Brad DeCecco

I'm not sure what you mean about the footage, but if it's possible, I'd definitely want to save the $1200 difference between a deck and a mini-dv cam. Is it possible for fcp5 to capture at true 24p (the dvx100a footage) through a non-24p device (like a sony handi-cam dcr-hc21)? Or is it only possible to capture interlaced? What are the options here? Thanks!

So I'm trying to figure out how to best log and capture 60 hours of tape shot on the dvx100a in 24p without buying a deck or wearing out the dvx heads. It has been suggested to use a cheap mini dv cam. The catch is this: It needs to support timecoding (which the super-cheap ones seem not to) and i have been told the Sony DCR-HC21 is best and cheapest. Any thoughts, suggestions or cheaper ideas?

I just bought this at-897 with the shock mount, mini-xlr cable package, and windscreen brand new for $280 (plus tax) I have used it for a few hours and it is great, but not quite what I need. I have the carrying case and box all perfect condition. If you're in New York we can meet, otherwise add $15 for shipping. I will guarantee that it is 100% or gladly refund your money, less the return shipping. I'd like to get $225. Thanks! (Below is the link to B&H which lists the accessory package) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...oughType=search

Hi people, So I received my dvx last week and have shot with it on 3 occasions now, and once each time, at a seemingly random point when I turn the camera off to conserve battery power, when I go to switch it back on, I get nothing. I have tried it with 2 different panasonic batteries and it seems not to matter. The solution all three times was to remove the battery and put it back in, then it was like nothing happenned... I checked the battery before popping it out, and it wasn;t loose or in wrong, and it was still at least half full, so it wasn't a dying battery issue either... Is this something I should try to return or could I be doing something wrong? Any help appreciated! Thanks, Brad

so would that be the case for it happenning in mid zoom also, it isn;t when it starts but say intermitently during the whole length of the zoom, a little hesitation here and there, it seems random and no more at the beginning or the end... thanks for your responses, much appreciated!

just giving the new dvx the trial run... it seems that even set to a slow zoom (servo in auto) in both standard and more so in 24p, it seems to have little hesitations when zooming in and out, is this typical of the auto zoom or might it indicate a problem/defect? thanks, -brad

Hi, Does anyone have advice on what the best quality tapes are? I realize they're probably all made in the same factory in China and just decorated differently, but i just got my dvx and, of course, i want it to come as close to the "film look" as possible and don't mind spending an extra $2 per hour if those tapes are more expensive... Below is the Panasonic tape line's part #'s: AY-DVM60EL vs. AY-DVM60XJ vs. AY-DVM60EJ (from most expensive to cheapest) Should I just use Panasonic for the sake of thinking maybe they tested them to be optimized? Also: any thoughts on 60 minutes versus longer tapes (Are the longer tapes thinner and thus more prone to breaking?) Any thoughts apprecciated! Thanks! -Brad

We also had a student bring in his new ZU1. According to DVFilm, never use the cinemode on the camera. Shoot at 50i (PAL) interlaced and then convert to 24p progressive with DV Filmmaker software for transfer to film. I've seen similar results with MiniDV cams (I have a DVX100A myself) and I've never seen any MiniDV cam be able to shoot at such a long distance with such clarity. I was impressed. Not enough to buy one since the footage from the DVX looked just as impressive to me. So for what you're considering and being that you say you're a fanatic about image, and the possibility of transferring to film, the ZU1 just might be what you're looking for. Check out his site... He's a great guy and answers all questions... Good luck! filmy Hey Filmy, Are you saying that the dvx footage looked as impressive to you? i just looked at the ZU 1 in the store and it was amazing... but there was no dvx footage to compare it to! any further thoughts? thanks! brad

when you guys say HD pal, do you mean the version of the hd camera european version (like only pal, no ntsc) of perhaps the new sony hdr-fx1? sorry, i'm still getting all the lingo down... Thanks!

I'm here to seek advice... I am a professional still photographer and I've been working on a personal project for a few years which has become very important to me and increasingly important to the general public and I feel that my stills need to be supplemented with a video diary/documentary type piece to tell the whole story. I've been doing extensive research and I'm a bit overwhelmed. Here's what I need: I will be travelling most of the time by myself, and I know very little about video production (though i have a great respect for it) and even less about sound, so I would need something able to be operated by one person who is also concentrating on stills. I am a fanatic about image quality and I want all of my taping to be high enough quality that it could be printed on film should I ever want to submit it as a documentary film. I've been looking at the sony hd model and the canon gl2 and the panasonic dvx100a and that's about all i know. Obviously I'd like to not have a seperate sound deck and to not have to spend any more money than is necessary to have a solid basic set up. I don't know what is important for me (24P)? or HD? Obvioulsy I prefer the look of film, it seems like the panasonic is best for that, is this the case? Any advice/suggestions as to how to outfit myself cheaply (relatively of course) and adequately so that I won't ever have to go back and re-shoot for lack of picture or sound quality would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!