[Tim Scarpino]

[Noah Kadner] “Typically I have my sound person monitoring from the microphone directly rather than off the DVX’s headphone outputs and keeping an eye on levels from their own mixer.”

Since I often act as my own sound person ;-), I guess I don’t mind the “echo”. I’m fairly used to it from using “larger” ENG/EFP cameras in the Confidence Playback Mode (CPB). In fact, you (the original poster, no Noah) ought to view the “echo” as good sign that you’re getting audio laid to tape.

Then again, the DVX might not work like that, but until I get burned, I’m gonna assume (as Kevin Bacon infamously said during the street riot scene in Animal House) “ALL IS WELL”!

Cheers,

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

Be careful of prices that low if you are in the United States.. As has been discussed much in various fora, some US retailers deal in “gray” market gear, that is equipment intended to be sold in
non-US markets. For example, in another forum, a person in the US complained about getting a great price on the DVX, only to find out all the camera controls were labled in Japanese. And, the Rebates are good only through AUTHORIZED Panasonic dealers.

If the price is too good to be true, it more than likely is….

Cheers,

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

Jan, when can we expect to receive our “goodies” from our purchase of a DVX-100a earlier this summer? I got my $300, book and DVD, but I’m still waiting on the battery and tapes?

What’s the deal?

Thanks,

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

[Steve Roberts] “I recommend you sit down with your editor or motion graphics designer and pay for a little info session relating to your specific needs and questions.

Steve”

Steve, thanks for your note, but…I AM the editor, motion graphics designer, producer, camera-person and chief bucket washer. I trust, pardon the pun, the picture is becoming clear(er). I’ll hole-up with the manual, but given my deadline, it’s not practical today. I’ll check into some of your other advice….

Thanks,

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

[RoRK] “OMF doesn’t support Alpha Channels.

Is there any reason why you are rendering your movies with the OMF format?

I’d suggest that you render your composition(s) using an Avid CODEC that is directly supported (natively) by the Avid editing software from which you will be outputting your movie to tape. As far as I know, only the DV version of the Avid CODEC doesn’t support an Alpha Channel. Any other Avid CODEC will NOT gray out the RGB+Alpha option.

There are a few Avid systems out there. best to check which on eit is.”

I’m doing this (.omf) because that’s the kind of format Avid uses, no?

Admittedly, I’m a bit ignorant of this (I’m primarily a producer)so when you suggest using another AVID Codec, I’m not sure where within AE I would find that, or even how to.

I’m using Avid Media Composer Adrenaline (v1.6), and if it doesn’t support an Alpha Channel import, than that’s news to me because all my Photoshop files come into it with Alpha Channels.

In response to your answer, I guess I’m lost as to where the CODEC is selectable in the AE Movie Making option.

Finally, when I go to render my movie, I get a prompt from AE that says “You have an output module set to 24 bit Straight, but you have NOT made an output module for the Alpha Channel” I guess I don’t know how to do that.

Am I a lost cause?

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

When you return, I’d be curious to know why the generator was confiscated.

Nonetheless, you might try to find some kind of DC-to-AC power converter that plugs into the cig. lighter. At the very least, you can charge the batteries as you drive in the car. You could then probably gerry-rig some kind of wires to make it work on the mountain. A couple of car batteries fully charged should allow you to recharge several times…….

Good luck….

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

Jan, does this mean ALL rebates will be satisfied by the end of August/Early September, or just those from earlier this summer/spring?

I filled out my rebate on-line about three weeks ago. Should I expect the batteries/tapes in the timeframe you outlined, or later?

Thanks for your consideration.

Oh, BTW, I LOVE my DVX100A. Very cool product.

Tim Scarpino

[Tim Scarpino]

Mr. Green, thanks for your direct response.

Also, I’ve greatly enjoyed your DVD and book that came with my DVX. Your knowledge, and willingness to share it in the various forums, is GREATLY appreciated. If only EACH piece of equipment I use came with such resources!

Cheers,

Tim

[Tim Scarpino]

So Jan, who do I need to “schmooze” up to in trying to get this retroactive to my 7/29/05 purchase date? Hmmmm?

I’m half serious…I bought my unit from Roscor – Michigan

[Tim Scarpino]

[Scaramouche] “One last question.
I’m convinced. It will be either B & H or Snader and Associates, a very reliable local dealer (authorized!).
But since I live in California I would have to pay 7.75 percent sales tax…about $250+ which I would avoid through B and H.
Always a tradeoff. But what would you guys do?

Oh yeh, I left out the part about my not being rich!”

Well, if I was rich, I’m not sure I’d be buying the DVX, thought that’s not a slam against the camera!

I just spent $3,900 to buy a DVX + sales tax (.06%). Probably a bit too much, but I bought it from a “traditional” salesman of teleproduction equipment and fully authorized Panasonic Dealer AND service center. For the few extra hundred dollars, I’ve got general peace of mind about where I bought it, probably a replacement unit should this go in for repair, a resource I can call if I’ve got questions AND lunch a couple of times a year.

I’ve known the guy for 15 years and he’s always been helpful to me.

Good luck,

Tim