My Wish List For Panasonic

andynick said:
There are several features on the Z1 that I really miss - one is about SIX (or was it 8) really useful Assignable User Buttons - the HVXs are toytown stuff.

Generally, there are many more User-Assignable features on the Z1.

The Z1's Tape Deck door action is far more positive and confidence-boosting but more importantly, there's FAR less motor noise.

The built-in mic on the Z1 was a dream - but I find the motor noise on the HVX makes the built in mic an ornament - why on earth we have Four Audio Channels, when two of them are unusable, I'll never know!

I'd say the Z1 is more user-friendly all round - but it's stuck with HDV . . . (end of debate, as far as I'm concerned)
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Every point you make is factually false. The HVX is as tough as any camera around. The mics on it are top quality. The user buttons are fantastic and make it a very flexible and powerful camera to use. I don't see anything that makes the Z1 better. I've yet to see an HVX pick up motor noise with the on-board mics. I've had a local sound engineer marvel at the quality of the mics. The door is tough and functions just fine, there's not a single problem with it. I'm sorry, but I have to call you on these really outrageously absurd remarks. The Z1 has absolutely nothing over the HVX. I've used both, they're both good cameras, but the Z1 is not in any manner better than the HVX in any measurable way.
 
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I've had both.

I have to say that the HVX200 LCD is not even close to the quality of the Z1U's. Many posters here agree.

I don't see much difference in the mics and camera noise, and have never opened the tape door on the HVX200.

But the Z1U wins hands down on the LCD display.

On just about everything else, the verdict is the HVX200.
 
I echo the 6pin replacing the 4pin Firewire out vote. What a flimsy, weak link between the camera and the Firestore FS-100.

Also, Rotate the arrow/menu buttons that are on top of the camera by 90 degrees counter clockwise (so the "up/down" buttons run parallel to lens/eyepiece). Either that or rotate the image on the LCD 90 degrees. It only makes sense that the buttons should correspond with screen. Right now it's off by 90 degrees.
 
TimurCivan said:
What motor noise? The HVX is silent.
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Mine sounds like a tractor . . . just turn it on and listen to it grinding away!

Are you really telling me if you record in an empty room, then play back with headphones, there's no sound??

Andy
 
BenB said:
I'm sorry, but I have to call you on these really outrageously absurd remarks. The Z1 has absolutely nothing over the HVX. I've used both, they're both good cameras, but the Z1 is not in any manner better than the HVX in any measurable way.
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Keep yor hair on, BenB - you're entitled to your opinion, and I thought I was entitled to mine!

I'll take my HVX back to the dealer and get the motor noise checked out - or do you think I'm making it up?

I truly love the HVX but in some respects, the Z1 has advantages over it - that's my opinion, whether you think it absurd or not!

One thing I forgot to mention - the Z1 has far less barrell distortion - but the HVX's lens is wider - you pays your money and takes your choice!

Andy
 
andynick said:
Mine sounds like a tractor . . . just turn it on and listen to it grinding away!

Are you really telling me if you record in an empty room, then play back with headphones, there's no sound??

Andy
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ummm maybe theres somethign wrong with it.

Why is it Grinding?
 
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Ok guys, (just thought I'd skip a few messages so this wouldn't get lost)

I think these upgrades are not going to happen until they come up with a new camera, but I'll chirp in just for shi*s and giggles.

(but if Panasonic did implement some of these on current cameras. even if they charged a price for an upgrade, like the FS-100 just did for version3. I would be more than happy to pay and would definitely consider other manufacturers less when it came time to purchase my next toy. It really makes a statement, when companies take care of their current customers even after they already got their money.)

So, the most doable upgrade I can see would be a software one. Now, I'm very naive when it comes to software and components, but if it were possible to assign a function to a certain button, then why not assign anything to any button.

If they take all their menu options and allow you to customize your whole camera. So that you would have a graphic interface on your computer that would look like a tree diagram and a list of all the physical buttons and all the menu options. Then you could create profiles for different types of shoots. (including scene files in this software) then people could share profiles that are customized to certain work flows.

NOW this would be revolutionary. (but not sure if it is possible)

I also like Barry's comment regarding the focus assist, but it could be more controllable. (focus assist on viewfinder only full frame, or on lcd full frame, or on component out full frame) just so that you can have options of where you want it. and yes a setting to tell it how long to keep it on, or if you want it on until you press it again. (kind of like the ipod and the back-light)
 
BenB said:
The door is tough and functions just fine, there's not a single problem with it. I'm sorry, but I have to call you on these really outrageously absurd remarks.
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The door on the HVX is not rugged. It's slightly higher quality than the XL series cameras but not nearly as sturdy imo as my old DVX100A, maybe i got a dud but i've had some major issues with the door on my HVX, the blue button never seems to want to go back and forth without some help. i don't like how the strap is only connected to it; to me that's not a very good design.

in fact, that's the first thing i thought about when saw the topic of this thread... "make the door latch for real" - i'd love a delete last clip button, that would be hot. the rest of the camera is so absurdly rock-solid. in my opinion it's the "tank" of this generation of cameras... the rest seem super cheap in my hand compared to it outside the XHA1/G1s... those guys seem pretty rugged too, but not as much as the HVX.

i think the person who wanted HD-SDI is somewhat being unrealistic, especially if you are looking to lower the price; those things seriously jack up the price of the unit. it would be nice if there was an optioned-up HVX, like the G1, with it on though for a higher price.
 
