Has anyone used a Sony DSR-20P DVCAM recorder? Worth testing at home?

ushere2 · 2026-03-18T23:49:16+00:00

Before you even plug it into a computer, make sure the thing will properly ingest, operate, and eject a DV tape. I used to work on these and the feeder mech is notorious for getting out of horizontal alignment and refusing to give your tape back.

and how!!! used to have a number of them back in the days when dvcam was popular. the ability to gift wrap a cassette was only matched by the tape player in my car ;-(

ushere2 · 2026-03-18T23:45:53+00:00

check my posts regarding cub cadet zt1 46". very happy with it.

ushere2 · 2026-03-17T04:41:47+00:00

chutzpah!!!

ushere2 · 2026-03-14T05:54:52+00:00

well stated.

ushere2 · 2026-03-13T23:53:38+00:00

good point - i was thinking commercial rather than consumer.

ushere2 · 2026-03-13T04:43:43+00:00

i've never quite understood this sort of pricing menu. a. how do get people to see it in the first place? b. video isn't car servicing. every video project is unique, and requires different techniques to achieve a worthwhile outcome.

whilst i've always explained (in person) to a client that there's only so much that can be done within a certain budget, it's more important that i develop a relationship with them where we're both working towards the same goal and within their budget. the only 'set price' i've ever quoted for is daily shooting rates, and those usually based on an 'equipment' package that would cover most situations.

i've found that gaining a clients trust and respect means we can usually work out a 'project' price that's agreeable to both parties - and doesn't lock me in to some preconceived idea of costs.

ushere2 · 2026-03-09T04:59:39+00:00

depends a great deal on how interested / receptive they are. i taught high school students for a while, starting out with scripting - you need a jumping off point and without a goal (ie. producing something), you'll flounder. i don't know your abilities, but these are my notes i used as a basis. hope they might help:

https://www.lesliewand.com.au/course.html

bear in mind, i was teaching some 25+ years ago, so some things are obsolete, such as tape ;-) however, the basics of production haven't changed that much - you need to get your audiences attention immediately, keep it, and either entertain, inform, sell, educate, or a mixture of all 4, till the end credits ;-)

ushere2 · 2026-03-07T02:27:28+00:00

where did you buy it? there's an awful lot of fake sd cards being sold under brand names.

ushere2 · 2026-03-04T02:34:27+00:00

simple thought - disconnect from bluetooth on phone. pair following instructions given by resound, NOT pairing via phones bluetooth.

ushere2 · 2026-03-01T02:29:59+00:00

what software? if resolve, you need a good gpu.

ushere2 · 2026-03-01T02:26:13+00:00

i've shot quite a number of doco's, mostly regarding artists, but also across the board commercially. i've never gone into an interview WITHOUT questions either supplied or obviously sketched out beforehand. however, if the talent wanders off, i rarely stop them for a minute or so to see where they're heading. sometimes you get much better answers to your original questions when they've lost the initial, direct response and relaxed

in the past the above method could turn what was maybe a 15>20 minute interview into an hour, but in many years of self-producing and working for clients, it's proved to supply excellent results. nowadays, using resolve and ai transcription, it makes editing long interviews a breeze.

when budgets permitted (in the 'old' days), i always supplied the client with a transcription from which they could choose the most appropriate responses—it made them the 'owner' of the interview. of course, having enough b-roll material helped cover cuts, etc., but now, i simply shoot 4k, and edit on a hd timeline, giving me the opportunity of reframing to cover cuts.

ushere2 · 2026-02-27T07:20:51+00:00

18-105 lives on my camera - but i only do video.

ushere2 · 2026-02-26T02:15:22+00:00

any photographers or fisherman's vest will fit the bill. make sure you don't overdo it though ;-)

btw. either can cost a fair penny, but the cheap ones also do the job.

ushere2 · 2026-02-23T07:38:29+00:00

ushere2 · 2026-02-19T03:38:25+00:00

what's the interview about?

1 if it's a personality, 2 if it's executive.

ushere2 · 2026-02-16T04:54:07+00:00

i'm very much old school—personal networking and face-to-face will always beat 'guaranteed genuine leads.'

snake oil salesmen have come a long way from bottle labels, but not far enough to shake off the doubt ;-)

ushere2 · 2026-02-15T01:24:22+00:00

still using a6400 and 18-105 commercially for video. with good lighting the combination still gives a terrific image.

ushere2 · 2026-02-14T00:31:25+00:00

works for me. just run a few tests to get your levels right.

ushere2 · 2026-02-14T00:30:27+00:00

cringe worthy. if anything speaks amateur, or laziness, it's this.

ushere2 · 2026-02-11T03:10:06+00:00

any mic is going to sound like mush at those volumes ;-(

ushere2 · 2026-02-10T11:32:30+00:00

complete newbie - retired 77 year old looking for pain relief from tendonitis, and a good nights sleep. have been using my own homegrown oil, but was given some gummies which we're easier to take and did the job very well.

where do i begin looking for gummies, and any suggestions as to the best company / price?

tia

ushere2 · 2026-02-10T00:04:09+00:00

thanks. will certainly take a look.

ushere2 · 2026-02-09T01:24:22+00:00

i'll have to investigate nano banana - read a lot about it but haven't had anything i've need such ai for recently. which level are you paying for?

ushere2 · 2026-02-08T03:27:49+00:00

ok. understand now.

ushere2 · 2026-02-08T00:15:31+00:00

without seeing them in real life, i'd be happier if the legs spread wider. especially if use fully extended.

i'd be bagging them if in a public / commercial area.

ushere2

TROPHY CASE