[Brad White]

Thanks for your comments.
My real issue with using the Content Management Utility (CMU) has to do with file names. Here is an example; A video clip in the camera is labeled 100_0027 when played in the camera. When this same clip is moved (USB) to my computer using the CMU “Import” screen, the file name is shown as M2U00027.mpg. And when this saved file is then opened in CMU, the file name is now 20111105171841.mpg, a full 14 digits long. The first half of this number appears to be the date (year/month/day) and the second half appears to be random. I can not find any setting within the CMU that allows me any control over assigning file names (numbers). I would like to understand what is happening as the file moves around. I would also like to simplify the file number for editing and archival purposes.
Brad

[Brad White]

Thanks all for your comments. Again, my point in starting this thread was to give a heads up to others who may be considering upgrading to Vegas Pro 11.
Since Sony sent me an invitation to “upgrade”, they obviously knew I was a current user of v10 (or earlier) which are compatibile with Win XP platforms. A courtesy note in the email could have noted that XP was not compatible, especially in light of the fact there was no “System Requirements” mentioned.
I’ll continue to watch future posts regarding Pro 11 and decide later whether or not to upgrade my edit computers and OS.
Brad White

[Brad White]

Hi Steve,

I received my Libec ZC-3DV remote controller and just had a chance to test it;

It performs as advertised with a smooth, variable speed zoom. The appearance and construction are both good. There is a switch that allows the controller to be used with Sony LANC as well as with Panasonic, not generally found on other controllers. The only thing that I find missing is an LED indicating “power on” and/or “recording”. This is helpfull if you can not see the camera LCD screen, such as in a remote camera situtation. An LED on the controller would give positive feedback that when you pushed the “record” button the camera actually went into record mode.

Worth the investment however.
Brad

[Brad White]

Thanks for the reply Gordon.

I’ve read a lot of reviews and find that the general conscience is that most imported brands are not worth the money; cheap or not. I just settled on a Marshall 5″ HDMI monitor. Good product reviews and solid company. To toggle between two cameras I ordered an HDMI switch at under $20.

Brad

[Brad White]

Hi Steve,

Sorry for the late response. I haven’t logged into the forum recently.

I always use a LANC remote controller as I always shoot on a tripod. Not only does the remote put the control where it is more accessible, it eleiminates possible camera motion while you are zooming with the zoom control on the body of the camera. The LANC cable is a 2.5mm stereo mini that plugs into the “remote” jack on the camera. I have several and just order another called a Libec ZC-3DV. I don’t have it yet, but all the reviews I’ve read are positive. It is resonably priced on-line at $89 (sale) at BH Photo Video. This is a “zoom” only controller and does not have “focus” capability as many other do. I would also recommend BH for your camera purchase https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Brad

[Brad White]

Hi Bob,

Further to my last post;
I did some additional testing of the zoom function using my Manfrotto 523PROi LANC controller. Although I said in my previous reply that I did not see a problem, I was using the slower zoom speed setting. If I set the controller to the fastest speed setting, I do see a problem similar to using the rocker switch. In addition, not only is it too sensitive, it is not smooth from start to finish of the zoom. In other words, there is a pronounced jerk (abrupt) start to the zoom. This does not happen in my HXR-A1U’s.
I emailed Sony describing the problem and asking about a firmware fix. However, Sony has not shown to be very responsive in the past.
Brad

[Brad White]

Hi Bob,
Just noticed your post.
I have had my NX70 for about 3 months. For the few times I’ve used it so far, it has been tripod mounted with a remote control (LANC) that has a variable speed control feature. So I have not needed to use the cameras zoom rocker.
I tested the rocker on my NX70 and found it to be very sensitive. I also have an HVR-A1U which is the “tape” predecessor (more or less) to the NX70. I tested them side by side and found the A1U to be much less sensitive, more like what you are probably looking for. Both cams are 10X and the A1U has a different style zoom rocker, side to side rather than front to back. As I only shoot with a tripod & LANC combination, it doesn’t bother me, but I can see where hand held would be a problem.
Maybe complaints to Sony will yield a software fix.
Brad White

[Brad White]

I understand now John.
Thank you for your comments and insight.
Very much appreciated!

Brad

[Brad White]

Thanks for your response John.
I mostly understand, except the part about “render to avi”.
When I recorded with my miniDV tape camera, the format was avi. I edited in Vegas Pro 10 and then rendered it to mpeg-2. Now with the NX70 camera, standard definition is already in mpeg-2. Why render to avi and back to mpeg-2?
Also I am unfamilar with re-rendering to different mpeg quality levels. The pull-down in Vegas seems to only allow standard mpeg-2.

Brad

[Brad White]

I don’t have a particular desire to shoot in HD (not planning on Blu-Ray) other than trying to get the best video quality available for standard DVD’s. My past experience has shown a problem with scenes that include faster motion, such as baton twirling for example, where the smooth edge of the baton is jagged during play back. I was hoping that a different frame rate or higher resolution or interlaced vs progressive scan would overcome this problem.
Also, my older A1U saved video files as avi (minimal compression) rather than mpeg-2 (higher compression) in the NX70. Is there an advantage or disadvantage when editing in Vegas?