4:3 only digibeta, am I tripping?

[Star Video]

Hi,

I recently bought a Sony DVW-700 4:3 Digibeta camera from Ebay for $6,400. The camera had super low hours and it's in great shape. I've already used it on a History Channel shoot, works fine.

I'm kinda bummed that it's not 16:9 switchable. But, before I had the camera, 9 out of 10 calls for Digibeta were asking for 4:3. I also have a D35 16:9 switchable camera with DVCAM and BetaSP backs for it, and a Sony Z1U HDV camera, so I have two 16:9 cameras and one 4:3. Is this okay, you think?

Jacques Star
http://www.jacquesstarvideo.com

[dinosaur]

I guess its buyer beware, or more like aware.
That DVW700 is the oldest model DigiBeta. It was suceeded by the DVW700WS "WS=widescreen 16:9" then the DVW709WS & the DVW790WS.

I hope the upper/lower head drum on that 700 isn't worn out. That camera was notorious for premature headwear. The DVW upper drum is also about $2500. to replace.

[Star Video]

Well,

I didn't know that, but it worked fine during the shoot, and the engineer at Bexel checked everything out, he said there were no problems.

[BluesCam]

All of the DigiBeta shoots I've done (not that many) were 16x9.

[Baltimore Shooter]

I've done both 4:3 and 16:9 Digibeta, but lately when clients ask for it, they want it 16:9.

Warren

[Star Video]

Oh well,

Well, it's working and making me money, so I guess that's important. I'm not too worried, since My D35 can shoot BetaSP OR DVCAM 16:9, and my HDV camera can as well, my clients always have that option. In the meantime, i've placed the camera online to sell, and if I can get a 700WS for 1000 dollars more/trade for a widescreen camera with more hours, I will upgrade, otherwise i'll just keep it.

The head drum assembly problems aforementioned on the 700 is bs, the 700 and the 790 both have the EXACT same head drum assembly, there are no mechanical/electronic differences, the only difference is the chips/ccd block. Also, I knew it was a first-generation camera when I bought it, it's had an upgrade from Sony since then. And, the fact that after 3 or 4 more shoots, it's gonna be completely paid off, and it'll continue to make money, is a pretty sweet deal in my book.

Jacques Star
http://www.jacquesstarvideo.com

[dinosaur]

The stories about DVW 700 head wear problems are not myth. The drum and tape assembly may be the same as the 709 & 790 but the physical make up of the head recording tips themselves was changed to fix this specific problem. The MP tapes used specifically in the DigiBeta accelerated the wear faster than on SP decks. Even though the problem was apparent in regular BetacamSP too, it was more pronounced in the DVW700. For a little insight read this:http://www.macievideo.com/articles/headweararticle.htm

[Star Video]

Maybe,

but the heads on my camera have been working fine thus far, i'll keep you posted.

[SimonW]

If it pays itself off after 3 or 4 jobs then you've had a good deal anyway. Especially if you already had the jobs lined up.

[circle7]

Star, didn't you nab that from ebay for 5-6k??

[Star Video]

Yes, I did, how did you know I got it off eBay?

She's a beautiful camera...

[Shootblue]

My god, you said it in your first post.

[Star Video]

So I guess both Circle7 and I don't scroll up to read what we wrote or remember what we wrote earlier...