Digital Video Decks

[Dave Chameides]

Wondering what luck folks have had with digital video recorders (ya know instead of the 8mm or pixelcam decks) for reviewing shots at work. Brands, names, compatibility, power draw? Any info would be great.

 

Pax

 

dave

[Afton Grant]

Hey Dave,

 

I'll give my support for the Archos AV500. It's a very versatile, nicely compact DVR. I've got the 30GB version, and I haven't even come close to running out of hard disk space on a shoot day. With the travel adapter, it's an easy out-of-the-box solution that runs on its own battery (which has never run out on a shoot day either). For more sleek modification, Fred Davis can make a single cable that carries video in/out, and power. It's a great little entertainment gadget too, and I've used it outside of productions many times.

 

I think Archos has recently released newer models of their DVR line. Hopefully, they've only added to their list of good features. www.archos.com.

 

Search around the past forum posts. There's a good amount of additional info on the Archos and other recording solutions.

 

Best regards,

Afton

[Dave Chameides]

Thanks Afton. Any idea on $ for the cable? Also, I think that Eric Fletcher may have mentioned something about needing a video filter for feedback problems. Any ideas on that?

 

dave

[SergeiFranklin]

I've been talking to Randy at http://www.chasecam.com/recorders/pdr.htm

He is going to make some with Lemo and BNC connectors.

The deck can record full video 740x480 NTSC or 720x576 PAL.

Give him a call if you are interested.

There are remotes available with 1 button for record stop.

[Charles Papert]

The Chasecam weighs about a pound, doesn't it?

[Robert Starling SOC]

I'll give my support for the Archos AV500. It's a very versatile, nicely compact DVR. I've got the 30GB version, and I haven't even come close to running out of hard disk space on a shoot day. With the travel adapter, it's an easy out-of-the-box solution that runs on its own battery (which has never run out on a shoot day either).

 

Hi Afton:

 

I'm not getting anywhere close to a full day on the battery of my Archos AV500. What power saving settings are you using for screen / HDD etc.?

 

Thanks!

[Chris Konash]

Rob,

 

I also can easily get a full day of recording on one battery, I just made sure that the screen shuts off after 10 seconds of not touching the unit. It is still recording but the main power draw (the screen) shuts down until you touch any button, then it comes back. Other than that there is nothing special I did.

 

The "Special" cable that can be made by Fred Davis will supply the proper regulated voltage to the Archos and supply video from the sled to the archos input all in one... It cost me $200 in July and I still have yet to see it work. I just sent it back to Fred for the FIFTH time. I just want a cable that works or my money back. arg... sorry done bitching.

 

Christopher Konash

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

what's wrong with Fred's cable?

 

He should have it straight now, he and I had a long tech talk.

[Lars Erik]

I'll give my support for the Archos AV500. It's a very versatile, nicely compact DVR. I've got the 30GB version, and I haven't even come close to running out of hard disk space on a shoot day. With the travel adapter, it's an easy out-of-the-box solution that runs on its own battery (which has never run out on a shoot day either).

 

Hi Afton:

 

I'm not getting anywhere close to a full day on the battery of my Archos AV500. What power saving settings are you using for screen / HDD etc.?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Rob, have the same problem as you. It's true as stated, that if you have on power save it'll last the day. Until the DP/director wants to see the shot again. No way I'm gonna say 'no -I don't have the battery to do that'. I just bought a second battery. Cost me $40. No problem ever now. Decided that was more cost effective and easier than to buy cable.

 

LE

[Chris Konash]

Eric,

 

The Jim Bartell installs the voltage regulator for Fred and that works great, powers up and charges the archos. The problem is the video, just can't seem to get it from the sled through the cable and into the archos.

I too hope when it comes back it works.

 

Christopher Konash

[Sydney Seeber]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I've been looking to get one of those Archos players, they seem pretty cool, but as I was checking out the older lineup at Frys, I found they stopped selling them in favor of the new 04 series. It seems the only way to get video in to them is via a very bulky tabletop in/out/charger station. That would look pretty retarded on a steadicam... Is this the cable that Fred makes? Does it replace the station? The Archos players have a video out cable, but no video in... At least from what I saw... Just on their tabletop accessory, which is not only stupid and big, it's OPTIONAL. It doesn't come in the box.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I'll post it again.

 

Archos wiring

 

Wired up using the only the cable from the TVpod it works great

[David Allen Grove]

The Archos players have a video out cable, but no video in... At least from what I saw... Just on their tabletop accessory, which is not only stupid and big, it's OPTIONAL. It doesn't come in the box.

 

They have a "Travel Kit." $20? This is for input and output.

http://www.archos.com/products/video_recor...bal&lang=en

 

Do a "search" in this forum for "Travel Kit" you'll find the discussion about it there.

 

When I finally make time to do it, I'll get fred to adapt my cable. Seems like it's a much better way to go.

[Robert Starling SOC]

I've been looking to get one of those Archos players, they seem pretty cool, but as I was checking out the older lineup at Frys, I found they stopped selling them in favor of the new 04 series.

 

Sydney:

 

I found my Archos 500 brand new on Amazon.com a few weeks ago for $299 and the travel adapter kit as well. I'm pretty impressed with the playback quality on a 36" TV; at least for what the device is anyway.

 

It creates AVI files you can drag and drop to your computer. For my Mac I had to get a special plug-in to play and save the files as Quicktimes.

 

All the best!

[Lawrence Karman]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I've been looking to get one of those Archos players, they seem pretty cool, but as I was checking out the older lineup at Frys, I found they stopped selling them in favor of the new 04 series. It seems the only way to get video in to them is via a very bulky tabletop in/out/charger station. That would look pretty retarded on a steadicam... Is this the cable that Fred makes? Does it replace the station? The Archos players have a video out cable, but no video in... At least from what I saw... Just on their tabletop accessory, which is not only stupid and big, it's OPTIONAL. It doesn't come in the box.

 

 

It's true, the newest of the Archos line-up needs the hard cradle for input. Even though it is cheaper and possibly better video quality than the 400 or 500 series it is not the model to use on the rig. Better to find the older models.