HDX900 --- Why is no one talking about it?

S

Sidney

New member
DVXers---

I am typically more a lurker on this board, than a poster --- but I am completely miffed as to why no one on this board is talking about Panasonic's newest camera that isn't even posted on their broadcast site yet. This camera seems to be what many (read: myself) are asking for --- a moderately affordable non-P2 non-HDV progressive HD tape based camera. So, why is no one talking about it?

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Press Release:

Panasonic’s AJ-HDX900 DVCPRO HD Camcorder Provides Full 4:2:2 HD Production Quality And Format Versatility

* Features 2/3” 3-CCD, IEEE 1394, 50Hz/60Hz Shooting, Cine-Like Gamma

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 23, 2006) – Here at NAB, Panasonic unveils the AJ-HDX900 multi-format DVCPRO HD camcorder, placing full production-quality HD within reach of a wider range of budgets—measured in both dollars and euros! An indispensable, cost-effective tool for global content creators, the AJ-HDX900 DVCPRO HD camera records pristine 100Mbps HD images in any of eleven video formats, encompassing 60Hz and 50Hz production.

An advanced HD version of Panasonic’s highly-popular AJ-SDX900 DVCPRO50 Cinema™ camera, which is a mainstay of independent features, documentaries and reality television production, the AJ-HDX900 raises the bar with the addition of the well-established DVCPRO HD codec and a multi-format recording system that supports 1080 59.94i/50i/29.97p/25p/23.98p/23.98pA and 720 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p.The versatile camcorder will be an invaluable tool for digital cinematography, cable and television production in any format, sports and events, for globetrotting documentarians and feature crews, and for the rental companies that serve them.

The AJ-HDX900 features a native 16:9, 2/3” HD, 1-million pixel 3-CCD system that assures stunning images and produces a high sensitivity of F10 (at 2000 lux) and outstanding low-light shooting down to 0.032 lux (at+62 dB gain). It is equipped with 14-bit A/D DSP circuits that provide optimum picture quality, color reproduction and luminance gradation. Utilizing the advanced DVCPRO HD codec, the AJ-HDX900 offers superior 4:2:2 color sampling and independent frame compression. The well-balanced camcorder offers impressive built-in, image-enhancing features including three Cine-like gamma modes to replicate the look and feel of film. The AJ-HDX900 is compatible with a wide range 2/3” quality lenses and accessories

The AJ-HDX900’s IEEE 1394 digital output helps lower the cost of HD production by allowing nonlinear editing systems or other VTRs (such as Panasonic’s new AJ-HD1400) to capture DVCPRO HD native video with no loss of image quality. It also produces a backup copy by interfacing with an external device (VTR or Direct To EditTM (DTE) recorder) while recording.

The AJ-HDX900 uses DVCPRO HD-EX 9-micron recording to record 33 minutes on a DVCPRO medium-size cassette, and records 48kHz/16-bit digital audio on all four channels. The camera provides as standard a pre-recording function that permits it to capture spontaneous scenes a shooter might otherwise miss. A standard HD SDI output is included for monitoring and line recording, and a down converter is built-in to produce a SD output, eliminating the need for an expensive SDI monitor.

Other standard features include: two 4-position optical filters (ND: clear, ¼, 1/16, 1/64; CC: Cross, 3200K, 4300k and 6300K); four user scene files, three user-customized buttons; electronic shutter (1/100 to 1/2000 sec.) with synchro scan shutter (1/60.3 to 1/249.8 sec.); Remote Control Unit support; an easy-slide shoulder pad that adjusts 1.18” in 10-steps; and a 3-point locking viewfinder mount for precise adjustment.

The AJ-HDX900 will be available in July at a suggested list price of $26,500 (plus viewfinder).
 
Well that's a simple answer - RED - that's why.
RED is only $17,500 and offers a lot higher quality and a revolutionary design. The SI camera is also cheaper and will offer at least the same kind of quality.
If Panasonic released this new cam for $15,000 it would probably get more buzz here, but I know they probably can't because of the tape drive.

I mean it looks like a nice camera no doubt, but everyone here is focused on the new independent startups offerin g better cams at lower prices.
 
Red has a long way to go.....
Where are they going to build them....in the US?
There are no hardcore manufacturing facilities
like this in the US, unless Red plans on building one.
If they are going to handbuild then that opens the door for
many defects and slow delivery. I can see the owner over
in Japan or China trying to get this contracted...
Yeah right
 
HVXguy said:
Red has a long way to go.....
Where are they going to build them....in the US?
There are no hardcore manufacturing facilities
like this in the US, unless Red plans on building one.
If they are going to handbuild then that opens the door for
many defects and slow delivery. I can see the owner over
in Japan or China trying to get this contracted...
Yeah right
Click to expand...

I think the Oakley building has the manufucaturing capability. I imagine the CMOS sensors will be built by an outsource company.
 
The HDX900 looks awesome and I'd love to see some footage from it but it is out of my price range and I am happy with my HVX :)
 
roxics said:
Well that's a simple answer - RED - that's why.
RED is only $17,500 and offers a lot higher quality and a revolutionary design. The SI camera is also cheaper and will offer at least the same kind of quality.
If Panasonic released this new cam for $15,000 it would probably get more buzz here, but I know they probably can't because of the tape drive.

I mean it looks like a nice camera no doubt, but everyone here is focused on the new independent startups offerin g better cams at lower prices.
Click to expand...

