UK-specific issues

[JonathanS]

The only UK dealers for the HMC151 I can find are Mitcorp/Creative Video (http://www.mitcorp.com/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=panasonic_ag-hmc151&product_name=Panasonic-AG-HMC151-(AGHMC151)-full-HD-(1920x1080)-SD-card-solid-state-camcorder-with-AVCHD-recording-up-to-24Mb/s) (mitcorp.com), and DS Video (http://www.dsvideo.tv/panasonic_2114.php?row=&keyw=&producttype=2&make=&model=&condition_type=&classification=#2114). The latter has dropped their price today, making them about £50 cheaper rather than £100 more expensive, on the inc. VAT published price.

I can't raise my local DS branch on the phone right now, but Mitcorp have stock in London that can be dispatched tomorrow. What they don't have is the large-capacity batteries: both companies list DVX/HVX batteries as accessories, which as far as I'm aware is incorrect.

The smaller batteries are available, but I'm waiting to hear about the 5800mAh units.

Anyone have a different supplier for HMC151 batteries?

Also: does anyone have any experience with MyMemory (http://www.mymemory.co.uk/SDHC?&filter=16384#memFilter)? They have some startlingly cheap 16Gb Class 6 SDHC cards going.

[ilauzirika]

I ordered it (last week before they were in stock) from CVP (mitcorp) but I don't know if they have already sent it...... batteries, I'll order them from the states.....

[13th Judas]

is the 151 the PAL version in europe? in the websites posted above, it says that it records at 60p and 60i and no mention of 50p or 50i.

[Patrick Bower]

This is the panasonic European website:

http://www.panasonic-broadcast.com/en/products/high-definition/avccam/AG-HMC151.php

If you download the leaflet, the spec is 50i or 25p.

Patrick

[ilauzirika]

This is the panasonic European website:

http://www.panasonic-broadcast.com/en/products/high-definition/avccam/AG-HMC151.php

If you download the leaflet, the spec is 50i or 25p.

Patrick

but if you look close you can't find anything regarding the 151, just the hmc 152,153,154.....

[ilauzirika]

Did you ordered it from creative video?

cause today I called to ask for the state of my order and they and they didn't know what happened....... and in their website, in my orders section, it says that it's being shipped......I don't know if with that they want to say already shipped or processing.... The only thing I know is that they haven't yet taken my money.......

[Horncastle]

I posted this link on another thread. Seems confirmation on the 151 specs is still lacking.


According to this catalog (link below), the HMC 151 E (european version) will do 60i/60p, 50i/50p, 30p, 25p and 24p. I fear that may be too good to be true, but here's hoping.

Link:
http://www.photografica.com/uploads/media/panasonicAG-HMC151-E_12P-2.pdf

[CiPO]

Is it now sure that the HMC150 is a NTSC model and the 151 for PAL users ? I recall some thread a few months ago where people were not yet sure if the 150 would have a PAL/NTSC switch and serve them both.
I did not follow on this aspect. Anyone knows it better ?
THX
CIPO

[douchebro]

The 151 is PAL/NTSC switchable according to the Operating Manual that came with my 152 (it has the manual for the 151 as well)

If anyone wants it PM me and I'll email it to you

[Patrick Bower]

And this is a link to the HMC151 brochure listing the PAL and NTSC recording options:

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/images/img/news/panasonic-ag-hmc151/ag-hmc151-brochure.pdf

Patrick

[CiPO]

wow .... so many versions already :)
We got: 150, 151 and 152 ???!!

[ilauzirika]

wow .... so many versions already :)
We got: 150, 151 and 152 ???!!

and 153 and 154......

[CiPO]

and 153 and 154......
Amazing !! And what are the main differences ?
cheers

[ilauzirika]

I think they are just different PAL models (without PAL/NTSC switchability) for different parts of asia. (but don't quote me, cause I'm not totally sure.....)

[13th Judas]

ilauzirika, how's your 151? is it really switchable? cheers.

[ilauzirika]

yep, totally switchable. But you can't have ntsc and Pal clips in the same card, so you would need a different card for each mode.

The camera, awesome (being my first prosumer camera, and previously having used a sony hvr z1 and canon xl1), I love it, but now I have to start learning all the different image tweking settings.

The weight, its perfect, I can even use a manfrotto 390 cheap head and it works great (even though a better tripod will be a better tripod). It also balances great in my hands.

Placement of buttons, I think that they are correctly laid, you have easy acces to the most needed settings without haveing to do some weird hand twisting to get to them. At the moment in the user button I have delelete last clip, dzoom, and shot mark.

I haven't yet tried changing the system mode but I have two free days ahead and I'll try all the possible configurations.


suming up..........This is a great camera that creates a great image right out of the box. BTW, the lowlight capabilities are really wicked.......Love it.

[JonathanS]

As far as I can tell, the high-capacity VBG6 batteries for the HMC150/151 are unavailable in the UK. I've been on the phone to a few dealers I trust, and they all tell me variations on the same thing: supply has been at best flaky all year, they've not seen any recently, and hence they're not keen to take an order for one.

Comments include suggestions that Panasonic UK are claiming 'the factory burned down' (but, and I quote, "they used that excuse last time, too"), and speculation that they ordered the wrong batteries for the UK market (which might explain why most UK dealers' websites list the HMC151 with DVX/HVX batteries as recommended accessories).

The HMC151 looks like the best all-round camera for my needs... but if it's sitting in the bag with a flat battery it's no use at all. I've contacted Panasonic Broadcast UK for their thoughts, but in the meantime, two questions:

1. Does anyone have any leads on VBG6 batteries in the UK?
2. Sony's forthcoming Z5E, when equipped with an MRC1K Compact Flash recorder, is only £100 less than a Z7E. Are they mad?

[ilauzirika]

I had to buy it from b&h.....

[JonathanS]

Yowch. How did you get on with importing it? Any problems?

(...though I note that B&H don't have any at the moment, either.)

[johndimsum]

I had to buy it from b&h.....

Ilauzirika, how did you manage to get B&H to import and order the hmc151? Do you remember which person you contacted?

I contacted them and was told that they don't sell the 151. I'm having difficulty finding a reliable dealer with competitive pricing that ships it internationally.

[ilauzirika]

Ilauzirika, how did you manage to get B&H to import and order the hmc151? Do you remember which person you contacted?

I contacted them and was told that they don't sell the 151. I'm having difficulty finding a reliable dealer with competitive pricing that ships it internationally.

Hi johndimsum,

I was refering to the long lasting battery. I bought the camera from cvp in England.

[Sikari-Sakari]

What about this dealer:

http://www.videogear.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=825

[Richard Payne]

The large capacity batteries are now available in the UK.

[studio1972]

The large capacity batteries are now available in the UK.

From? :dankk2:

[ESTEBEVERDE]

European Dealer Network - Panasonic Broadcast

http://www.panasonic-broadcast.com/en/dealers/index.php

[tankbullock]

I got two from H Prestons. Rang up last thursday and ordered them, arrived at 9am the next day. I've been dealing with those guys for last 8 years and they always seem to have good stock levels.

[studio1972]

I got two from H Prestons. Rang up last thursday and ordered them, arrived at 9am the next day. I've been dealing with those guys for last 8 years and they always seem to have good stock levels.

Cool, I got my 151 from there at the IOV show in October, but they didn't have the big batteries then. How much are they charging?

[Geoffrey Robson]

I spoke to Preston Media (www.videokit.co.uk) about the large capacity battery last week. They said they'd have them this week.