Interesting, the results are quite good for these little cameras, especially that they were positioned behind the audience, quite a distance from the stage.
Theater, stage productions are hard to shoot because of the lighting (changing colors, hot spots etc.) and sound - big area to cover with many sound sources (actors). Rule #1 in sound - get as close to the sound source as possible. In this case, a double sound system seems necessary - a couple of cardioid (or directional) mics positioned right in front of the stage recording to a separate digital recorder.
Also, if there was a dress rehearsal - that's an opportunity to get variety of medium and closeup shots that can be later inserted in editing.

Good info, I could not imagine using a external digital recorder then trying to keep a seperate audio track in sync with other video/audio tracks. Lip sync is important and when it is off, everyone knows. Can you suggest a microphone for these panasonic cameras. Be aware, often I do have oppportunity to get inputs from the sound board in auditoriums, but sometimes the input comes from an improper source. I once had inputs, and it came from some cordless microphones that were used on stage. With those, I could not hear the orchestra in the pit, only people singing into them. Another time I could not get ambient, and everything sounded flat. When using inputs from soundboards, I cannot use the AC adapter, because noise is introduced into the audio track, and I must run off battery power. Even with an extended battery, I fear running out of power. Then, anytime I do use a line input, audio is converted to stereo, sometimes mono depending on the soundboard settings. Always tradeoffs.

Clayton, I thought I'd report that I did pick up the AC90 a few days ago, and will be shooting about 12 hockey games with it this week. Thanks again for the tip.

Greg,
as you are getting decent images in your stage video recordings, the same should be done with the sound.
The in-camera audio should be used only as a reference for syncing other audio tracks you'll have from external recorder.
A good start would be a Zoom H4n digital recorder with Rode NTG-2 shotgun, and Audio-Technica AT2020 (or AT2035) cardioid mic. (Use phantom power from Zoom H4n to power those mics.)
With some experimenting you'll find out what works best in different types of shooting you do (stage, soloist, piano etc.)

There is some good sound recording advice here:

https://sites.google.com/site/icontactvideo/rough-guide-to-location-sound-recording

with more links at the bottom there.

Clayton, I thought I'd report that I did pick up the AC90 a few days ago, and will be shooting about 12 hockey games with it this week. Thanks again for the tip.

Oh hey, I cant wait to get your observations as well as see some samples:-)

I found this GH3 Movie review in 7 parts on vimeo.

Nick Driftwood’s Videos on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/user2930807/videos)

Unbelievable - the Panasonic X900M with 32GB of memory is now $589 at Amazon - temporarily out of stock, but you can reserve one at this price - which is less than a TM900 costs used!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution (http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com)

I found this GH3 Movie review in 7 parts on vimeo.

Nick Driftwood’s Videos on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/user2930807/videos)

Part 7 is a little profane - but hilarious!

(this post should probably be in the Lumix GF/GH section (http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasonic-lumix-gf-gh-series/) of the forum, though :))

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution (http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com)

Yet one more network wedding video.

Broadcast TV might shift things again. Maybe, in time. The ABC network broadcasts a wedding - http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelorett ... 29/1050635

The visual beauty of this stuff is not cinematic, not narrative like a small movie, but just a straight from start to finnish shoot with vibrant color all lit up and super sharp HD images.

It will be interesting to see how long the "wedding" DSLR craze will last if the networks pump up this stuff.

It looks pretty standard HDTV, shot with, Im guessing, SONY XDCAM, 50 Mbs. 4.2.2. My guess is ratings will be HUGE. Shots are all standard, HD Video Depth of field largely deep.
Expect when they have those fat broadcast lenses on telephoto of course.
Frame rate looks standard broadcast.

It will be interesting to see if, over time, networks get on the band wagon with this stuff, brides start to ask can you do a video like that.
In which case Standard video camera shoots for wedding will be back in vogue….but using some of the new lighting technologies and newer improved but affordable video cameras.

Just wondering

Yes; just grabbed one at B&H in NYC for $599. Very pleased so far.

