Though the PV-DV is a powerful and feature-packed camera, this reviewer must admit a few reservations about some of its modes of operation. Zoom to the Moon When you first slip the PV-DV into the palm of your hand, the immediate impression you get is one of comfort and easy access to controls.
The large zoom rocker sits under the index and middle finger, while the power and record switches sit directly under the thumb. This may seem an insignificant point; after all, how many people buy camcorders based on how they feel in the palm of your hand? Some of the controls—notably, those that the designers intended the user to operate with his or her left hand—are a little bit difficult to operate while shooting. The Menu button was especially annoying while shooting with the viewfinder instead of the LCD monitor.
This is due mainly to the fact that you have to reach across your face to press the button, which is extremely awkward. The manual focus control, likewise, was a little difficult to manage due to its position directly below the lens. Once you get your finger on it, however, the manual focus wheel gives a good, smooth response that somewhat makes up for its awkward positioning on the camera.
The zoom control on the PV-DV offers an optical range, which, selecting one of two digital zoom modes, boosts the zoom range to or an incredible At , images appear somewhat jagged-edged and noisy, but still usable for most hobbyist work.
Above , the noise and pixellation increasingly break up the image. At , the picture is an absurd mess of blotchy, noisy pixels whose only perceivable use is as a special effect of some sort. This is normal for digital zoom on any model that more than double the image size. The reason Panasonic chose to increase the zoom to an unwatchable is beyond our comprehension. One last annoying point about the design of the PV-DV the orientation of the tape eject system the bottom of the camera.
This makes it necessary to remove the camera from a tripod or from your hand before you can eject the tape. We could not even access the tape eject button without removing the tripod quick release plate. All in all, the PV-DV is a good choice for the beginning videographer who wants an easy-to-operate camcorder that will travel well and give plenty of room to grow in the craft.
Prosumers might find themselves wishing for more resolution or perhaps a manual exposure control. The still-image capture function is a boon for Web enthusiasts and those who want to send pictures of the family via e-mail.
With the rise of DV and the subsequent lowering of the going prices of Hi8 camcorders, you might think that the regular 8mm video market has seen some hard times. Not so—in fact, market pressures have created a situation in which a decent 8mm camcorder has become the camera of choice for the low-budget videographer. Samsung, a proponent of both new and old formats, has hung tight in the low-budget camcorder market with models like the SCL, their latest top-of-the-line 8mm model.
Sporting a 3-inch LCD monitor as well as a black and white CRT viewfinder, digital picture effects, digital zoom and all-automatic point-and-shoot controls for focus and exposure, the SCL targets beginning videographers.
Its boxy appearance is reminiscent of earlier Samsung 8mm and Hi8 models. The company might do well in the future to upgrade the overall design of its cameras; their look and feel are a little outdated. Hands-off Approach Any camcorder that offers no way for the videographer to manually control the exposure or focus had better have an impressive autoexposure and autofocus system. In both regards, the SCL provides adequate performance. Slowly panning from a brightly-lit window scene to a poorly-lit interior shot, the SCL hunted only briefly for its setting before resolving a crisp scene.
This is a nice feature, a taste of manual control in an otherwise point-and-shoot camera. Even the slightest camera movement leaves bright trails behind any lightly-colored object, and complex, colorful patterns look pixellated and choppy.
For many shooting situations, the black-and-white CRT viewfinder might be a better choice. The button that will probably cause the most grief is the picture effect button; to press it while shooting, you have to rotate the LCD monitor out about 30 degrees.
In general, buttons and controls on the camera body are a little difficult to operate; the buttons in particular need a good hard push to get them to perform.
The picture effects themselves are an improvement over many earlier Samsung models. When calculating the cost of purchasing the SCL, factor in the price of an extra battery. The slim nickel-cadmium battery included in the box will operate the camera for about 20 minutes tops—less if you use the LCD screen frequently.
On the Bright Side Images shot on the SCL have a warm overall tone, with minimal noise appearing in the darker portions of the scene. Resolution is average for a current-model 8mm camcorder—in other words, not very good. Manufacturers as a whole seem to have contented themselves with a "good-enough" approach for their latest 8mm camcorders, which is a shame. Its main attraction is its low price, especially for a camera with an LCD monitor.
Farmingdale, NY www. Of all the microphone types you can use with video, perhaps the most all-around useful variety is the shotgun microphone, because you can use it on a camera mount, on a fishpole or even hand-held with excellent results. Beyerdynamic offers a "short" shotgun condenser microphone designed for the rigors of studio and on-location video and film production, the MCE 86 N C S.
