DVX200 Wish List

Re: DVX200 Wish List

[quote author=taubkin link=board=Links;num=1100898183;start=15#16 date=11/20/04 at 12:02:48]I have to say to loose the built in mic and include the directional mic in the package instead, like the PD-150.[/quote]

I can imagine how naked the DVX might look without the handle but then again I'm sure they can make modifications to make it look useful enough. ..or even to look cool.

yea, i remember wanting this too for an ideal 24p mini-dv before the dvx showed up... when it happened, it looked like any other and I was skeptic. but things changed.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

I wish Jan Crittenden (sp?) would step into these kinds of conversations more often, even if it were to say, "ain't gonna happen", "that's going to be five years off", etc. At least we might have some realistic idea of the possible.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Jan pays attention to these lists, moreso than any other manufacturer I can think of. However, it'd be very unlikely that she would comment on the features that we will or won't get -- it is not in Panasonic's best interest to tip off the competition as to what Panasonic is going to do next.

Sony kept the lid on the FX1 and Canon kept the lid on the XL2 until they were ready to be released. I expect Panasonic to do the same.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

I'm sure a Pani rep 'observes' these boards from time to time but they sure aren't big on feedback and participation.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

I wish it would be here today, not NAB, not 2006 so it could be sitting under my tree on Christmas day.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Great thread, and it's pretty hard to come up with any items to add to Barry Green's excellent wishlist. However, I think that realistically we're not going to get all of those features for the prosumer price category, so it's important to give Panasonic a sense of our priorities for the features. Below, I've ordered Barry's wishlist (with additions from others) from most necessary (#1) to least necessary (#42) according to my mind.

Features Without Which I Won't Buy The Camera (assuming a $5K price)

1. 16x9 chipset, switchable to 4:3 (not compromised like XL2 4:3).
2. 16x9 VF and LCD, switchable to 4:3.
3. High-def resolution, whether HDV or DVCPRO-HD.
4. 24P, 30P, & 60i frame rates in at least 720 lines.
5. 25Mbps stream (assuming MPEG2 compression of 4:1:1).
6. Announced or current support from Final Cut Pro.
7. Firewire output of HD video, for desktop editing. Also component HD output for live HD monitoring.

Features Without Which I Will Be Very Wary Of Buying The Camera

8. 2 channel 48KHz uncompressed sound (no MPEG 1 - Layer 2 compression).
9. Solid-state recording to P2 cards.
10. Magnified focus mode like on the FX1. Zoom in to pixel-for-pixel magnification for easy precise focus in the field.
11. High-resolution VF and LCD.
12. Fix the audio sync system properly, so there's no echo in the headphones and the audio's recorded in sync on tape. Also upgrade the headphone circuitry so there's no hiss.
13. 1080/24p.
14. Lockable hard stops for the focus ring.
15. Announced or actual support from Avid.

Features That Would Totally Rock But I Can Live Without If Needs Be

16. 50Mbps stream (assuming MPEG2 compression of 4:1:1).
17. 1080/30p & 1080/60i.
18. 4:2:2 color sampling
19. Remote focus control, at least LANC caliber, or through some improved system.
20. Larger CCD's. 2/3" would be ideal.
21. Some provision for remote zoom and remote iris.
22. VariCam-style variable frame rates. 60P would rule!
23. Recording to tape (I would gladly give up tape, though, if that meant more efficient variable bit rate encoding.)
24. Gear teeth on the focus ring for a follow focus or jib focus motor.
25. Improved focus/zoom readout in the vf showing zoom millimeters and focus distance-to-subject, switchable to 00-99 readout.
26. Switchable to DV resolution. (This is probably much lower in my list than in other folks' lists, but the truth is I already have a great DV camera. I'd very happily give up DV resolution if it would get me some of the features higher up on this list like 4:2:2, larger CCDs, and 1080/24p).
27. PAL/NTSC switchability in DV mode.

