That's pretty neat, and the price is great. How do you handle volume control?

I actually have one of these and its great.. there is no volume control, basically an on and off. You can handle volume control by getting headphones with in line volume on the cord. It really boosts the audio, and also if you are working with a small crew the extra ports allows you to give everyone around the camera headphones. each port is indipendently amped so you dont need to worry about drops.

interesting.. but I dont think you can, at least I havnt found a way to do it.. given I have never found the need to. Most NLE's though have a layer you can add to give that info.

Thanks for the reply, Jarred. That's a drag that the DVC80 can't burn date/time onto the video clip. I was really leaning towards that camera to simplify my setup. The good news is that the pending DVC30 appears to have that feature; so maybe I'll wait a month or two to make the leap to a new camcorder.

With regards to putting the D/T in during post, the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts require the camera to burn this information at the time of the original recording. They also say something about burning the elapsed time of the recording, too. Most folks I know don't do that portion, though.

yeah.. i guess panasonic forgot about you guys.. that time and date thing for the most part is considerd a home movie thing.

I know that the DVX100 you can display the time and date and it gets recorded to the data track and you can view it while in playback... I guess it depends if you submit a VHS to them or a DVD.

I just got my dvc80, and I am not sure if my camcorder has any problem, it seems to have some clicking sound inside when i shake it (i mean, i didnt shake it crazily, just flap it gently), is it normal?
i was thinking if some of the parts have detached, but i guess my camcorder probably wouildnt even work at all in that case.. now it operates without a problem...

That clicking sound may drive you a bit nutty but it's normal with both the DVC80 and the DVX100. It's part of the optical image stabilizer that flops around when the camera is powered off.

Ordered DVC80 Sunday
 

After driving myself nuts splitting hairs in trying to decide whether to buy a DVC80 or a VX2000, B&H (NYC) made the DVC80 the better purchase by throwing in a $100 gift card, which will cover the cost of the on-camera lighting kit I want. (The gift card is a Web site special.) I can't imagine "outgrowing" the DVC80 like I can the VX2000, especially where audio is concerned. I will miss a longer zoom, but I'm optimistic that the DVC80 will be a good all-around camcorder for part-time professional use. ANYTHING will be better than the 3-year-old single-chip consumer cam I'm using now.

I'm a little concerned about B&H, because my order hasn't shipped after almost 48 hours, and their Web site is down. I'll give them a call this afternoon to get the scoop. I'm hoping to get the package by Saturday, so I can try out the camera at my niece's birthday party. I don't have any commercial shoots booked until March, so I'll have a few months to learn the DVC80 inside and out. I look forward to reviewing it on this site and others, as there's very little published on this model. Videomaker magazine reviewed it recently, and they seemed happy enough with it. I can't wait!

BTW, I love this forum. I've enjoyed reading everyone's opinions and advice.

TJB

Tim,

B&H has a very credible reputation- I wouldn't worry about you getting it...if the order was received successfully- I'm pretty sure you'll get it.

I notice the gift certificate also. Would they have to mail it to you before you can use it?

Dave

B&H has just recently started their Gift Card program. The card can be used online, by phone or by mail. But, yes, you do need to have the card in-hand.

More information here.

Thanks

Dave

I concur!
 

Yes, the DVC80 rocks. It's everything I expected. My B&H packages arrived Thursday, only four days after placing the order with UPS Ground shipping. I will definitely order from B&H again.

I bought a Quantaray 18" x 13" aluminum case from my local Ritz Camera store. All I need before March -- is an on-camera light for light duty at wedding receptions. I'll probably buy a Bescor VS-50 and use a 10- or 20-watt lamp to prolong battery life.

Because my PV-DV100 uses the same batteries, I now have three 1700mAh batteries at my disposal, but I'll be buying a CGP-D28 or equivalent so I won't have to worry about charging batteries on the job.

New DVC80
 

Hey all,
First of all, thanks for a great forum. It has proven very helpful with my new camcorder purchase. I received the Panasonic DVC80 yesterday, along with a few accessories (Azden X1 XLR microphone, lightweight Velbon tripod...). I ordered from BH and the service was good. The shipping experience was less so. It is the third UPS/FedEX shipment in a short time where the box is pretty badly damaged.

The shipment box was in tatters and taped together. Apparently it had also been opened because the 10-pack dv tapes was gone. I called BH and they filed a claim with UPS and promised to send me another pack. The panny camera box was also slightly damaged and the molding inside broken. I've been worried that the camera might have been damaged.

