Blog « dvDepot

Avoid Gear Abuse!

Posted by: dvdepot on Jan 18 2012 / Comments (1)

dvDepot has encountered all kinds of video equipment damages, having been in the business since 2003. You name it, we’ve seen it. Most are repairable, but others aren’t so lucky.

Common instances that result in equipment abuse include harsh environmental conditions, gear not mounted or secured properly, gear accidently dropped, knocked over, or even galloped away by a horse biting the camera mic (true story). We understand things happen, but we would like to help clients treat our gear nicely when on location or in the field.

Here at dvDepot we want our clients to have fun using our equipment, without putting it in danger. For these instances we carry some gear designed for experimentation and fun! The EWA Marine Underwater Housing, AKA Splash Bag, for the HVX200, EX1, and DVX’s, protects any of these cameras while shooting near water or any other potentially harmless area, and also allows you to shoot up to 10ft below water. We also carry the Waterproof MM400C Transmitter and M152 Mic ideal for use in heavy rain, humidity, and water based shoots. (Thinking ahead to Spring Break and tropical locations this gear would come in handy!)

Since we have high standards and value the gear dvDepot owns, if equipment is returned damaged our Rental Tech checks out the condition thoroughly and sends it in for repair. However, with the change from SD to HD format we have decided to announce our Used Equipment Department this year!

To make room on our shelves we recently reorganized our inventory and decided to sell our used equipment. You can find all this equipment on our new website category, Used Equipment For Sale. All equipment is used, but we have logged their condition to provide the most accurate selling description. Conditions range from basic wear and tear to repairs needed. Equipment that needs repairs comes with a certified quote from an Authorized Dealer with pricing for repair upon re-inspection. We have given each product a price, but all prices are negotiable. Please note that all sales are final, and must be paid with cash or a credit card. We encourage you to come into the dvDepot office to check out the gear. If you have any questions please call us at 212.333.5100 or add the product to your equipment cart on our website and submit it and we will contact you!

In the meantime check out this fun spoof below that dvDepot shot and edited. Say NO To Camera Abuse!

Experimenting with the Sony PMW-F3 Camera

Posted by: dvdepot on Dec 1 2011 / Comments (0)

recently lended dvDepot their PMW-F3 camera to experiment with. It definitely put us in the holiday spirit!

With a super 35mm exmor CMOS image sensor, and a 1920×1080 maximum resolution, we couldn’t wait to test out its capabilities using New York City as a backdrop. With the time constraints, and the use of the 35mm lens Sony supplied, our focus was on how sensitive and quick to respond the camera would be to capturing quick beauty shots on the fly. Take a look below at two of our clips, but make sure the video is set to 1080p!

Grand Central Terminal, Interval Recording Function (1920 x 1080, 29.97p)

Here is a use of the F3′s Interval Recording Function; recording 1 frame every second.
Note the passing hands of the clock in the center.

Times Square, Nighttime (1920 x 1080, 29.97p)

These unlit avenues of Times Square would normally disappear into nothing next to the bright billboards.
Notice no pixelation in the blacks.

Overall, we thought this was a great Sony camera with high-end image capture.
To view more pictures of the Sony PMW-F3, visit dvDepot’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/dvdepot.

Thanks again to Sony for allowing us to experiment with the Sony PMW-F3!
If you are interested in renting this camera please call us at 212.333.5100.

F.A.L.L into Fun with dvDepot!

Posted by: dvdepot on Sep 26 2011 / Comments (0)

The summer season has come and gone, and it is officially Fall in New York City!
What better to kick it off then with suggestions for Fall fun from the crew at dvDepot.

The New York City Wine and Food Festival takes a bite out of the Big Apple, September 29th to October 2nd. It is the only festival in New York to bring together your favorite television chefs and legendary culinary icons. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank for New York City, and national nonprofit organization, Share Our Strength®, which both fight to end hunger.

