DVL-Digest 1276 - Postings: Index Pana Partypooper: AG-DVX100 overpriced? . . . Pana Partypooper: AG-DVX100 overpriced? . . . - "Crittenden, Jan" J.P. Weiksnar wrote: >Not to rock the boat too much . . . but does anyone else feel suspicious about the pricing on the new AG-DVX100? So if you look at the competitive product to this camera, you will see that both the Sony PD150 and the Canon XL-1 are more expensive. Are you suspicious of them as well? >Granted, it's got the only 24P acquisition in miniDV, and has XLRs standard, but aside from that, does it warrant such a relatively steep price (US list) for a compact 3-CCD camera? Yes, the lens (not even removable, mind you) has manual controls and markings, but so did the original Hi8 camcorder in 1989: the Canon A1 which retailed for under 1,600. Neither of these two cameras have full progressive chip sets, cine-gamma or cine color matrix nor any of the adjustments that this DVX100 has. The Hi8 camcorder is nothing like this camera, and the A1 is a consumer grade product. The DVX100 was designed from the ground up by a Broadcast/Professional Manufacturer, that understands what is important to the Professional user. Something as simple as SMPTE color bars that are really viable to the record level of the camera and its output is just the beginning of a very long list of features. When you see things like single-chip miniDV camcorders getting closed out at as low as , and unrelated but similarly advanced new technology like 320GB hard drives debuting ever cheaper than previous generations, isn't it ironic that what's essentially a consumer camcorder on steroids is listing at more than twice what it might be given economies of scale and nearly a decade of miniDV camcorder development (that is to say, at the mature end of a product cycle)? The PD150, list, could be considered a consumer camera on steroids because it is the VX2000 with some professional considerations. But this is a Professional camera and there are no consumer cameras like it. >I invite anyone out there to disagree. I just think that Matsushita is exploiting the novelty factor of this camera instead of, say, rolling out 24P as a blanket feature in all its new cameras. Could the R&D costs be so high that they warrant over ,500 for a handheld? How much more could it cost them to manufacture this camera than some of its other similar models? Hmm, I did not see anyone complain when the competitive cameras came in at higher prices and their R & D costs were not questioned. I don't fully understand why you think that Matsushita is taking advantage, when we have brought the industry a giant step forward and have lowered the cost of entry in the process. And BTW, there are no similar consumer models. As far as the novelty of 24P, set that aside for a moment and just weigh this camera's merits as a 60i camera. It holds its own against its competition and costs less. >Understanding the significance of 24P but still hoping for the eventual "buy it in a blister pak at the checkout counter" camcorder Its not just a 24P camcorder, it is a great little camcorder without the 24P consideration. As far as getting it in a blisterpak, well you may have a bit of a wait on your hands. Best regards, Jan (diese posts stammen von der DV-L Mailingliste - THX to Adam Wilt and Perry Mitchell :-) [up] |