Good deal AC130 for $3600? AC160 for $4400?

[Firefox39]

I am about to pull the trigger on buying two AC130s and I just want to pass on a good price to others.

Since I am buying two AC130s, Josh at VSA (Video Services of America) is giving me a good deal of lower then $3600. (Call him to get the amount, you can just buy one to get this deal)

There will be about $30 shipping, but compared to others it seems a like a good deal. I buy most of my big ticket items from VSA. They compete with B & H pretty well.

They are a authorized Panasonic dealer.

If you would like to get this deal, do the following:

In the next week or so
Call VSA at 1800-888-2140
Ask for Josh
Ask for the "Northern Lights" deal on the AC130 or AC160

I am super excited to replace my two XH-A1 with two AC130s!

[Andy Turner]

I had put this in another thread, but I think it is better here...I just purchased the AC160 for $4195 from G and G technologies. (ggvideo.com) they are an authorized dealer and I have purchased stuff (both my HMC150's and going back to DVX100's) from them for about 8 years. I have no idea why the price is so low. Even got free shipping. I know the price seems like one of those cheesy grey market places and if I hadn't done so much business with them in the past I wouldn't believe it but there it is. Like I said in another post...they may be trying to dump inventory...their price on the 130 is pretty standard.

[Firefox39]

Andy,

Thanks for the info! Great deal! I called Josh at VSA to ask "What Up" and he said I should let you all know before you buy from someone else you should give him a call. It might be worth your time to check with him before buying from someone else.

VSA does a lot of business with all the major camera manufactures and there sales reps do a great job. Very good customer service. In the past I have had to return cameras, they have always taken good care of me. Most of the sales are done over the phone vs the web.

[Lindquist]

$3600 for a ac130?

pretty good deal

whats their website?

[Firefox39]

VSA has a bad website, plus you get the best deals if you talk with a sales rep on the phone.

I think it is vsa1.com

[Lindquist]

would they also do a deal on the hpx250?

[BlitzWerkz]

Anyone can post a side by side review on 160 vs 130? Would be an interesting one.

[Josh Bass]

No need for a review. . .they are the EXACT same camera except for four major differences
-160 has variable frame rates; 130 no
-160 has SDI out, 130 no
-160 has uncompressed/PCM audio, 130 has ac3
-160 can switch between NTSC and PAL, 130 cannot

[Firefox39]

Just wanted to pass this info on,

So I have not pulled the trigger on the AC130s but I am getting pretty close. Josh at VSA called his guy at Panasonic and he talked his Panasonic rep to give him a better deal on the AC130, therefore, Josh is giving me even a better deal then the $3400 listed above. Josh did not want me to list the price because he did not want others undercutting him by a couple bucks. I can say it is more then a few dollars less and is the best price I have seen. Now I can get more accessories and Mack warranties which I always buy with my cameras. It is going to be a good holiday season! What a great cameras to replace by Canon XH-A1s!

I will let you know when I put in the order.

[Josh Bass]

Just wanted to pass this info on, So I have not pulled the trigger on the AC130s but I am getting pretty close. Josh at VSA called his guy at Panasonic and he talked his Panasonic rep to give him a better deal on the AC130, therefore, Josh is giving me even a better deal then the $3400 listed above. Josh did not want me to list the price because he did not want others undercutting him by a couple bucks. I can say it is more then a few dollars less and is the best price I have seen. Now I can get more accessories and Mack warranties which I always buy with my cameras. It is going to be a good holiday season! What a great cameras to replace by Canon XH-A1s! I will let you know when I put in the order.pJust to be clear youre talking about vsa in houston tx right?

[Firefox39]

I am not sure, I deal with the VSA Nebraska office. Again, ask for Josh when you call.

[BlitzWerkz]

No need for a review. . .they are the EXACT same camera except for four major differences
-160 has variable frame rates; 130 no
-160 has SDI out, 130 no
-160 has uncompressed/PCM audio, 130 has ac3
-160 can switch between NTSC and PAL, 130 cannot

Hi,

So 130 cannot:

- switch between 1080/50i, 1080/50p, 1080/24i or 1080/24p...etc?
- what does a SDI output does?
- can understanding, meaning compressed and uncompressed audio files you mean, am I right?
- 130 only PAL or NTSC version, not switchable.

Please enlighten, still quite new to video :)

Thanks

[Josh Bass]

-I think the 130 probably has those basic frame rates (24, 30fps), just not crazy stuff like 60 and whatever else.
-SDI output is used both for hooking up to certain monitors (much more secure connection than HDMI), and can also be used to output to video recorders to bypass in-camera compression
-the audio the AC130 records is more compressed than what the 160 records, plainly speaking.
-yes, 130 would have to be PAL OR NTSC, not switchable between both. THe 160 can switch.