Themed differently every year, “Nightmare”, which runs from September 30th to November 5th, has been described as New York’s largest and most horrifying attraction. It is run by Broadway veterans, and aspiring actors, which explains its unique theatricality, staged scenarios, and set direction. Themed, “Nightmare: Fairy Tales,” this year, experience the twisted, gruesome versions of your favorite childhood tales as the characters. Beware, this is not your traditional haunted house.

Don’t miss out on the 17-day New York Film Festival, September 30th to October 16th. It highlights the best in world cinema, featuring films from celebrated filmmakers to newly discovered talents selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The Main Slate consists of 27 feature films, the Masterworks series highlights iconic classics, and there are various special events. The selections this year span a wide array of genres from all different countries.

See your favorite comedians perform at various spots around the city during the New York Comedy Festival, November 9th to 13th. It is produced by Carolines on Broadway, and presented in association with Comedy Central. There are over 150 comedians involved, but noteable acts include Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Norm Macdonald, Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher, and a discussion with the “Saturday Night Live” writers.

What is dvDepot up to?

The summer season was busy for dvDepot, working with new and old clients, ranging from television networks to corporate businesses. We provided gear and crews for all different kinds of projects. We are currently working with a number of programs including a reality series, contestant-based show, and a few webisodes. Here are some examples:

We thank you for your continued support, and look forward to working with our new and old clients this fall.
As always, feel free to call us at 212.333.5100 or email us at info@dvdepot.com with any questions or concerns about our video production services!

dvDepot Works With “Rock and Wrap It Up!” to Reduce Poverty and Hunger

Posted by: dvdepot on Aug 15 2011 / Comments (0)

dvDepot is proud to support and work with Rock and Wrap It Up! a 501 C 3 charity that uses green tactics to help reduce poverty and hunger.

What Do They Do?

Rock and Wrap It Up! recovers food and other assets to agencies fighting poverty and hunger, increasing their operating budgets. This allows the agencies to hire more services including tutors, social workers, job placement counselors, and mental health counselors to attack the root cause of poverty.

Who Do They Partner With?

Rock and Wrap It Up! has collaborated with individuals in music, sports, schools, hotels, entertainment, and does public advocacy for the house and senate. Their partnerships include 150 music bands, 60 professional sports franchises including the entire National Hockey league, colleges, hotel chains, and film and television networks.

How Do They Do It?

Recovered Food from New York Ranger Game.

The staff of Rock and Wrap It Up! encourages the recovery of food that has been prepared but not served following any event where there is leftover food, including rock concerts, sporting events, and shoots.

They box up the untouched meals, and deliver them to local food banks and charitable agencies. This tactic helps to feed the hungry and green music and sporting arenas, and film/television/commercial sets.

Rock and Wrap It Up! also collects and distributes toiletries and cleaning products from hotels, schools and other participating donors.

The overall goal of the program is to recover as many assets as possible to feed the hungry and further green our planet.

Interested in Donating?

You can help this cause by donating all edible leftover food from an event or shoot to those in need and keep it out of the landfill.

Rules and Guidelines:

Contact Rock and Wrap It Up! 1-2 weeks prior to the new food recovery opportunity to partner your catering and craft services with the agency who will recover the food.
A name and phone number of a contact person on set or in the arena needs to be provided.
The minimum amount of food is 25 meals from breakfast, lunch and dinner combined. There is no limiting maximum amount.
They recover only food that is prepared but not served. No items will be taken from a hot buffet if they have been on the hot buffet line.
All items that are refrigerated can be recovered. Also paper and plastic service products are recoverable.
Short dated items are accepted. Items whose expiration date has passed are not.
All unused bakery items that do not require refrigeration are recoverable. Non-perishable items are recoverable.
Food should be wrapped by catering/craft services and be ready to travel. This minor expense will be borne by catering/craft services. The receiving agency will bear all transportation expenses.
On the last day of a film/television/commercial shoot, all condiments, spices, herbs, closed cereal boxes, and raw products are recoverable.
All partnering recipient agencies have been vetted by Rock and Wrap It Up!

For more information about Rock and Wrap It Up! visit their website at www.rockandwrapitup.org.

Reduce the planet’s poverty footprint by reducing society’s carbon footprint!