Various questions about Panasonic DVC and DVX

Matthew DeJesus · September 25th, 2003, 01:20 AM

I am purchasing a heavy duty cancas tool bag at Lowe's to carry my gear this weekend. I got the idea on the case from a post here.

My question is: what do you all use to actually keep you camera safe and steady and not boucing around in the bag?

Thanks!

Ken Tanaka · September 25th, 2003, 10:26 AM

Just a small tip. This chamois eye cup cover at B&H photo fits the DVX100's, and probably the DVC80's, eye cup perfectly. It's much more comfortable than the naked eye cup and quite inexpensive. Get several, as they will inevitably get rather worn with frequent use.

Isn't the DVX100's viewfinder eyepiece great?! It's the best I've ever used.

Ozzie Leon · September 26th, 2003, 01:25 PM

Does any know of a webbsite that is dedicated to directors/directing.

Brad Carrier · September 29th, 2003, 04:44 AM

I'm a GL2 guy but I figured you guys might get a kick out of this. I saw a new eBay commercial yesterday. Its where a guy is trying to learn how to use eBay when his wife comes in and of course bursts into a huge musical number which is a take off of "Do you know the way to San Jose"

Anyway, at the end one of the dancers is holding a DVX100 as an example of one of the things you can buy on eBay. I figured they would use some cheap model but its definitely the DVX100. I just thought it was interesting so look out for that commercial.

Josh Mellicker · October 3rd, 2003, 12:24 PM

If you are a DVX100 expert, and are available to hire for a day, please contact:

michelle@dvcreators.net

Thanks!

Jarrett Towe · October 5th, 2003, 10:50 AM

I want to try some of the factory settings, but the presets for the 80 are undefined from the factory. Any help?
thanks
Jarrett

Alturo Nguyen · October 5th, 2003, 03:34 PM

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product/275296/EQPP8DVX100/REG/1932

I contacted ikelite for a quote, but am wondering if anyone has used the equinox, or other depth-friendly housing, possibly with more controls/viewing options.

Don't understand how you view the viewfinder, and how it appears underwater/lighting....., and optics are questionable. Would really like to see some footage shot with the equinox, or other, and if so, which model/mfg.

The price doesn't bother me... the functionality/output is what's in question.

IE: no iris adjustment
can you use filters on the cam

Remember seeing a website that had an awesome looking housing with all sorts of controls, but appeared to be made in cad, and was only a protype "dream" machine as far as could tell

Thanks

Stephen van Vuuren · October 5th, 2003, 04:03 PM

I'm still researching monitors....

A new Toshiba HD Consumer set offers this feature:

• CrystalScan HDSC™ upconverts all video signals (including 480i/p) to 1080i HD. This results in a significant
reduction in jagged-line artifacts which produces a smoother, more natural image. Selectable 540p, for users who
want to display a progressive scan image from a progressive scan source, is available via the on-screen menu

Could this display 24p via firewire out of an NLE in true progressive scan?

More details (see the PDF) at http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisi...p?model=30hf83.

It's hard to fork out $1300 for a 13" Pro interlaced SD monitor (e.g. Panasonic BT-H1390Y).

I wonder how well this monitor could be calibrated via the service menu...

Peter Jefferson · October 16th, 2003, 12:17 PM

okies, heres a q, how can i go about getting teh DVX to look similar to Beta SP? Basically the smooth rounded look of televisio?

Ive been messing with the setting and find that setting detail to lowest setting, with a master ped of -2 works, but for some reason there is jsut something missiing.. I have a colour phase of +2 which helps bring out the flatter colours, however i jsut dont seem to be gettin it.. I KNOW this cam can do it, as there is a soapy here in Oz which is now filmed with this cam exclusively... and they have right, (a bit red, but the resolutions and smoothness look the part)

im jsut curious as i think it would be a great Scene setting to have set up on the cam...

thanks in advance to any respnses...

Nathan Clapp · October 18th, 2003, 11:02 AM

Recently I found that there are secret menu items that can be accessed via unusual button combination. They are as follows: Push and hold "audio Dub" (on the top, under the handle) While holding that down hit "Rewind" on the joystick, and keep it in rewind. While maintaining that then hit "Menu" button, and viola! Menu choiced #8 Diagnostic and #9 Settings reveal themselves in the menu .
So what the hell do these things do?

