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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
miniDV deck for XL1

X-Sandie
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Nov 30, 2000, 7:17 PM

Post #1 of 9 (2285 views)
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miniDV deck for XL1	Can't Post

Hi to all -
I'm looking for a good miniDV deck to use with Canon XL1 tapes. Something that can batch capture and record back to as well.
Anyone out there have a deck? What brand/model? Do you recommend it?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Sandie

X-Darren_Kennedy
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Nov 30, 2000, 10:30 PM

Post #2 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1	Can't Post

Sandy,
I did use My XL1 with a sony GDV 300. It worked great. I would highly recomend it. I just sold it for a Sony DSR 11 because it has the ability to play and record DV/DVCAM large and small tapes. It is working very well with the XL1 and my JVC gy DV500.
GDV 500 - $1000-1300
DSR 11 - $2100-2400
I have also heard great things about the JVC BR 600, and the Panasonic DV 2000.
Darren

X-Don
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Dec 1, 2000, 9:05 AM

Post #3 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1 [In reply to]	Can't Post

: I'm looking for a good miniDV deck to use with Canon XL1 tapes. Something that can batch capture and record back to as well.
The Sony GV-D300 is a MiniDV walkman size deck, works well, sells for around $1000 last time I looked. The GV-D900 adds a 4" LCD panel for around $300-400 more. Some folks just buy a modest cost 1-CCD MiniDV camcorder (with analog input if you need it) and use it. A full size DV VCR, such as the DHR-1000 works well too and gives a number of control and editing options not found in the small machiens, not the least of which are fater tape handling, better insert capability, and the ability to use long tapes.

X-Bill
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Dec 1, 2000, 3:21 PM

Post #4 of 9 (2284 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1(Darren quick XL1,JVC comparison?) [In reply to]	Can't Post

: It is working very well with the XL1 and my JVC gy DV500.
Darren, can you give us a brief comparison between the XL1 and the JVC, Do you use for different uses, etc etc etc

X-Darren_Kennedy
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Dec 1, 2000, 10:26 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1(Darren quick XL1,JVC comparison?) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I really like both cameras, but I just sold the XL1 and I will be buying a PD150. The JVC has a sharper image with better color reproduction, and I have found it to be much easier to hold an 11 lb shoulder camera for an extended period of time rather than handhold or "brace" a 6 lb cam (XL1). The canon has a warmer, softer picture. These qualities give the picture more of a cinimatic quality which is very nice. The true 30 fps progressive scan also adds to this look. The Canon really has 2 big problems. 1. focusing is a pain. I personally find it very hard to work the servo controlled focus ring (A varizoom does wonders). The dark, low rez viewfinder adds to the problem. 2. Terrible in low light (compared to many of the newer cams.)
The JVC has very good ergonomic placement of the controls and for me this is one of the things that gives me the ability to exercise more creative freedom.
Both cams Have good audio, but I would give the Cannon higher marks, if you have an XLR adapter.
I was really having a hard time deciding to puchase the 500 and sell the XL1, but my final decision came down to gadgets. With the JVC, I can pick up the camera and go. To bring the Cannon up to par with the JVC, I needed to use too many "add ons" that just didn't make it worth it. (XLR adapter, varizoom, shoulder brace, wireless mic, light) When you get the XL1 loaded up with all of the Extras, it looks and handles like the Mousetrap game I used to have when I was a kid; wires, bumps, nodules, and things attatched and hanging everywhere.
As you can see most of my reasoning for getting rid of the XL1 in favor of the JVC had to do with personal preferences, not fundamental quality issues. If you do your reasearch, try out both cameras and make a decision based on you needs, I think you could be happy with either choice.
Darren Kennedy

X-Bill
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Dec 8, 2000, 1:48 AM

Post #6 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1(Darren quick XL1,JVC comparison?) [In reply to]	Can't Post

:
Thanks for the mini-review. Actually I have the XL1 and the Sony PD150. I have been pondering upgrading the XL1 to the JVC 500, but I am really torn. I love the Image stabilization,but wish it would focus easier, Love the frame mode, but like you wish the viewfinder was more accurate.I use EF stabilized lens on occasion for nature close-ups so I lose sleep over this decision! You should like the PD150, I got it for my Steadycam jr, but I am starting to use it more for other work. Don't you wish you could own them all??

X-Darren_Kennedy
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Dec 10, 2000, 6:30 PM

Post #7 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1(Darren quick XL1,JVC comparison?) [In reply to]	Can't Post

My choices were the exact same as yours. Had the XL1, but I was deciding between the 150 and the 500. Yes, I do wish I could have all of them. The new panasonic dvc 200 looks really good also, but I won't be in the market for another cam for about 2 yrs. I really understand the position you are in. The way I see it, by purchasing the 500 you will get: a somewhat better/different image, better focus control and less fatigue. Even though the JVC has a good 4-6 lbs on the Cannon, it is much easier to hold for extended periods of time
Good luck with your decision
Darren: :
: Thanks for the mini-review. Actually I have the XL1 and the Sony PD150. I have been pondering upgrading the XL1 to the JVC 500, but I am really torn. I love the Image stabilization,but wish it would focus easier, Love the frame mode, but like you wish the viewfinder was more accurate.I use EF stabilized lens on occasion for nature close-ups so I lose sleep over this decision! You should like the PD150, I got it for my Steadycam jr, but I am starting to use it more for other work. Don't you wish you could own them all??

X-Brian_Davids
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Dec 21, 2000, 12:45 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have purchased two different decks, and I am pleased with both of them. The first deck that I purchased was from JVC. It is the MiniDV/SVHS deck, model JVC HR-DVS1U. This deck is working perfectly with my DigitalOrigin EditDV product. I have no firewire issues, and it has been a solid performer for the past 8 months. The deck provides the ability to edit from miniDV to SVHS with a very simple interface. It is reviewed in Computer Videomaker January 2001 issue if you want another opinion. I believe the JVC deck costs around $1700.
The next deck I purchased (primarily because I need to record longer than 1 hour) was the Sony DSR-20. The deck is solid and reads both MiniDV and DVCAM format tapes. I take the DSR-20 to shoots where I need to record more than 1 hour and it is a solid performer. I did one shoot where I ran the deck for 3 hours straight, connected to my XL1 and had no problems. The Sony deck costs around $3,500.

X-Tito
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Jan 8, 2001, 11:15 AM

Post #9 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: miniDV deck for XL1(Darren quick XL1,JVC comparison?) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would also strongly recommend you consider the new Sony DSR-250. Records in both DV and DVCAM, uses both mini and fill-size cassettes, has both excellent B&W VF and color flip-out LCD, better XLR and audio than PD150, and it's shoulder-resting like the JVC 500.