man I better get crackin then. What the hell, it's 2:15 in the morning and I'm defending panasonic. I got class in the morning and my wife is gonna be pissed.
Decius
I guess it all depends on what line of "business" one is in...
If my business was buying and selling electronics I might agree with you...
But this is DVX"USER".com... a site for creative professionals who measure a cameras value by its performance and not its street price.
I think everyone is empathetic to your unlucky timing. The very first response to your post was from John Hudson who said:
"It pains me to hear you this upset. What issues, if you don't mind me asking, are you referring to? I do undersatnd your frustration... "
It just happens that your tale of woe and misfortune isnt that bad. Its hard to be empathetic with someone who has the same exact camera as you and complains about it when you love it.
I dont even have a DVX at all... but I will. And I would love it if every year Panasonic improved the camera.
Good luck
Wow alot happened while I tried to write my post. Gotta be faster next time. I spent thirty minutes of my life trying to figure out Decius' argument. I still dont think I get it. Something about exchange rates and computer parts. Oh well.
The computer industry (or no other industry I know of) does not give you warning months in advance about upcoming or improved products. That is a generalization and there are Press Releases made available about technology and products in development however. The computer industry and consumer electronics are fast growing and ever evolving. Computers are in a quantified development stage and one knows that the Computer you buy today is slower than the the one 6 or 8 months from now but in no way is it obsolete.
Decius, none of us here are PANA NAZIS (Ouch, bad choice of words there) but you came in here moaninf and bitching like an old woman about how Panasonic screwed you. Your research was flawed in not discovering the sequel to be released and whether or not it was released you knew there would be another one. What would the cut-off be for you in terms of not being pissed? 2 months? 6 months? 10 months? At what point is it acceptable to release a new version without pissing off the consumer?
It's like buying a 2003 car. You know there will be anewer model in 2004.
It's like buying a computer with a 128 video card. You know there is going to be a 256.
You have a killer camera. As has been said above, the A is not going to make or break whatever project or goals you have. That much is up to you.
This forum kicks ass and in stating you were hoping there would be a higher maturity level is not cool. This forum (unlike that other forum) allows you to speak your mind colorfully without borders and without censorship, so don't stress if someone calls you an ass-****.
Hang around here and you'll get more advice/help/knowledge than you could ever hope from some true professionals in their fields. So Panasonic released a new version; GOOD! Another one is inevitably on the way...
Don't wait to long to get the A as I'm not sure when the cut-off is for you to be happy if they release the B.
Just to put some of the nomenclature back in perspective:
The A is NOT the “standard.” The A is the CUTTING EDGE. The standard is, by definition, well, the STANDARD, i.e., what pretty much everyone does.
The DVX100 (no A) is also cutting edge and well above standard. One can only hope it will one day BE the standard, ‘coz then the cutting edge will be spectacular.
Man I hate to get involved in this so late in the game, but I do have to say one thing.
Although I agree with everyone that this is just the nature of the video/electronics game, there was one thing about Decius' posts that struck a chord with me.
Although he did not come out & actually say what he shoots with this camera (which usually indicates either a porn or student director), he did sound like he's not shooting the traditional music video or narrative short.
As an experimental filmmaker, I know I was a bit miffed at the quick introduction of the dvx100a, mainly because of the gain and slow shutter modes added. I bought the DVX100 to replace both my vx1000 and my bolex, and I ended up having to buy a TRV33 (for the shutter) to keep all of my usual tools.
I guess it's fair enough--replacing two cameras with two new ones. But it would have been great if I could have waited a couple of months and just bought the DVX100A.
But, hey, that happens. And I've shot some great footage with the tiny TRV33 that I could have never obtained with the big, conspicuous dvx. when you get lemons, make lemonade right? not that i'm saying the dvx is a lemon ...you know what i mean.
In conclusion, some of my most requested works for screenings were either shot with a VHS-C camcorder or no camera at all--just paint on celluloid. Sometimes it's better to just not get all wrapped up in the technical, because it's through struggle and change that great art comes about. necessity is the mother of all invention. so decius, i understand your pain, i know some of the people on this site just seem like a bunch of panasonic reps (they're not--they just like their cameras) but just move on don't let a questionable corporate decision get you miffed---just go create; it'll make you feel better.
If your that worried, unload your AG-DVX100 now for $2500 while there are folks out there willing to buy it. Then use that money plus an extra $1000 and buy a brand spanking new AG-DVX100A model. But be prepared to justify to your peers and tax professional why the MODEL A version was worth an extra thousand bucks.
Decius, you still have the 2nd best camera in its price range. You yourself said you did your research, you KNEW what you were buying when you bought it, you were willing to pay the $$$ for it, that's called a fair market.
For you to get mad at Panasonic for bad timing on your part, albeit not your fault, is kinda ridiculous. And no way will any camera manufacturer release information on a newer or replacement model coming out way in advance, that would kill their current product line. Sony did the exact same thing when they released their PD170/VX2100s.
Kudos to Panasonic for being one of the few that are actually pushing this industry forward, and pushing it forward fast.
P.S. - I do not consider my "obsolete" 100 "buggy" in the least.
[quote author=Decius link=board=nws;num=1073630075;start=0#0 date=01/08/04 at 22:34:35]
It is obvious this is a bug-fix release of the camera. Upon purchasing it the few things that bothered me are ironically repaired/improved in the new version. [/quote]
Are you crazy dude? this camera has been out for a few years now. It is only now did they come out with the "A" model. I don't care if you happened to have just purchased a DVX100. Too bad for you.. wha you wanna me to cry for you? Stop being so self-centered and babyish
Hi: I'm new here. Really like the site. Can't sympathize much for Decious. :-/
Mostly because--in perspective--Canon and Sony have been milking us with pd-dv1000, 2000, 2100; gl1, gl2, xl1, xl1s for quite some time.
I went the gl1/gl2 route. Never thought I'd even look at Panasonic because I thought them clueless on the entire prosumer/film market. Until the dvx100 came along. Got my attention. Not enough to buy one but...with...the...100A, I'm definately wavering enough to sell my gl2 (yesterday). Timeframe of 30-45 days to purchase next camera--100a, xl2; pd170 slipping over the horizon. I like what I see in the 100/100a series--attention to detail, user response, traditional film people smiling.
As far as Decious missing out on the upgrade--learn to play the timeline game better. Digital anything is a crapshoot. In the meantime purchase what you need to do your work, don't look back. They're not going to tell us anything for the future unless it's a major breakthrough--hard drive capture/storage, etc.
Canon ought to be leaking everything about a xl2; silence is deafening...meanwhile sales and preferences shift toward Panasonic. (Look at me!) Could be Canon is now fat and clueless.
NOT disappointed with Panasonic. The 100 is a fine camera. The 100a modest enhancement. Next 30-45 days should be very interesting--may not even wait for Canon since the 100a pretty much fills my bill. Panasonic/Leica ought to look at 1.6 in-lens doubler. I gotta wish list too!
In the meantime...this is good site worth tracking!