deck recomendations

Question

Level 1

5 points

deck recomendations

I believe it is time for me to invest in a deck. I have been using an old camera to capture video. I would like to have greater audio controls and timecode control. (I have worked on avid at post houses and that is where I have used pro-decks). Does any one have a suggestion as to what deck I should get or a rave about a reasonably priced product. Ideally, this deck would handle as many formats as possible.

-C

G4 Duel 1.5

Posted on Oct 31, 2006 9:30 AM

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Answer 1

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Oct 31, 2006 9:32 AM in response to celton

There is no universal deck. What format(s) do you shoot and/or edit?

x

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Answer 2

celton Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 31, 2006 9:39 AM in response to Studio X

Usually mini-dv but I am finding myself working with DVCAM and beta SP more and more. I am tired of getting dubs made and I am also intresting in the "punch-in" features of formats of DVCam and greater.

-C

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Answer 3

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Oct 31, 2006 9:51 AM in response to celton

the most "universal" machine i can think of is a sony J-30 which if i recall correctly, plays back beta, digibeta and imx. beyond that, there is no universal solution and you need to define what your definition of "reasonable price" is. used beta machines in good shape are old but still 5 large. go figure.

dv25 machine with timecode in and out and preset capability with rs422 control, perhaps 5 large again.

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Answer 4

loyed256

Level 4

2,265 points

Oct 31, 2006 10:25 AM in response to Zebulun

I've had a Sony DSR 50 portable DVCam deck for years and love it. It was the first with the tiny LCD built in but it limited on some features. A great DVCam deck is the DSR1500A if you can live in a DVCam only world. It's very expandable and has a fast, high end tape transport.

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Answer 5

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Oct 31, 2006 10:28 AM in response to loyed256

how many times have you opened up your 1500 to clean the transport and heads? oooof! replacing heads is not fun!

1500, best dvcam vtr made. does it have insert capability though? i can't remember.

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Answer 6

loyed256

Level 4

2,265 points

Oct 31, 2006 11:02 AM in response to Zebulun

Thankfully I've only used 1500s at other peoples facilities so I've never had to clean one. I do think insert editing is possible but you'd have to have 422 control and the right cards.

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Answer 7

celton Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 31, 2006 4:09 PM in response to loyed256

Any thoughts about the Sony DSR-1600A DVCAM Studio Editing Player with DV/DVCAM/DVCPRO?

Is the DVCPro format worth it?

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Answer 8

Oct 31, 2006 4:40 PM in response to celton

Any thoughts about the Sony DSR-1600A DVCAM Studio
Editing Player with DV/DVCAM/DVCPRO?

Is the DVCPro format worth it?

The 1600 is player only. We have the 1800 which is a player/recorder It plays DV-SP, DVCAM and DVC-PRO 25 (not 50) and can only record to DVCAM. Also, decks do not come standard with Firewire (and I don't think it'll transmit DVC-PRO over firewire). I feel it's not worth it. You'd be better off getting a 1500 or 45 and a DVC-PRO deck.

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