Unbelievable - the Panasonic X900M with 32GB of memory is now $589 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0072B5E2Y/sr=1-1/qid=1355398919/ref=olp_tab_new?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=new&me=&qid=1355398919?tag=battleforthew-20) - temporarily out of stock, but you can reserve one at this price - which is less than a TM900 costs used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004I43MJU/sr=/qid=/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=used&me=&qid=?tag=battleforthew-20)!

We might need to start a new thread just for the X900.

B&H lists two models, the X900M and X900K with a $100 price difference.

What sets these two models apart? (edit:) D'oh, search is my friend. The K model is card slot only; the M models is card slot plus 32GB built-in flash memory.

Chris,

I think after 800 odd posts and over 130,000 views on this thread it would be a good idea to split out the newer X900 etc. in a new thread. I tried to help people find their way around with some indexing posts now and again but that's not the perfect answer.

However, bear in mind that CES is only a few weeks away and Panny, if they follow past performance, are very likely to announce a successor to the X900 series.

I suspect we'll see some new comparison threads soon!

Hi Chris and hi Andy,

I have a TM 900 and an X900. They are so similar why not make a 900 series section?

Agree w/ Alastair that we need a dedicated 900 forum.

Agree w/ Andy that it's probably a good idea to wait and see what Panny shows at CES.

Thanks!

Hi Chris and hi Andy,

I have a TM 900 and an X900. They are so similar why not make a 900 series section?


I am for that too,
TM900 users can still exchange experience as long as they exist, as well as learn about newer 900 cameras

Thanks,

Adrian

Advice on HD Writer AE 3.0 Moving files

Excuse me if this is not the correct thread for this question, but i figured the people with most experience using the TM900 with HD Writer would be here.

I brought my HDC TM900 on holidays and used the HD Writer AE 3.0 software to copy the files from the camera onto my laptop. HD Writer runs fine on the laptop and i can see all the video files as normal.

On returning home, i copied all the files from my laptop (left folders and file names the same) into my PC using Explorer.

I normally run HD Writer AE 3.0 on my PC, and simply copied the files from the laptop into the folder used by HD Writer.

When i use the HD Writer s/w on my PC, i now see all the folders with dates before the holiday as usual. Each folder has a number of clips in it taken that day.

I also see the new folders that i copied in with the dates as the folder name. However these folders are greyed out (with (0) number of clips in each), and i can't select them.

Any advice?

Best Wishes,
Dave

Dave, I think you need to register those folders to enable them, see page 46 of HD Writer AE 3.0. I believe this is because you would normally register a foilder before you add the TM900 clips and I think the software stores this somewhere on your C drive. That is probably what you are missing up to now.

I agree on splitting, but as someone who frequents other forums all over the place for years, having ONE THREAD for the lifetime of a particular camera strikes me as really odd. No matter how good one is with an advanced search engine on the content of posts, is it really productive to have x00 posts all with the title "ABC Camera User Thread". I mean yeah, make a 'sticky' post with go-to-info and FAQ info, update that some...but one thread on a camera? Really?? Check out DPreview <dot> com (owned by Amazon now)....if you go to the Panasonic Forum there, you find 100s of posts on the LX7 and 100s on the LX5- like "Focus Question on LX7" and "Accessory Suggestions Wanted for LX5"....isn't that a little more usable?

I am happy to have my HC-X900M to shoot around the holidays....I'm excited to discuss it and exchange info, but I'm disappointed to find the best plan offered is that it might be a good idea to have 'A THREAD' to discuss it. I mean how easily is one thread 'hijacked' or sucked into one topic about a feature or shortcoming....I'd love to see multiple threads on cameras.

My 2 cents....Happy Holidays all.

Chris,

I think after 800 odd posts and over 130,000 views on this thread it would be a good idea to split out the newer X900 etc. in a new thread. I tried to help people find their way around with some indexing posts now and again but that's not the perfect answer.

However, bear in mind that CES is only a few weeks away and Panny, if they follow past performance, are very likely to announce a successor to the X900 series.

I suspect we'll see some new comparison threads soon!

is it really productive to have x00 posts all with the title "ABC Camera User Thread".

