Re: HPX-3700 deal

Jeremy, I understand that you think the MXF file format works well. It could be the best thing since sliced bread, but that isn't what I'm talking about. You’re on another plane then my thread was, and is about.

It’s not about the codec or file system. Its about a number of things including how crazy it is for Panasonic to bet the farm on the P2 stick memory (built in) without regard to what makes sense for the industry, and their customer. I could care less about MXF files, and if its better or worse in organizing data (I care about what my client wants), and you know what.... most of my customers don't care about MXF files!

Most of my customer’s still use tape, and the hot mini camera right now are the Sony Ex.’s. So you can argue till your blue in the face about how much better MXF files are, and you would be right.... but if you haven’t noticed the bar keeps dropping everyday in the general market place for the level of production value (reality TV), and the people who care about getting the last ounce of quality out of an image, are fewer and fewer.

Now you can buy a camera for 5k and make a TV show, and if you put the camera in the hands of someone who really knows what they are doing (i.e. a great DP, director and editor) most will be sure it was done with a much more expensive full sized camera.

So the general bar of acceptable production value continues to drop while the quality of HD images (that anybody can afford) has risen substantially in the last few years to the point that few people care much anymore about dvc-pro vs. I frame vs. xd-cam. It’s for people in forums to argue over, and for the fewer and fewer high-end projects that care.

3 years ago all HD projects were on full size 2/3" camcorders, now the piece of the market pie being shot on mini cameras is probably (I'd guess) 25-30 percent (maybe more) and growing, and that's a major shift in this industry. These people using little cameras now have access to what wasn't available until very recently. Most of These people mostly don't care about what you’re en-trawled about with MXF file system. They care about price and cranking out television shows. By all means go tell them all what they are missing but you will be pissing in the wind. They care about the price of the card. They care about 1080 imager; they care about low light capability and ease of use. They look at the EX camera played back and it looks exactly like it did through the camera before it was recorded.

Everyday more of the industry goes in the direction of mini cameras. Sony made their big bet on xd-cam codec. You can bet your booty they did lots of research and decided the xd codec and system was GOOD enough for the general populace and if they need more in terms of quality recording for green screen etc then the HDcam is available to step up.

The popularity of the EX cameras right now suggest Sony's bet is a solid hit, while not betting the farm. I guess time will tell but I think the big P2 cameras are scary to camera buyers, because anyway you look at it its an investment, and needs to make business sense. If one thinks the technology will change in 2 years they will not spend 30-40k on a camera with technology that maybe outdated next year. Both yourself and Gary have talked about how fast things are changing, well you are agreeing then with one of my reasons why people are not buying the P2 Varicams. Sony has not made such a huge bet on stick media built into the camera, with only TWO models total. Panasonic must have 10-12 P2 cameras.... I can’t count them all. I say again... it’s a huge bet on P2, and I believe it was a bad bet. (I’m not knocking MXF files, I could care less).

Time will tell, but I would not be surprised to see less models next year and maybe a move out of P2 and towards standard memory cards or another medium altogether (and in MXF, who cares!). You need only open your eyes to see the after market products that will allow consumers to work around the expensive P2 cards and record to a Convergence deck or AJA recorder in high quality codec’s (including I-frame) but to CF cards they can buy for 60 bucks rather then 600.

The problem is so plain to see but you don’t seem to understand. There isn’t one person out there who hasn’t complained about P2 card prices, and now the public can work around this obvious problem. You guys are a bit too Panasonic sensitive but I’m an equal opportunity critic of both Pany and Sony. You need only read again and take off your hyper-sensitive Panasonic fan boy hats and try reading again. :) :)

(or not... its a bit painful how you guys miss the main points and harp on something that’s not important).

Isn’t this fun?

Best, ER


Erich Roland
www.dc-camera.com
HD camera rentals, Washington DC
(and Cameraman)