Tested yesterday evening and today and everything seems fine. It's a super cool-looking piece and a joy to use. It's been a while since I shot video (old vhs-c and u-matic) and I was a bit surprised that shooting outside on a somewhat cloudy day in full auto-mode, without ND filters, the image was very overexposed. Had to increase the shutter speed or apply 1/8 or 1/64 filters to get it nice.

I'm heading off to India over xmas and hope to shoot a small documentary there. Can't wait to start using the panny for real.

Thanks,
Vignir

DVC80 Hawk frame stills...
 

Hello DVC users.....I've put up a bunch of hawk video frame stills exported from the actual DV footage using Quicktime and recompressed to 500 pixels wide after deinterlacing......for those wanting to see what sort of image quality the DVC80 is capable of- have a look at

http://stevenunez.com/DVC80Stills/index.htm

....there's some compression added in the jpeg format- but the original footage and stills are really artifact free.......have a peek and let me know what you guys think. I had to manually expose for the bird itself so the blue sky is overexposed a bit- this situation really called for a graduated ND filter- but none was on hand so I opted to expose for the bird instead of the background (backlit).....so using the "iris" control I opened the aperature a click or 2 from what the camera wanted to shoot with by default.......further down the thumbnails have a look at the leaves in the running water- that was the camera's actual exposure and it nailed it perfectly keeping highlights in check- the DVC80 is a solid camera for sure!

Have fun

Steve,
First off, great method for showing the frame stills. The slide show format was great.
Second, I liked the color and sharpness of the stills. At first I thought the colors were somewhat dull but then as I looked at the stills for a second time I felt that the colors were more towards realistic and not over saturated (I had to remind myself that everyone in NYC does not have bright pink and green hair spikes) (just kidding, just kidding). I had suspected that the DVC-80 provided good results but these stills showed it off nicely.
Third, The leaves in the water was really good. The colors were great and it was possible to see the ripples in the water. That still probably summed up the DVC-80s quality abilities.

Separate question. Have you had a chance to use the DVC-80 for any macro work, like copying photos or documents? I have a real big project coming up that will require making a video montage of photos (lots and lots and lots of photos), and I was thinking about using the DVC-80. If you used this cam for macro work did you use the existing lens or have to get an adapter?

Thanks for posting the slide show and I look forward to your reply about the DVC-80's abilities with macro work.

Thanks, Nick

Nick,

Thanks for commenting on the posted stills- it's good to know someone is looking and getting a feel for what these cameras can do....I hope the stills encourage potential buyers to consider the DVC80 as I believe it beats allot of better known cams.

For the macro work- I really suggest scanning the photos for the best possible quality- unless you want that video look the camera will give it- but for the utmost quality I recommend scans. I do have 3 tiffen 72mm macro screw-on lenses that really make the DVC 80 shine incredibly- I have the 3X, 2X and 4X lenses and I recorded some incredible macro video of exotic praying mantids (my son)....every detail, even the internal wing veins are easily shown with the DVC80. The DVC80 can focus extremely close without lenses- and it is very suitable for macro work- you wont be able to zoom unless you move the camera back a bit- it does have a minimum focusing distance (stated somewhere in the user's manual).....for $2300 the DVC80 with it's large CCD really can't be beaten!

Steve,
Thanks for the reply regarding using the DVC80 for macro.

Yea, I thought about scanning the photos but I havn't done that before for video (did it for a Power Point presentation). I want to be able to do a slow crawl (probably not the professional term) in various directions on some of the photos, and right now I am not sure what NLE system I'll have to work with. So, I was thinking of the path of least resistance (or headaches and late nights).

I really appreciate your input on the DVC80. Sounds and looks like a winner.

Nick

WA lens on DVC80
 

I'm looking to add a second camera to my studio. I need this camera for alot of interior work such as apt/home interior tours and inside buildings/office spaces.

I will also be mounting this camera to my cobra crane and glidecam 3000 pro. Because of this I was looking at a PDX10 due to it's obvious small form factor.

But, it's limitations in the low light area concerns me as well as the fact that I would have to spend another $200 to $250 for a quality CenturyOptics WA lens for the camera.

That said is this Lecia WA lens already on the camera and does it perform?

NEF

DVC80 16:9 widescreen?
 

