Panasonic's new version of HPX300

Barry_Green said:
But that's very, very different. First, that is something done by the DEALER, not by the manufacturer. Second, new-car dealers are also used-car dealers, they sell used cars. So the trade-in program on a new car is that they give you a pittance on your old car and overcharge you on your new car, and therefore they are cheaply buying a used car to sell. So the business model is entirely different from the camcorder business model.

Now, a dealer like B&H could do what you're talking about, because they are both a new-camera dealer and a used-camera dealer.
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Certainly the two industries aren't completely alike, but similar enough. And cameras are much easier to upgrade & transport long distances. A company with a global presence like Panasonic or Sony - if they saw the benefits in a good business PR way - could take trade-ins at a reasonable rate, such as let's just say $6000 on the 300 camera. They then either upgrade them to the new model's specs and sell as B-stock, or move them as-is to another continent where buying used gear might be more common and a financial necessity. A lot of US Betacam gear ended up south of the border.

Just a thought. It's all about developing and keeping loyal customer relationships for many years and product cycles. But in order for something like that to happen, there might need to be a whole lot of owner dissatisfaction (not sure if it is legit anyway) and a whole lot of 370's collecting dust on the shelves.
 
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I guess they could, but there are few manufacturers of any kind who do. I think even other companies which offer refurbished models (computer gear, etc.), do so mostly with returned/defective stock which has been repaired, not through trade-in.

Trade-ins would probably be a losing proposition for a manufacturer. They want to move new gear, not old gear.
 
David Jimerson said:
That is indeed quite unfair. As a beta tester on numerous things myself, the idea of material gain is pretty much the last thing on my mind. And companies don't WANT you just blowing sunshine about the project. They want you do everything they can to break it in a real-world environment so they know where the weak spots are. They also want your feedback as to what would make the product work better. I've personally been able to improve a few things this way.

No company benefits from beta testers simply telling them their product is great. There would be no point to doing it at all.
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Then how do you explain the product in question reaching the market with the stated deficiencies. Certainly, a diligent beta tester would have noticed the excessive skewing and noise in very short order! Of course, I suppose there is always the possibility that said issues were indeed brought to the manufacturer's attention and they were ignored.
 
No idea. Just keep in mind that when you make these accusations, they're pretty harsh, and you're talking about real people with lives and careers and families. Some of them participate here, too.
 
Ron777 you're uttering complete nonsense to blame beta testers for a camera's shortcomings. You seem to be confusing beta testers with "reviewers" who do favorable puff piece write-ups on equipment with the hope of getting free gear or the company to buy ad time on their website or magazine. These reviews of audio equipment, SLR's, tools, musical instruments, automobiles, etc. are all to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt while reading between the lines to see what isn't being said.
Also,
#1: Beta testing is primarily a computer software task in order to find the bugs and find the program's breaking points, if any.
#2: Companies don't want Yes Men, they need to know of anything that isn't right with their products so they can try to prevent issues from arising after the sale.
#3: As pointed out a number of times, the 300 is a $8500 camera package. No, it can't do everything a $40,000 camera can but who would expect that?
#4: The skewing and noise issues apparently haven't prevented people from using the camera to make money and incredible images within its limitations.
#5: You are using language more in line with life & death dangers being ignored or covered up. See: Toyota, or Haitian builders.
#6: You are correct that the early buyers can become defacto testers. It has long been a rule that you should only buy the first version of something if you are willing to take that chance.
 
my plan is to make as much money as i can with my 300. i just got it and one job is in post with a few more lined up. when the 370 comes out my 300 will have all but paid for itself. If the 370 is SOOOOO amazing maybe I'll get one of them too. More cameras means renting less on multi cam jobs. I would be thrilled do death if Panasonic provided some form of upgrade path or options but I think there is a better chance of getting some of those flying pigs caught on video first.
 
I think with the constant bashing that this camera has been getting, Panasonic has no choice but to give it a big upgrade this soon. They probably didn't sell as many as they have hoped.
 
Anyone who knowingly purchases a CMOS camera not expecting skew in the price range hasn't done his or her homework.

That isn't the fault of a beta tester, camera manufactuer, or reviewer - unless any of these stated affirmatively that a CMOS based camera doesn't skew.
 
David S. said:
Anyone who knowingly purchases a CMOS camera not expecting skew in the price range hasn't done his or her homework.

That isn't the fault of a beta tester, camera manufactuer, or reviewer - unless any of these stated affirmatively that a CMOS based camera doesn't skew.
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Ayup.
 
Ron777 said:
The preceding was not intended to malign in any way and was merely this poster's, perhaps opinionated, retort.
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Right, because saying people are on the take doesn't malign anyone. When "opinionated" borders on "defamation," it's time to dial it back.
 
David Jimerson said:
Right, because saying people are on the take doesn't malign anyone. When "opinionated" borders on "defamation," it's time to dial it back.
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You're right! In today's politically correct society we are not entitled to opinions, particularly when they might offend. I have removed the post that you find so offensive, but it is interesting that you seized upon one singular aspect of the message.
 
Ron, you can be disappointed in the camera and say so all you want. But when you start accusing real people of real nefarious acts, that's something else entirely.
 
David Jimerson said:
Ron, you can be disappointed in the camera and say so all you want. But when you start accusing real people of real nefarious acts, that's something else entirely.
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No "real people" were accused of anything and I apologize if someone, unbekownst to me, took personal offense. Be that as it may, there are people who are employed by many industries on a freelance basis for product evaluation and there is nothing nefarious or illegal about that arrangement. It wasn't a giant leap to assume that the same may occur in this industry. If there is some unwritten rule that declares that function forbidden in the camera industry, then I stand corrected.
 
wowza :) I hope its priced around the 300 too :D

im planning to get a cam at the end of the year... what will it be?

I'm pretty excited. :D
 
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This thread is getting HOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!! originally I was going to say HOOOOOOOOOT but then realized that was just hoot stretched out. Anyway, wow.... so how bout those Knicks, eh?
 
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