$1500 Beachtek? at DVinfo.net

Lynne Whelden · June 2nd, 2005, 05:35 PM

Anybody know the significant differences between the C1 and A1 besides the fact that there's a Beachtek-like box on top of the A1?

Chris Hurd · June 2nd, 2005, 07:13 PM

Actually it's a PDX10-like box. DV vs. DVCAM is the other big difference.

Lynne Whelden · June 2nd, 2005, 08:12 PM

I'm not following you. How's a PDX-10-like box different from a Beachtek? And regarding DVCAM vs. DV, doesn't that basically mean shorter tape-shooting times (40 vs. 60 min.)?

Kyle Ringin · June 2nd, 2005, 09:53 PM

The major advantage of DVCAM over DV is the signal is recorded at a lower 'density' (if that makes sense) so it is more resistant to dropouts. It is the same signal as far as audio format and video resolution/compression is concerned. It also supports locked audio. The consumer dv format also supports this, but in practice they are always (?) unlocked.

I would think the box-on-top would have internal circuitry very similar to a beachtek. Haven't seen inside one (or a pdx-10) though.

Boyd Ostroff · June 3rd, 2005, 02:07 PM

I don't know how the PDX-10 box compares to the more expensive beachteks, but I have a DXA4 for my VX-2000. It is fine, but the PDX-10 box seems a little more refined with more options for choosing input, mike attenuation, low cut filter, and it has phantom power. Basically, it's a removable version of the PD-150/170 XLR box. The Beachtek box is also a lot larger and much heavier.

More importantly, the PDX-10 box connects through a multi-pin plug that snaps into the intelligent hotshoe so you don't need to go through an 1/8" miniplug input like a Beachtek does. This plug provides phantom power and also tells the camera the box is present, which affects your menu choices. I assume it also provides a cleaner preamp input, but I really don't know that for sure. However 1/8" mini-plugs don't have a very good reliability record, so I think the hotshoe approach is an improvement.

I don't have any experience with the PDX-10's cousin, the TRV-950, but I can say that PDX-10 audio is much better than my VX-2000.

June 2nd, 2005, 05:35 PM	#1
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	$1500 Beachtek? Anybody know the significant differences between the C1 and A1 besides the fact that there's a Beachtek-like box on top of the A1?

June 2nd, 2005, 07:13 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Actually it's a PDX10-like box. DV vs. DVCAM is the other big difference. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 2nd, 2005, 08:12 PM	#3
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	Wha...? I'm not following you. How's a PDX-10-like box different from a Beachtek? And regarding DVCAM vs. DV, doesn't that basically mean shorter tape-shooting times (40 vs. 60 min.)?

June 2nd, 2005, 09:53 PM	#4
Kyle Ringin Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 241	The major advantage of DVCAM over DV is the signal is recorded at a lower 'density' (if that makes sense) so it is more resistant to dropouts. It is the same signal as far as audio format and video resolution/compression is concerned. It also supports locked audio. The consumer dv format also supports this, but in practice they are always (?) unlocked. I would think the box-on-top would have internal circuitry very similar to a beachtek. Haven't seen inside one (or a pdx-10) though.

June 3rd, 2005, 02:07 PM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I don't know how the PDX-10 box compares to the more expensive beachteks, but I have a DXA4 for my VX-2000. It is fine, but the PDX-10 box seems a little more refined with more options for choosing input, mike attenuation, low cut filter, and it has phantom power. Basically, it's a removable version of the PD-150/170 XLR box. The Beachtek box is also a lot larger and much heavier. More importantly, the PDX-10 box connects through a multi-pin plug that snaps into the intelligent hotshoe so you don't need to go through an 1/8" miniplug input like a Beachtek does. This plug provides phantom power and also tells the camera the box is present, which affects your menu choices. I assume it also provides a cleaner preamp input, but I really don't know that for sure. However 1/8" mini-plugs don't have a very good reliability record, so I think the hotshoe approach is an improvement. I don't have any experience with the PDX-10's cousin, the TRV-950, but I can say that PDX-10 audio is much better than my VX-2000.