Is this true? The only way to get 16:9 right now, on the DVC80, is to crop the image? There is no electronic or anamorphic adapter that can do this?

I'm kinda sold on this camcorder, I just want to make sure I know exactly what I'm getting into.

I don't know about the WA lens, but what is your primary camera?
Often it is good to keep the primary & secondary camera the same
if you want to easily match the footage.... (just a note).

You can definitely use the anamorphic adapter to get full-resolution 16:9 on it.

Other than that, without an adapter, yes you'd have to crop and stretch in post.

Thank you, I wasn't aware when I first posted that Panasonic makes a 16:9 widescreen adapter for the DV series

Steve,

You seem to be one of the most active people in this Forum who has a DVC80.

As I am considering buying two new ones, instead of a single DVX100A, I would like some other comments about it.

You also declared your intention to get a DVC30 when it's released, particularly because of the longer lens, which would make your nature work easier.

But my intention is a different one: using the DVC80s for my doc projects and for renting them.

Any reliability problems you would care to comment on? What about the so talked about low light quality when compared to Sony cameras? Have you shot stuff with a Sony that was better than the one shot with the DVC80?

From what I have seen, doing a good menu setup is most important on this camera, and I would probably do that beforehand for the people renting it. Renting the cameras would be a good way to alleviate the investment issues.



Carlos

Carlos,

I had a DVX100 and liked it allot- but the allure of 24P just isn't realistic unless you're an actual filmaker or aspiring one...I'm more of a documentarian and found no real benefit to having 24P- the DVC80 was excellent for what I wanted it for......having said that- I just sold it and will likely get the DVC30 when it's available unless an HDV camera from another co. entices me enough.....we'll see!

As for reliability- there are issues with some DVC/DVX heads producing drop-outs etc and the common consensus is to buy Master Quality Pan tapes which I find appauling- the fact that someone HAS to use a certain brand so that the camera can function correctly is inexcuseable- I bought my DVC80 locally and mine DID have head problems from day one- I returned the unit to B&H and exchanged it for another one- the newer one had no issues and that's the one I kept.....it performed flawlessly with any type of MiniDV tape and that's the way it should be- so if your camera has head issues- quickly return it and try another one. As for low light- you wont find better anywhere- the Pan did better low lux video than my XL1S or GL2.....I doubt any camcorder currently available will surpass the clean images the DVC produces under low light- I was/am impressed- it would make a superb wedding camera with it's great low light abilities.

As for menu setup- I left Scene mode 1 as is from factory with all adjustments zeroed, then made additional Scene Files with more contrast and sharpness turned up a click for outside video etc.....use different scene settings for different video settings and keep track....I suggest a slightly blurred (lessen sharpening) for portrait work etc.....you'll have fun- the camera is a capable camera right out of the box......get yourself a 72mm UV filter or haze-1 filter and an extra high-capacity battery and you'll be set.......

...enjoy!!!!

(I'll be participating less in the next months as I don't have a DVC80 anymore and am eagerly awaiting new models- hopefully something HDV- until then the DVC30 has "next" camera status)

Shouldn't there be some way to get the dvc80 to do progressive?
 

I mean it's got the same ccd as the dvx right? Does anyone know if it's the same inside only having the dvx features ie. 24p, cine-gamma, cine-matrix etc. disabled via firmware?

Would it be possible for someone with the right expertise to "flash" a dvc80 to a dvx100?

Just curious.

Unlikely - it's probably got a different circuit board etc. inside. The cost and voidiing your warranty seems not worth it, even if it could be done. Just sell the DVC80 and buy a DVX100 - great prices on new and slightly used.

DS5 won't connect to DVC80 - warning
 

I just got a Miller DS5, and tried to mount my DVC80.

The screw in the DS5 plate is too short!

It looks like it needs to be about 1/4 inch longer to mount the DVC80 to the tripod. Now it won't even reach the DVC80 threads.

I called Miller support. They were courteous and responded promptly, but were unable to resolve issue in time for my next shoot... so the tripod goes back to B/H tomorrow.

WARNING:
If you DVC80 or DVX100 on a DS5 head, check and make sure that it is mating the full length of the threaded part of the mounting screw.

<snip>

But i have to admit other than this problem the Miller solo is a great system. Great motion. Solid, simple, construction, and the carbon fiber legs are unbeliveably rigid.

Maybe Pana is at fault, and not Miller.

OK.

