GS400 Has 30P

Boyd Ostroff · July 21st, 2004, 12:09 PM

For those who like Japanese menus and dislike warranties?... ;-)

Guy Bruner · July 21st, 2004, 12:48 PM

Reviews are in the works and will be up next week.

Boyd, what lighting levels did you use for your resolution charts on the PDX10 and VX2000?

Boyd Ostroff · July 21st, 2004, 02:38 PM

I didn't take any readings with a light meter. The chart was illuminated by a total of four 100 watt screw-base frosted household halogen light bulbs in household light fixtures (3 of them were in one of those cheap "pole lamps" and the other was in a desk lamp). The lamps were about four feet away from the chart.

I think you should have an idea of the light levels by looking at the exposure data that was published on my site. The VX-2000 was at f6.8, 1/60 sec, 0dB gain. The PDX-10 was at f2.8, 1/60 sec, 0dB gain.

Kurth Bousman · July 21st, 2004, 03:00 PM

Boyd-
You're absolutely right about the viewfinder- I momentarily overlooked it and that is probably the most important improvement- Yes it's true - the pd100a only shoots in dvcam. I hope the gs400 will have slightly better low light abilities than the pdx10 and the fact that it's silver actually, for me living in Mexico , is an advantage. Here , you always want to keep a low profile with equipment. Most of the tv stations here use either dsr-200's. 250's, or xl1's , and the shooters always have their bodyguards ( or equipment guards ! ) For still , I use a dig rebel ( which is silver ) , which also is low profile and doesn't attract much attention . Here it's guerrillas all the way down. I look forward to Guys' review. thanks

Tommy Haupfear · July 21st, 2004, 03:11 PM

Quote:

For still , I use a dig rebel ( which is silver )

Why is it that Japan always gets a choice between silver and black?

I just saw today that they have a black Digital Rebel (Kiss/300D).

http://www.kakaku.com/images/product...0500210636.jpg

Guy Bruner · July 21st, 2004, 03:26 PM

Thanks, Boyd. I saw the exposure specs but was curious about the lighting. I had some similar shots for the DV953 on my website.

Kurth, DVSpot and Camcorderinfo will have reviews out next week on the GS400. I can only hope to get my hands on one.

Kurth Bousman · July 21st, 2004, 03:44 PM

Guy- reviews at camcorderinfo.com - well, I was hoping for a review from someone who knew something about video ! Tommy- It's a simple answer- when you're cooking for your own table , you always put in the best ingredients !

Guy Bruner · July 21st, 2004, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Guy- reviews at camcorderinfo.com - well, I was hoping for a review from someone who knew something about video !

Well, Tommy should be getting his any day now. I'm sure he will give us lots of good information.

Tommy Haupfear · July 21st, 2004, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Well, Tommy should be getting his any day now.

You know, I just sold the GS100 and my Canon 10D cam to invest heavily into video and of course my thoughts have wandered to the DVX100A and PD170 but I keep coming back to the GS400.

Guy, if you were in the market for a new cam, what would you get?

I literally have a headache from this decision!

Guy Bruner · July 21st, 2004, 06:08 PM

Interesting question! I have been pondering that since the GS400 was announced. I originally selected the DV953 over the GL2, TRV950 and VX2000 due to the considerable difference in price versus the marginal technical advantages of the more expensive cams (low light excepted). I don't shoot commercial or I would have gotten a VX2000. I know you do some commercial work, but believe you have access to a VX2000.

I like the smaller cams, but most pocket cams don't have the color quality of the larger 3 CCD cams or high quality widescreen. I have been seeing some video from the Canon 30/40/400 that looks pretty good, though, both 4:3 and 16:9. Something about the size of the 953 or GS100 would be nice if it had excellent widescreen. So, I'm going to have to see if the improvements in the GS400 or the HC1000 over 953 are significant enough to warrant an upgrade. If the DVC30 had HQ widescreen, the 953 would be gone in an instant.

Guy Bruner · July 21st, 2004, 06:43 PM

Well, maybe not the HC1000...

Patricia Kim · July 21st, 2004, 06:57 PM

Yes, Guy, that review of the Sony does kind of kill one's appetite - especially with the $1700 msrp. No wonder Allan said sales in Japan were rumored not to be going well, either.

Boyd Ostroff · July 21st, 2004, 07:21 PM

And the HC-1000 has a smaller battery than the PDX-10/TRV-950 plus exposure is controlled by touch screen menus... ugh. It does appear to have the PDX-10's high quality widescreen mode and black color however...

Allan Rejoso · July 21st, 2004, 07:25 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Tommy Haupfear : You know, I just sold the GS100 and my Canon 10D cam to invest heavily into video and of course my thoughts have wandered to the DVX100A and PD170 but I keep coming back to the GS400.

Since you have the budget and willing to use it, don't seem to mind carrying bigger cams, not to mention exceptionally good at recovering your cost everytime you sell your gear, why don't you try to get DVX100A and tell us more about it :-)). The DVX100A does have a good widescreen right?

