is the end in sight for the DVX ???

B

bddv

Member
Two things of interest have cropped up in the last couple of weeks that may be irrelevant, may be coincidence, or may be the first signs of Panasonic preparing to introduce a new model ... specifically a replacement for the DVX.

There was a post here a few days back that the DVX100 was now being offered for sale at Cosco. Now Cosco isn't your typical cutting edge electronics specialty shop. In fact they specialize in being a clearing house for lot quantities, usually of discontinued stock or items with minor flaws. As we all know there are no flaws in the DVX so that move made me wonder if Panny was possibly trying to flush their inventory.

And now this ...

Today at DV Expo West, Panasonic Broadcast and Serious Magic, Inc., announced a bundling agreement whereby Panasonic will include a full version of Serious Magic DV Rack with Panasonic's AG-DVX100A MiniDV camcorder.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty serious giveaway, (sorry about the pun).

I dunno ... but if I were a bettin' man ... I think I'd have my bank account ready for a new acquisition by say February ???
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

Last year I was given approval by the boss to buy the DVX100 one week after the 100a was released. I was thrilled. I was getting the upgraded model so early in its run.
Last night I just bought two more DVX 100a units.
I knew an upgrade would happen- but so soon?
Oh well- goes around- comes around.

That said- can't wait for native 16X9!
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

bddv speculated: specifically a replacement for the DVX.

There will likely be a DVX100B, but it will likely be just the same camera without lead incorporated into its innards. New world environmental regulations are forcing manufacturers to change out parts. Won't happen till next year and it will be just like the DVX100A, just lighter. ;-)

>There was a post here a few days back that the DVX100 was now being offered for sale at Cosco. Now Cosco isn't your typical cutting edge electronics specialty shop. In fact they specialize in being a clearing house for lot quantities, usually of discontinued stock or items with minor flaws. As we all know there are no flaws in the DVX so that move made me wonder if Panny was possibly trying to flush their inventory.

If you reread that thread you will see, that 1. it is being offered at Costco for $3700, not a blowout price, 2. a reaction from me with a question mark. Point being, I know who buys these, and where we sell them, and we have not sold a single camera to Costco.



>And now this ... bundle with Serious Magic
>That's a pretty serious giveaway, (sorry about the pun).

The Bundle is not a giveaway, it is marketing, trying to find a package that offers increased value to the ultimate consumer, you guys. It is a new bundle with a new case and a bigger battery. The DV Rack software is not for free, it will be included with a number of items and be promoted as a pretty nice little bundle, called Serious Production,(hope you don't mind the play on the words. ;-))

The DVX100A lives!

Best regards,

Jan
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

You can bundle a Porsche with the DVX100A and it wouldn't matter, because I am waiting for a 16x9 24P Progressive cam that isn't the size of a house, whomever brings it out. I am not alone in this thinking either...Give your buddies a little nudge Jan :)
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

::) Well, if Jan bundle a Porsche with the DVX. I'd sell both and get me the SDX900 or try and squeeze out some money somewhere to get the Varicam. ;D ;D ::)
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

I've been secretly making my own DVX - a HD version with interchangable lenses - all out of sticky-back plastic, blu-tak and twst-sticks...

Yes, the end is nigh for the DVX...! ;)
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

[quote author=Jan_Crittenden link=board=nws;num=1102674107;start=0#2 date=12/10/04 at 07:01:37]... just the same camera ... Won't happen till next year and it will be just like the DVX100A, just lighter. ;-)

[/quote]

Jan - I know you can't (honestly, for many reasons) really answer this but what the hell... :-/

Are you stating for fact that a DVX model with built in 16:9 will NOT be released in the next 12 months? :(

(As I type this I realize the question is of coarse not answerable) :-/
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

It sounds like they are changing the manufacturing process, not the engineering. This shouldn't effect any efforts that are underway now to improve the next generation DVX. Engineering work takes time. It took about a year to come out with the DVX100a after the DVX100, so I think it would take one and half to two years to come out with a major new release if it's the same team. I'm guessing we won't see anything new (with major changes) until near the end of 2005.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

"The DVX100A lives!"

Until it doesn't, of course.

They weren't bundling software with the dvx100 BEFORE the Sony came out, let's put it that way....

