Canon GL2 Mini DV 3CCD Camcorder upgrade?

I have a part time job as a "Government Media Access Operator". When I stared 3 years ago the camera a Canon GL2 Mini DV 3CCD Camcorder was taped together it looks like some one dropped it and the handle (which holds the mic and play, ff, rewind etc.) broke off. Anyway the biggest complaint is sound I'd like to upgrade to something with better sound if thats possible. I do a shotgun mic but, I don't think it works because the top was broke off. Also I can't run cleaning tapes. Anyway any suggestions for upgrades?

Panasonic HPX-170

http://www.carbonsp.com/video/products/pimage_52548.jpg

P2 format - cards fit directly into a laptop's PCMCIA slot. Shoots 1080i, 720p, PAL, and NTSC (the latter two in either 4x3 or 16x9.) I use one as a back-up camera, Kidwoo has it as his main cam.

Instead of the attached shotgun mic shown spend ~$300 and get a decent Sony or Sennheiser shotgun. The camera has dual XLR inputs w/phantom power so you can run with anything.

Word


Definitely a really versitile little toy with a pretty bomb proof recording media.


Check out the panasonic HVX200A if for some reason you need tape. Pretty much the same camera just with a tape drive in addition to the available solid state P2 system.

Oh yeah I do need tape. I send the taped meetings to the local tv station and they air it. Other meetings we are live and I'm hooked into a cabinet and can record on to DVD.


Oh I see both recommendations are Panasonic are they the better brand for this kind of work?

Well I'd say they're definitely better than sony or canon tape based systems.....which use HDV formats. That's kind of a personal bias.

To be honest if all you need is standard def NTSC, those cameras might be a little overkill. They can do that (and do it well) but their selling points are typically the HD, solid state memory, and insanely versitile image control features. Even at 60i standard def, the panasonics can get away from the washed out cheap camcorder look that the GL2 kind of has....which you may or may not even care about.

If you don't need all the bells and whistles on those cameras you could easily save some money by getting something like a dvx100b. (also a panasonic btw) I don't know what the sony equivalent would be. (CCD, tape based etc...) The dvx has xlr inputs which is kind of nice.

Sony equivalent to the dvx100b would be the PD170.

http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebService...-44153/370x251

Either is better than the Canon.

After shouldering a Panny for the past 10 years, my shop recently picked up 18 of these little gems.

http://pro.jvc.com/pro/attributes/CA...yhm700_425.jpg

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/f...l_id=MDL101851

I'm VERY impressed. We test drove a few Sony's. They were crap. These feel almost as solid as any Panny I've shouldered. The best part is the media, it shoots to standard class 6 SD cards and has native FCP support.

They also make a tape version.

http://pro.jvc.com/pro/attributes/HD...50u_side_B.jpg

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/f...l_id=MDL101625

I haven't handled it, but if it's close to the build quality of the 700, it'll be a heck of a rig.

The Local channel's dream HD camera^^^

Overkill for small production shoots or underkill for Network-level. I think there's just a bias against anything non-Sony or Panny in my field...

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Originally Posted by Tippster

The Local channel's dream HD camera^^^

Overkill for small production shoots or underkill for Network-level. I think there's just a bias against anything non-Sony or Panny in my field...

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No shit!

I do a lot for a regional sports network (NESN) and our man on the street stuff is shot 720 on the HVX200. Comes out OK for the work we are doing. But that is way overkill for what Tuckerman wants it for. I don't think he read the thread.

Yeah, I read the thread. I just wanted to throw JVC into the mix. I didn't suggest the OP go out and purchase that camera, I just threw in some personal experience with the brand.

Don't get me wrong - I actually think it kicks ass. Wish I had that camera vs. the HPX170. Better glass, balance better, does all the formats, shoots cheap media. There is no reason why all of us don't have at least one of those in every shop.

Oh wait - it's JVC.... They break and there are no local tweakers/repair shops/parts/etc. Nevermind.

None of my shader friends even bother.

Of course I'm sure it's because we bought in bulk, but how does a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty which includes a loaner cam sound? The days of SX and DVCPRO are over. No one local is gonna touch the new breed of cams now. The days of re-caping a board to fix a problem are over. There's too much shit shoved in these little cases.

No doubt, but the format wars here in DC have come down to P2 vs XDCam (we'll see if the EX has any traction.) The problem with JVC isn't the warranty, it's the ability to take it to a local camera engineer to get it fixed. Nobody around here, like Frank Litz, touches JVC since they would void that warranty.

They make a decent studio camera too. No Sony HDC, but pretty solid.

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Originally Posted by Tippster

No doubt, but the format wars here in DC have come down to P2 vs XDCam (we'll see if the EX has any traction.) The problem with JVC isn't the warranty, it's the ability to take it to a local camera engineer to get it fixed. Nobody around here, like Frank Litz, touches JVC since they would void that warranty.

They make a decent studio camera too. No Sony HDC, but pretty solid.

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Personally, I think XDCams major problem is the need for their own proprietary software to transcode the footage to usable media. Not sure what NLE you guys use, but having P2 transfer built into fcp is a big help.

We did a big project with xdcam a while ago. For some reason, we could only get one of the computers out of 4 to work with the xdcam transfer software. But, that was when it was in its infancy and the software has got much better now.

But I still think an EX3 with a NanoFLASH is a pretty sexy setup for under $10K.

We use Avid Xpress Pro with P2 cameras. We also use Edius out in the field - less unwieldy on laptops and leaves more room to ingest footy. Then again we're not layering shit like you are - straight forward rough cut no VO vid that the client can then cut up the way they like.

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Originally Posted by kidwoo

If you don't need all the bells and whistles on those cameras you could easily save some money by getting something like a dvx100b..

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Is this the next step up, AG-HVX200A? If so is it worth an extra $1200.00? I guess I'll send them a request for 2 or 3 options and let them tell me what they want to spend. I know the money comes from a local cable access tax allocated for AV and broadcast I guess thats also how I get paid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuckerman

Is this the next step up, AG-HVX200A? If so is it worth an extra $1200.00? I guess I'll send them a request for 2 or 3 options and let them tell me what they want to spend. I know the money comes from a local cable access tax allocated for AV and broadcast I guess thats also how I get paid.

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The answer to both of those questions are yes.