Podcast Episode #1 Show Notes

Additional Commentary

Okay, so these are the show notes for Down and Dirty DV Podcast - Episode #1: How to Choose a Camera. (See previous post to download or subscribe using link to your left.) This is a podcast series designed specifically for new and aspiring digital guerrilla filmmakers. The topics I address will be from the standpoint of low-budget digital shooting and solving the many problems that come along with it.

This was my first podcast ever and it was admittedly harder and more work than I thought it would be, but I’m fairly happy with the end result. If you weren’t aware, Episode 1 is enhanced with photos and links (included below) if you view it on an iPod or in iTunes.

It’s damn hard talking having a whole conversation alone to a microphone. Let me know I’m not really talking to myself and holla back. Your feedback let’s me know somebody cares about this effort and helps me improve the show. Please drop me an email at anthony@downanddirtydv.com with your comments, corrections, and suggestions for future show topics.

Enhanced Links and Additional Resources

My Online Bio
Want to know more about me? I’m an old-school digital pimp and a complex man of mystery, but I will share this much with you.


XLR Article – Berkeley Journalism
This article breaks down XLR cable basics and expands upon my comments about XLR adapters.

XLR Adapter Box – B&H Sales Page
Check out features and specs or purchase the popular Beachtek DXA Adapter Box here.


DIY Network - Low Light Article
This is a link to a very basic DIY Network article on shooting in low-light.

Here are the 2 forums I recommended for researching user experiences and reviews of cameras you are considering purchasing. (More such sights are listed to the left under “Links” section.):

Creative Cow Online Filmmaking Community & Forums

DVX User Online Filmmaking Community & Forums


I forgot to mention this site in Episode #1 , but UrbanFox.tv is a great little website run by a woman named Christina Fox out of London that provides consulting and some great free info and tutorials for people looking to get into DV filmmaking. Most notably for the topic at hand, she provides some great camera comparison buyer's guide charts that include most of the latest prosumer models. This info is often in magazines, but it's hard to come by comprehensive side-by-side comparisons online. Check out the charts here:

DV and DV Cam Cameras

HDV Cameras

Notes on Upcoming Episode 2

This first podcast was actually 42 mins., so rather than torture you that long, I broke it into 2 episodes, so Episode #2 is also Choosing a Camera. In Episode #2 I cover other features to look for in a prosumer camera. These aren’t the make or break features, but those that you may wish to also consider depending on your budget, experience-level and style of shooting. I also dicuss renting vs. buying and avoiding common scams when purchasing a camera online.

On a crappier note, I just discovered that I somehow managed to wipe out my master audio files for the fully completed Episode 2. I will have to perform some voodoo on a surviving MP3 version to see if I can put it back together or rerecord the whole thing, so hang tight for a week on that.