What does this mean? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harper · April 27th, 2007, 07:27 AM

The following information has been provided about to me about the hours on a used PD170 Operation: 216x10, Drum: 75x10, Tape: 47x10, Thread: 148x10.

What does it all mean?

Don Bloom · April 27th, 2007, 08:42 AM

Take the numbers and multiply by 10 so for this camera it has been ON for 2,160 hours-the drum has run for 750 hours and it has recorded 470 hours of tapes. Also it has has 148 threading operations meaning it has threaded tapes either to record or playback 148 times (this is the one number you don't multiply by 10)
I hope you get a really good price on it because the camera has been used a lot.
Don

Jeff Harper · April 27th, 2007, 08:52 AM

Don, thank you very much for this critical info. The price on this cam with a bag is 2150, way too high for me with those hours.

I found a like new 2100 for 1825, but I really want the XLR.

Oh well! Back to my search for a PD170.

Don Bloom · April 27th, 2007, 10:18 AM

HMMM, it looks like you might have a good pick with the 150 kit for sale in the classifieds. For that kind of money and those hours it looks pretty good.

Good luck,
Don

Jeff Harper · April 27th, 2007, 10:26 AM

Don, having studied the 170, I know nothing about the 150....can you give me any quick and dirty facts re: the differences?

I need it to match 2100, which is probably no issue....is audio configured like 170 so that I can run a wirless on one channel and run the shotgun on the other?

Don Bloom · April 27th, 2007, 11:26 AM

There are virtually little differences between the two cameras.
Off the top of my head they are;
1) The iris wheel of the 150 has 12 steps on the 170 it has 24
2) the 170 has a zoom control in the top handle the 150 does not
3) they improved the DSP in the 170 so it has a somewhat better low light capability. IIRC it is 1 lux vs. 2 for the 150-not all that significant in the grand scheme of things

I think they also did away with the small eyecup on the VF and went only with the large eyecup.
Yes the audio setup on the 150 is the same as the 170-2 XLR inputs ability to seperate the channels and control each individually.
Oh yeah they also have a built in lense cover on the 170 where the 150 has a seperate piece-I have no idea where any of mine are and in the last 6 years of using the 150 (at 1 time I had 2) I've never missed them but that's just me ;-)

The 150 is really a great camera but like any other piece of technology Sony went and made some enhancements after a number of years and brought out the 170.
As for matching to the 2100 shouldn't be any problem-I've done it in th epast with a friend of mine who used a 2100 for a while but has now gone to the Z1.
I used to use a JVC5000U with the PD150 and THAT was difficult to match but I've been using a DSR250 for quite a while now along with the 150 and it's virtually a perfect match. I've also put it together with a DSR300 and a DSR500 and although there were minute differences it was nothing that couldn't be taken care in post.
Anyway I think the 150 would do fine for you (the RIGHT one of course) and of course the money is a lot less.
BTW you can get a NEW 170 for about $2600 with a WA adapter.

HTHs
Don

Jeff Harper · April 27th, 2007, 11:38 AM

Thank you much for your detailed information. I am certain I would be happy with a 150, as you say, the right one.

I have inquired about the one in the classifieds, and am awaiting a reply.

I would hate to spend 2700 on a fading technology...as you know I would like to buy the new Canon A2...amazing cam...would love the ability to do hi-def....but I know I would hate trying to match the footage...just wouldn't work...

a used 150 would be a great solution for me, and I hope to find one...or of course a 170.

April 27th, 2007, 07:27 AM	#1
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	What does this mean? The following information has been provided about to me about the hours on a used PD170 Operation: 216x10, Drum: 75x10, Tape: 47x10, Thread: 148x10. What does it all mean?

April 27th, 2007, 08:42 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Take the numbers and multiply by 10 so for this camera it has been ON for 2,160 hours-the drum has run for 750 hours and it has recorded 470 hours of tapes. Also it has has 148 threading operations meaning it has threaded tapes either to record or playback 148 times (this is the one number you don't multiply by 10) I hope you get a really good price on it because the camera has been used a lot. Don

April 27th, 2007, 08:52 AM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Don, thank you very much for this critical info. The price on this cam with a bag is 2150, way too high for me with those hours. I found a like new 2100 for 1825, but I really want the XLR. Oh well! Back to my search for a PD170.

April 27th, 2007, 10:18 AM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	HMMM, it looks like you might have a good pick with the 150 kit for sale in the classifieds. For that kind of money and those hours it looks pretty good. Good luck, Don

April 27th, 2007, 10:26 AM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Don, having studied the 170, I know nothing about the 150....can you give me any quick and dirty facts re: the differences? I need it to match 2100, which is probably no issue....is audio configured like 170 so that I can run a wirless on one channel and run the shotgun on the other?

April 27th, 2007, 11:26 AM	#6
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	There are virtually little differences between the two cameras. Off the top of my head they are; 1) The iris wheel of the 150 has 12 steps on the 170 it has 24 2) the 170 has a zoom control in the top handle the 150 does not 3) they improved the DSP in the 170 so it has a somewhat better low light capability. IIRC it is 1 lux vs. 2 for the 150-not all that significant in the grand scheme of things I think they also did away with the small eyecup on the VF and went only with the large eyecup. Yes the audio setup on the 150 is the same as the 170-2 XLR inputs ability to seperate the channels and control each individually. Oh yeah they also have a built in lense cover on the 170 where the 150 has a seperate piece-I have no idea where any of mine are and in the last 6 years of using the 150 (at 1 time I had 2) I've never missed them but that's just me ;-) The 150 is really a great camera but like any other piece of technology Sony went and made some enhancements after a number of years and brought out the 170. As for matching to the 2100 shouldn't be any problem-I've done it in th epast with a friend of mine who used a 2100 for a while but has now gone to the Z1. I used to use a JVC5000U with the PD150 and THAT was difficult to match but I've been using a DSR250 for quite a while now along with the 150 and it's virtually a perfect match. I've also put it together with a DSR300 and a DSR500 and although there were minute differences it was nothing that couldn't be taken care in post. Anyway I think the 150 would do fine for you (the RIGHT one of course) and of course the money is a lot less. BTW you can get a NEW 170 for about $2600 with a WA adapter. HTHs Don

April 27th, 2007, 11:38 AM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Thank you much for your detailed information. I am certain I would be happy with a 150, as you say, the right one. I have inquired about the one in the classifieds, and am awaiting a reply. I would hate to spend 2700 on a fading technology...as you know I would like to buy the new Canon A2...amazing cam...would love the ability to do hi-def....but I know I would hate trying to match the footage...just wouldn't work... a used 150 would be a great solution for me, and I hope to find one...or of course a 170.