Regarding DVD recorders, are there specific brands/models that are best to use for reliability, functionality, and fast turn-around time of the depositions onto DVDs?

I have always thought Pioneer is the go to brand for anything related to disc burning.

The problem is, DVD recorders are kind of gone! B & H listed the Toshiba DR430 (the most popular recorder the last few years) as no longer available just a couple of weeks ago.

If you look around really fast, you might still find one at some other store. DVD as delivery method is going out the door very fast - it will still be around in the legal video industry for a while because of incredible inertia, but it will eventually be replaced by online delivery.

Yes, you can use audio/video outputs to record to a backup device, or even make that your primary recorder and use the internal SD card as backup.


Sadly all manufacturers left this field, only Panasonic has current models that do date/time code overlay. Some older Sony models still available also fit the bill.

Here's a list from another fora, one specialized in legal video work:

Panasonic AG-HMC80 - SD/HD to SDHC card, tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire
Panasonic AG-HMC150 - HD only to SDHC card, tapeless capture, SD out via HDMI selection
Panasonic AG-AC130 - SD/HD to SDXC/SDHC cards, tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire, HDMI Out
Panasonic AG-AC160 - SD/HD to SDXC/SDHC cards, tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire, HDMI Out, HD-SDI Out
Panasonic AG-HPX170 - SD/HD to P2 card, tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire, HDMI Out, HD-SDI Out
Panasonic AG-HPX250 - SD/HD to P2 cards, tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire, HDMI Out, HD-SDI Out

Sony HVR-Z5U - SD/HD out to MiniDV tape / tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire, HDMI out, Interchangeable Lens
Sony HVR-Z7U - SD/HD out to MiniDV tape / tapeless capture, SD out via Firewire, HDMI out, Interchangeable Lens
Sony HXR NX5U - SD/HD to SDHC card / tapeless capture, HDMI out, SD capture

To your other question, it is very rare that you need to deliver your video at the end of the deposition.

Can you tell me the forum this came from please, I am curious if this list has been updated. Many of these cams are not available now.

Unfortunately that forum is now gone.

Will try to get the updated list from the author... might be a few days.

And here is the updated list: Wish List - B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishListDetail_NEW.jsp&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=677D5D9219)

The owner of the list (no, it's not me) makes an effort to keep this up to date, but no guarantees.

I hope this helps.

Hey there, Ervin, thanks so much for the updated list of cameras! I am picking up a Sony PXW-X70 and was delighted to see that it's on the list! And as you say, audio is (close to) everything, and I've got lots of mics and a nice compact mixer, so it's off to the deposition, early in April!

Thanks again!

Good luck with your legal videos!

Anyone using the hc-x1000 for legal video? Reviews ?

The Panasonic HC-X1000 is an acceptable camera for legal videography, meaning that it fulfills the minimum requirements like date and time display on the screen, outputs for main and backup recording, etc.

As far as tech specs and quality in general... not so good. Definitely fulfills your curiosity for 4K (do you really have a legitimate use for that?), but other than that, it's lousy in low light (very small sensor), has a poor dynamic range, consumer plastic "feel".

IMHO you can spend $3K much better by purchasing an AG-130 or add $600 and buy the best overall AG-160 - you will get a much higher value for your money (the 160 has a $400 rebate this and next month).

Again, IMHO...

Thanks for the response! I currently shoot on an HMC150. While I love it, it is just getting to outdated. Legal video is my primary source of income so that comes first. But i also do some sports and events. So it would be nice to have a camera that shoots better quality. I have looked at the AC130 & 160 but the camera is just HUGE! would the ac130 be worth the upgrade of the hmc150? anything else you recommend?

Yes, the 130 is better in pretty much any way.

For the full list of cameras that fulfill the requirements, scroll up a few posts.

Am capturing via laptop with Hauppauge PV device and backup is recording to 2 SD cards simultaneously. Not in love with the Hauppauge, anyone run a similar setup using a different (and hopefully better) capture device?