Is the VSA you're referring to related to this one: http://store.vsastore.com/ ? That link is the Houston store I'm referring to.

I guess it doesn't matter as long as it's in the USA and you guys vouch for it.

[scapsinger]

-I think the 130 probably has those basic frame rates (24, 30fps), just not crazy stuff like 60 and whatever else.
-SDI output is used both for hooking up to certain monitors (much more secure connection than HDMI), and can also be used to output to video recorders to bypass in-camera compression


The 130 and 160 both include the same general recording modes. The VFR function allows undercranking and overcranking to get stuf like 2 fps or 36 fps, for fast or slow motion effects. They BOTH include 60 fps in the 720p mode, that is nothing new and is a standard recording mode on a lot of HD camcorders. So just to clarify, 60 fps is NOT a "crazy" recording mode. :)

One thing to remember with the VFR mode on the 160 is that it will NOT record audio while VFR is active.

Now the 160 will be getting an upgrade next year to add a 1080p60 mode, which the 130 may or may not be getting.

As for SDI output, the main purpose of SDI (versus HDMI, for example) is that it is an uncompressed output and can be used for bypassing the AVCHD compression if you're using an external video recorder of some kind. The fact that it is a more secure connection than HDMI is kind of a footnote (it's a BNC connection, which has been in use for video applications for a few decades).

As for hooking up to external monitors, the HDMI is almost exclusively there for that purpose, while the SDI is, again, primarily intended for uncompressed output for recording. But yes, the SDI could be (and is) used for monitoring as well.

[Josh Bass]

My bad. . .did not realize 60fps was so common. But I still consider it unusual for recording many things. You wouldn't typically record a talking head or normal b-roll, for instance, in 60 fps. I would actually consider the HDSDI connection in conjunction with monitor use as there are monitors that have that connection and DO NOT have an HDMI. A frequent client of mine has some $3000 Sony LCD monitor. Guess what kind of connection it doesn't have? HDMI. Might limit your monitor purchase options down the line to ignore it.

[scapsinger]

I wasn't saying that SDI was NOT for use in monitoring...I was just saying that the HDMI is primarily the monitor output (which, of course, you can record from if you like) but the SDI is kind of "featured" as a recording out option on these AVCHD cameras for folks who want to bypass the compression for things like green screen work or other jobs that will have a lot of color grading done.

HDMI inputs are mostly found on the lower end monitors, but it is starting to be included on most all of them nowadays. The SDI input is the most common, and will be found on virtually everything above $1,000.

As for 60fps in b-roll, you would use 60 fps if you were trying to do slow mo. Or for sports. Think about it...if you have a 720p30 project, and you shoot in 720p60, then you can do a 50% slow motion effect without generating additional frames for playback. For talking head footage, I use 60fps all the time. In fact, 720p60 is my default recording mode for almost everything (almost). I like to pull a few frames out of a 720p60 interview and use it as a 50% slow mo in the intro with the titles introducing the video.

"I don't always do slow mo, but when I do, I prefer 720p60"

[Firefox39]

If you would like to get this deal, do the following:

In the next week or so
Call VSA at 1800-888-2140
Ask for Josh
Ask for the "Northern Lights" deal on the AC130 or AC160

I am super excited to replace my two XH-A1 with two AC130s!

I sent VSA the money today for 2 AC130s! Sent them money and even got a better deal vs cc. Even lower then the $3600! Keep you all posted what I think of them!

[zijital]

"I don't always do slow mo, but when I do, I prefer 720p60"

Get a 160 & you can shoot 1080p60.

[Firefox39]

Get a 160 & you can shoot 1080p60.

For me the $800 more for the AC160, it is not worth it. I am also hoping the Panasonic also add this to the 130. Is that possible?

[scapsinger]

Get a 160 & you can shoot 1080p60.

Joke...falls...flat. :)


For me the $800 more for the AC160, it is not worth it. I am also hoping the Panasonic also add this to the 130. Is that possible?

Probably not, but maybe. But....probably not. They made a few comments about the AC160 and 1080p60, but no mention of the AC130, so....probably not. Might have something to do with the fact that the AC160 already allows 1080p60 via the VFR mode (which is not on the AC130) so methinks the upgrade is fairly straightforward on the AC160 and not so much on the AC130. But who knows...wait til April/May/June and find out, or buy the AC130 now and sell it next year and buy an AC160 if it adds the 1080p60 you want and the AC130 does not.