The Guide: A Manual That Folks May Actually Read

Noted filmmaker and journalist Robert M. Goodman wrote a user manual for the popular Panasonic SDX900 DVCPRO Cinema camcorder. The Guide is based on real-world location work and gives the reader a thorough look at options available to users of the camera.

Goodman said he always wanted a manual like this, "a manual written for the person who would be using the camera instead of what's typical in the world of professional production, and manual for the engineer."

The 240-page manual includes an overview of the camera's parts, camera menus organized by function, camera imaging, a section on "creating looks" for the SDX900, recording operations, audio controls, lenses, accessories, monitoring, power requirements and a section on troubleshooting.

"His Guide translates engineering terms into words that will help cinematographers clearly understand how powerful the camera's menus are," said Jan Crittenden, product line business manager, DVCPRO50/DVCPRO, Panasonic Broadcast.