Hi Everyone,

I need some opinions. I own a DCR VX2100. I use it to film an outdoor show. I have added several things the 2 main ones being a Beachtek DXA 4 and a AT 897 shot. Mic. I am getting ready to purchase a second camera. Should I get another 2100 and outfit it the same or should I get a PD 170? IS there any audio or video quality differences in the 2 cameras? Thanks for your input.

PS …I am posting this on both the 2100 and 170 forums


Max

If I were you, I would definitely go the PD170 route. The obvious advantages is the audio. The PD170 has phantom powered XLR inputs which will also power your AT897. The AT897 will perform better on 48v phantom power that on a 1.5v AA battery as the microphone's impedance and dynamic range is improved by the increased voltage. Having phantom powered XLRs also allow you to use a huge array of professional condenser microphones, including high quality lavalier mics.

The downside with battery powered microphones is you always have to remember to switch it on, whereas a phantom powered mic, powers up as soon as the camera is switched on. Have you ever started shooting and realised your battery powered mic is still switched off?

Another important feature is the PD-170 will record onto both Mini-DV and DVCAM formats, while the VX2100 will only record / playback on Mini-DV. These two features puts the PD-170 far enough ahead of the VX2100, to be classed as a professional / pro-sumer camera. The VX2100 is aimed more towards the high-end consumer market. DVCAM is more stable format than Mini DV, and less likely to encounter drop-out, and DVCAM generally an excepted format for broadcast.

The PD170 and VX2100 both use the same 3CCD imaging system, therefore the video quality should be identical.

I just had to make the decision that you are looking to make. I went for the 170. It matches with my 2100 just as if I had another 2100 but then I have the option to shoot in DVCAM. There is only a few hundred dollars between the two cameras now so it is not that bad of a jump for the 170. Oh yea, the audio on board the 170 is a lot better than running my beach tech box with my 2100.