IEBA Review: Datavideo DN-60 Solid State CF Card Recorder

When it comes to camcorders, most everything is moving to flash media.

There are, however, an incredible amount of HDV and other tape-based HD camcorders out there, still working hard and producing great images. How do you get these camcorders up to speed with the new flash-media workflow? With an external recorder.

Thus far, the need for external devices to record HD footage has primarily been served by Focus Enhancements’ FireStore line. However, there has been growth in the segment recently and Datavideo has entered the fray with a unique design and price point under $500. Does the Datavideo DN-60 Solid State CF Card Recorder give the more expensive recorders a run for their money? Let’s find out.

Apple says: Firewire be gone!

As I watched Apple revise the MacBook line with graphics performance that trounces the integrated Intel graphics, I began to think that the MacBook could well be the mythical mid-range desktop machine we’ve been waiting for- dual core, powerful graphics chipset capable of Dual-link DVI output, all the ports on the “back” & optical drive on the front… Plus the nifty ability to pick it up and take it with you!

No longer hamstrung by the Intel integrated graphics chipsets, this powerful new Mac could be had for just $1299… but there’s one BIG problem…

The Sounds of Inevatibility.

Agent Smith said:

“You hear that Mr. Anderson?
That— is the sound of inevitability…
It is the sound of your death…”

As I was unable to attend NAB in person, I read the same news as everyone else and there are clearly a few trends that it pays to notice because they will have a dramatic affect on production in the future. Whether or not you want to go this route, the sounds of inevitability are becoming louder.

Sony HVR-Z7U / S270 lens issue?

Marshall Levy, who wrote our compact flash test results, is finding issues with the lenses that adorn the latest HDV camcorders from Sony- the HVR-Z7U and the HVR-S270. He’s found focusing issues, lens wobble and says the issue was confirmed by Sony.

Do you have one of the new camcorders?
Try out the tests he suggests to help determine if this is an isolated incident or a more widespread issue.

ROCK (tech) HARD PLACE. Yea.

The proverbial “between a rock and a hard place” is basically a tough place to be.

I was corresponding with a fellow videographer who works for a government video department. He tried to explain the troubles he faces with regard to new gear purchases. It’s beyond trying to decide between P2 or SxS. It’s beyond tape or flash media. It’s, well, let’s just say it basically covers the last 20 years of video production- every single day.

The HVR-S270U HVR-Z7U OTHERS Menu

I had an opportunity to photograph the menus on a working HVR-S270U (preliminary US model). I’ve exported these as a movie so you can go through each frame, back and forth, and reference different menus.

Today, we’ll look at the OTHERS menu and the various settings users will have access to on these new camcorders. The HVR-S270U and the HVR-Z7U are very, very similar camcorders so almost all of the menus will be identical.

However, these images are of the S270U…

The HVR-S270U HVR-Z7U OTHERS Menu

I had an opportunity to photograph the menus on a working HVR-S270U (preliminary US model). I’ve exported these as a movie so you can go through each frame, back and forth, and reference different menus.

Today, we’ll look at the OTHERS menu and the various settings users will have access to on these new camcorders.

The HVR-S270U and the HVR-Z7U are very, very similar camcorders so almost all of the menus will be identical.However, these images are of the S270U…

Sony HVR-S270 & HVR-Z7U lens operation

Here’s a close up of the lens on the new HVR-S270 and HVR-Z7U. You can see how the focus pops in and out of auto focus (IMHO somewhat more cumbersome than a single small button, but this way, your fingers never leave the focus ring).

The focus ring features distance markings. The zoom ring features markings as well. Both lenses offer dependable, repeatable focus and zoom control based on the markings on the lens. Click through for the video…

Sony HVR-S270 & HVR-Z7U lens operation

Here’s a close up of the lens on the new HVR-S270 and HVR-Z7U. You can see how the focus pops in and out of auto focus (IMHO somewhat more cumbersome than a single small button, but this way, your fingers never leave the focus ring). The focus ring features distance markings. The zoom ring features markings as well. Both lenses offer dependable, repeatable focus and zoom control based on the markings on the lens.

Click through for the video…

The HVR-S270U HVR-Z7U IN/OUT Menu

I had an opportunity to photograph the menus on a working HVR-S270U (preliminary US model). I’ve exported these as a movie so you can go through each frame, back and forth, and reference different menus.

Today, we’ll look at the IN/OUT menu and the various settings users will have access to on these new camcorders. The HVR-S270U and the HVR-Z7U are very, very similar camcorders so almost all of the menus will be identical.

However, these images are of the S270U…