DV camcorders?

Optimist Prime · #1 10-06-2003, 04:27 PM

Who has one? What is a good kind to get? I'm thinking of buying one.

Kevin · #2 10-06-2003, 05:08 PM

I'm not usually a big fan of Sony.. But in DV Camcorders, they have some excellent features.

Probably the best thing about Sony DV Camcorders is that they have a VTR mode. If you're planning on doing digital editing and then dubbing back to a VHS or DV source, you'll really appreciate this feature that will save you from having to buy a $299 DV/AV codec. Also, make sure it has a mic jack. You can get a decent one for around $500.

If you're looking for something a little more professional, check cnet.com. Just make sure it has a VTR function. You don't want to have to buy a codec.

Munchkin03 · #3 10-06-2003, 07:37 PM

Sony. Sony. Sony. Everything ktsnake said was true.

I worked for 3 years in digital imaging, and the Sony family is the ONLY one we used for our digital imaging, from still cameras to DV cams to Hi8 cams. Sony seems to be the industry standard. When it was time for me to buy my own digital still, I only looked at Sony. The DV cams they have are great--excellent features and very easy to use.

Totally off-subject, but what program are you using for film editing?

Kevin · #4 10-06-2003, 08:25 PM

I'm personally an Avid user. I really haven't seen much out there that can rival Avid if the user knows what he/she is doing.

I looked at Sony still cameras.. ended up with a Fuji 4900z (a deal was offered that I couldn't resist). I also was impressed with many of the features on the Fuji cameras as well as just the layout of 'em.

James · #5 10-20-2003, 08:14 PM

What do you guys think of Final Cut Pro?

IT seems to be getting used more and more often even though I know Avid is still taught in schools.

Any pro's and cons of the two programs?

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
I'm personally an Avid user. I really haven't seen much out there that can rival Avid if the user knows what he/she is doing.

I looked at Sony still cameras.. ended up with a Fuji 4900z (a deal was offered that I couldn't resist). I also was impressed with many of the features on the Fuji cameras as well as just the layout of 'em.

Kevin · #6 10-20-2003, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
What do you guys think of Final Cut Pro?

IT seems to be getting used more and more often even though I know Avid is still taught in schools.

Any pro's and cons of the two programs?

Isn't FC Pro for Mac? I just aquired Pinnacle. Have yet to install and play with it though. Not really familiar w/FCP.

Munchkin03 · #7 10-20-2003, 09:09 PM

FCP was created by Apple, and it has dominated the serious Mac user market for film, to the point where Adobe tried to sue Apple for a monopoly 'cause they were losing so much money with AfterEffects, and no one uses it on a Mac. FCP is really user-friendly. I like it.

My friend at NYU Film School uses Avid, after learning FCP in undergrad, but uses FCP more.

DeltAlum · #8 10-20-2003, 09:29 PM

Seems like we've slipped from home video to professional to some extent.

My experience is that Final Cut Pro is used more in lower end production and smaller "boutique" post houses.

Media 100 is gaining popularity due to its' price point, but the "big guys" still use AVID pretty much exclusively. They were the first viable non-linear editing system and gained such a large part of the market, that all of the really experienced editors cut their teeth on them, and it can be difficult to find a top rate editor in a big market who will use anything else.

As a manager, AVID can be a real pain in the play list. In fact, some of my friends and I call them AVOID.

KappaTarzan · #9 10-21-2003, 12:41 AM

i have a sony mini dv. love it. i previously had a jvc mini dv. they have very similar features.

loved them both

Kevin · #10 10-21-2003, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Seems like we've slipped from home video to professional to some extent.

My experience is that Final Cut Pro is used more in lower end production and smaller "boutique" post houses.

Media 100 is gaining popularity due to its' price point, but the "big guys" still use AVID pretty much exclusively. They were the first viable non-linear editing system and gained such a large part of the market, that all of the really experienced editors cut their teeth on them, and it can be difficult to find a top rate editor in a big market who will use anything else.

As a manager, AVID can be a real pain in the play list. In fact, some of my friends and I call them AVOID.

I hear you on this one!

I'm always having hardware issues with AVID! Right now, it won't play well with my codec. I get still frames but when I go to video I just get a black screen output...

I'll see if Pinnacle works any better. From what I understand, once you've been able to work through the intricacies of AVID, you can do just about anything.

Hope that's true.

CanadianTeke · #11 10-21-2003, 02:20 AM

I am in first year of Television Broadcasting, and all of our work this year is being done on Final Cut Pro (version 5 I think), i think next year we move up to AVID. The school also just bought a HIgh Def system (Plasma screen and all) i am hoping to log some hours on that at some point.

Optimist Prime · #12 10-21-2003, 10:37 PM

I got a Canon.

It comes with a rebate for free editing software, I forget which kind though.