PD170 vs VX2100 questions

Alan Christensen · January 23rd, 2004, 12:34 AM

I'm not clear what the problem is with your VX-2100. You can record two separate audio sources with the VX-2000 or 2100. The issue is that you only have one manual audio level setting, so the one setting has to work for both sources. One way to get around this drawback is to use a Beachtek or other such device to attenuate one of the sources so that its maximum is in the same ballpark as the other source. Of course by the time you buy a Beachtek, you are getting closer to the price of a PD-170.

Law Tyler · January 23rd, 2004, 08:13 AM

Alan, thanks.

But I tried two different splitters, which had worked on other cameras, and the end result is that it either retain using the on-cam mic, or just static.

Any way, adding the DXA-8 would get close to PD-170, which has other stuff like on-screen timestamp, usable on-cam mic, etc, better off just getting it.

Dave Largent · January 23rd, 2004, 12:45 PM

I just tried using a splitter, too, with the VX2000.
I wanted to send a shotgun to one channel
and a wireless to the other.
I plugged in a 1/8" stereo to two 1/8" mono adapter
that I got from Radio Shack (~$5). I went to test the
setup for channel crosstalk by plugging in the
shotgun. I did get channel seperation, but I never
actually got as far as the crosstalk test because I
was getting a lot of crackling on the channel with the
shotgun.
Actually, I don't understand why this setup has this
problem. Perhaps a cheap RS splitter?
Anyways, I've been trying in vain to locate a Y-splitter cable (1 male miniplug stereo to 2 female miniplug mono).
I saw one one time on the net but can't find one
now. It was about a foot in length, or less.
Anyone know where I could get this item?

Law Tyler · January 23rd, 2004, 09:13 PM

As I said, the two difference splitters worked on a even cheaper DV cam with stereo mini input, so I don't understand why this will not work. Any way, I give up. This will be a secondary cam.

I will get PDX-10 if not for the 7LUX.

Lyndon Golanowski · January 23rd, 2004, 09:15 PM

yeah the only reason im leaning towards sony is because of the 1lux...I still might just save up and go panny however...

Cameron Stainton · January 23rd, 2004, 09:49 PM

I'm waiting for my new PD-170 to arrive in the mail.
Two reasons I didn't go with the 2100:
Low light...I do alot of deep water footage
XLR jacks...documentary interviews etc...
Best of luck!

Law Tyler · January 24th, 2004, 07:36 AM

Don't mean to nippick, but that is only one reason -- the 2100 has the same CCD as PD-170, right?

I like the PD-170 because of the shotgun mic already there, of course if I need better quality, I can erect a stand with a separate mic.

Also the on-screen timestamp, don't get routed to "consumer" dept when you call Sony... just kidding.

Dave Largent · January 24th, 2004, 02:18 PM

This is not mentioned, but as an owner of both
a VX and a PD, a really nice thing about the PD
versus the VX is that the PD doesn't turn off
every few minutes. For those of you trying
to decide between these two cams, do not
underestimate how annoying this constant
powering down can be when you are
using the cam professionally (i.e. to make
money).
One let down I've had with the cam -- aside
from the fact that my NTSC PD has the "170 audio
buzzing problem" -- is that the B&W viewfinder
doesn't help with focusing as much as I
expected. I've never looked into a 150
viewfinder, but I think that Sony may
have made focusing more difficult by
magnifying the viewfinder on the 170.
There seems to be alot of light bouncing
around inside the 170 viewfinder, which
seems to cut down on contrast. Anyone here
actually used both viewfinders?

Cameron Stainton · January 24th, 2004, 04:24 PM

Yes...same CCD's...my brain lapse...must have been thinking of the JVC HD
CS

Bob Harotunian · January 24th, 2004, 07:23 PM

For those of you familiar with the 150/170, I'm curious about the audio level controls. I have a GL2 and I've become very use to adjusting either channel with manual left and right dials. Does the PD170 work that way or do you have to go into the menu system? I'm strongly considering the 170 after the initial bugs go away.

Bob Harotunian · January 24th, 2004, 07:37 PM

Just read the PD150 workbook about audio levels and it says "You can adjust the incoming sound levels using the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial." Does that mean the dial controls both channels simultaneously?

Dave Largent · January 24th, 2004, 08:02 PM

Can be controlled individually, using a menu. No seperate hand-controlled rotary dials.

Mike Rehmus · January 24th, 2004, 09:19 PM

You get a choice to split the channels between auto and manual and another choice if you select both to be manual to have both levels controlled simultaneously by the single rotary control. Or you can split their control in which case, each push IN of the control switches the control between channels. Works quite nicely.

Hans Kuipers · January 25th, 2004, 05:08 AM

Bob : why do you want to make the change over from the GL2 and to the PD170??????

Bob Harotunian · January 25th, 2004, 10:30 AM

Hans,
I'm not 100% sure I want to switch. Quite frankly, I'm very happy with both of our GL2s but since we use them for weddings, I have to consider the 1 lux rating of the 170.