Of course it is not productive, and I think it was discussed before. I wish we had "exposure settings" thread and "sound settings" or "microphones" threads etc. But we don't, and I don't know if existing msgs can be reorganized "post factum".
Separate threads for different cameras - OK, but TM900 and X900 aren't that different.

Best Wishes,
Adrian

Dave, I think you need to register those folders to enable them, see page 46 of HD Writer AE 3.0. I believe this is because you would normally register a foilder before you add the TM900 clips and I think the software stores this somewhere on your C drive. That is probably what you are missing up to now.

Hi Claire,
Thanks for that. Just in case it helps someone else, I will list what I tried and didn't work, and the solution that did.

Firstly I copied all the folders from the laptop which had been created by HD Writer AE 3.0 into the same directory on my PC where all my usual HD Writer folders were.

As this folder was already registered, i could not register it again. So i deleted it, and 'added' it again. This did not work.

Then I created a new directory on the PC, outside the usual HD Writer folders, and moved all the folders from the laptop into this separate directory.

Then from HD Writer, I registered this folder. It asked if I wanted to rename the owner of the files, and it worked fine.

Best Wishes,
Dave

I suppose taking your laptop meant you didn't need to buy a boat load of memory cards like me when I first took my TM900 on a long trip. Good info Dave, sure it will help others in the same position.

Can someone please confirm whether or not either or BOTH the 900k and 900m come with printed manuals OR you need to print the manual from the enclosed CD?

thanks,
Walt

My TM900k came with a printed manual.

Thanks, Adrian.

Deal is over 12/30....one day early.
Price back up to $749.

Bear in mind that you can download a PDF manual and put it on an android / iphone / ipad / kindle etc and then always have it readily to hand.

I've done that for all my various manuals.

Pete

Just a note, I'm not about to lock this thread or anything, but please make sure that any further additions to this discussion are actually about the TM900 itself (now long since discontinued). If I can find the time, I'll try to peel out all of the X900 posts and put them into their own topic, and perhaps the time is right for a forum dedicated to these little cams. For now though, please, if it ain't about the old TM900, then choose another thread or start a new one -- thanks a bunch for understanding!

Hey, when you guys are shooting with the TM900 (and probably the other newer models...) and you have locked down several variables in manual, say white balance and shutter, and then you want to return one or more variables back to automatic - what's the best way you've found to do that and interupt shooting the least?

Can I take issue with Chris. Since the XM 900 and, from first reports at CES, the XM 920, have fundamentally the same features, I would endorse keeping all this invaluable information on the practical usage of these great camcorders together on the same thread. Although the Panasonic AG-AC90 uses the same chip configuration and processing, I would not add it to this thread, as the control and operation of this camcorder are quite different.

Incidentally, I recently did a professional shoot using a Canon XF305 for the close-ups and my TM 900 as a cover wide shot. Other than a slight colour tweak in post, the cameras matched very well even though one cost ten times as much as the other.

I too pair my tiny SD900 with my Sony NX5 on professional shoots and often the 900 outperforms the seven times more expensive Sony. To be fair the 900 shoots native 1920x1080 whereas the NX5 is shooting about half that in its quest to get better low-light performance, and generally I'm handholding the NX5 with megaOIS turned on, losing me even more resolution.

tom.

Incidentally, I recently did a professional shoot using a Canon XF305 for the close-ups and my TM 900 as a cover wide shot. Other than a slight colour tweak in post, the cameras matched very well even though one cost ten times as much as the other.

I have also. If it is well lit, it's not a bad b cam.

We use the TM900 with 7D all the time. Sometimes the hues are a little different and hard to match perfectly, but they work together great.

Trimming long MTS clips before storage: -

I have an interest in natural history and use an EX3 and/or a Panasonic TM 900 to obtain my material. As my subject matter can be unpredictable my takes are often very long and need trimming before being added to a library of sorts. Sony provide ‘Content Browser’ that makes selecting desired sections from a long EX3 take very quick and very easy.

Is there a similar program with which I could do the same for my Panasonics MTS files?

