Could anyone here recommend the GR-DVL9600/500 ?

[dragmore]

I'm about to buy a DV solution. I'm planning on buying a DV cam, Sony or JVC.

In adition i'm planning on buying a ADSTECH or SIIG 1394 card, and use Ulead VS 4.0 or VideoWave III until msp 6.0 comes.

Anyways the question is,

What good/bad stuff can u say about

the JVC GR-DVL9500 and the Sony PC100?
I really hate that "bisquit" box hi rise camera.. I want the cam firmly in my hand. But on the other hand the pc100 has mucho funtions!!!

Help me out here guys?

Dragmore

[dchip]

I ran accross info on the JVV DVL9000 (predecessor to the DVL9500) while I was shopping for a videocam recently. The 9000 has a F/1.2 lens on it. I understand from some reviews that it has some of the best low light performance around. Unfortunately it had DV-out only. Also unfortunate, on the "updated" DVL9500 model, JVC replaced the F/1.2 with something smaller. They did add DV IN/OUT but left out the 9000's best feature. That big old lens.

As for the Sony PC100, looked at that too. It proved inadequate for me. Small powerful little unit with a nice lens but it is ergonomically-challenged. The zoom button is located all wrong for index finger operation and although I could have lived with it, I didn't want to have to. I settled on the Sony TRV10, ordered it, and then changed my mind because of the trade-off in zoom power. 10X optical just didnt seem fair for the cash output. Anyway, I am still shopping, although I have taken a break from

it for now. There might be something being developed now that will meet all of my videotaping needs in the Spring 2000 and for many years to come.

[This message has been edited by dchip (edited 14 December 1999).]

[dragmore]

Hey Dchip:

I'm beginning to lean against the jvc gdvl: 9600, it's extremely good in the hand. And have the most features i need in a camera since i'm a newbee..

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[dchip]

My latest thing in shopping is I don't care how many bells and whistles it has on it. I am looking for a camera that takes a great video in most of the lighting I find myself in. For many years with my old 8mm I was always searching for more light in the homes of my friends and family to accomodate my filming. That camera is rated 1 lux. Now I am about to sink $1000-$1500 in a digital unit. I simply refuse to buy something that does not, at least minimally, solve the light problem. Although I won't be a slave to lux ratings, I am not going to purchase a camera that has a world of connectivity but can't do its main job well. Again, capturing nice bright images to film.

Thats why I couldn't get the Sony TRV10 while the Digital 8 TRV310 was half the money with twice the optical zoom. Sadly, neither of them can see very well in typical room light.

[dchip]

I see you got the JVC DVL9600. Congrats. I would be interested in hearing how well it does. I am looking at the DVL9500 (it's NTSC brother). I read some good reviews on it, but, your hands on "eye"witness comments would help me decide for sure. Thanks.

[Phil Pugh]

I have a SONY TR7000E (PAL) Digital-8 camcorder and it's low light performance is not too bad - especially if you remember to remove the 'steady shot' feature. You should be able to get this unit for a very reasonable price at present.

It also has a 'night-shot' feature which uses a combination of infra-red illumination and slower shutter speeds to give impressive black and white imaging in "no light" conditions.