Besides Red being basically vapor ware so far, your going to pay 17,500 for something where the company might not be around when servicing or warranty problems come up. I would stick with good ol panasonic they might not be flashy but they are solid.
 
philnerd said:
I think the Oakley building has the manufucaturing capability. I imagine the CMOS sensors will be built by an outsource company.
Click to expand...

Switching manufacturing from SunGlasses to the next generation Video Cameras should only cost 5 Billion???

Maybe Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are investors???
 
tony404 said:
Besides Red being basically vapor ware so far.
Click to expand...

The term vaporware doesn't really apply. Just because the Red team is letting us in on the development doesn't mean they have missed any release dates or that they are announcing something that isn't going happen. If you don't see footage later this year (as they have promised) or a release by early next year, then you can start to call it vaporware. It's a bit annoying to have people dissing the Red team's generously opening up their development to us.
 
Didn't we not see any actual footage from the HVX200 untill only a few months before it was released? Weren't all their demos just Varicam footage?
 
Everdene said:
The term vaporware doesn't really apply. Just because the Red team is letting us in on the development doesn't mean they have missed any release dates or that they are announcing something that isn't going happen. If you don't see footage later this year (as they have promised) or a release by early next year, then you can start to call it vaporware. It's a bit annoying to have people dissing the Red team's generously opening up their development to us.
Click to expand...
If they are starting to soliciting $1000 to be on the future buy list , its not generously lol.
 
Red sounds phenominal. However, I'm not going to drop money on something years away in development. The camera is $17,500. Is that just the camera module? What about the HD viewfinder? What about the hard drive or tape-deck? As much as I love Cooke S4's, remember that one of them will cost you more than the camera itself. And unless you are shooting Dogma-style, you will probably want a couple. It might not be vaporware, but until I see condensation, I'm not going to get excited.

The HDX-900 will be available in July. If I need to buy an HD camera around then (and the client allows delivery on DVCPRO-HD), I will get one. It all spins down to what you need at the time and what is available.

In two years, if Red has their act together and it actually costs what they say it will cost, THEN I will get excited.
 
Yea the 17,500 price tag everyone is raving about is a fantasy.

In an earlier discussion in the REd forum someone took into account all of the new equipment you will have to purchase and the pricetag was closer to 40,000.

While still a bargain for what it can do it doesn't necessarily leave it open to the people who think they can maybe manage 17,500.
 
Again to spend that money have to think more then just the day you bought it. They go out of business, no parts hard to get service for them. I would wait for second gen for anything new and more a new company.
 
Exactly Terence.

The days of paying $30 GRAND for a 2/3" camera are coming to a close. But heck, if you need it now, buy it. Then sell it in a year or two. I just wouldn't pluck down the benjamins expecting the cam to be in the running in 5 years. Use the cam now, gather props, and have your choice of cams in the future.

We stilll have to see the footage from RED, and there are a hundred reasons to be skeptical (as with some posts evidenced above). I prefer the "feet on the ground, head in the clouds" philosophy. Choice is always a great thing.

If the camera is good for you, then use it and prosper, mate. Just don't be surprised when a potential revolution is happening around the corner that people will pay much attention.


:beer:


Cheers.
 
differences between HDX900 and Varicam?

differences between HDX900 and Varicam?

What are the primary differences between the HDX900 and the Varicam?
 
I could be wrong about this but I believe that a lot of people here couldn´t afford the AJ-HDX900. Like me. Or at least they don´t "want" to. This ist the "DVXuser-Forum" after all. :-)
I can understand that a lot of people are excited about the RED. I am too. But those two cameras we are talking about are not really for indies. Right?
 
Rowlander said:
But those two cameras we are talking about are not really for indies. Right?
Click to expand...
I think there's a pretty big difference between $17,500 and $26,500. That's not to say that I think $17,500 is cheap by any means - but at the same time I don't think it's fair to lump these two cameras together. They get even farther apart when you compare specs, and considering that the one which does twice as much costs a little more than half the price of the other... I would say it's not really a surprise that no one's really talking about the Panasonic. It will probably be a decent tool, but it's overpriced and has retreated back to the world of tape. In 2004, it would've been great, but as they say... it's too little too late.

I'm a DP by "commercial" trade but I'm an independent filmmaker as well, and I'm fully planning on getting a RED. So, yes, I think RED is a perfect tool for the independent filmmaker. I appreciate having the ability to own my equipment far greater than having to rent all the time. I already have an HVX paid off, RED isn't THAT much more. So I'll have to make a modest monthly payment on my credit card for awhile. For my personal situation, the ability to own a camera that does everything I could possibly want and more is just not something I'm interested in passing up.
 
The 900 does not do variable frame-rates (ie. over or under-cranking) like the Varicam. I does have a Fire-Wire out so you can record directly to Firestore or laptop. I like the fact that it records to tape. I guess I'm old-fasioned that way. It is pretty much the SDX-900 camera but with DVC-PRO HD. With viewfinder and lens you're looking at over $40K

Chris
 
I still know plenty of shooters who would go for the HVX900.
A friend of mine bought the HVX200 and I have had to train him in the ways of P2. He cannot seem to grasp the concept.
He is still shooting BetaSP on shoots and is afraid to break out the HVX. He finally has a laptop on order and I will have to help him with that. So yes, some people will prefer tape over P2 and I have find a shining example for you.
 
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