If I were in the market for a new cam, it's gonna be either the GS400 or the HC1000 because that's the maximum I can afford, despite my willingness to carry heavier cams :-).

Boyd Ostroff · July 21st, 2004, 07:53 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Patricia Kim : especially with the $1700 msrp. -->>>

You'd hope that actual street prices would be lower than that, with the PDX-10 selling for $1850 it sure wouldn't make sense to spend $1700 on the HC-1000.

July 21st, 2004, 12:09 PM	#61
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	For those who like Japanese menus and dislike warranties?... ;-)

July 21st, 2004, 12:48 PM	#62
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Reviews are in the works and will be up next week. Boyd, what lighting levels did you use for your resolution charts on the PDX10 and VX2000?

July 21st, 2004, 02:38 PM	#63
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I didn't take any readings with a light meter. The chart was illuminated by a total of four 100 watt screw-base frosted household halogen light bulbs in household light fixtures (3 of them were in one of those cheap "pole lamps" and the other was in a desk lamp). The lamps were about four feet away from the chart. I think you should have an idea of the light levels by looking at the exposure data that was published on my site. The VX-2000 was at f6.8, 1/60 sec, 0dB gain. The PDX-10 was at f2.8, 1/60 sec, 0dB gain.

July 21st, 2004, 03:00 PM	#64
Kurth Bousman Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: san miguel allende , gto , mexico Posts: 644	Boyd- You're absolutely right about the viewfinder- I momentarily overlooked it and that is probably the most important improvement- Yes it's true - the pd100a only shoots in dvcam. I hope the gs400 will have slightly better low light abilities than the pdx10 and the fact that it's silver actually, for me living in Mexico , is an advantage. Here , you always want to keep a low profile with equipment. Most of the tv stations here use either dsr-200's. 250's, or xl1's , and the shooters always have their bodyguards ( or equipment guards ! ) For still , I use a dig rebel ( which is silver ) , which also is low profile and doesn't attract much attention . Here it's guerrillas all the way down. I look forward to Guys' review. thanks

July 21st, 2004, 03:26 PM	#66
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Thanks, Boyd. I saw the exposure specs but was curious about the lighting. I had some similar shots for the DV953 on my website. Kurth, DVSpot and Camcorderinfo will have reviews out next week on the GS400. I can only hope to get my hands on one.

July 21st, 2004, 03:44 PM	#67
Kurth Bousman Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: san miguel allende , gto , mexico Posts: 644	Guy- reviews at camcorderinfo.com - well, I was hoping for a review from someone who knew something about video ! Tommy- It's a simple answer- when you're cooking for your own table , you always put in the best ingredients !

July 21st, 2004, 06:08 PM	#70
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Interesting question! I have been pondering that since the GS400 was announced. I originally selected the DV953 over the GL2, TRV950 and VX2000 due to the considerable difference in price versus the marginal technical advantages of the more expensive cams (low light excepted). I don't shoot commercial or I would have gotten a VX2000. I know you do some commercial work, but believe you have access to a VX2000. I like the smaller cams, but most pocket cams don't have the color quality of the larger 3 CCD cams or high quality widescreen. I have been seeing some video from the Canon 30/40/400 that looks pretty good, though, both 4:3 and 16:9. Something about the size of the 953 or GS100 would be nice if it had excellent widescreen. So, I'm going to have to see if the improvements in the GS400 or the HC1000 over 953 are significant enough to warrant an upgrade. If the DVC30 had HQ widescreen, the 953 would be gone in an instant.

July 21st, 2004, 06:43 PM	#71
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Well, maybe not the HC1000...

July 21st, 2004, 06:57 PM	#72
Patricia Kim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 453	Yes, Guy, that review of the Sony does kind of kill one's appetite - especially with the $1700 msrp. No wonder Allan said sales in Japan were rumored not to be going well, either.

July 21st, 2004, 07:21 PM	#73
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	And the HC-1000 has a smaller battery than the PDX-10/TRV-950 plus exposure is controlled by touch screen menus... ugh. It does appear to have the PDX-10's high quality widescreen mode and black color however...

July 21st, 2004, 07:25 PM	#74
Allan Rejoso Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 569	<<<-- Originally posted by Tommy Haupfear : You know, I just sold the GS100 and my Canon 10D cam to invest heavily into video and of course my thoughts have wandered to the DVX100A and PD170 but I keep coming back to the GS400. Since you have the budget and willing to use it, don't seem to mind carrying bigger cams, not to mention exceptionally good at recovering your cost everytime you sell your gear, why don't you try to get DVX100A and tell us more about it :-)). The DVX100A does have a good widescreen right? If I were in the market for a new cam, it's gonna be either the GS400 or the HC1000 because that's the maximum I can afford, despite my willingness to carry heavier cams :-).

July 21st, 2004, 07:53 PM	#75
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	<<<-- Originally posted by Patricia Kim : especially with the $1700 msrp. -->>> You'd hope that actual street prices would be lower than that, with the PDX-10 selling for $1850 it sure wouldn't make sense to spend $1700 on the HC-1000.