January 24th, 2004, 02:18 PM	#23
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	The best thing about the PD over the VX .... This is not mentioned, but as an owner of both a VX and a PD, a really nice thing about the PD versus the VX is that the PD doesn't turn off every few minutes. For those of you trying to decide between these two cams, do not underestimate how annoying this constant powering down can be when you are using the cam professionally (i.e. to make money). One let down I've had with the cam -- aside from the fact that my NTSC PD has the "170 audio buzzing problem" -- is that the B&W viewfinder doesn't help with focusing as much as I expected. I've never looked into a 150 viewfinder, but I think that Sony may have made focusing more difficult by magnifying the viewfinder on the 170. There seems to be alot of light bouncing around inside the 170 viewfinder, which seems to cut down on contrast. Anyone here actually used both viewfinders?

January 24th, 2004, 09:19 PM	#28
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	You get a choice to split the channels between auto and manual and another choice if you select both to be manual to have both levels controlled simultaneously by the single rotary control. Or you can split their control in which case, each push IN of the control switches the control between channels. Works quite nicely. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

January 23rd, 2004, 12:34 AM	#16
Alan Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: California Posts: 139	I'm not clear what the problem is with your VX-2100. You can record two separate audio sources with the VX-2000 or 2100. The issue is that you only have one manual audio level setting, so the one setting has to work for both sources. One way to get around this drawback is to use a Beachtek or other such device to attenuate one of the sources so that its maximum is in the same ballpark as the other source. Of course by the time you buy a Beachtek, you are getting closer to the price of a PD-170.

January 23rd, 2004, 08:13 AM	#17
Law Tyler Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 204	Alan, thanks. But I tried two different splitters, which had worked on other cameras, and the end result is that it either retain using the on-cam mic, or just static. Any way, adding the DXA-8 would get close to PD-170, which has other stuff like on-screen timestamp, usable on-cam mic, etc, better off just getting it.

January 23rd, 2004, 12:45 PM	#18
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	I just tried using a splitter, too, with the VX2000. I wanted to send a shotgun to one channel and a wireless to the other. I plugged in a 1/8" stereo to two 1/8" mono adapter that I got from Radio Shack (~$5). I went to test the setup for channel crosstalk by plugging in the shotgun. I did get channel seperation, but I never actually got as far as the crosstalk test because I was getting a lot of crackling on the channel with the shotgun. Actually, I don't understand why this setup has this problem. Perhaps a cheap RS splitter? Anyways, I've been trying in vain to locate a Y-splitter cable (1 male miniplug stereo to 2 female miniplug mono). I saw one one time on the net but can't find one now. It was about a foot in length, or less. Anyone know where I could get this item?

January 23rd, 2004, 09:13 PM	#19
Law Tyler Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 204	As I said, the two difference splitters worked on a even cheaper DV cam with stereo mini input, so I don't understand why this will not work. Any way, I give up. This will be a secondary cam. I will get PDX-10 if not for the 7LUX.

January 23rd, 2004, 09:15 PM	#20
Lyndon Golanowski Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 51	yeah the only reason im leaning towards sony is because of the 1lux...I still might just save up and go panny however...

January 23rd, 2004, 09:49 PM	#21
Cameron Stainton New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carbondale, CO Posts: 22	I'm waiting for my new PD-170 to arrive in the mail. Two reasons I didn't go with the 2100: Low light...I do alot of deep water footage XLR jacks...documentary interviews etc... Best of luck!

January 24th, 2004, 07:36 AM	#22
Law Tyler Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 204	Don't mean to nippick, but that is only one reason -- the 2100 has the same CCD as PD-170, right? I like the PD-170 because of the shotgun mic already there, of course if I need better quality, I can erect a stand with a separate mic. Also the on-screen timestamp, don't get routed to "consumer" dept when you call Sony... just kidding.

January 24th, 2004, 04:24 PM	#24
Cameron Stainton New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carbondale, CO Posts: 22	Yes...same CCD's...my brain lapse...must have been thinking of the JVC HD CS

January 24th, 2004, 07:23 PM	#25
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	For those of you familiar with the 150/170, I'm curious about the audio level controls. I have a GL2 and I've become very use to adjusting either channel with manual left and right dials. Does the PD170 work that way or do you have to go into the menu system? I'm strongly considering the 170 after the initial bugs go away.

January 24th, 2004, 07:37 PM	#26
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	Just read the PD150 workbook about audio levels and it says "You can adjust the incoming sound levels using the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial." Does that mean the dial controls both channels simultaneously?

January 24th, 2004, 08:02 PM	#27
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Can be controlled individually, using a menu. No seperate hand-controlled rotary dials.

January 25th, 2004, 05:08 AM	#29
Hans Kuipers Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 61	Bob : why do you want to make the change over from the GL2 and to the PD170??????

January 25th, 2004, 10:30 AM	#30
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	Hans, I'm not 100% sure I want to switch. Quite frankly, I'm very happy with both of our GL2s but since we use them for weddings, I have to consider the 1 lux rating of the 170.