Since Miss Jan has been asking for "3 things" to "improve" the AF100, and I'd like this product a year ago (or any time you can swing it), and it's not something I could easily design/manufacture/sell myself, I'm offering this oft-requested idea for free. It builds on technologies you already have, adds value to products you already have, and doesn't parasitize product lines. You're welcome.
FIRST: I'm sold on the AF100. I'm sold on AVC-Intra (and Ultra). But I can't easily marry the two, and this brings a small tear to my eye like an elderly Native American surveying a littered landscape.
I could dump $4000 into an HPG20, and figure out a way to mount it onto a rig with my AF100, but the cost and weight of this solution counter two of the greatest strengths of the AF100 system: value and compactness. The HPG20 also contains several features (like the monitor) that aren't necessary in an external recorder.
SO: Create a compact, well-integrated P2 recorder.
BASIC SPECS:
~7.4V power in (a tap block between camera battery mount and battery should work), 2 standard P2 slots (since they also accept µP2 via adapter), recording AVC-Intra or Ultra (tack in any other DVCPRO/HD flavors you wish), HD-SDI in and out, HDMI in and out if you're feeling generous (but not at the expense of size), integrated with Panasonic cameras to have either device trigger recording (or selectively NOT trigger recording) in the other via something as simple as the S/S plug (or something more elegant). Firewire and USB out to read and offload (and stream from newer firewire-less cameras). Basically add just this unit for a slightly more power-hungry yet powerful camera system.
FORM FACTOR: two good ways to go here. I'm partial to #2:
1: Make it as closely-integrated with the AF100 as possible - make the unit fit in place of the stock removeable side handle (and then the side handle can fit upon it). Slap a big red record button where the thumb would naturally be.
2: Make it a combination recorder and rig base plate, with holes to mount industry standard 15mm rod supports. Mount it under the camera and support your mattebox (follow focus, long lens, PL adapter) PLUS record AVCI, or mount it out back on your rig rails. Increases the value to other camera system users - sling it under a AF100, AC160, HPX170, or HPX250 (I could see value in dual-recording AVCI-100 plus a proxy, or just dual-recording whatever).
FEATURES THAT YOU CAN BEST SOLVE, IF YOU SO CHOOSE:
Quite simply, integration with Panasonic cameras.
a. Making it capable of recording overcrank on AF100 (or AC160) would be an exclusive feature.
b. Seamless gang recording.
c. "4-way" relay recording when used with something like the HPX250.
d. any other feature that lets it work as flawlessly as possible, in the P2 tradition
PRICE:
Now of course I'm no marketeer, engineer, musketeer, or mouseketeer, but I think these rough prices (as researched and guesstified from your other products) are realistic, reasonable, and potentially profitable:
~$1000 for the "AF100 specific version." This combo adds even more value vs. competitors like the FS100, but its use is specifically optimized.
Thus, ~$1500-2000 for the baseplate/recorder version. This compares favorably to currently available HD-SDI recorders. It also doesn't parasitize the HPX250 or disincentivize AC160 users from purchasing one - it's expensive enough that AC160 users can't just buy one to have an HPX250 equivalent, but adds enough other value that both system's owners could still utilize it. Lack of integrated monitor and various other features don't necessarily obsolesce the hardy ol' HPG20.
Anyway, please take that idea. Manufacture it within a year. I'll pay for it, gladly, because it would soundly beat any manufacturer's system alternative at even twice the cost... and heck, it could even make that HIGHLY desired feature of internal AVC-I recording on the AF100 successor an essentially completed proposition, and you can focus your efforts and resources on other improvements.
Thanks for reading.
FIRST: I'm sold on the AF100. I'm sold on AVC-Intra (and Ultra). But I can't easily marry the two, and this brings a small tear to my eye like an elderly Native American surveying a littered landscape.
I could dump $4000 into an HPG20, and figure out a way to mount it onto a rig with my AF100, but the cost and weight of this solution counter two of the greatest strengths of the AF100 system: value and compactness. The HPG20 also contains several features (like the monitor) that aren't necessary in an external recorder.
SO: Create a compact, well-integrated P2 recorder.
BASIC SPECS:
~7.4V power in (a tap block between camera battery mount and battery should work), 2 standard P2 slots (since they also accept µP2 via adapter), recording AVC-Intra or Ultra (tack in any other DVCPRO/HD flavors you wish), HD-SDI in and out, HDMI in and out if you're feeling generous (but not at the expense of size), integrated with Panasonic cameras to have either device trigger recording (or selectively NOT trigger recording) in the other via something as simple as the S/S plug (or something more elegant). Firewire and USB out to read and offload (and stream from newer firewire-less cameras). Basically add just this unit for a slightly more power-hungry yet powerful camera system.
FORM FACTOR: two good ways to go here. I'm partial to #2:
1: Make it as closely-integrated with the AF100 as possible - make the unit fit in place of the stock removeable side handle (and then the side handle can fit upon it). Slap a big red record button where the thumb would naturally be.
2: Make it a combination recorder and rig base plate, with holes to mount industry standard 15mm rod supports. Mount it under the camera and support your mattebox (follow focus, long lens, PL adapter) PLUS record AVCI, or mount it out back on your rig rails. Increases the value to other camera system users - sling it under a AF100, AC160, HPX170, or HPX250 (I could see value in dual-recording AVCI-100 plus a proxy, or just dual-recording whatever).
FEATURES THAT YOU CAN BEST SOLVE, IF YOU SO CHOOSE:
Quite simply, integration with Panasonic cameras.
a. Making it capable of recording overcrank on AF100 (or AC160) would be an exclusive feature.
b. Seamless gang recording.
c. "4-way" relay recording when used with something like the HPX250.
d. any other feature that lets it work as flawlessly as possible, in the P2 tradition
PRICE:
Now of course I'm no marketeer, engineer, musketeer, or mouseketeer, but I think these rough prices (as researched and guesstified from your other products) are realistic, reasonable, and potentially profitable:
~$1000 for the "AF100 specific version." This combo adds even more value vs. competitors like the FS100, but its use is specifically optimized.
Thus, ~$1500-2000 for the baseplate/recorder version. This compares favorably to currently available HD-SDI recorders. It also doesn't parasitize the HPX250 or disincentivize AC160 users from purchasing one - it's expensive enough that AC160 users can't just buy one to have an HPX250 equivalent, but adds enough other value that both system's owners could still utilize it. Lack of integrated monitor and various other features don't necessarily obsolesce the hardy ol' HPG20.
Anyway, please take that idea. Manufacture it within a year. I'll pay for it, gladly, because it would soundly beat any manufacturer's system alternative at even twice the cost... and heck, it could even make that HIGHLY desired feature of internal AVC-I recording on the AF100 successor an essentially completed proposition, and you can focus your efforts and resources on other improvements.
Thanks for reading.
