CGRHD Behind the Scenes: Panasonic DVC Pro Deck
Classic Game Room HD takes a behind the scenes look at the Panasonic DVC Pro deck that is used to record the video game review footage for the Classic Game Room video game review show. DVCPro is a professional standard of tape that can record more than 2 hours of audio and video. The deck itself is an AJ-D450 deck with component video, s-video, composite and digital coax SDI. We also take a look at Mini-DV playback, the MiniDV adapter and the Radio Shack Optimus VCR used to record the really old games and then feed them back into DVCpro. If you want to learn how to make the best video game reviews possible then watch this behind the scenes series from Classic Game Room. This will show you some cool tools, you can buy used gear, consumer gear and all kinds of cool gear to make your reviews. The real trick it to work at it. Classic Game Room has been running since 1999, this is an amusing look inside Inecom LLC’s production department. See how tapes are covered with Sharpies and duct tape and then turned into awesome video game reviews for PS3, Xbox 360, NES, Sega Genesis, PS2, PS1, Dreamcast, Magnavox Odyssey 2 and Sega CD. Do you like things that beep and blink, the 1980′s, RATT, Pac Man and good beer? Then Classic Game Room should be on your list of things to watch. Quit asking “How do I make good video game reviews for a video game review show?” Watch and learn. The power is within you. And 80′s big-hair metal bands.
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
25 comments
TVperson1 on November 20, 2008 at 7:11 am
Nice tape deck, could just do with a head replacement though. I can’t imagine how’d go HD if you still want a tape based system, the decks are way too expensive.
coolninjatvprod on December 14, 2008 at 10:51 pm
you do HD with the editing program its just 720p
TVperson1 on December 16, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Ok, I wonder why they don’t just capture directly into the edit computer?
morgangamer22 on December 29, 2008 at 2:02 am
COOL
shingo7772 on January 3, 2009 at 2:59 am
That would be cool to have…There is something about figuring how to get by only on what you already have and having no budget that almost makes me take that back though…(as far as making videos).
notyoursavior78 on January 13, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Game Room, Sucka!!
I like how you wrote that on the side of the tape. Behind the Scenes at CGR is always pretty interesting and neat.
Pash00n on January 20, 2009 at 5:29 am
Damn, I wish I could get my hands on THAT recording equipment.
I never got past using 2 VCRs and a 4-track tape deck multi-tracker, haha. Computers make everything too easy these days and take away the nostalgic feel of video editing.
scottamata on March 4, 2009 at 11:38 am
omg that equipment looks amazing.
tormentedmuffin on March 7, 2009 at 4:35 am
thats overkill lol
laatmaarzien on May 27, 2009 at 9:55 am
Tapes rule :P
Now that your videos are all in HD I guess you’ve updated your hardware? If so, will you make a video of that too?
XKintaroX on July 5, 2009 at 12:26 am
Panasonic FTW
Ishidasouken on July 30, 2009 at 10:11 am
seems like a lot of equipment, effort and time going into this
I mean you’re not getting paid for it, besides maybe a little as youtube partner but thats very little
Fanvadenaxar on August 12, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Thanks for showing man
scaryspikes23 on September 12, 2009 at 7:30 pm
lol nice. i used to DI everything for audio and master it on the pc :P Mostly though any audio i ever did was not for fiilm, so i basically didnt have to go through all those steps.
MRLOL785 on December 23, 2009 at 2:08 am
For my masters, I use:
For TV and Games: 1985 Sony SL-HF 400 Super Betamax Hi-Fi with PCM and line level meters
For TV: A 1998 JVC HR-VP 48U 4-heads mono and 1999 JVC Super VHS hifi.
For my dubbing I use a 1990′s GE VG-7910 VHS linear stereo deck.
All in all it cost me $99 :). How does that sound from a professional standpoint? As an amateur it makes really great results.
GenericRubbishName on December 30, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Wow. To think all this trouble could be solved with a copy of Sony Vegas!
CharX782 on January 9, 2010 at 9:59 am
He still has to edit with an editing software on his computer, this is just the equipment he uses to get the video on to his PC in the first place.
GenericRubbishName on January 10, 2010 at 12:10 am
Then why not just use a TV Capture Card?
coondogtheman1234 on January 19, 2010 at 10:55 pm
1:09 i’m the same way ill use something untill it dies then ill fix it up and try to get as much use out of it as possible.
Can you Please make a video of your new DV Cassette Deck unit. those things are so neat? if you already made a vid of it pls let me know which vid. Thanks.
Wexfyf on February 10, 2010 at 1:02 am
What does edit station 1 do, or what did it do?
lestat34208 on February 16, 2010 at 5:44 am
I dont get it, how do you upload all of this to a computer with this device?
pmgodfrey on February 24, 2010 at 2:43 am
-@ lestat34208 -
Some of them had firewire interfaces available for them. You could also use a transcoder or HD-SDI.
HD-SDI is a professional interface.
HDMI is a consumer interface.
While this particular machine isn’t “HD” capable, you’d really be surprised what you can do with a 480p signal on the right equipment.
These decks can be bought all day on eBay, but most of them will have to be re-capped which would cost about $1,100 or more depending on where you go.
Darkbeatdk on March 9, 2010 at 9:22 pm
If that stuff ever dies on you, you could buy a Hauppage HD PVR box-thing. It’s a pretty inexpensive solution to record component and composite footage directly into a few different formats on your computer in 720p. I just bought one and I’m waiting for it to arrive in the mail tomorrow, but look it up. There’s a few videos of game footage floating around on youtube if you wanna see what the end result looks like.
Zorn27 on March 30, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Cool, now review tf2 :D
SakuraAvalon on August 17, 2010 at 6:53 am
Wait, did you just record yourself recording yourself, then record yourself recording yourself backwards? o.o Won’t the fabric of time and space collapse?