Tried Miller mounting plate on my TRV900.

It mounts securely... barely.

However, the Miller mounting plate only connects to the 900 by about two screw threads. Maybe 1/16".

My cheapo manfrotto mounting plate connects all the way down, maybe 1/4 inch.

The reason Miller won't connect to panny is that the panny mounting screw threads begin about 1/16 (approx) below the chassis. I expect that's the panny magnesium frame they're (rightly) so proud of.

Thanks Frank

I mounted my ex-DVX100's on a couple of Bogen heads just fine. That's wild about the Miller. I sold my larger Bogen with my DVX100s and due to my tight budget replaced it with a Bogen MDeVe that was very lightweight CF and hundreds cheaper than the Miller which if I had the money, I would have ordered...

I expect it's a one time thing.

Maybe Panasonic problem, maybe Miller problem.

Maybe somebody dropped one wrong screw in a bin somewhere in Australia two months ago. Maybe Panasonic recessed the screw threads too much.

Dunno.

After talking to Miller it's clear they will do whatever they have to to make it right.

I'm just freaking out because i'm in a time bind.

Follow up:

Miller's west coast support has identified proper screw, and given me a source to get it quickly.

Miller support is really trying to fix this. I'm impressed.

DVC80: Am I Missing Something?
 

Ok I just got my DVC80. Its a lot bigger than I expected (not a problem)and I like the huge viewfinder. However I notice that something seem to be missing. Is there supposed to be a strap to attach the lens cap to the camera. Without this, one could loose very easily. One other question has anybody used 80 minute tapes with this cam and was there a problem? Thanks.

David

Hello David,
Congratulations on your new cam!

I have the 100 and 100A, not the 80, but perhaps I can offer some replies that I believe are true for the 80.

No, there is no strap provided for the lens cap. If you feel you need one you can easily get a 3rd party strap from a camera store.

Panasonic does not recommend using 80 min cassettes with the DVX100/A and may also have the same recommendation for you DVC80 (see the manual). This may seem odd since Panasonic manufactures 80 min cassettes. But the recommendation is due to the thinner tape material required to fit the tape into the mini DV cassettes. It's more prone to breakage and distortion with prolonged usage. My advice: if you really need to use an 80 min cassette be sure that it's a record-once/playback-once deal. Don't reuse it and don't put it through the rigors of complex edit cueing in a deck.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Ken. I know about all the reasons that have been advanced about not using 80 min tapes and also about using LP. However I have been using them with my TRV950 and other cams with no problems. I was just wondering if there was something about the DVC80 that would cause it to be more prone to breakage than other cams. Thanks again.

David

DVC80 or DVX100 + NLE ????
 

I am in the market for a new cam and am waffling between
the DVC80 which will do everything I currently need in a cam or a DVX100 (not DVX100a) for ~$800 more which would enable me room to grow with it's Progressive features. I know this is my decision to make but should the fact that I still use FCP 3.02 in Mac OS9 and have no plans to move to FCP 4 or OSX anytime soon have any bearing on the decision, i.e. would I even be able to work with the "P" footage on my current setup?

I am a multimedia developer using a Sony TRV8 for the last 5 yrs but have within the last couple of years been moving into corporate video production and am well past a cam upgrade methinks. I also considered a GL2 and it can be had at a good price now, but I have been my own equipment purchaser for many years now and know the economic value of spending more up front for features you don't even know you need yet than finding 1-2 yrs down the road that you could use them.

Any help would be appreciated,

Kevin

When you upgrade to a higher quality camera, it's going to be tough not to upgrade alot of other stuff. You do need FCP 4.0 to edit 24PA footage, but you could edit 24P normal footage with it. This would give you the "film look" but not true 24p DVDs. You said you're doing multimedia, so I can see how you can pass on 24p DVD or even 24p Quicktime and WMV, they all just look to good to pass on in my view.

I would say if your can swing not only the $800 difference but maybe twice (even 3x) that to include some of the other stuff you will find you need to support the DVX100 as it should be, then go for it. Between the DVC80 and GL2, you just need to weigh feature for feature and pick what will serve you best for what you do.

-Rodger

I think it depends on how soon you want to grow.
I'd get the DVC80 now, then upgrade to a HD camera in 2-3 years, when you should be able to get one for the price of the DVC80 now. Technology is advancing too fast to pay extra for something you don't need right now.

Does anyone have any DVC-80 clips posted for viewing