Mini DV Decks

John Locke · April 14th, 2002, 04:50 AM

Can you believe that that particular section of the Sony site is unavailable to Mac users? Talk about cutting out the market. I wonder what percentage of DVers use Macs...and what percentage of those don't bother to go back to the Sony site ever again.

Even my 15 year-old nieces' personal web page is available to all platforms. Perhaps the Sony webmaster needs to consult with my niece to get up to speed.

Ken Tanaka · April 14th, 2002, 09:48 AM

John,
Indeed, Sony's professional products Web site is a disgrace and should be considered a red-faced embarassment to that company. Other than complete lack of management attention to detail there's no excuse for its technical and content condition.

Scott Shuster · April 14th, 2002, 10:28 AM

Whoa: Don't hold it against all of Sony that some idiot in the company hired a still-more-idiotic web designer to do that job for them. It's awful, it's ridiculous, it's stupid that Mac Users cannot access with IE, but all you have to do is switch to Netscape and it works fine. I keep both browsers open as Sony's webmeister is not the only stupid fool out there....
Scott Shuster
WorldDance New York

John Locke · April 14th, 2002, 10:50 AM

;) Don't worry Scott...I'm not sticking pins in my Sony products and doing a hex dance right now or anything. I love their products. But you've gotta admit...for Sony that's a pretty pathetic web site.

Speaking of pathetic...you said the "N" word...brrrrrr. I avoid it as much as possible. Apparently most of the rest of the world does, too. According to recent statistics, 92% use one of the IE browser versions. The other 8% is split between the others. All the more reason for Sony to check statistics and get with the program.

Anyway...looping back to the original post...I'm interested in the new deck coming out. Thanks for the heads up, Ian.

joshuajr · November 24th, 2002, 05:09 PM

So I'm in the market for a dv player, yet know nothing about them. I really don't want to spend too much ( under $250 if possible), but am looking for something that is a good prosumer product. I'll be using it to play dv tapes on my tv and possible to make dubs. Any ideas which are the best, prices, and where I can find 'em? Thanks for the help in advance.

Dylan Couper · November 24th, 2002, 06:20 PM

The cheapest I've seen is $600-ish.
A better idea might be to go buy a cheap miniDV camcorder and use that instead. Then you have a deck AND extra camera. I saw a Samsung miniDV for about $500us recently.

Felix Jones · March 27th, 2003, 10:44 AM

Just wondering what "cheaper" minidv decks are recommended if any around here? I'm trying to save the wear and tear on my new camera (GL2) if it ever shows up.

Rob Wilson · March 27th, 2003, 11:25 AM

I'm using a JVC SR-VS30. NOT pro quality (prosumer) but works well to save wear on the camera. Can also dub directly to VHS (and SVHS) from DV so provides a quick easy way to provide rough to clients.

Dylan Couper · March 27th, 2003, 11:37 AM

The cheaper miniDV decks are actually just low end miniDV camcorders. Much cheaper than an acutal deck. I use a Canon ZR40 for my deck.

Felix Jones · March 27th, 2003, 12:15 PM

So the ZR40 holds up ok under constant use as a deck?
If so that makes alot of sense giving me a small camera to take into not so welcome places.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · March 27th, 2003, 07:33 PM

Felix, this is a common question here, and there are all sorts of opinions and reviews already posted. For more answers to your question, you might consider doing a search using the link in my sig.

Dylan Couper · March 27th, 2003, 10:55 PM

As Robert says, there have been numerous discussions on this topic.

I've only put about 30 hours on it so far, so I can't say anything about it's durability yet. However, I have no complaints...
And hey, it's a camera too! I use it for family, fun, and inconspicuous shooting.

Mark Argerake · March 28th, 2003, 08:06 AM

Just to add my 2 cents: I have and am happy with a Sony DSR-11. Not the cheapest deck, but, inexpensive in comparison.

Derrick Begin · March 28th, 2003, 08:34 AM

I am thinking about purchasing the Sony GVD-1000.

Its expensive, however, it could double as a 'Out in the Field' monitor.

PROS - - > Portable, 4" LCD Screen, Firewire, fairly small footprint
CONS - - > Price, Price, Price!

I was thinking about going the camera route also. The prices are coming down.

Cheers!

Derrick

Paul Colt · January 14th, 2004, 08:50 PM

I was wondering who uses what as their edit deck for the video shot with their XM2? I use a MV6i ( Elura 50 NTSC ver) that does quite well with the video but if I have shot anything in LP mode the sound won't be picked up. I find its better to beat on the relatively cheap MV6i's heads and motor then to use my expensive XM2 for everything i.e. capture, shooting , editing , and playback. I also do the same thing with my Pana DVX100 and have a cheaper DVC923 to use for playback ( my NTSC cameras) I know a lot of people use expensive MiniDV decks that are quite expensive so I figured why not just buy a cheap camera that I can use as a second as well if need be.

Just wondering what you professionals use, yeah I'm getting paid like a professional but I'm still learning too.