Features That, While Nice, Won't Really Affect My Purchasing Decision

28. Peaking and zebras, available at the same time.
29. Full underscan capability on the VF and/or LCD.
30. Adjustable viewfinder markings for TV safe, 4:3 crop, rule-of-thirds composition, and center cross.
31. Some cool external controls, like the XL2 promises, for things like custom-tuning the gamma curves or for swapping scene settings, etc.
32. Compatibility with existing DVX accessories.
33. Interchangeable lenses with an industry-standard lens mount, maybe B4
34. Timecode generator/reader with TC IN/TC OUT jacks for slaving camera timecodes.
35. Longer reach on the stock zoom lens: 16x would be nice. Keep the same 4.5mm wide-angle, but give us more telephoto.
36. Better lens cap (maybe integrated like FX1's)
37. B&W CRT VF
38. Long battery life. The current 6-hour CGR-D54 situation with the DVX is pretty good.
39. Markings by feet for the focus ring with indicator mark.
40. Accurate and detailed mm markings on zoom ring with indicator mark
41. Normal ring-type iris control on the lens barrel with f stops and indicator mark.
42. Audio meters that read out with white/yellow/red.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Wow, Xander. That kind of says it all. I might be a little tempted to move a couple of items up and a couple of others down, but mostly, it's right on.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=Links;num=1100898183;start=15#24 date=11/26/04 at 13:55:29]I'm sure a Pani rep 'observes' these boards from time to time but they sure aren't big on feedback and participation.[/quote]

Hey John,

I listen daily, if I see someone flailing around I do try and throw a life ring, if it looks like people are just beating themselves into a frenzy I might not. Especially if disrespectul language is being used. Hey sometimes I start my own thread.

If I see that you guys have the answer right, why should I step in and say you got the right answer. You actually give a lot of good answers, John and I don't want to take away from the fact that you have the right answers, then this would become my board, and I don't want that. Everyone waiting for me to give the final answer. That frankly is pretty boring and the time time it would take would be awful.

But I am here and I am reading this wish list and btw I am not a rep, that means sales. I am the product manager. That means the person that feeds back to the factory what customers want on the next model. I am listening.

As Barry indicated, I do have to hold my cards close to the vest, other wise my competition may figure out what we plan to do as a countermeasure. So please continue to tell me what you all want, we will include what we can for the price point.

All the best,

Jan
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

thanks for the input Jan. and for the record.. we couldnt be happier that your here for us.

these words right here :

"I am here and I am reading this wish list"...   "So please continue to tell me what you all want, we will include what we can for the price point. "


..are what we wanted  to hear, and the sort of thing that made many of us, and will keep many of us loyal to the manufacturer, and eager  to buy its products.  becuase you listen to the consumer. espescially in the independent film market. it seems like most companies try to draw a dividing line to put what thrifty filmmakers need just out of reach, into the "high end" big dollar systems so that they have to settle for watered down products.  its really a shame since certain things could be incorperated for little or no more cost , and are simply  held back to keep that dividing line there.  while we know that were not going to get a varicam  at the pricepoint, we also know that the dynamic of the business is changing as technology advances.  we just want to be able to take full advantage of new technology which would allow our little 3-5,000 filmmaking camera to be the best that it can for the money ... instead of intentionally held back. of course you know from the success of the DVX that when you make such a product, it translates into sales ..so we all win.    


edit: i just wanted to plug the larger CCDs  again.
- the increased dynamic range, and ability to use a shallower DOF for that film like look is practically invaluable to us independent filmmakers... even if the pricepoint was pushed a little, or there had to be a separate "upgraded version" for a little more to get those in there, im sure that alot of people  would absolutely love it.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

barry's list was pretty complete

i don't even care about HD, that is a different productin my mind...

i just want native 16:9, remote focus and the ability to keep the damn zoom setting from drifting.

i have had a real problem with that lately and i don't get it.

a 16:9 viewfinder/lcd etc. would be great.

if you add hd they will wind up reinventing it and we will all hate it and complain that it is $5900

matthew
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Dynamic range, dynamic range, dynamic range.

More than shallow DOF or 24fps dynamic range is the one thing missing from video. I can identify video versus film from dynamic range more than anything else. With digital photography (from DSLRS) I can't.

Dynamic range can't be a bad thing, either (shallow DOF can be)....
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Links;num=1100898183;start=15#22 date=11/26/04 at 12:13:59]It is not in Panasonic's best interest to tip off the competition as to what Panasonic is going to do next.

Sony kept the lid on the FX1 and Canon kept the lid on the XL2 until they were ready to be released.  I expect Panasonic to do the same.[/quote]

To manage expectations and rein in the rumor mill, it would be in Panasonic's interest to tell users what won't be in the next model. Canon looked pretty stupid when, after all the speculation since before NAB that it would release a a 24p-capable HDV successor to the XL1, it introduced a 24p-capable SD-only model. Canon only made things worse by saying that the XL2 would be the last SD model in the line. At the high-end prosumer level Canon has introduced, on average, a substantially new model every so, well, once -- if you go by the XL1. The XL1s is a relatively minor upgrade, and I would suggest the XL2 is too (24p being the only standout new feature). Many people feel that the XL1s should have been the last SD model in the line and are concerned that the an HDV model might be years away. Canon seemed genuinely surprised by this reaction, yet it encouraged the speculation by saying nothing about the new model. Surely it couldn't have been so oblivious.

