Would you like the HPX170 to be PAL/NTSC switchable?
- Thread starter Jason Ramsey
- Start date
Jan_Crittenden
Veteran
If you read back through this thread you would see my posts saying that it will be possible. The odd answer from the serivice group is more about they are uncertain as to what will be needed to make it happen. It will happen, it can happen, but it may be a few months after the first deliveries before it can happen.
thanks,
Jan
thanks,
Jan
Jan_Crittenden
Veteran
Can you post that response in a private message to me?
I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Jan
I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Jan
CW-35
Well-known member
It was an email from you to me. I would say check your outbox.
In terms of the Service Center, they still don't seem to be aware that there is an upgrade path for this camera or have any information about it.
So, really, I'm going to leave it that. I have expended really an unprecedented amount of energy & time on trying to figure this all out and clearly the solution for my shooting needs won't be solved anytime soon, by a single camera.
I have to say that it is a bit frustrating to see that the 171 is PAL/NTSC switchable out of the box and looking at the poll results of this thread, I can only assume that I am not the only one and I'll leave it at that...
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Tomas Riuka
Well-known member
Right... so i'm also looking to buy hpx170 and NEED the camera to be switchable out of the box ir possibly upgradeable, now seems like i will have to wait, untill something works out.
Sad that i can't spend extra 20 grand for 2 hpxs and memory cards just because of lack pal switchability.
Sad that i can't spend extra 20 grand for 2 hpxs and memory cards just because of lack pal switchability.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Tomas:
Just buy HPX-171 in Europe and you are good to go right out of the box.
Dan
I'm confused.
I work both in the US and UK, and would love a multi-standard camera. I like what I've heard of the HVX200A but now hearing more about the HPX-170. I do a lot of high end 35mm/FX work but I'm looking to take on more projects personally that I can shoot myself. I'm also thinking about longer form stuff. But I want top notch image quality.
here's the sort of stuff I do - does anyone have any advice?
www.jasonfisherjones.com
thanks
I work both in the US and UK, and would love a multi-standard camera. I like what I've heard of the HVX200A but now hearing more about the HPX-170. I do a lot of high end 35mm/FX work but I'm looking to take on more projects personally that I can shoot myself. I'm also thinking about longer form stuff. But I want top notch image quality.
here's the sort of stuff I do - does anyone have any advice?
www.jasonfisherjones.com
thanks
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Sounds as if the HPX171 would be a good choice if you really work in both PAL and NTSC markets. The HPX170 will eventually have switchability between 50 and 59.94 frame rates but the process is not in place yet to convert the 170s to do this. So either buy a 171 today or wait a few months for the 170 program to be put into place.
Dan
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Let me translate manufacturerese for you. What you were told really translates to, "maybe by the end of the year, if that" ;-)
A few people really want this and have started to buying HPX171s instead. You can actually get them in the U.K. cheaper than the 170 here. Of course, no 16GB, no extra battery, Barry Book and also, a Euro market warranty that means you are spending a fortune in FedEx and phone calls if you ever need to have it serviced. But the allure of switchable system is too strong for some users, they will put up with this to be able to have a 50Hz caapability.
I guess if you must have it, you must have it.
Dan
CW-35
Well-known member
No, I don't look at it so cutely and not the least bit amused by this situation.
I was given very specific dates by _____ as to when this feature would be available for this camera. It influenced very heavily on my decision between buying Sony's EX1 & the 170. I bought the 170 based on the fact that it would be PAL upgradeable within the first month of its release.
I do a bit of work for Panasonic & other companies for product rollouts and I know that they know when things are going to ship and all the other business logistics. It's not that vague and random.
As a consumer, I need information honestly relayed to me. If they had just said end of the year, as you are suggesting I was supposed to magically know/interpet, then it would have definitely influenced the decision that I made. I don't think that's very fair as I actually bought this product based on what I was literally told.
So, at this point, based on my business needs & my choices, I have a 170 sitting in its box to be shipped out today for its recall and I have spent $2k in EX1 rentals in the last 4 weeks.
