This is the rumor that's going around... first heard about it from Panasonic reps at the WEVA Expo in Vegas last month. Read about "K Street" here (http://www.hbo.com/kstreet/about/) at HBO's site... I haven't been able to find an official source stating this is true, but the buzz going around is that a pair of DVX's were rented locally for the production. Just another instance of how entrenched DV is becoming within the heavier cable production channels...

Well, if this is true, and it looks like DVX 100 footage to me, then I guess he's not going to purposely trash the footage...so this should be more interesting then his last DV project.

There's an article in the Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52039-2003Sep9.html with a photo showing "K Street" exec. producer George Clooney with a DVX100, so that's all the proof I need.

This is indirectly related to it.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/09/11/hbo/index.html

Did they transfer this to film after? and when does it air??

Why would a guy like Clooney rent a camera?

I saw the show and was not impressed with the footage..One more reason to hold on to the 150..I'm confused about the hype of this camera but i'm just a run and gunner anyway...

Jamie, the image was purposely degraded. There are lots of exmaples of fine DVX100 footage. In fact, you can get a DVD from Promax that compares the DVX100 to the PD150. And guess which camera looks more "filmic"?

"K Street" is supposed to be a political drama that is as close to live TV as you can get without being live. It will contain "current news topics" as subject material, written and shot in a 5 day time period, edited then transmitted to stations in two days. Some of the cameras will be mounted in cars, including taping of conversations between real people and the show's fictional characters (cool idea). Real politicians will also be involved in the stories. Hence, the need for small video cameras.

I havn't seen it yet so maybe I shoudn't comment but...

I thought this was going to be an awesome show (I love politics) til I read about the fictional elements of the show. Doesn't seem ethical to mix Hollywood and DC in that way.

Tell that to Reagan, er JFK, er Arnold, er....

Well, you get the point.

I just saw it a few minutes ago. Looks like they mixed together footage from more than just the DVX. I saw some Canons and a PD as well as the DVXs. One thing is for sure though - it looks like they didn't attempt to maximize the quality. In standard Soderbergh fashion, he mucked up the footage a bit to give it an edgy extra-video feel.

As far as the hollywood intermingling with politics... It really did make me a bit uncomfortable. They're interweaving real politicians as high up as Dean with actors. Sometimes its hard to figure out if you've seen a face on the news or another show. Its aggravating to me because I'm trying to keep facts straight so I can make the right decision with the impending elections, and these guys are sort of muddling up facts with fiction.

Overall, it was boring! I usually get very into political shows, especially dealing with today's politics because I have a lot of thoughts on the subject. But to me this was just contrived and over-amped crud. Not at all up to par with HBO programming.

After watching the show last night I walked away very disappointed.

The production was crap. No color balance, weird angles, poor story telling, no real point...

I better understand their idea of adding actors to the mix. It's a situation where you don't know who is what and who is where. A"Trust no one" spin. Which is fine and dandy but not in the context of this show. It comes off as a documentary, as you watch it you believe it to be true. I don't think this is the place to do that. Politics are confusing by nature and this show only adds to the confusion. Politics are here to run the country, and not entertain us by running around guessing who the mole is like that ACB show.

My sentiments exactly. It's an irresponsible show, and really, with poor production values (beyond just trying to look 'reality'), and no story. Other than that, it's great ;)

<<<-- Originally posted by Imran Zaidi : Looks like they mixed together footage from more than just the DVX. I saw some Canons and a PD as well as the DVXs. >>>

You could tell by watching the show EXACTLY what camera's they used?

Come on, now.

Actually John, they filmed it in a very loose way, and you can see the cameras they used in frame as you watch the show. Please don't be sarcastic - it's not helpful.

The show supposedly uses 6 DVX100s and they film it entirely in 24p Normal mode. Although last nights was a little better in terms of quality pictures (looks like they actually white balanced some this time), I'm still a ticked at Soderbergh for degrading what the camera is capable of. Still lots of blown highlights, crappy zooming and focusing, blueish tint in outdoor lighting. It does seem he's going for "Full Frontal 2".

Also, in last weeks episode there were a few shots where you clearly see other DVX100s set up on tripods. I have yet to see any other brand (other than a broadcast camera in last night's epoisode) or evidence of any other camera's footage. It'd be a pain for them to try and mix 24p with 60i from other cameras and it'd be real noticable in the transitions. It wouldn't make sense for them to use other DV cameras in conjuction with the DVX100 24p mode.

As far as the show goes...if they don't significantly improve the quality of footage then I hope it goes the way of the do-do, because other than the curiosity factor concerning the camera footage the show leaves a lot to be desired.

I definitely saw at least one PD and some type of Canon in the first episode.

Part of what supported this for me was seeing that there was some motion blur like you would get while trying to downgrade 60i to 24p, but on this part I could be wrong. But I did see other cams in the shots. Perhaps they were just props, but the footage did seem to support this. Or maybe one of the camera guys accidentally shot without the 24p and they had to correct it ;)

A guy who consulted with them in the post process says they are using all DVX100s in 24p Normal mode. I don't know the guy personally but he seems well respected.

I saw the first episode many times on my TiVo and paused anytime a camera appeared to be in the picture. I only saw DVX100s (except for last night they had a shot of a broadcast cameraman filming an interview). So you're seeing things I'm somehow not. I still have it on TiVo if you can remember a scene or something I can check it out, I'd be very interested if they were using other cameras and would like to see evidence of it.

Unfortunately I don't have a TiVo. If I catch a re-broadcast I'll be sure to note the specific scenes.

Everybody seems to have a TiVo these days. I really ought to check one out...

So far only DVX100's have been used.