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Yea my door handle jiggles a little, but i dont think ive ever used the hand strap. I use a spider brace or its on a tripod.
 
andynick said:
Mine sounds like a tractor . . . just turn it on and listen to it grinding away!

Are you really telling me if you record in an empty room, then play back with headphones, there's no sound??

Andy
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Hi Andy,

Is this noise off of the DV transport? It should not be that noisy. I suggest you have a service center take a look at it.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi Andy,
Is this noise off of the DV transport? It should not be that noisy. I suggest you have a service center take a look at it.
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Jan,
Thanks for your help here.

Maybe I used a little "artistic license" with the "tractor" comparison, but when I power the HVX200 up, I can hear it whirring - even if I hold it at arms length . . .

With the headphone output and recording inputs at halfway (Beyerdynamic DT-100 phones) I hear whirring, but if I power the HVX off, it stops instantly.

If that's abnormal, then glory be! I'll take the HVX200 back to the dealer immediately.

Please advise.

Andy
 
Yeah, if you're shooting HD, there's no noise at all, as the tape motor is off. With Mini-DV shooting there's the tape transport. It's honestly super quite. If you can hear it, get the camera fixed. It's a really quite camera.
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Why wouldn't you just turn off the auto focus and use manually?
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I'd also like a focus lock. If you'r doing a "lock-off" it's nice to know the focus won't get accidentally altered.

But to be honest, this comes way behind :
View/Delete Last Clip button(s)
Practical Assignable User Buttons
Manual Enable/Disable Focus Assist
Higher Viewfinder Resolution
More Robust Firewire Connection
1/4" Tripod Mount Thread
in my book.

(Any comment regarding my reply to your post about the "whirring" noise Jan)?

Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful camera, but it could be so much better for the sake of a few changes - if they're practical/possible.

Andy
 
andynick said:
1/4" Tripod Mount Thread
(Any comment regarding my reply to your post about the "whirring" noise Jan)?
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Hi it alread has a 1/2-20 thread, did you mean 3/8"? And I was going to wait till I had one in my hand to give you feedback on the whirring noise. You are using tape to record? Or is this noise in P2?

Thanks,

Jan
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi it alread has a 1/2-20 thread, did you mean 3/8"?
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Sorry - 3/8" . . . (what's the Numbers equivalent of dyslexia)?

And I was going to wait till I had one in my hand to give you feedback on the whirring noise. You are using tape to record? Or is this noise in P2?
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Thanks Jan, I'd really appreciate it if you could do a practical test!
It's in P2 Mode - I just tried it in Tape Mode and there's a noise - but slightly different.

You have to make certain there's no Air Conditioning, Refrigerators, COMPUTERS, etc etc running in the building - and to be honest, I think most people simply don't notice it because there's so much other noise going on around us these days!

It amuses me to hear of people doing voice-overs for movies on their computers - what a joke! Even if you have one of the so-called silent ones, there's still background there if you're recording properly.

Andy
 
I would like to see some support for outputting focus asst. to external monitors. If this is already possible and I've missed it, I don't know.

Add a scrolling, three position selectability enhancement for where the focus assist field sits - screen left, center (where it currently resides) and screen right. Also, add focus assist for playback. Can this be done already?

I'll add my voice to the assignable buttons requests. The Z1U has some great features here, but I'd also look at the menu system in the CineAlta line for options. If it takes a firmware upgrade to accomplish the enhancements, I'd bet users would pay.

I cannot say with technical certainty which is better, but the Z1U absolutely appears to have a more crisp, bright LCD display. Is it me or can I not adjust the viewfinder brightness on the HVX? You can on the Z1U and if you're outdoors using proper zebras, you won't miss your exposure for turning it up.

Also, is the HVX viewfinder underscan or not?! Yes or no. With the 4:3 ratio form and 16:9 framing for 720 and 1080, one would think it was underscan WYSIWYG, but I'm not certain Panasonic thinks the way I do. I feel like there has been a reluctance to give us specs on this camera (recall the resolution and 4:2:2 song and dance) from day one and we deserve better.

The brightness issue is a problem even with the $6000 Panasonic HD LCDs. On the TLC show, we use the 9" HD LCDs on the jibs and they almost cannot be seen (at all) without a full, deep hood in addition to popping all the buttons out from unity to max them out. That's not cricket.

The zebras don't go down the composite wire (don't know about component), so proper exposure becomes a silly game and that's silly.

e
 
Solid stuff from Erik -

I left one item out from my earlier post -

PLEASE can we have ND in 1 stop increments . . ?
It's so difficult to maintain a constant aperture (iris) setting when the ND is so coarse.

Andy
 
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