If I have another PAL shoot come up again, I'm going to simply buy an EX1 which is what I should have done, for my business needs, in the first place.
I know this is somewhat of a light issue for you but I take it very seriously as I have daily requests for both PAL & NTSC work and I actually need a definite solution in place when I make bids to do work.
I was given very specific dates by _____ as to when this feature would be available for this camera. It influenced very heavily on my decision between buying Sony's EX1 & the 170. I bought the 170 based on the fact that it would be PAL upgradeable within the first month of its release.
I do a bit of work for Panasonic & other companies for product rollouts and I know that they know when things are going to ship and all the other business logistics. It's not that vague and random.
As a consumer, I need information honestly relayed to me. If they had just said end of the year, as you are suggesting I was supposed to magically know/interpet, then it would have definitely influenced the decision that I made. I don't think that's very fair as I actually bought this product based on what I was literally told.
So, at this point, based on my business needs & my choices, I have a 170 sitting in its box to be shipped out today for its recall and I have spent $2k in EX1 rentals in the last 4 weeks.
If I have another PAL shoot come up again, I'm going to simply buy an EX1 which is what I should have done, for my business needs, in the first place.
I know this is somewhat of a light issue for you but I take it very seriously as I have daily requests for both PAL & NTSC work and I actually need a definite solution in place when I make bids to do work.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
CW:
My answer may have came across as flippant and if so, I am sorry. I based this upon Panasonic's track record. When did Panasonic promise that the HVX200 would ship? December of 2005. When were normal mortals able to actually buy one with a great deal of leg work, broken promises and vague delivery availability? Late March of 2006. When were the 16Gb P2 cards promised and when were they actually available? I can't exactly recall but I do remember that it was months after they were promised.
I can totally understand why you are pissed, I would be too. Thankully I don't need a 50Hz switchable camera but if I did, I probably would have gone for the EX1 or bought a 171 from Europe unless Panasonic had everything in place and I was reassured by a repair center that they were ready to go. Sad to say but it seems as if this is how a lot of businesses are ran these days. Look at Red Rock with the matte box. Look at the RED One Camera and even Scarlet now. Look at the Carrion monitors, great product but trying to get one is nearly impossible. I think that we as consumers need to remain extremely skeptical of any promises from any manufacturers these days as far as when products (or mods, in this case) will actually be available and plan accordingly.
That old bird in the hand saying is very appropriate in our industry. Are you still within the return period on your 170?
Dan
CW-35
Well-known member
I was actually at NAB when the 200 was announced and I went to the sales seminar that was given there. There was a genuine vagueness about when the camera would ever hit the street. I think I made a decision even then that I would wait on a revised 200 before I would make a purchase so I really lost track of when that finally came out but I do remember it being some time later.
Unfortunately for me, I ventured away from my trusted B&H who I have been buying from for 20 years now, and bought the camera from _____
I actually wasn't aware of their return policy when I purchased, and they would not / will not allow me to return on this camera for the issues I stated to them as it is not an "initial failure."
Second lesson learned....
So, I still apparently have the option/hassle of freezing the payment with my credit card but it looks like I will be owning the 170 PAL or no PAL. It's obviously a fine camera but not fully capable, yet, as other cameras such as a 171...
A year from now, obviously it will maybe seem like not a big deal. But, I have lost a lot on camera rentals since buying the 170 as I have yet to rent it out and I have had to rent an EX1... Here's to my scheduled NTSC work I have in December...
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Good luck with that. I would keep asking and make Jan aware of your situation if you haven't already. I am sure that Jan doesn't like seeing her customers unhappy.
Dan
Dan
Spare a thought for us Aussies, who don't get the 171 either, but the 172, which is not PAL/NTSC switchable, BUT does not come with any sweeteners such as a 16GB P2 card, Barry Green book, extra battery....and don't tell me it's because of the state of the Aussie dollar - the price on these things was the same a few weeks ago when we were nearly at parity with the US. We just always pay more than everyone else for the same product.
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Derrick_SA
Veteran
Fritz, put a bit of presure on your your agents, i did here in SA where we get the 174, and they can order me the 171's,
- Derrick
- Derrick