Video Camera question

[ajax]

In addition to a projector, I'm looking to buy a video camera. My daughter is getting past her first year and it's time I get some nice footage of her in her young years. I don't want to do regular home movies. I have some experience working on indie films so I want to shoot with good lighitng, sound, NLE, etc.

I'm looking for a camera that can shoot pretty high quality, almost professional images, while still costing less than a used car. I've settled on the Panasonic DVC30. It's got 3 chips, looks rugged, but still portable enough to take on trips. Plus it's got some weird mode that makes your videos look like it was shot on film, which would probably look like crap on a huge screen but most likely looks pretty cool projected on a small screen.

Also, some time in the future I want to shoot some narrative shorts. Nothing fancy like independent films - I've eaten enough crappy craft services food to last a lifetime. I just want to shoot stuff to amuse myself, maybe get actors from the theater group I used to belong to, show it in small venues just for the hell of it (using digital projection so I don't have to pay for film transfer).

But I have some very basic questions about the DV format though, because my film experience has been with Arriflexs and the like.

- If I shoot in 30p, will I be able to play it back on an interlaced medium like standard television? The DVC30 shoots in simulated 30p by doubling the lines of resolution so it's not real 30p. Something tells me that the extra lines of resolution would looked messed up on a standard TV/projector.

- Same as above, if I burn my movies onto a DVD I'm assuming that the DVD would have to be able to playback in progressive mode, correct?

- What about aspect ratio? The DVC30 is not native 16:9 but you can still do it in-camera. Panasonic also sells a 16:9 adaptor lens. Anyway, I like the look. What will 16:9 look like on a 4:3 playback medium, assuming it even plays back at all?

- Basically what I'm trying to get at is if I shoot in 30p, 16:9 and send a bunch of DVDs to my friends and relatives, will they be able to play it back.

- If you're a pro, can you really tell the difference between 30p and 24p? Honest?

- Okay, the most basic, common newbie question: Mac or PC? I'm going to have to get a new computer that will be able to handle video editing and almost everyone I know that works in graphic or video arts uses Macs. Why? They're not any faster. Maybe the software is better? Macs are cooler? Eh?

 

[ajax]

Help, anyone? Videographers, video editors, independent filmmakers? Thanks.

 

[Franco]

Look, I don't know much about video, but I know that the camera you have in mind is DV25, and that means, among other things, 4:1:1 color sampling, and that means crap. Also, 410,000 pixels indicate standard PAL resolution. You want "almost professional" and, as far as I know, there is no such thing. You can buy miniDV crap for a few thousand bucks, or you can jump to professional stuff for $50k and up. One thing is for sure, miniDV stuff is far below professional.

Also, could you explain this weird mode that makes the video look like film? Is that the "CineGamma" software? Is it color correction, or is it simply shooting progressive?

Macs have the edge over PCs for photo editing (maybe video too) because the Mac operative system has built in a fancy color management system (ColorSync), while Windoze has nothing.

 

[Franco]

When I say "crap", I mean crap compared to something like DigiBeta. MiniDV is certainly not crap for home use.

 

[ajax]

Well, I'm not going to pay $50k for a video camera. The DVC30 is $1,700. For $50k, I might as well get the Sony F900 Cine Alta, the same camera that Lucas uses to shoot Attack of the Clones.

I know that miniDV can't compare to digibeta or even DVCam, but the DVC30 is about as big as a camera (fits in one hand, 6 inches long) as I want to get also.

The film effect that I'm talking about is Cinegamma.

 

[Franco]

I saw the CineGamma feature in the web page for the camera that you like, but when I clicked on it, I got a broken link, so I couldn't find out exactly what it is. So much for professionally made websites. I am particularly interested in that feature because my work is directly related to photo and video enhancement, including making video look like film.

You should also look at the Sony cameras. I've been told that Sony is generally a step ahead of the competition when it comes to video.

 

[Bottom Line]

I salute you for spending the extra dough for a nice camcorder. I bought a DVX-100A a few months ago and I love it. There is a lot to learn when stepping up to all the features the DVC30 brings to the table. Instead of answering all your questions, I'll give you a couple of links to sites where you can research what some of the serious users say. In general I'll say, you're going to be fine with making DVDs and sending them to your relatives. It's basically the same as making a DVD using an 8mm camcorder except the quality of your footage will be significantly better....and yes there is a difference between 30p and 24p. I suggest you look at some of the footage on the DVX site and you can tell...once you see the difference, you're eyes will be trained to notice it. It really is more a 'feel' then a 'see'.

This site is dedicated to DVX-100 users. Since the DVC30 is similar, you can find good advice here also.
DVXuser.com

This is a BB dedicated to Panasonic DVC and MX models.
DVinfonet

As far as Mac or PC goes...Mac is very video friendly and has expensive video software. I'm a PC guy and I use Vegas software. It will be your call, with the money you save on a PC system and software, you might have enough leftover to get the DVX.

BL

 

[ajax]

BL,

Thanks for the info and the links.

Franco,

I hear what you're saying about professional cameras and minidv. But I just saw somewhere that the movie "28 Days Later" was shot entirely with a $3,000 Canon XL1 minidv. Actually, they probably used a whole bunch of XL1s. Not the greatest movie, but it looked good.

Now it doesn't look as good as say "All My Children" or "Days of our LIves" which use the most expensive cameras out there, but I really like the "28 Days" look better.

 

[ajax]

I'm ordering my DVC30 from B&H Photo right now. I'm really psyched! This will be my real X-mas present because I inadvertently found out what my wife is getting me - carbon monoxide alarms. Whoo hoooo!!!

You know, I almost decided to buy the DVX100a cause it's just that cool. A 24p, 3 CCD camera for under 5 grand is incredible.

But that thing is massive. I couldn't even imagine lugging that thing around on a spur of the moment trip to Napa for a picnic. The DVC30 fits in the palm of my hand. I've got big hands.

Just watch, a couple of years from now there'll be some true (non-pseudo) progressive, 3 x 1/3 CCD, 24p, native 16:9, palm sized camera on the market for under 5 grand but I can't wait that long.