Okay, here is what I know. This I recently got a Panasonic Service Manual for the DVX100 (not easy to get BTW) and although it is written in Pidgin english w virtually no proofreading, I have learned the following- using the above button combination you get access to both a "Diagnostic" and an "Adjust" menu choice in your menu as well as the other choices you always get. The "adjust" menu should be left alone. It is to be used with engineer hardware & software to calibrate your camera, but doing it by the seat of your pants is foolish. Leave it alone.

HOWEVER, I have found the "Diagnostic" Menu to be very enlightening. It has two parts. the upper part gives you the choice of: Off, Video, Audio, or Both. and sample rate of Slow or Fast. Lets say you choose "Both", and "Fast." back out of the menu, and play a previously recorded tape. Where the audio meters normally are is now a "Signal Quality meter" if you will. Low levels good. red levels bad. It shows you the signal quality or error rate of the signal you previously recorded. Not quite a confidence head but still very nice feature. You may, I assume, see potential problems with your video head before they manifest themselves in a visible head clog...... We use it every day now that we know it is there to assess the overall health of our cameras. You can look at just video signal (I assume both writing heads shown as separate channels) audio signal or both combined. Sample rate is just how fast the display refreshes itself.

The lower half of the diagnostic page is an event log of shutdowns due to problems. Provided you set your internal clock right, it gives you month day and year, time, and a 4 digit code for errors. Also very helpful, for what else, Diagnostics.

I would be interested in hearing where people's "Quality meters" are bouncing around on average and the hours on their video heads. We have several cameras with 50 or less hours and on average say about 0-4 units mostly say 3 units on the meter. One camera has 120 hours and it's quality meter is averaging more like 5-6 units. (Anything over 10 units goes into red)
-Nate

Fernando Vidal · October 18th, 2003, 10:57 PM

Some tests in 24p advanced edited together.

http://www.wwwroot15.net/~supersos/

15 mb

Scott Chapin · October 20th, 2003, 06:39 PM

I am going to record an audio important event and will not be able to audition levels. Knowing that 94dB SPL produces -32dBv from my mics, I needed to know where that was on my meters.

I used my Neutrix Minirator (accurate within 2dB) and piped some white noise and 1000kHz through the camera. With ALC on, I could not get a signal great enough to break 3 red bars on the meter. I would not have thought the limiting to be so severe.

With ALC off, I could easily get the meter to climb through the ceiling.

So my question is whether or not everyone else finds that maximum levels should be set to around 2 red bars with ALC on to avoid compression.

Thanks.

Arooj Azam · October 21st, 2003, 11:22 AM

Hey guys its me again

Just wanted to have some info and your comments on how strong the multi coating on this lens is. I mean if one doesnt have a cleaning kit, is it safe to use an alternative i.e cotton swabs.. etc ..Any answers will be much appreciated

Peter Richardson · October 24th, 2003, 11:28 AM

Anyone know how to clear all info in the viewfinder display. I can get rid of everything but the Timecode. Anyone know how to get rid of that too? Thanks,

Peter

Chris Sorensen · October 24th, 2003, 10:35 PM

I'm writer/actor trying to make the leap to filmmaker. I'm going to get the DVX100, but after going through a ton of posts, I still have a couple questions. First, I'm thinking of getting the PAL version. I know that adds inconvenience (need a PAL monitor, can't watch the footage on NTSC TV without converting, etc.) but since I'm only planning on using the camera for shooting films hopefully for a blowup to 35mm, isn't the extra resolution worth it. Seems every DV movie released is shot in PAL. And with FCP4, can't I convert the 25P finished product to 24P NTSC if needed? Is there any deal breaker in going with PAL?

Second, I'd like the best possible 16X9 picture and was considering the anamorphic adaptor, but in reading past posts, the focus issue and OIS not being recommended with the adaptor concerned me. And having to buy a matte box for filters, etc. seems expensive and a pain. The film will have a lot of handheld and I also don't want to find out in post everything is slightly out of focus. Would you recommend the anamorphic or letterbox/do-it-in-post, especially if I go PAL which will still leave me 432 vertical pixels after the letterboxing. Thanks for your help.

September 25th, 2003, 01:20 AM	#61
Matthew DeJesus Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 26	DVX protection in a generic case I am purchasing a heavy duty cancas tool bag at Lowe's to carry my gear this weekend. I got the idea on the case from a post here. My question is: what do you all use to actually keep you camera safe and steady and not boucing around in the bag? Thanks!

