Newbie here. I'm a still photographer by trade who has recently been thrust - maybe thrown is a better word - into the world of video. I got to spend a week in school to learn NLE on Avid Media Composer. Wow - what a learning curve.

My question concerns stand-alone portable players for DVC Pro and/or mini-DV (using an adapter) - does anything like this exist at a reasonable price? I saw one on B&H's web page, by Sony, and it was $18K.

I'm looking for something along the lines of the portable DVD players that will play DVC Pro tapes (medium shell) and with an adapter mini-DV tapes. The boss also wants me to look for mini-DV cameras along the lines of the Canopn GL/XL series. Right now our videographer is using a large (about 15 pounds) and very expensive Panasonic DVC Pro camera.

The boss is sending me and our maintenance chief to NAB in April. I'll be able to check on mini-DV cameras and other portable gear then but I was hoping someone might be able to steer me in the right direction.

Thanks.