HPX170 NTSC/ PAL upgrade

No, but I'd love to know when this is going to happen. There are plenty of NTSC + PAL HPXs throughout Europe, right?
 
its not something thats issued, you have to send the cam back to panny and they perform it. there are 2 price points. 1 is good for the life of the camera, i forget the price. the other is only good till the next firmware update.

maybe andrew from spec-comm can chime in, i think they might be an upgrade center?
 
the PAL upgrade is NOT available for the 170 at this date.

You should contact PBTSC Service <PBTSCSERVICE@us.panasonic.com>

I've been inquiring weekly since mid september.

They will tell you either "in two weeks" or "the end of the month" or "shortly."

"Shortly" was the response I received this week.

If you need a PAL/NTSC switchable camera in this price range immediately you should buy a Sony product such as the such as the HVR-Z1U or the EX1 as they are PAL/NTSC out of the box
 
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CW-35 said:
the PAL upgrade is NOT available for the 170 at this date.

You should contact PBTSC Service <PBTSCSERVICE@us.panasonic.com>

I've been inquiring weekly since mid september.

They will tell you either "in two weeks" or "the end of the month" or "shortly."

"Shortly" was the response I received this week.

If you need a PAL/NTSC switchable camera in this price range immediately you should buy a Sony product such as the such as the HVR-Z1U or the EX1 as they are PAL/NTSC out of the box
Click to expand...

Why not buy an HPX171? There are some great deals from the U.K. dealers.

Dan
 
TwistedLincoln said:
If I understand correctly, the 171 is quite a bit more expensive.
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Hi Twisted:

You understand incorrectly. creativevideo.co.uk has the HPX171 currently for $3,889.45 with no VAT and there are some who are cheaper. Granted no 16GB card and Barry book but for those obsessed with owning a dual standard camera, this is a valid alternative. Of course, if it breaks, you have to ship it back to the U.K. for service but the 171 will probably be pretty reliable without a DV deck.

Dan
 
Yes, the 171 seems like a good suggestion as well. I am not sure how the warranty issue would work with that but it is my understanding too that it is basically the same price, if not cheaper than the 170.

Dan, I already actually own the 170. I bought it with its first release with the understanding that the upgrade would occur the first week of October. I am still awaiting the availability of the upgrade.

I'm not "obsessed" with having a dual format camera, my business clients dictate that I have both formats.

I may just simply buy an EX1 at this point to handle my PAL needs. It's an expensive "workaround" for the lack of the upgrade, but I am getting so many requests for that camera, it might be the easiest & most concise solution for me. Dropping $500 + shipping for the Pana upgrade could be a pretty good down payment on one...
 
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CW-35 said:
Yes, the 171 seems like a good suggestion as well. I am not sure how the warranty issue would work with that but it is my understanding too that it is basically the same price, if not cheaper than the 170.

Dan, I already actually own the 170. I bought it with its first release with the understanding that the upgrade would occur the first week of October. I am still awaiting the availability of the upgrade.

I'm not "obsessed" with having a dual format camera, my business clients dictate that I have both formats.

I may just simply buy an EX1 at this point to handle my PAL needs. It's an expensive "workaround" for the lack of the upgrade, but I am getting so many requests for that camera, it might be the easiest & most concise solution for me. Dropping $500 + shipping for the Pana upgrade could be a pretty good down payment on one...
Click to expand...

The warranty is only valid in U.K. so if you have an issue, you have to ship it to the U.K. and pay for the camera to be shipped back to you.

If I needed an dual standard camera, I would easily buy a 171 over the EX1. $3,899.00 is a lot more of a bargain than $6,500.00. I shoot with the EX1 and it is a nice camera but I decided to not buy one. My main client owns two of them so I shoot with their camera.

If you need dual standard, you need dual standard. I just have the impression that many of the people complaining about the lack of it do not seriously NEED it, they just WANT it. You sound as if you need it so I would be frustrated too, if I were you.

Good luck,

Dan
 
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