September 25th, 2003, 10:26 AM	#62
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Image 2000 chamois eyepiece cover Just a small tip. This chamois eye cup cover at B&H photo fits the DVX100's, and probably the DVC80's, eye cup perfectly. It's much more comfortable than the naked eye cup and quite inexpensive. Get several, as they will inevitably get rather worn with frequent use. Isn't the DVX100's viewfinder eyepiece great?! It's the best I've ever used. __________________ 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

September 26th, 2003, 01:25 PM	#63
Ozzie Leon Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: columbus ohio Posts: 68	directing/ag-dvx100 Does any know of a webbsite that is dedicated to directors/directing. __________________ Ozzie Leon

September 29th, 2003, 04:44 AM	#64
Brad Carrier Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Greenville, TX Posts: 69	DVX100 in new commercial I'm a GL2 guy but I figured you guys might get a kick out of this. I saw a new eBay commercial yesterday. Its where a guy is trying to learn how to use eBay when his wife comes in and of course bursts into a huge musical number which is a take off of "Do you know the way to San Jose" Anyway, at the end one of the dancers is holding a DVX100 as an example of one of the things you can buy on eBay. I figured they would use some cheap model but its definitely the DVX100. I just thought it was interesting so look out for that commercial.

October 3rd, 2003, 12:24 PM	#65
Josh Mellicker DV Creators Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hollywood Posts: 91	DVX100 expert needed in LA/San Diego If you are a DVX100 expert, and are available to hire for a day, please contact: michelle@dvcreators.net Thanks!

October 5th, 2003, 10:50 AM	#66
Jarrett Towe New Boot Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 17	What are the dvx scene file settings? My 80's scene files are blank! I want to try some of the factory settings, but the presets for the 80 are undefined from the factory. Any help? thanks Jarrett

October 5th, 2003, 03:34 PM	#67
Alturo Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 52	Underwater, who has/ using the Equinox propak 8 or other? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product/275296/EQPP8DVX100/REG/1932 I contacted ikelite for a quote, but am wondering if anyone has used the equinox, or other depth-friendly housing, possibly with more controls/viewing options. Don't understand how you view the viewfinder, and how it appears underwater/lighting....., and optics are questionable. Would really like to see some footage shot with the equinox, or other, and if so, which model/mfg. The price doesn't bother me... the functionality/output is what's in question. IE: no iris adjustment can you use filters on the cam Remember seeing a website that had an awesome looking housing with all sorts of controls, but appeared to be made in cad, and was only a protype "dream" machine as far as could tell Thanks

October 5th, 2003, 04:03 PM	#68
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Toshiba HD has 540p mode??? I'm still researching monitors.... A new Toshiba HD Consumer set offers this feature: • CrystalScan HDSC™ upconverts all video signals (including 480i/p) to 1080i HD. This results in a significant reduction in jagged-line artifacts which produces a smoother, more natural image. Selectable 540p, for users who want to display a progressive scan image from a progressive scan source, is available via the on-screen menu Could this display 24p via firewire out of an NLE in true progressive scan? More details (see the PDF) at http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisi...p?model=30hf83. It's hard to fork out $1300 for a 13" Pro interlaced SD monitor (e.g. Panasonic BT-H1390Y). I wonder how well this monitor could be calibrated via the service menu... __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

October 16th, 2003, 12:17 PM	#69
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	DVX to look like Beta SP on TV okies, heres a q, how can i go about getting teh DVX to look similar to Beta SP? Basically the smooth rounded look of televisio? Ive been messing with the setting and find that setting detail to lowest setting, with a master ped of -2 works, but for some reason there is jsut something missiing.. I have a colour phase of +2 which helps bring out the flatter colours, however i jsut dont seem to be gettin it.. I KNOW this cam can do it, as there is a soapy here in Oz which is now filmed with this cam exclusively... and they have right, (a bit red, but the resolutions and smoothness look the part) im jsut curious as i think it would be a great Scene setting to have set up on the cam... thanks in advance to any respnses...