They'd love to bridge the gap with marketing until their next prosumer cam comes out, but they fell short by about 4 months...They will push hard (well, as hard as Panny pushes, which is a rather mild nudge) to make the dvx100 last as long as possible, but Panny knows it's days are numbered.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

I think that the title of the thread is wishful thinking...or unfounded anxiety...at its worst. I have a feeling (not a wishful thinking ;) that the HD format is going to run into snags at least initially....and one needs the DVX to fall back upon....for unexpectedly longer period of time.

just a feeling...what you can do about it ;D
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

Yes they were. They included Magic Bullet for Editors which certainly isn't a cheap program....
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

I have a problem with this whole thread's line of thinking for a few reasons.

First, Panasonic USA is the one doing the promotions. Panasonic USA is not Panasonic corporate, and whatever Panasonic USA does has no effect on Panasonic Canada, Panasonic Japan, Panasonic China, Panasonic UK, etc.

As I understand it, Panasonic USA is a marketing firm, primarily, it is their job to find a way to move cameras for the big parent company. Panasonic USA is one of the most customer-oriented firms of this type I've found. Jan listens to what we like, and then works deals to make sure that her customers are the happiest they can be. Everyone likes Magic Bullet? Jan finds a way to give it to her customers FOR FREE. Everyone talks about/swears by DV Rack? Jan works up another bundle where she can give it to her customers. The net result? Happy customers! More productive customers. And customers who recognize that Panasonic cares about them and will be more likely to consider Panasonic products in the future. It's just good marketing.

Second, about Costco -- as Jan pointed out, Costco is not an authorized seller, and the Costco price was higher than most authorized sellers charge! If Costco was blowing 'em out at $2500 apiece, it might raise some eyebrows. But as it is, the DVX is a popular product and Costco likes to sell what people like to buy, so they may have bought a truckload off an authorized dealer (or imported 'em, like other gray-market dealers do).

Regarding HD: HD is a hot buzzword among aspiring filmmakers, but I reiterate: the average consumer doesn't care. It'll be years before HD is in enough homes to make it a serious market. As long as DVD remains a viable distribution medium, the DVX will remain a viable production tool (as will the XL2 and other standard-def products!) And until a high-def camera comes out at an affordable price that offers 24P, the DVX will remain the preferred filmmaking tool as well. HD's been around for years and years, but filmmakers didn't use it until it adopted 24P. Nobody bothered to shoot big-screen features on HD until the CineAlta offered 24P... it was the combination that triggered the interest. HD alone didn't do anything for filmmakers. And it will be so in consumer cameras as well: until there's an HD 24P camera, the DVX's title is (IMHO) secure and it will remain a viable production tool for years to come.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

The DVX is a little long in the tooth these days, but there really isn't a product at a similar price point that does what it does. The PD170 and XL2 are both newer cameras, right? Yet, the DVX is positioned at about $1500 less then it's only competitor for 24P, the XL2. Not to mention the HDV cameras coming to market soon.

Bundling in software just seems to be a smart marketing move on Panasonic's part, and in theory it could be the one tiny thing that dissuades a person from striving towards the XL2's oppressive retail price.

It certainly says something that an electronic product can hold it’s own against newer offerings from other companies. That doesn’t often happen in electronics.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

The DVX has everything an independent filmmaker or hobbyist needs to make a great looking film.

It's almost absurd to say it's long in the tooth but I know what you mean....it's still absurd, though.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

The DVX will be around long after I've gone... ::)
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

Even if a better camera/upgraded version came out tommorow. We've all seen what the DVX does and it's enough for me for at least a few years.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

Same for me, Barry!

I think the DV Rack package is a great idea. Any way for those of us who already have an AG-DVX100A to get a discount, Jan?

On another note, I see that B&H Photo dropped the price for the XL2 recently. It is now $4500, a drop of $500 US or a $1000 difference between the XL2 and AG-DVX100A with Magic Bullet.
 
Re: is the end in sight for the DVX ???

When I hear all these people say that the DVX is obsolete or that its days are numbered, I momentarily stop and get nervous. Then I take a look at the footage.

I said it on another board and I'll say it here:

As long as you're getting really good quality images and clean sound... No camera is obsolete.
 
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