This grew from another post and I really want the opinions of this community that I trust. Please take the time to read the requirements and make your best call.
[B]The situation:[/B]
I teach a high school video production program in an inner-city high school. These students have very little experience with delicate items and no experience with photography or video. Some have experience with computers along the level of myspace and music downloading. 80% have cell phones, I won't discuss why. Many have never seen a VHS tape. (should make you start to feel old) None have seen an audio cassette. At the start of last year 5% signed up because they wanted to learn about video production. Another 35% signed up because they thought it sounded more fun than weight lifting or chemistry as a class. The remainder where put in the class without consultation by their counselors.
At the start of last year there were 230 students in the program in 6 classes. Eventually we got down to 35-37 students per class. 5 classes were first year students. We had 6 Panasonic DVC7's a Canon XL1 and a GL2. The Canons were only used for specialty production. One DVC7 did not survive and the others had problems requiring my attention several times. Next year I will have 25-28 students in each of 6 classes.
The school broadcast to the classrooms over cable type RF, through a noisy system. It is 4:3 SD. 85% of our work is for that output. The next time that money is allocated to look at redesigning or updating that system is in 2012 when they consider modifications to the school buildings. Actual work would not begin until 2014.
[B]Application:[/b]
With so many beginning students, these units see many hours of service and it is HARD service. The XL1 and GL2 would not have survived long in standard use.
The camcorders will be used for teaching the basics of exposure, focus, composition and white balance. After that , we concentrate on the content in front of the camera such as ENG reporting and basic documentary style. For any cinematic work with advanced students we go to the XL1 or my Z1. The Z1 does most of it. The ENG work is in high humidity like Florida football games and low light like high school dances.
The options:
I have been authorized to purchase 5 new Sony PD170's with cases, batteries, chargers and ENG mics to add to my stable. The PD170's are damn near bulletproof, have good manual controls and have a good repair path. It has been suggested that I go to the Canon XH-A1 instead. The money will buy only four of those units. I have never use one so I need to know if they are stronger than the XL1 or GL2 and do I get enough benefit to have justify fewer units?
Using the buy more units for the same money idea, the Sony A1U would be more units for the same money, they are good little units but do not give me the size and the ability to teach the iris, shutter relationship as easily.
If you see the way I look at the relationships of the units, please fire away with suggestions and comments. I do the P.O.'s on Monday.
[B]The situation:[/B]
I teach a high school video production program in an inner-city high school. These students have very little experience with delicate items and no experience with photography or video. Some have experience with computers along the level of myspace and music downloading. 80% have cell phones, I won't discuss why. Many have never seen a VHS tape. (should make you start to feel old) None have seen an audio cassette. At the start of last year 5% signed up because they wanted to learn about video production. Another 35% signed up because they thought it sounded more fun than weight lifting or chemistry as a class. The remainder where put in the class without consultation by their counselors.
At the start of last year there were 230 students in the program in 6 classes. Eventually we got down to 35-37 students per class. 5 classes were first year students. We had 6 Panasonic DVC7's a Canon XL1 and a GL2. The Canons were only used for specialty production. One DVC7 did not survive and the others had problems requiring my attention several times. Next year I will have 25-28 students in each of 6 classes.
The school broadcast to the classrooms over cable type RF, through a noisy system. It is 4:3 SD. 85% of our work is for that output. The next time that money is allocated to look at redesigning or updating that system is in 2012 when they consider modifications to the school buildings. Actual work would not begin until 2014.
[B]Application:[/b]
With so many beginning students, these units see many hours of service and it is HARD service. The XL1 and GL2 would not have survived long in standard use.
The camcorders will be used for teaching the basics of exposure, focus, composition and white balance. After that , we concentrate on the content in front of the camera such as ENG reporting and basic documentary style. For any cinematic work with advanced students we go to the XL1 or my Z1. The Z1 does most of it. The ENG work is in high humidity like Florida football games and low light like high school dances.
The options:
I have been authorized to purchase 5 new Sony PD170's with cases, batteries, chargers and ENG mics to add to my stable. The PD170's are damn near bulletproof, have good manual controls and have a good repair path. It has been suggested that I go to the Canon XH-A1 instead. The money will buy only four of those units. I have never use one so I need to know if they are stronger than the XL1 or GL2 and do I get enough benefit to have justify fewer units?
Using the buy more units for the same money idea, the Sony A1U would be more units for the same money, they are good little units but do not give me the size and the ability to teach the iris, shutter relationship as easily.
If you see the way I look at the relationships of the units, please fire away with suggestions and comments. I do the P.O.'s on Monday.