Call Box is proud to offer this comprehensive guide to production and post-production to the PMW-EX1 Camera. (Also applies to the EX3.)

http://www.callboxlive.com/store/sony-guidebook-p-39.html

This DVD is a road map for Sony PMW-EX1 owners. Digital production industry expert Noah Kadner takes you step by step through the complete function and operation of this XDCAM EX 1080/24p high definition camera. He then goes into the edit suite to work with the footage in post-production -- with a focus on Final Cut Pro. This disc features over three hours of original content broken down into interactive learning modules, including:


SxS Tapeless Workflow
XDCAM EX Format Overview
Variable Frame Rates
Complete Control and Menu Tour
TLCS System Mode
Data Archiving Solutions
Post-Production Workflow
Editor's Equipment Shopping Lists
Export to DVD
Export to Apple Color
And much more...

Check it out:
http://www.callboxlive.com/store/sony-guidebook-p-39.html

-Noah

Nothing like shameless self promotion :)

Anything here not covered in the Vortex media dvds?

Noah,

I about fell out of my chair when I saw that you only have 9 posts here. I can't believe that I have more posts than you on a message board!!!

Glad to see that your here. I plan on ordering you DVD soon. It will be a great tool to help train the guys in my office on the EX1.

Nice to know that you have expanded your knowledge past the Panasonic cameras (which I believe you have incredible knowledge of!!)

Daniel Weber

Nothing like shameless self promotion :)

Anything here not covered in the Vortex media dvds?

Hi Nathaniel,

Well if it wasn't for shameless self-promotion I wouldn't be capable of doing any at all. :) I haven't seen the Vortex disc- it does look pretty slick to my eyes though.

I can tell you we have just about everything covered they have listed on their catalog page with perhaps a more expanded look at the Final Cut Studio post-production workflow. Plus we're 3+ hours on a single disc rather than 2, so better for the environment and we're $50 cheaper to boot. Gotta love capitalism. :)

-Noah

They look great. My shooting partner owns the Vortex discs, and we've watched them. Your's would nicely round out our collection.

we're 3+ hours on a single disc rather than 2, so better for the environment and we're $50 cheaper to boot. Gotta love capitalism.

An unfair question, perhaps, but which would you label as a 'Deep Dive': Vortex or Call Box?

Deep Dive seems to have become the accepted nomenclature for Intermediate to Advanced training where basics are assumed but the content isn't so specialist as to rule out the wider audience. An EX1 Deep Dive would assume DVX200 or Z1 comfort level. Where are the Gotchas with Shot Transition vs Z1, where are the sweet spots for iris and shutter, what are the killer short cuts that make the EX1 interface work better than the Z1.

An unfair question, perhaps, but which would you label as a 'Deep Dive': Vortex or Call Box?

Deep Dive seems to have become the accepted nomenclature for Intermediate to Advanced training where basics are assumed but the content isn't so specialist as to rule out the wider audience. An EX1 Deep Dive would assume DVX200 or Z1 comfort level. Where are the Gotchas with Shot Transition vs Z1, where are the sweet spots for iris and shutter, what are the killer short cuts that make the EX1 interface work better than the Z1.

Have not heard of this term deep dive but it makes me giggle. :) I'd say our Call Box disc would be an excellent primer for someone who just got an EX1 while at the same offering a good amount of advanced information for the experienced user. In short there's something in there for everyone.

As a longtime trainer and tech support specialist working out of Hollywood, I take pride in being able to demystify difficult concepts and equipment and reach out to the beginner while also giving the more experienced user plenty of new information and tips that I've learned over the years. Hope that helps.

-Noah

An unfair question, perhaps, but which would you label as a 'Deep Dive': Vortex or Call Box?

Deep Dive seems to have become the accepted nomenclature for Intermediate to Advanced training where basics are assumed but the content isn't so specialist as to rule out the wider audience. An EX1 Deep Dive would assume DVX200 or Z1 comfort level. Where are the Gotchas with Shot Transition vs Z1, where are the sweet spots for iris and shutter, what are the killer short cuts that make the EX1 interface work better than the Z1.

These training vids may not "rule out the wider audience" but they are generally dumbed down and do not cover the things that us here seem to want to know nor do they address any of the cameras problem issues. For example, the Vortex media say stay with CINE4 with black at -4 and black gamma at -6 (or something like that) for all shots. This is quite silly when these adjustments go from +99 to -99 and need be set for every shot.

These training vids may not "rule out the wider audience" but they are generally dumbed down and do not cover the things that us here seem to want to know nor do they address any of the cameras problem issues. For example, the Vortex media say stay with CINE4 with black at -4 and black gamma at -6 (or something like that) for all shots. This is quite silly when these adjustments go from +99 to -99 and need be set for every shot.

You're absolutely right, and as a trainer it's a very tough line to walk. Personally I think we packed enough stuff in there to make it valuable to a reasonably experienced user- especially in terms of post workflow and meta-data management while giving a solid foundation to new owners. One nice thing is that we've been doing tapeless workflow for years with P2 so we folded all of that knowledge into the "brand new" SxS format to hopefully offer a lot of experience. Seems to be a popular disc so far with customers. I'll look forward to more feedback.

-Noah