[Charlie Cogar]

Thank you, Alf.

I’ll see what we can get hold of.

Charlie

[Charlie Cogar]

Hello,

We recently bought a Kodak Zi8 for instructors to make short “Just in Time” videos to post on their web sites.

What make and model external microphone works best? Preferably a lav.

Thanks,

Charles Cogar
Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, Nebraska

[Charlie Cogar]

Chris,

We use the Fujinon Th17X5BRMU lens. It meets our applications requirements and is a big step up for us.

I asked the very same DOF (depth of field) question last July. My question and the thread are at https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/36/817852

I hope this takes you there.

My efforts have worked best with:

• A lot of distance between the subject and background, and subject and camera.
• Panning or tracking with the subject is OK.
• Low f-stop, (f2.8), and adjust the shutter speed to get the correct exposure.

[Charlie Cogar]

Hello Chris,

We just ordered our third JVC GY-HM700 and a GY-HM100.

We are very pleased with the performance of the two 700s over the past two years.

1. We have not used any interchangeable lenses.
2. SDHC recording is easy. We upload directly from the cam to a MacBook Pro. We get about an hour on 16GB cards; be sure to use Class 6 or higher cards. (The cards are a great ROI over tape. Depending on your procedures and workflow, backup raw footage.)
3. The cam is very FCP friendly.
4. We record at 1080p with no problem.
5. Cost was about $7K

Our applications are education, skills training and communication.

The regional JVC rep in St. Louis is always very helpful, and a JVC engineer in New Jersey has also been helpful. The JVC website is good.

There is a known dead pixel issue with the 700 which has happened twice. (It’s unnerving to see s nice little light square during PB!) The on-camera fix is fast and very simple.

Back-focus is crucial so check it often. Focus itself in HD is unforgiving. Check lenses available for your application.

This Creative COW forum has been an excellent aid.

Hope this helps.

Charlie Cogar
Metropolitan Community College
Instructional Design Services
Omaha, Nebraska

[Charlie Cogar]

Thanks for the very helpful info on the GY-HM100U. Its size, portability, and work flow with FCP will make it a good fit with our 700s.

I don’t know where to post this one: We’re purchasing a Newtek Tricaster TCXD 300 switcher. I’m looking for the same user experience feedback.

Any recommendations?

Thank you.

Charles Cogar
Metro Community College
Omaha, Nebraska
https://www.mccneb.edu/ids
https://faculty.mccneb.edu/ccogar

[Charlie Cogar]

Hello,

We are placing an order for our third GY-HM700 plus one GY-HM100U. I too would like to hear about anyone’s experience with and technical performance of the 100U, as well as JVC’s customer service.

So far we’ve had great performance from both 700s and support from both JVC’s regional rep and engineering staff has been very good.

Our applications are education and training.

Thanks,

Charlie Cogar
Metro Community College
Omaha Nebraska

[Charlie Cogar]

Jon,

Shortly after we took delivery of our 700s that happened to us too. I found a fix online but we didn’t use it so unfortunately I don’t have a product name. (I Googled something like Restore QT Files and the cost was about $39.95.)

Here’s what (I think) I’ve learned about Transferring Files, and Formatting and Deleting from the 700:

If I transfer directly from the cam to my Mac (or an external hard drive) the SDHC cards remain “as is.” [I can simply pick up where I left off on the card just like tape.]

If I take the SDHC cards out of the camera and put them in a card reader for transferring, the cam then says “Reformat Media,” and all clips are then deleted from the card.

At least that’s the experience I’ve had, and I don’t know why this happens.

Has anyone else experienced this or know why?

Thanks.

Charlie Cogar

[Charlie Cogar]

I watched a bit of green screen production for a new syndicated children’s television program where they are shooting 13 episodes with two Canon 7d DSLRs for green screens, and exteriors with RED and Panasonic P2 cams. That’s quite a work flow.

[Charlie Cogar]

Thank you folks. I’ll try it again using your recommendations.

[Charlie Cogar]

Sean,

You should be able to come out of the CitiDisk via FireWire and go into the LaCie via your computer. [CitiDisk into computer; LaCie into computer, then drag files to LaCie.] Consider calling LaCie and/or CitiDisk and asking.

Whenever I’ve called LaCie they’ve always been extremely helpful.

Charlie C.