The HD Writer software which came with your TM900 can do this.

You do need all the original files that the TM900 created though in order for HD Writer to deal with it.

It is very straightforward to trim off the start and the end - see the help files. If you want to make multiple cuts part way through and have each as a separate file I think you will have to run it through the process several times though.

It is all non-destructive, does not involve rendering, and is quick.

Pete

Thanks Pete,

Sounds good but when I read up on HD writerI got the impression it was Windows based only and I am on an iMac. I will investigate using HD writer with Bootcamp.

AlastaIr you might find that the internal trimming function in the camcorder itself would suit your purpose. The function is not particularly well documented in the manual but I have found it intuitively easy to use. I have been cutting off long leads into action by dividing the original clip into two separate clips and then deleting the unwanted section. This saves memory on the recording card and cuts copying time into the editing system.

Thanks Guy,

I have used the camera's edit function to eliminate unwanted material and it is a handy feature to have. However in a long natural project I tend to accumulate a lot of similar material and it is not easy to pick the most important clips on the small screen.

I had a look at HDWriter but did not like idea of its apparent inability to import a clip more than once. At the moment I am using Edius for trim and sub-clips and it looking promising.

Hi there, i'm using TM900 for 2 years and i'm very happy with this camera. Made hundreds of videos. The only problem is - the microphone. Need help from pro's. Which mic system should i use to shot 3-4 people in studio? Sunheiser does not fit TM 900.

Hi there, i'm using TM900 for 2 years and i'm very happy with this camera. Made hundreds of videos. The only problem is - the microphone. Need help from pro's. Which mic system should i use to shot 3-4 people in studio? Sunheiser does not fit TM 900.

If you want to use on camera omni microphone the Audio-Technica Pro-24CM is a good choice.

Adrian

Well i need to record a conversation between 3 or 4 people with high quality sound. I need separate mics.

Well i need to record a conversation between 3 or 4 people with high quality sound. I need separate mics.

In this case you'll need a mixer (i.e. Sound Device 302) and wired lavalier mics. If the conversation takes place around a table it is possible to use 1 or 2 boundary mics.

So my wife and I went out for a little day sail yesterday with friends, on board the 100 year old Adventuress. She is used as an environmental awareness ship, run by the non profit, Sound Experience. I brought along my TM900, not thinking I'd do much filming, but then I remembered my friend John Sparrow's sea chanty, and decided to marry it all up and help them raise money for the 100 year anniversary celebration. Not much forethought here, but enjoy non the less. I think it highlights the little camera quite good. No color correction done on the footage. Rendered out in SD for quick playing on cell phones, etc.

Adventuress - A day on the water on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/48827710)

Nicely shot. To me, the sharpness and colour of the images shot with the TM900 look as good as a pro camera could produce. Unless they were told that your video was shot on a consumer-grade camcorder, most people would not think it was shot on anything other than a pro camera. I've just bought a X900, and since it's descended from the TM900, I expect some pretty good results from it. In my estimation, the X900 is basically the same as an AG-AC90 minus all of the physical manual controls, extra viewfinder, XLR mic connections and focus, iris, and zoom rings on the lens.

Thanks Steve. Yes, other than being able to get that bokeh out of it, I agree. For interviews I prefer the look of the Canon 5D at 85mm. I have to remind myself when I watch the tm900 films that it actually was shot with a TM900 and not my xf305!

I've just bought 2 TM900 cameras as b cams for weddings but can't work out how to have automatic exposure (iris/shutter) but manual white balance - the manual is vague - is there a difference between 'camera function' and iA/Manual ?

I got it to perform like this once but cannot re-create it!

Also i can't find how to switch to 25p recording rather than 50p - this will help me with low light situations

Cheers

Pete

To have floating iris all you need to do is to set the shutter speed last, ie.
set focus mode
Set white balance
Set shutter (on whatever speed you want)
This will give you a floating iris that will adjust automatically. whilst shutter speed remains locked.
Just select shutter speed last

Peter, works fine on mine. EDIT, I see Colin got the info across far more succinctly than me whilst I was typing all this!

