The lens cap is such a minor thing, yet such a daily annoyance. If you haven't seen the lens cap on the FX1, you should -- it's kind of cool. I asked Panasonic if we could please have a more usable lens cap design on future cameras, so we'll see!
I have one other feature idea/dream that wasn't on my massive list upthread; I didn't put it in my list because it would almost certainly never happen, but it would be cool. The idea is to have the new HD DVX record video using H.264. This would certainly be better than MPEG-2, as H.264 is much more efficient and would therefore be less likely to have the motion problems that MPEG-2 has when working at the same bitrate. Additionally, Apple's upcoming version of their OS is supposed to have native support for H.264, which might mean that it would be easily included in Final Cut Pro as a supported video type. Add in the idea that the HD DVX would record to memory cards, and we wouldn't have to create yet another tape format.
Given the closeness of Panasonic and Apple around the release of FCPHD last year, I'm sure using H.264 has occurred to Panasonic. My guess is that H.264 is too new a technology for it to be cheap enough to use in a prosumer camera, though.
I doubt it'll happen, as Avid just announced DVCPRO-HD support, so it looks like Panasonic is actively courting DVCPRO-HD support in NLE's. If we can just get Vegas to support it (long shot, I know) then we'll have a clean sweep of the three most popular desktop editors. That would lend credence to the idea that Panasonic is going to be putting their faith in a DVCPRO-HD prosumer product.
That makes a lot of sense, Barry, but I do have to admit I'd rather they upgrade to a more efficient codec. When you run the math, you find that 720p24 DVCProHD footage has almost the exact same compression ratio as DV, and I would hope for something that was higher quality than DV in addition to be higher resolution. That being said, I'd rather have DVCProHD than HDV for all the reasons you mention above.
[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Links;num=1100898183;start=30#41 date=12/08/04 at 11:33:07]The lens cap is such a minor thing, yet such a daily annoyance. If you haven't seen the lens cap on the FX1, you should -- it's kind of cool. I asked Panasonic if we could please have a more usable lens cap design on future cameras, so we'll see![/quote]
Hey Barry, I recently lost my lens cap so I went shopping around and found one made by NIKON that works excellent. Very easy to install and remove. I'll send pics if interested.
[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Links;num=1100898183;start=45#46 date=12/11/04 at 21:35:04]You should definitely post pics -- I'm sure many of us would like to see it! [/quote]
Ok, here are a couple of pics. Shame on me for not dusting off the camera first. Usually it gets cleaned after each shoot.
Note: the velcro strip on the cap was stuck on to hide the NIKON name and to stick the cap to the top of the sunshade for run and gun situations. Since putting the cap there I always know where it is ;D
My only wishes for the next DVX is no MiniDV & no HDV. It's a terrible format and causes too much compression. DVCPRO-HD tapes, P2 cards, anything but MiniDV.
I can confirm the dinkiness of the power switch. Took dvx out of the case yesterday and the switch had fallen off. Managed to get it popped back on using a paperclip (bent and pushing from behind on the little plastic ring it clicks on to). Have to say, after seeing the little flimsy plastic pieces the switch is comprised of, it's incredible they hold up at all.
I'd also like to see more functions accessed by dials like on the xl2 (24p, etc) rather than through the menu.
I'd only go along with the interchangeable lenses request if the lenses to choose from are good and comprehensive. The lens selection on the XL2 drives me crazy -- each lens involves some major compromise, you can't get it all in one.
So if the DVX200 (or whatever) were to offer interchangeable lenses, I'd want it to be something like an industry-standard mount, so the whole world of lenses is available to you, and not just a limited selection that are each compromised in some major way (good manual focus but no autofocus, etc).
Other than that, interchangeable lenses seems like one of the most underutilized features, and as long as they put a good 16x on the camera with the same wide-angle as we already have, I'd say interchangeable lenses is one of the lowest priorities to focus on.
Okay, now that we know that there will be a DVX100B (not high def :'() in 2005, here are my suggestions:
1. NATIVE 16:9,
2. 16X Zoom,
3. Increase Resolution on par w/XL2
4. Real Iris Ring
5. Focus Stop w/teeth gear
6. More tension on the zoom ring (creep setting on handle)
7. New re-designed lens cap
8. New re-designed power switch
9. Attach XLR caps to camera
10. Ability to send timecode to production monitor
And, last but not least DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE OR TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE DVX100A.
Ernest, I gathered from Jan's post that the only reason the name was changing was because they were being forced to modify their production process slighty. It's still the same camera and is not meant to be their new camera (correct me if I am wrong Jan!).
1. *Longer Reach on the Stock Lens*
*Longer Reach on the Stock Lens*
*Longer Reach on the Stock Lens*
I don't care if it is removable. What I *need* is longer reach. Although, 4.5 16x is still somewhat limiting, I will accept this as a bare minimum.
2. Native 16:9 Format ( w/out impacting 4:3 )
3. Improved Resolution
Nice To Haves:
1. Improved OIS
2. Improved Focus Ring
Note:
If it is not possible to improve reach of the Stock Lens and provide Native 16:9, then *PLEASE* provide this capability along with 30p in the nextgen DVC200.