Hello, ya'll...I'm the 'newbie' looking for advice at DVinfo.net

Jim Zaccaria · October 18th, 2004, 01:06 PM

For the past year, I've been working with a pretty cool and simple to use 'streaming video' service that, I believe, has an enormous potential. (please tell me what you think) My paradigm as to what one could do with this suddenly expanded and I realized I was going to need a DV Camcorder to step up to the net level and beyond. I found myself overwhelmed by the number of choices out there. I ended up on this forum during my research (happily). I am seeking professional guidance in the selection of the equipment required to do 'on-location' video shoots. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am also open to doing Joint Ventures with the right individuals.
Best Regards and Thanks in advance.....

John DeLuca · October 18th, 2004, 03:29 PM

Jim,

It really depends on your needs. Every cam has a different advantage. I couldnt get the link to work, but this is what ive come up with. Best cameras for live events/weddings/low light needs is the pd 170/vx2100. Best cameras for tv spots/commercails/low budget film making is the XL2/DVX100a(GL2 if on a budget). I would wait on the whole HDV trend, it sounds to good to be true at this point, we need more footage and feed back before we can determine if it can be used for pro applications. If your shooting tv spots/commercails/low budget film making your basic items would include- dv camcorder, soft light kit, mixer, mics, tripod/head, uv filter, editing software, computer, headphones. For live events/weddings/low light needs your basic items include- dv camcorder, tripod/head, uv filter, lanc controler, computer, editing software, wireless mics, onboard light, headphones. It really depends on your budget, but if you go to "saferseas" they have rigs pre configured to give you an idea of what to get.

John

Shawn Mielke · October 18th, 2004, 09:15 PM

Budget?

Jim Zaccaria · October 18th, 2004, 10:02 PM

Thanks for your response, now there's an interesting question...what kind of budget would you recommend one have to 'get started' ? I'd like to be able to shoot and edit (I imagine) footage for infomercials to be used on the web. I've gotten conflicting info regarding required quality and how that affects streaming speeds. I imagine it's not as simple as picking up a $349 sale unit @ Fry's. Please pardon my ignorance on this.

Shawn Mielke · October 18th, 2004, 11:15 PM

A good 3ccd cam should be fine for your needs, and almost ANY cam is good to start out with, in terms of usability, but please give a definite and realistic budget range (numbers) so we aren't wasting our breath.
3CCD cams range from about a grand to....many thousands of dollars, of course.
Considering some of your comments, the range is going to be $1k-$3k.
Several models:

Panasonic GS400 (less than $1.8k)
Sony DSR PDX10 ($1.8K)
Panasonic AG DVC30 ($2.2K)
Sony DCR VX2100 ($2.3K)
Sony DSR PD170 ($2.9K)

I would think the the PDX10 would give you everything you need (image quality, audio capabilities, price, point-and-click simplicity).

Alfred Okocha · October 20th, 2004, 09:35 PM

Please remember that the cost on the actual camera is just the beginning.. you will need alot of more or less expensive acessories.. you'll probably have to spend more than you think..

Jim Zaccaria · October 20th, 2004, 11:04 PM

Thanks, It usually seems to work out that way for most things.

October 18th, 2004, 01:06 PM	#1
Jim Zaccaria Tourist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 4	Hello, ya'll...I'm the 'newbie' looking for advice For the past year, I've been working with a pretty cool and simple to use 'streaming video' service that, I believe, has an enormous potential. (please tell me what you think) My paradigm as to what one could do with this suddenly expanded and I realized I was going to need a DV Camcorder to step up to the net level and beyond. I found myself overwhelmed by the number of choices out there. I ended up on this forum during my research (happily). I am seeking professional guidance in the selection of the equipment required to do 'on-location' video shoots. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am also open to doing Joint Ventures with the right individuals. Best Regards and Thanks in advance..... __________________ Jim Zaccaria Point and Click Simple "Streaming Video" http://tinyurl.com/2algf /\ http://tinyurl.com/wx7c

October 18th, 2004, 09:15 PM	#3
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	Budget? __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

October 18th, 2004, 10:02 PM	#4
Jim Zaccaria Tourist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 4	Thanks for your response, now there's an interesting question...what kind of budget would you recommend one have to 'get started' ? I'd like to be able to shoot and edit (I imagine) footage for infomercials to be used on the web. I've gotten conflicting info regarding required quality and how that affects streaming speeds. I imagine it's not as simple as picking up a $349 sale unit @ Fry's. Please pardon my ignorance on this. __________________ Jim Zaccaria Point and Click Simple "Streaming Video" http://tinyurl.com/2algf /\ http://tinyurl.com/wx7c

October 18th, 2004, 11:15 PM	#5
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	A good 3ccd cam should be fine for your needs, and almost ANY cam is good to start out with, in terms of usability, but please give a definite and realistic budget range (numbers) so we aren't wasting our breath. 3CCD cams range from about a grand to....many thousands of dollars, of course. Considering some of your comments, the range is going to be $1k-$3k. Several models: Panasonic GS400 (less than $1.8k) Sony DSR PDX10 ($1.8K) Panasonic AG DVC30 ($2.2K) Sony DCR VX2100 ($2.3K) Sony DSR PD170 ($2.9K) I would think the the PDX10 would give you everything you need (image quality, audio capabilities, price, point-and-click simplicity). __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

October 20th, 2004, 11:04 PM	#7
Jim Zaccaria Tourist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 4	Thanks, It usually seems to work out that way for most things. __________________ Jim Zaccaria Point and Click Simple "Streaming Video" http://tinyurl.com/2algf /\ http://tinyurl.com/wx7c

October 18th, 2004, 03:29 PM	#2
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	Jim, It really depends on your needs. Every cam has a different advantage. I couldnt get the link to work, but this is what ive come up with. Best cameras for live events/weddings/low light needs is the pd 170/vx2100. Best cameras for tv spots/commercails/low budget film making is the XL2/DVX100a(GL2 if on a budget). I would wait on the whole HDV trend, it sounds to good to be true at this point, we need more footage and feed back before we can determine if it can be used for pro applications. If your shooting tv spots/commercails/low budget film making your basic items would include- dv camcorder, soft light kit, mixer, mics, tripod/head, uv filter, editing software, computer, headphones. For live events/weddings/low light needs your basic items include- dv camcorder, tripod/head, uv filter, lanc controler, computer, editing software, wireless mics, onboard light, headphones. It really depends on your budget, but if you go to "saferseas" they have rigs pre configured to give you an idea of what to get. John

October 20th, 2004, 09:35 PM	#6
Alfred Okocha Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London Posts: 427	Please remember that the cost on the actual camera is just the beginning.. you will need alot of more or less expensive acessories.. you'll probably have to spend more than you think..