Make sure the camera is in Manual. Get the Menu Icon screen - the one with the 4 Icons on the left hand side of the LCD (Focus at top, then White Balance, then Shutter and then Iris at the bottom). I normally leave my Shutter fixed at 1/50th for poorer lighting scenarios, or at 1/100th for most outdoor stuff. I now only shoot 1080p50 AVCHD2 at 28Mbps with this cam, by the way. The 25p AVCHD footage is very much inferior in quality - only ever used it once (in Mauritius) where I needed about 4-5 hours shooting time to cover an event with limited media available.

Anyway, back to the topic. Just tap the WB (White Balance) icon and set it as desired. If you next tap the Shutter icon and set that to 1/50 (or 1/100 for outdoor) you will see that the cam automatically adjust Iris to cope with varying light conditions (just wave it around to see the effect). I always have the Histogram and Zebras displaying on the screen too, by the way.

What you must be careful NOT to do is tap the Iris icon AFTER you've "set" the shutter speed. Once you've selected the shutter speed the cam will just adjust Iris as required with no further input needed.

This works well for me most of the time as the cam is pretty good at setting exposure automatically with both the shutter speed and white balance "nailed". Often in run-n-gun the auto focus works like a dream too - but is easily switched to manual if needed without upsetting the other items - and the Peaking is great too! [By the way, in bright light situations you'll want to use the Picture Adjust (Page 8 of the Record SetUp Menu when in Manual camera mode) to cut back the the Exposure a bit to stop highlights blowing out too much on the TM900].

I used my TM900 only last night - first time for a few weeks (one of my daughters was in a school play - the EX3 or C100 would attract too much "attention"). Superb hand-held footage with the excellent image stabilisation!

Hope this helps a bit.

Cheers guys - it helps a lot - I've only just started using them as static cameras (I'm a solo wedding shooter) to back up my Sony EA50 - the footage from them edits in nicely!

I've read that it can shoot 25p which would be a great help in low light situations but again the manual is vague with details regarding the recording modes

Cheers

Pete

Guys I'm currently using a GoPro for wide angle but it's really bad in low light - I'm looking for a wide angle adapter for the TM900 and came accross this one

Panasonic DMW-LW46E 46mm Wide Conversion Lens (DMW-LW46E) - Wex Photographic (http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-panasonic-dmw-lw46e-wide-conversion-lens/p1518747?cm_mmc=googlebase-_-camera-lenses-_-extenders-and-adapters-_-panasonic-dmw-lw46e-46mm-wide-conversion-lens_1518747&awc=2298_1364142016_69b391255595ecd27ce71763a106f775&utm_source=aw)

Does anyone have any experience of it?

Cheers

Pete

Peter, I don't have info on the adapter but which GoPro camera are you using? The Hero3 is very good in low light and much improved from the Hero HD (which I've used for several years). I have both the TM900 and Hero3 and the H3 is better in low light especially if you want a wide angle shot.

Hi Mike - For weddings the Hero 3 (silver edition) is fine for the ceremony etc but really poor for the evening reception/first dance where there is little light (disco lights and my on-camera light) - The TM900 beats it hands down but is just not wide enough

Guys I'm currently using a GoPro for wide angle but it's really bad in low light - I'm looking for a wide angle adapter for the TM900 and came accross this one

Panasonic DMW-LW46E 46mm Wide Conversion Lens (DMW-LW46E) - Wex Photographic (http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-panasonic-dmw-lw46e-wide-conversion-lens/p1518747?cm_mmc=googlebase-_-camera-lenses-_-extenders-and-adapters-_-panasonic-dmw-lw46e-46mm-wide-conversion-lens_1518747&awc=2298_1364142016_69b391255595ecd27ce71763a106f775&utm_source=aw)

Does anyone have any experience of it?

Cheers

Pete

Search Ebay UK using this string:
"46mm 0.45x wide angle"
and you'll find a selection of wide angle addons that fit the TM900. I bought one 2 years ago and its surprisingly good. And dirt cheap.

Pete