April 14th, 2002, 04:50 AM	#61
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Can you believe that that particular section of the Sony site is unavailable to Mac users? Talk about cutting out the market. I wonder what percentage of DVers use Macs...and what percentage of those don't bother to go back to the Sony site ever again. Even my 15 year-old nieces' personal web page is available to all platforms. Perhaps the Sony webmaster needs to consult with my niece to get up to speed. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

April 14th, 2002, 09:48 AM	#62
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	John, Indeed, Sony's professional products Web site is a disgrace and should be considered a red-faced embarassment to that company. Other than complete lack of management attention to detail there's no excuse for its technical and content condition. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 14th, 2002, 10:50 AM	#64
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	;) Don't worry Scott...I'm not sticking pins in my Sony products and doing a hex dance right now or anything. I love their products. But you've gotta admit...for Sony that's a pretty pathetic web site. Speaking of pathetic...you said the "N" word...brrrrrr. I avoid it as much as possible. Apparently most of the rest of the world does, too. According to recent statistics, 92% use one of the IE browser versions. The other 8% is split between the others. All the more reason for Sony to check statistics and get with the program. Anyway...looping back to the original post...I'm interested in the new deck coming out. Thanks for the heads up, Ian. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

November 24th, 2002, 05:09 PM	#65
joshuajr New Boot Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6	DV players So I'm in the market for a dv player, yet know nothing about them. I really don't want to spend too much ( under $250 if possible), but am looking for something that is a good prosumer product. I'll be using it to play dv tapes on my tv and possible to make dubs. Any ideas which are the best, prices, and where I can find 'em? Thanks for the help in advance.

March 27th, 2003, 10:44 AM	#67
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	Mini Dv Decks Just wondering what "cheaper" minidv decks are recommended if any around here? I'm trying to save the wear and tear on my new camera (GL2) if it ever shows up.

April 14th, 2002, 10:28 AM	#63
Scott Shuster Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 125	Whoa: Don't hold it against all of Sony that some idiot in the company hired a still-more-idiotic web designer to do that job for them. It's awful, it's ridiculous, it's stupid that Mac Users cannot access with IE, but all you have to do is switch to Netscape and it works fine. I keep both browsers open as Sony's webmeister is not the only stupid fool out there.... Scott Shuster WorldDance New York

November 24th, 2002, 06:20 PM	#66
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	The cheapest I've seen is $600-ish. A better idea might be to go buy a cheap miniDV camcorder and use that instead. Then you have a deck AND extra camera. I saw a Samsung miniDV for about $500us recently.

March 27th, 2003, 11:25 AM	#68
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	I'm using a JVC SR-VS30. NOT pro quality (prosumer) but works well to save wear on the camera. Can also dub directly to VHS (and SVHS) from DV so provides a quick easy way to provide rough to clients.

March 27th, 2003, 11:37 AM	#69
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	The cheaper miniDV decks are actually just low end miniDV camcorders. Much cheaper than an acutal deck. I use a Canon ZR40 for my deck. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 27th, 2003, 12:15 PM	#70
Felix Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ. Posts: 60	So the ZR40 holds up ok under constant use as a deck? If so that makes alot of sense giving me a small camera to take into not so welcome places.

March 27th, 2003, 07:33 PM	#71
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Felix, this is a common question here, and there are all sorts of opinions and reviews already posted. For more answers to your question, you might consider doing a search using the link in my sig. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 27th, 2003, 10:55 PM	#72
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	As Robert says, there have been numerous discussions on this topic. I've only put about 30 hours on it so far, so I can't say anything about it's durability yet. However, I have no complaints... And hey, it's a camera too! I use it for family, fun, and inconspicuous shooting. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 28th, 2003, 08:06 AM	#73
Mark Argerake Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 227	Just to add my 2 cents: I have and am happy with a Sony DSR-11. Not the cheapest deck, but, inexpensive in comparison.

March 28th, 2003, 08:34 AM	#74
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	I am thinking about purchasing the Sony GVD-1000. Its expensive, however, it could double as a 'Out in the Field' monitor. PROS - - > Portable, 4" LCD Screen, Firewire, fairly small footprint CONS - - > Price, Price, Price! I was thinking about going the camera route also. The prices are coming down. Cheers! Derrick

January 14th, 2004, 08:50 PM	#75
Paul Colt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 35	Capture Deck? I was wondering who uses what as their edit deck for the video shot with their XM2? I use a MV6i ( Elura 50 NTSC ver) that does quite well with the video but if I have shot anything in LP mode the sound won't be picked up. I find its better to beat on the relatively cheap MV6i's heads and motor then to use my expensive XM2 for everything i.e. capture, shooting , editing , and playback. I also do the same thing with my Pana DVX100 and have a cheaper DVC923 to use for playback ( my NTSC cameras) I know a lot of people use expensive MiniDV decks that are quite expensive so I figured why not just buy a cheap camera that I can use as a second as well if need be. Just wondering what you professionals use, yeah I'm getting paid like a professional but I'm still learning too.