Re: HPX-3700 deal

my god Jeremy, your like a pit bull and lawyer at the same time!

Here is the problem in a nut shell and you and Gary have both said the same thing. These cameras are like computers with lenses... and every 2 years there will be a faster one... Right?

My premise from the beginning of this thread is that nobody is buying P2 Varicams (not really nobody, but relative to lets say the HDX-900 sales when it first came out). Who is going to invest 45-60k on a computer with a lens that could be worth 7-10k in 2 years? And have to toss a perfectly good expensive camera because its attached to the P2 deck!

You see it has nothing to do with MXF files, but you don't get the basic economic problem here. People cant see the future in a memory technology that has changed so dramaticly in just the last 2 years, and they don't want to buy the short end of the "P2 stick" when it all changes again!

Its the crazy idea that this company bet the farm on (not on MXF files, its perfect) but this silly, too expensive memory platform called "P2"... thats what is crazy (my opinion but many agree). Now if P2 cost just a bit more then consumer memory then its a different story. The E series is only slightly better price, but then they are made to Fail... (more marketing stupidity).

And as Ive said before (this is important part, to get to my motivation here in case you missed it).... I want to have on my rental shelf what my customer wants to rent (period). There... Ive shared my deepest secret, you've driven me to it.

But when they DON'T want to rent these expensive P2 cameras I start to examine why this may be. I talk to customers, I look at the market and pricing and come here to share my thoughts. And you turn into Pittbull Garchow and let me know how I have know clue about editing (and you are correct).

But you cant tell me my customers are wrong. They tend to be informed, and when they call me they almost always know what they have decided to shoot with, and its not P2 Varicams, or the 2000, or 3000. This leads me to believe that you are in the minority with your appreciation of MXF files, and that this feature does not carry the weight that you think it should in the general market place.

I say again. We are in a transition period of fast change. Id guess that 5 years from now we may look at this thread and laugh at how we knew nothing about where we would be. To invest in expensive cameras right now is not smart business.

Id be more then pleased to be wrong with my premise and predictions because Ive already bought a bunch of these cameras! Maybe starting next week the phone will ring of the hook for P2 products, but right now the tape Varicams, HDX-900's and F900's are working steadily, and the the Ex's are busy and the 2/3" P2's are gathering dust.

I rest me case.

Peace to all, and to all a good night.

ER





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