PD170 vs VX2100 at DVinfo.net

Jeff Yentzer · April 12th, 2004, 06:39 PM

I will be purchasing my first 3-chip camera sometime in the next few days. I will be creating videos on DVD and VHS for distributin on customfilx.com.
I am debating between the pd 170 and vx2100.
From what I can gather the only real differences are:
xlr vs mini mike jack
dvcam-
a few hundred bucks
am I missing anything here?
All coments are appriciated.

Thanks
Jeff

Alan Christensen · April 12th, 2004, 08:40 PM

The major functional difference is the audio. Not only does the 170 have XLR audio built in, but the audio channels can be configured separately with regard to source and audio setting. That allows you to use the on-camera mike along with a wireless mike. It also allows you to use AGC leveling on one channel and a manually set level on the other channel. The 2100 audio channels are "ganged" together from a control standpoint. Both are AGC, or both are manual. Once a plug is inserted into the audio mini-plug, the onboard stereo mike is disconnected and cannot be used in any way. Because of the ganging, you must use the manual mode if you are planning to record two different mikes onto the same channel (otherwise you will get some very weird stuff as the two channels modulate each other...). An external unit like the Beachtek is required to independently adjust the levels. My experience with the 2100 is that using a single wireless mike into both channels is very easy. Using two mikes with the Beachtek is a hassle. If you are planning to do a lot of work that requires you to record multiple audio channels at the same time, then I'd highly recommend the 170. If this is not a common thing for your application, then the 2100 would be fine.

I recently bought a 2100 to go with my 2000, as I needed a two camera setup. Because I am using two cameras, the need to record two independent channels into one camera has became less important. Although I still salivate over the 170, I realize that the difference in cost could get me a good ways to a third camera...

Others have also pointed out that the professional division supports the 170 and the consumer division supports the 2100. I have never had a problem with my cameras, so I can't comment on the value of this difference.

Allen Brodsky · April 13th, 2004, 11:05 AM

I addition to the audio features, another major difference is that the PD170 includes a wide angle adapter. The WA lens is a useful addition if not necessity for many shooting situations, and would cost about $200 and up if bought separately, depending on brand.

Glen Elliott · April 13th, 2004, 12:12 PM

$300 for the Sony WA adapter bought alone!

Dave Largent · April 19th, 2004, 02:39 AM

Professional support you can talk to a *person*.
Consumer you get a synthesized voice, with poor
"voice recognition".
An important field-use difference is that the
VX turns off every 5 minutes, which is very
annoying.

Tom Hardwick · April 21st, 2004, 08:40 AM

In the UK you get a three year fix-or-replace guarantee with DV CAM kit. Also the 170 has a much smoother aperture control ring, with quarter stop changes to the on-screen exposure. These are much less obvious than the VX2100's half stop increments. It's a good enough reason alone to go for the 170.

tom.

April 12th, 2004, 06:39 PM	#1
Jeff Yentzer Tourist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: lousiburg, nc Posts: 1	PD170 vs VX2100 I will be purchasing my first 3-chip camera sometime in the next few days. I will be creating videos on DVD and VHS for distributin on customfilx.com. I am debating between the pd 170 and vx2100. From what I can gather the only real differences are: xlr vs mini mike jack dvcam- a few hundred bucks am I missing anything here? All coments are appriciated. Thanks Jeff

April 13th, 2004, 11:05 AM	#3
Allen Brodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eatontown, NJ Posts: 118	WA adapter I addition to the audio features, another major difference is that the PD170 includes a wide angle adapter. The WA lens is a useful addition if not necessity for many shooting situations, and would cost about $200 and up if bought separately, depending on brand.

April 12th, 2004, 08:40 PM	#2
Alan Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: California Posts: 139	The major functional difference is the audio. Not only does the 170 have XLR audio built in, but the audio channels can be configured separately with regard to source and audio setting. That allows you to use the on-camera mike along with a wireless mike. It also allows you to use AGC leveling on one channel and a manually set level on the other channel. The 2100 audio channels are "ganged" together from a control standpoint. Both are AGC, or both are manual. Once a plug is inserted into the audio mini-plug, the onboard stereo mike is disconnected and cannot be used in any way. Because of the ganging, you must use the manual mode if you are planning to record two different mikes onto the same channel (otherwise you will get some very weird stuff as the two channels modulate each other...). An external unit like the Beachtek is required to independently adjust the levels. My experience with the 2100 is that using a single wireless mike into both channels is very easy. Using two mikes with the Beachtek is a hassle. If you are planning to do a lot of work that requires you to record multiple audio channels at the same time, then I'd highly recommend the 170. If this is not a common thing for your application, then the 2100 would be fine. I recently bought a 2100 to go with my 2000, as I needed a two camera setup. Because I am using two cameras, the need to record two independent channels into one camera has became less important. Although I still salivate over the 170, I realize that the difference in cost could get me a good ways to a third camera... Others have also pointed out that the professional division supports the 170 and the consumer division supports the 2100. I have never had a problem with my cameras, so I can't comment on the value of this difference.

April 13th, 2004, 12:12 PM	#4
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	$300 for the Sony WA adapter bought alone!

April 19th, 2004, 02:39 AM	#5
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Professional support you can talk to a person. Consumer you get a synthesized voice, with poor "voice recognition". An important field-use difference is that the VX turns off every 5 minutes, which is very annoying.

April 21st, 2004, 08:40 AM	#6
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	In the UK you get a three year fix-or-replace guarantee with DV CAM kit. Also the 170 has a much smoother aperture control ring, with quarter stop changes to the on-screen exposure. These are much less obvious than the VX2100's half stop increments. It's a good enough reason alone to go for the 170. tom.