Sony did the same thing, particularly with the Z1. Its offical position on 24p was, until it officially announced the camera, "24p is under review." To me, this means "We are considering it." But, if the CCDs in the FX1 and Z1 are incapable of progressive scanning and Sony had designed, sampled, and tested them months ago, then it could not have been considering 24p for these models, at least not as late as October. Unless Sony had its collective head up its ass, it had to know about the rampant speculation. But did Sony do anything to manage expectations? No, and even at the press conference in New York a few weeks ago, it took several minutes of grilling by audience members before a Sony spokesman conceded the 24-fps mode was the same unsatifying Cineframe 24 (CF24) mode that was introduced in the FX1. I feel sorry for the Sony reps -- they had to know that they were going to take the bullet on that issue.

But it doesn't end there. Even after it was clear that the Z1 was interlace only with no true 24-fps mode, a PDF of a Sony marketing presentation about the Z1 was circulating that, on page 37, actually said that Z1 had two CF24 modes (to the FX1's one). It's entirely possible that CF24 was being confused with Cinematone Gamma (which has two modes), except for the fact that Cinematone Gamma's two modes were also listed. This, of course, led to speculation that the other CF24 mode was really 24p (even though Sony was by then clearly saying "no 24p") or at the very least 48i. Did Sony issue any retraction or clarification on that issue? No. Only when Steve Mullen called Sony for clarification was the issue cleared up (i.e., there's only one CF24 mode).

What's the point of this diatribe? Well, manufacturers should be careful about what they say (or release) so that speculation isn't inadvertently fueled, and they should as soon as possible say what won't be in a new model but in a way that also promotes what is good about the camera.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Thanks Barry............I'm a dreamer who must get his travel in...............NTSC_PAL switchability would enable us to work almost anywhere, shoot anywhere for any market, and open up the world to us. Your posts are right on the $! We are all lucky to have you and your enthusiam showing up as regularly as you do on this site, as I see your posts on all the other major Video sites regularly. You must be the fastest typist in Vegas!
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Tzedekhsaid we should say somethng to manage expectations, and in due time we will. Appreciate the insigt. Didn't know that about the Sony Cineframe stuff. I am a little surprised about the fact that it said 2 cineframe modes.

Anyhow in due time, you will hear from us, but right now this has been insigtful, and we appreciate your thoughts.

Best regards,

Jan
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Besides native 16:9, my biggest wish for the DVX-200 is an improved servo zoom, able to do a super-slow creep on the slow end and a snap zoom on the fast end, like a pro servo lens or even the excellent zoom control on Panasonic's DVC-30 (that features a slow zoom that takes something like 100 seconds from end to end). Of course, ideally this wouldn't be at the expense of being able to disengage the servo for full manual zoom.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

I love this list allow me to add my 2 cents. Although these may have been listed already heres mine.
1. shoot on mini and 120 tapes
2. bigger lens or maybe interchangable lens
3. shoulder mounted
4. hd 24p
5. keep the eye cup viewfinder and side flip out view finder the same.
6. xlr connectors on the rear
7. anton bauer mounts
8. keep the color of the cam the same all black or black with
dark gray
9. the control knob for menu and vcr control has to be better than the little joystick that seems easy to break
oh well thats my wish list.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

The most important points that were brought up and i agree with fully. KEEP EVERY FEATURE THE DVX HAS. Don't give with one hand and take away with the other. We love the DVX as-is, please make the new camera as good as the current, plus add more! Also, compatibility with existing DVX accessories would be cool. Long battery life. The current 6-hour CGR-D54 situation with the DVX is pretty good. Oh, and keep it affordable, of course. Under $5000, preferably under $4000 MSRP!
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Jan, please add to Barrys' list, a 'real' power switch. The existing one seems very consumerish and seems like it'll break any moment. I for one, am very pleased that a Product Manager is listening to comments about my favorite camera. Thanks.
 
Re: DVX200 Wish List

Ya know what would be nice? To be able to select what on screen display readings are output to a monitor. I would love to be able to have only the TC go out.
 
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