October 18th, 2003, 11:02 AM	#70
Nathan Clapp New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 16	Secret Diagnostic Menu Recently I found that there are secret menu items that can be accessed via unusual button combination. They are as follows: Push and hold "audio Dub" (on the top, under the handle) While holding that down hit "Rewind" on the joystick, and keep it in rewind. While maintaining that then hit "Menu" button, and viola! Menu choiced #8 Diagnostic and #9 Settings reveal themselves in the menu . So what the hell do these things do? Okay, here is what I know. This I recently got a Panasonic Service Manual for the DVX100 (not easy to get BTW) and although it is written in Pidgin english w virtually no proofreading, I have learned the following- using the above button combination you get access to both a "Diagnostic" and an "Adjust" menu choice in your menu as well as the other choices you always get. The "adjust" menu should be left alone. It is to be used with engineer hardware & software to calibrate your camera, but doing it by the seat of your pants is foolish. Leave it alone. HOWEVER, I have found the "Diagnostic" Menu to be very enlightening. It has two parts. the upper part gives you the choice of: Off, Video, Audio, or Both. and sample rate of Slow or Fast. Lets say you choose "Both", and "Fast." back out of the menu, and play a previously recorded tape. Where the audio meters normally are is now a "Signal Quality meter" if you will. Low levels good. red levels bad. It shows you the signal quality or error rate of the signal you previously recorded. Not quite a confidence head but still very nice feature. You may, I assume, see potential problems with your video head before they manifest themselves in a visible head clog...... We use it every day now that we know it is there to assess the overall health of our cameras. You can look at just video signal (I assume both writing heads shown as separate channels) audio signal or both combined. Sample rate is just how fast the display refreshes itself. The lower half of the diagnostic page is an event log of shutdowns due to problems. Provided you set your internal clock right, it gives you month day and year, time, and a 4 digit code for errors. Also very helpful, for what else, Diagnostics. I would be interested in hearing where people's "Quality meters" are bouncing around on average and the hours on their video heads. We have several cameras with 50 or less hours and on average say about 0-4 units mostly say 3 units on the meter. One camera has 120 hours and it's quality meter is averaging more like 5-6 units. (Anything over 10 units goes into red) -Nate __________________ -Nate Clapp

October 18th, 2003, 10:57 PM	#71
Fernando Vidal New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 11	Test footage 24p advanced Some tests in 24p advanced edited together. http://www.wwwroot15.net/~supersos/ 15 mb

October 20th, 2003, 06:39 PM	#72
Scott Chapin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Powder Springs, GA Posts: 39	Maximum ALC level I am going to record an audio important event and will not be able to audition levels. Knowing that 94dB SPL produces -32dBv from my mics, I needed to know where that was on my meters. I used my Neutrix Minirator (accurate within 2dB) and piped some white noise and 1000kHz through the camera. With ALC on, I could not get a signal great enough to break 3 red bars on the meter. I would not have thought the limiting to be so severe. With ALC off, I could easily get the meter to climb through the ceiling. So my question is whether or not everyone else finds that maximum levels should be set to around 2 red bars with ALC on to avoid compression. Thanks. __________________ Scott Chapin

October 21st, 2003, 11:22 AM	#73
Arooj Azam New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: pakistan Posts: 6	Cleaning Leica Dicomar Hey guys its me again Just wanted to have some info and your comments on how strong the multi coating on this lens is. I mean if one doesnt have a cleaning kit, is it safe to use an alternative i.e cotton swabs.. etc ..Any answers will be much appreciated __________________ BORN TO BE WILD

October 24th, 2003, 11:28 AM	#74
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	CLearing Viewfinder of all info Anyone know how to clear all info in the viewfinder display. I can get rid of everything but the Timecode. Anyone know how to get rid of that too? Thanks, Peter

October 24th, 2003, 10:35 PM	#75
Chris Sorensen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 61	DVX Decisions I'm writer/actor trying to make the leap to filmmaker. I'm going to get the DVX100, but after going through a ton of posts, I still have a couple questions. First, I'm thinking of getting the PAL version. I know that adds inconvenience (need a PAL monitor, can't watch the footage on NTSC TV without converting, etc.) but since I'm only planning on using the camera for shooting films hopefully for a blowup to 35mm, isn't the extra resolution worth it. Seems every DV movie released is shot in PAL. And with FCP4, can't I convert the 25P finished product to 24P NTSC if needed? Is there any deal breaker in going with PAL? Second, I'd like the best possible 16X9 picture and was considering the anamorphic adaptor, but in reading past posts, the focus issue and OIS not being recommended with the adaptor concerned me. And having to buy a matte box for filters, etc. seems expensive and a pain. The film will have a lot of handheld and I also don't want to find out in post everything is slightly out of focus. Would you recommend the anamorphic or letterbox/do-it-in-post, especially if I go PAL which will still leave me 432 vertical pixels after the letterboxing. Thanks for your help.