After completing my degree in Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas, I managed a video production studio "back in the tape days" while waiting for the digital video revolution to arrive and for the internet to become mainstream. Things started to get interesting in November of 1997 when I launched The XL1 Watchdog, my first web site dedicated to digital video technology. In January of 2001, that site morphed into DV Info Net — the Digital Video Information Network. More than fifteen years later, the longevity of DV Info Net is exceeded now only by its popularity and reputation as one of the leading technology information resources in the broadcast and professional video markets.
The VariZoom DV Sportster is a vest and articulating arm assembly which is compatible with a wide variety of camera stabilizers including the GlideCam 1000 through 4000 series, SteadiCam Jr., and the VariZoom FlowPod and UltraLite.
Sony’s first pair of HDV camcorders share the same chassis design and a number of identical features. There are, however, about forty-odd differences between them. Here’s a fairly comprehensive chart which compares the two. The HDR-FX1 is a consumer model; the HVR-Z1U is a professional version.
there is an option in the Z1U available to you which will allow for frame-accurate time code synchronization of several cameras in a multi-camera shoot. The procedure for this work-around requires only one person and one Sony RMT-841 Wireless Remote Commander (the wireless remote control which is supplied with each camcorder).
This section offers some operating tips gleaned from savvy XL shooters for the benefit of others. The idea here is to have a place to point everyone who asks, “how do I do that again?” without having to keep reposting the same information on usenet. I got the idea from watching how many times people have asked how to generate color bars on the Sony VX1000.
If we exclude the neccessary items such as batteries and tripod from this consideration, then here’s what I would call the “Top Five” must-haves for the Canon GL2.
Karl Horn of CineTech is highly regarded for his superbly crafted pro shooting accessories for the film and high-end video industries. After adapting his follow focus, matte box and Hip-Cam rigs for the Canon XL1S, he recently did the same for the Sony PD150. Here are some shots of his gear from the NAB 2002 tradeshow in Las Vegas.
I thought we’d start off with a comparison of the PD150 and VX2000… in some ways they’re the same; in others, they’re different.
The “Big Guy” is Canon’s largest EOS prime lens, a ridiculously huge 1200mm monstrosity. There are only about ten of these things in existence. Knowing that I had a rare opportunity here, I thought I would take some photos for all of you to drool over.
added 30 August 2000 The SkyCrane Mini-DV Camera Boom an article by Bob Jones and Chris Hurd Drawing heavily on extensive experience in the Hollywood film industry and his engineering background, Bob Jones, of Costa Mesa, California has produced a…
added 30 August 2000 The Skycrane Junior Mini-DV Camera Jib by Bob Jones and Chris Hurd Introducing the Skycrane Junior Mini-DV camera jib… finally, a professional jib that will fit into your production budget. This extraordinary jib is made of…