camera for the most part and would like to mount the shockmount in the mic mount to keep the other (hotshoe-type) mount free for possible on-camera lights.

At B & H (where I'm getting the camera from) you can get the item... "K-BWC a 3/8" Threaded Camera Microphone Ring Adapter for Canon and Sony Cameras".

Is this what I would need to achieve the aforementioned setup? Is anyone using these parts together with the DVX?

Thanks,
Charles Smith

dvx-100 on camera light
 

can anyone recommend a high quality on camera light. nothing too fancy or big and a dimmer would be nice. I'm filming street performers at night.

12-14 Power converter needed?
 

Hello guys,
We received a few calls from the DVX100 users looking for a 12V DC adapter. We currently make one that was designed to be used with the XL1/GL1 camera, but it can be configured to be used to power the DVX100/DVC80 cams. http://dolgin.net/DCConverter.htm
Is it something that can be usefull to have for the long shoots, when plenty of reserve power is needed?
TIA

try to record and it says "EXTERNAL DV DISCONNECT"
 

i just got my dvx100 today, and when i go to record all i see is a flashing text saying " EXTERNAL DV DISCONNECT" , anyone ever had this problem, or know why it wont record? please help me out ASAP. thanks

Dvc-30 & Dvc-32
 

DVC-30 for europe set & US (NTSC)

DVC-32 for (Asia pal system)

hope this will help

Thank

century optics .7x converter
 

I've read in recent posts that the century .6x converter has a problem with vignetting when using a matte box. I was just wondering if the .7x converter has the same problem.

Which Four Filters
 

You've spent all your money on a new camera and some other gear and then you realize that you forgot to budget for filter$. You figure that you can afford to buy one new filter per month for four months. After that, your wife is very likely to dump you.

Your work is 1/3 exteriors and 2/3 fairly well lit interiors. Which four filters do you buy, and in what order of priority?

(The above scenario is entirely fictitious and does not refer to any person, living or dead, especially not me.)

as long a lens ??
 

I try to do my wide shots on as long a lens as the location will allow

what does "as long a lens " mean>

advice on first music video - DVX settings?
 

Feel free to move this if it's not appropriate here. I'm a newbie with a DVX-100a and have been doing some paid video work since I got the cam.

I'm now about to shoot a hip-hop video in a nightclub, and am looking for tips before I begin, so I dont shoot myself in the foot.

Specifically would love any advice on lighting (right now don't have a light kit - is there a cheap one, or preferably can the DVX cope just with nightclub lighting so I don't have to buy one?)

Secondly, what settings would be good on the DVX for this kind of gig? I've become quite comfy with 24p (realize you can't do fast motion with it), and the Cinegamma settings, but I'd love any advice from anyone who has done this, or even if you haven't just on general shooting tips. 30p? Looking for a film look, and plan to edit in AE and FCP afterwards.

panasonic ag dvx 100a lux rating/timecodes
 

seeking reliable information regarding the lux rating of the ag dvx100a at 0db gain. Anyone have reliable specs/experience?

Also, will the ag dvx100a slave timecode to a "b" camera from the "a" camera or from a smart slate? I don't see any tc in or out ports, and there are not any references in the dvx100 operators manual. Is there possibly a firewire import proceedure?

Thanks.

S.

Windjammer for DVX100 built-in mic
 

Which Rycote MiniWindjammer fits the DVX100 built-in stereo microphone??

Close Ups with DVX 100a
 

I want to learn more about the DVX 100a's close up range and performance. I do insect videos, and I like to get as close as possible at wide angle.

Can someone tell me the smallest object with which I can fill a 4:3 frame at the widest angle without an adapter? I'd also like to know the size of an object that would fill a frame at full 10X from 20" away.

Any discussion of close ups in the field would be great.