Blogged on 1-9-2007
Sony VX2000 (DV Tape format) a personal viewpoint
I recently upgraded from a consumer JVC camcorder to a pro camera to improve the quality of the videos I am shooting. This is a blog I wrote for www.energyalliance.com and I include it here as my first VideoCentricity blog.
OK, this is not an all-things-tested review, for that see the links at the end, but more simply my notes or feelings about this Sony camcorder. I've used different DV & VHS camcorders for years and more recently a variety of JVC consumer level compact camcorders (the GR-370 range) and so I think I have a feel for their capabilities.
When I bought the GR370 I thought it was marvellous, and it is, but recently found its two main shortcomings to be a killer. JVC mostly has stopped providing any external mic input except on the pro-sumer ($1400+) models and secondly the low-light performance (GR-370 is a single-chip CCD) This became quite apparent when using the GR-370 and a JVC DLV305 in nightclubs. In fact the older DLV305 seems brighter but both have internal microphones which pick up everything, including background audience chatter.- but back to the Sony VX2000.
First off, its heavy and solid and says I'm a PRO camera - well, it is and its still in use today in small TV news gathering and Indie-Film-making. even though its now seven years old and no longer in production. I have not used the newer VX2100 but its internally almost identical.
Its a single non-changeable lens system, but you can add W/A and Tele adapters. I find in a club scene at about 10 feet from the performers its just a squeak too narrow at its widest Wide-Angle having about a 10 foot wide scene so I need to pan across if the musicians are seperated, but hey that makes it more artistic huh?
The 3-CCD low-light capability compared to the JVC units is great and I have even had to use the internal ND filters under bright stage lighting in a theatre. The on-board mic is a well-made shotgun with reasonably good insulation from background audience chatter and it has an external mic input which I do use with two cheap Radio-Shack mics [Note: there is no phantom voltage for condenser mics so I had to make my own box with a 3v battery to pull up the condensers - ask me how if you need...] Also the Sony has adjustable audio gain and a VU meter on-screen so you can adjust the sound for max performance.
Speaking of controls, I concur with other reviewers - the controls are well placed - indeed everything just seems right. The VX2000 has manual focus, auto focus, manual and power zoom though the manual zoom is electrical and slightly retarded - i.e. not instant.
There as so many other features but maybe the ND filters and a good zebra stripe over-exposure display are the two I most welcome.
I bought my VX2000 on eBay from a private seller for $1250 in its original carton with the 390 minute lithium battery which I recommend you get too. Yes- it does run for a full 390 minutes recording as I found at a cafe one night with 15 performers.
I caution you to make sure the battery in any deal is quoted as fully working because a replacement is expensive. Indeed the entire unit should be quoted as Very Good or Immaculate since repairs to the VX2000 may also be pricey.
Thats it but mail me if you have questions.
Check some of my recent videos using the VX2000 at http://www.VideoCentricity.Net
For pro reviews go here
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony_dcrvx2000_camcorder_review.htm
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-handycam-dcr-vx2100/4505-6500_7-30567263.html?tag=sub
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-dcr-vx2000/4505-6500_7-6145072.html
and the VX2000 User manual is here
http://www.dvinfo.net/pdf/man-vx2000.pdf
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