Targeted primarily at people who shoot video for a living, it offers battery power, light weight, rugged construction and a series of accessory mounting adapters for simple attachment to cameras, fishpoles or pistol grips. Directionality The rugged physical construction of the MCE 86 N C S is one of the first things you notice when you take the microphone out of the box.
Its aluminum body and Nextel finish give a feeling of security while shooting in adverse conditions including those adverse conditions caused by fumble-fingered fishpole operators.
The MCE 86 N C S has a balanced XLR-style connector, which means that you can use long cable throws without fear of increasing the noise caused by interference if, of course, you plug it into a balanced input adapter. The main reasons why videographers tend to prefer shotgun microphones over the standard hand-held variety are twofold: first, they have a highly directional hypercardioid pickup pattern, which means you can aim them at a subject several yards away and pick up only the audio coming from them, rejecting most of the environmental noise to the sides.
Second, they tend to be very sensitive—which, combined with the directional pickup pattern, makes for an excellent solution when the microphone cannot be near the talent.
The MCE 86 N C S performs very admirably in these regards, picking up a clear audio signal from three to four yards away from the talent. When shooting on the sidewalk of a busy street, the microphone effectively reduced the sounds of the traffic zooming by to a dull murmur, as long as the videographer kept it pointed about degrees away from the street.
Be cautioned about one thing, though: when you attach the MCE 86 N C S or any other shotgun microphone to a small camcorder we used a mid-level DV camcorder , you may have to be careful when you shoot wide-angle shots, because the microphone tends to show up in the top of the frame. The EA 86 elastic suspension mount, which is supplied with the mike, also effectively cancels hand noise from the camera. The tonal quality of voices it recorded was crisp, clean and true to life.
Woodinville, WA www. At the time, it was the only DV video capture board on the market; since then, the DV capture marketplace has grown, and the DV Master has gone through several software upgrades. Another benefit of the hardware DV codec: significantly shorter rendering times. Out of the box, the DV Master Pro appears identical to the earlier version of the hardware. Everything worked perfectly on the first try, and the instructions in the manual were straightforward and easy to understand.
Page 6 Things You Should Know Important Safeguards Self Demo Mode Quick Guide Supplying Power Cassette Information Setting the Clock Using the Palmcorder Menu Color Enhancement Light Page 7 Self Demo mode is on when screen at right appears. Do the steps below to EVF Screen turn off. Page 8 Before you begin Slide the Viewfinder backward to its fully expanded position and then tilt it upward. Insert the Battery and slide it down un it locks with a click. Page 10 Connect and plug in the Cable as shown.
Page 11 Slide the Viewfinder backward to its fully extended position and then tilt it upward. Insert the Battery and slide it down until it locks with a click. Page 12 Slide the Viewfinder backward to its fully extended position and then tilt it upward. Insert the Jack Box and slide it down until it locks with a click. Page Tape Eject Connect the Palmcorder to a power source. Insert a cassette supplied with its window side facing up.
To prevent accidental erasure Slide the tab to the left open. Page 15 Before you begin,.. ZOOM To select one of the 8 digital functions. When set to ON, the date and time can be set on the screen.
These indications except the Date and Time will not be recorded on the tape. Recording will not start. Page 24 To brighten the natural colors in a scene. Slide Light into the Built-in Light Mount. Be sure it locks into place. Page 25 Undo the two strap ends from their buckles. Remove the buckle from one end of the strap. Thread the strap with no buckle through the Light Holder so that it faces outward. Then reinsert the buckle. Thread the strap ends through the Strap Attachment Rings.
Page 27 Before you begin Remove the lens cap and clip it to the hook. Tally Lamp Flashes during Remote Control operation see page Page 28 Before you begin Swing the LCD monitor fully open and adjust the angle.
Page 29 To play back the final few seconds of the last recorded scene in the Recording Pause Mode. ADV to do a frame by frame advance. ADV to do a frame by frame reverse. Press PLAY to release. Page 36 Before you begin You can now view what the Palmcorder is recording on your TV. You can now playback a recorded tape on your TV.
Page 38 Before you begin This feature helps stabilize the picture in situations such as walking or shooting from a moving vehicle. The zooming speed ranges from a slow 22 seconds to a fast 2 seconds according to Zoom slowly by lightly moving the power the amount of pressure applied to the zoom zoom switch toward the "T" Page Photo Shot Before you begin Use this feature to record a seven second approx.
Audio is also recorded for on the spot narration. Or, you can add narration later with the Audio Dubbing feature to make an interesting slide show, etc.
Page 41 Before you begin Auto White Balance automatically maintains optimum color balance in most lighting conditions. However, when using Digital Functions, etc. Page 42 The Auto Exposure feature can be used to make quality recordings in a variety of scene situations. Page 43 Use the following features to add interest and professionalism to your recordings.
Select from nine special effects.
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