Panasonic AG-DVX100
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The Panasonic AG-DVX100 was the first affordable digital progressive scan camcorder.
The camera is popular amongst television studios and is popular with independent film makers because of its many film emulating features and has a large following.[1] Currently the latest and last revision is the DVX100B. The camera records to tape, but third party developers have modified DVX100 cameras to dump raw high definition images to a tethered laptop. (The most prominent company to do this, Reel Stream, is no longer operational.). The high definition successor to the DVX100 is the AG-HVX200.
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[edit] Technical specs
Panasonic has created a complete line of cameras which support recording in 24p, which is an analog of how film cameras record frames, for independent film production.
Progressive video is rare on cameras at this price point (MSRP 2,995 USD, though the camera can be had for around 2,600 USD street price) and is different from other consumer and prosumer cameras, which typically record in interlaced video. The DVX100 is rivalled in the range of standard definition video only by the Canon XL-2 which also records progressive video.
As HD is becoming more popular among prosumers, Panasonic has meanwhile released the Panasonic AG-HVX200, a 24p camcorder that records 1080i HD video (1440x1080) or 720p (1280x720) on P2 cards (not tape), making it one of the first professional solid-state memory-based camcorders on the prosumer market.
The DVX100 contains a 3-CCD image sensor system, with 410,000 (380,000 effective) pixels each. The camera can record 24p video in "telecined" fashion (2-3 pulldown for 24P and 2-3-3-2 pulldown for 24PA), 30p video in PsF fashion, and 60i standard interlaced video onto MiniDV tape. The camera incorporates "CineGamma" functionality to approximate the characteristic curve of film.
The DVX100 also features two XLR audio inputs, another rare feature for cameras in its price range. It includes a 4-pin FireWire port, as well as S-Video and RCA in and out ports. It features manual and servo zoom, with a second zoom control and record button on top of the handle for recording from low angles.
Typical camera accessories are: spare batteries, lens adapters, matte boxes, optical filters, tripods, geared and fluid heads for smooth panning and tilting, follow focus systems, external microphone(s), and storage cases.
[edit] Films shot with Panasonic AG-DVX100
Many student, independent shorts, and feature films have been shot with the Panasonic AG-DVX100, including the Sundance Film Festival-winning feature November and the recent Oscar nominated documentary Murderball.
A Scanner Darkly was also shot using the DVX100, but processed through Rotoshop to give it a more "animated" feel.
[edit] List of productions using the Panasonic AG DVX-100 (selected)
- Our Story Our Voice (2007)
- Land of Plenty (2004)
- Lonesome Jim (2005)
- Murderball (2005) (documentary)
- Iraq in Fragments (2006) (documentary)
- A Scanner Darkly (2006) (processed through Rotoshop)
- Jackass Number Two (2006)
- November (2004)
- A Mighty Heart (2007) (Flashback scenes)
- Four Eyed Monsters
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- The Angry Video Game Nerd (Webisode)
- Kenny vs. Spenny (TV series)
- Trona (2004) (indie)
- My Ruin - Slide You The Horn (2008) (Music Video)
- Battleground: 21 Days on the Empire's Edge (2004)
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/HVX200/
- ^ http://dvxuser.com/articles/shoot3/
- ^ http://photography.about.com/library/glossary/bldef_characteristic.htm
[edit] External links
- AdamWilt.com - List of differences between the AG-DVX100 and AG-DVX100a revision.
- New York Times and C/Net Reviews of DVX100B - Article written by Aimee Baldridge
- DVX100 Manual (PDF)
- DVX100A Manual (PDF)
- DVX100B Manual (PDF)
