Re: Attn.: Jan C. - AJ-SPC700 Questions

[Jan Crittenden Livingston] "Peter DeCrescenzo wrote: Jan Crittendon:
That is Crittenden. ;-)"

Oops! Sorry about the misspelling! My apologies. Actually, it's "Jan Crittenden Livingston, I presume?" :)

[Jan Crittenden Livingston] "Peter asked: 1. Might "24p" be available as a field (or Panasonic service depot) upgrade for this camera?

No, that would be the AJ-SPX800."

Unfortunately, as you know the MSRP for the AJ-SPX800 is almost $7,000 USD higher than the AJ-SPC700. Doesn't that seem rather steep to get 24p & 30p, which if I'm not mistaken is the primary difference between the two models?

Another way to look at it: The above price delta is about the same as the announced price of the new AJ-HVX200 cam, which as you know includes many more features than just two frame rates. I realize this is an apples & oranges comparison, but it serves as an example of a dollar "value" for 24p & 30p.

Perhaps the AJ-SPX800 is priced too high, or the AJ-SPC700 too low? >grin< Or is there some other feature in the AJ-SPX800 which justifies this large price difference between these two cams?

In any event, the lack of a reasonably priced 24p (and 30p) upgrade for the AJ-SPC700 is a deal killer for me, regrets.

For my clients' corporate and broadcast video applications, Sony's new DSR-450WS DVCAM camcorder looks to be a better match, and its $18,000 USD MSRP includes a hi-res B&W CRT viewfinder (unlike the AJ-SPX800). Of course the DSR-450WS is "only" DVCAM (not DVCPRO & DVCPRO-50), but it includes 24p & 30p as a standard feature, and has a reasonably-priced SDI option available for "live" 10-bit 4:2:2 output.

(As you know, an SDI signal can be recorded in the field using a variety of systems, including a DVCPRO-50 or Digital Betacam field recorder, or using an Apple PowerBook, a AJA IO-LD interface unit, and a Firewire 800 hard drive.)

[Jan Crittenden Livingston] "Peter asked: 2. Can the camera output a "live" DVCPRO-50 datastream out its Firewire port? For example, not first stored on P2, but output directly via the FW port into Final Cut Pro?

Of course, the 1394 port is an option but it is possible."

Thanks for this confirmation, Jan. Unfortunately, given the price deltas discussed above, the AJ-SPC700 and AJ-SPX800 don't seem to meet my client's needs & budgets, regrets.

In any event, your time & attention is greatly appreciated.

All the best,

- Peter

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