DVX100 vs. DVC80

[Stephen van Vuuren]

Jared:

Stuart English is the VP at Panasonic Broadcast - so I'm pretty sure his word on this is final.

[Jarred Land]

thank steve... Good to actually hear from the boss :)

[Stuart English]

Chris asked me to posta short note on the main differences between the AG-DVC80 and AG-DVX100 cameras.

First what's the same (identical)
Chassis (Mag Alloy)
XLR and audio circuits
Microphone(s)
Lens (Leica)
Tape transport
LCD and Viewfinder
IEEE 1394 for NLE / dub
CCD pixel count

What's different
CCD output mode (interlace only - no 24P or 30P)
DSP functionality ( more limited operational range)
IEEE 1394 parallel back up to external VTR (none)
Time-Lapse (none)

There are other differences, but basicly the DVX100 is
a "production" camera, and the DVC80 a "news" camera.
Of course in this category of product there is a lot of cross
over between applications a camera may be designed for
and what it is used for, but these are the main points.

Even if you only ever shoot 480 line interlace, the DVX100
may still be the camera for you to buy for the DSP advantages
and additional timelapse and IEEE 1394 feature set.

The web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast will have
complete spec sheets.

A final note. The DVC80 brochure makes more of the Mag
Alloy chassis, because it was written later. i.e the rumor
of "plastic" needed rebutting, so the MA chassis was
emphasized. But it is identical in both products.


Hope that this helps,

Stuart English
V.P Marketing
Panasonic Broadcast

[Stephen van Vuuren]

That does help - thanks so much for taking the time to give us the official details.

[Jarred Land]

ok stuart, while you are at it can you clarify this caption in the DVC-80 brochure? You might want to correct the brochure before some people get even more confused, and lawyers happy :)

....
Developed specifically for the AG-DVC80, the DV mechanism itself is far more advanced and reliable than those used in home DV cameras and recorders. Its sturdy loading system allows quick tape changes. And to minimize dropout and head.....

[Carl Slawinski]

Could you elaborate on the DSP differences that you mention.

Thanks

Carl

[Jarred Land]

Cinne-Gamma is a DSP :)

[Stephen van Vuuren]

Jared:

Just consider the DVC-80 and DVX100 as the same camera with different electronics. The single body was developed at the same time for both variations. You'll find a nearly identical phrase in the DVX100 brochure.

[Jarred Land]

lol I am totally on track with you Steve, I just heard different things from different people at Panasonic, and then the Specifications on print material, lol

Stuart was right on the money showing the differences as I mentioned earlier though, everyone a tPanasonic told me that the DVX100 is a "production" camera, and the DVC80 a "news" camera, and that they boasted about it in the flyer for the dvc80 because of the pastic rumours.

[Stephen van Vuuren]

Carl:

The DSP differences are mostly related to progressive scan. Those are removed from the DVC-80. The only was to get a comprehensive list would be to download both cams manuals and compare menu functions.