speculation question

[mungk]

When do you guys think the next version of the HVX will come out? I guess they would call it the HVX200a.

I was just curious.

 

[Barry_Green]

It's only been out in Europe for about three months, so the current model is likely to stay current for quite a while.

Plus, unlike the DVX, the HVX can be upgraded (to some degree) by firmware updates. So the cycle between products is likely to be longer for the HVX than it was for the DVX.

 

[mungk]

Thanks Barry.

 

[Cynic821]

I was a canon GL1 and GL2 guy during the SD phase (mainly working broadcast) so how long were the updates between the DVX100 versions?

 

[darwinandpaine]

I talked to two dealers recently who told me that the HVX is still flying off the shelves. I suspect this does not bode well for those awaiting the 200a.

 

[Barry_Green]

I was a canon GL1 and GL2 guy during the SD phase (mainly working broadcast) so how long were the updates between the DVX100 versions?

DVX100A came out about a year after the DVX100
DVX100B came out something like 18 months after the DVX100A

But again, the DVX wasn't field firmware upgradeable. As Darwinandpaine said, I wouldn't expect to see an HVX200A for a long time.

 

[DavidBeier]

^
Out of curiosity, would the type of additions that the DVX100A and DVX100B offered be possible with firmware upgrades (such as the new gamma settings and reduced noise?)

 

[carlone]

^
Out of curiosity, would the type of additions that the DVX100A and DVX100B offered be possible with firmware upgrades (such as the new gamma settings and reduced noise?)

Great question.

Assuming that Panasonic would not stand to really make any money by upgrading the firmware what do you think they would add?

 

[Barry_Green]

Well, that's the thing -- they've never issued a firmware update for an inexpensive camera, so -- we don't know what types of things might be possible.

I speculate (and this is only SPECULATION) that certain things may be possible, such as unlocking more of the frame rates in the camera. Or moving menu items around. Or adding little programming-type features.

Things that would never be possible would be things like adding AVC-HD support -- that would require a hardware MPEG-4/AVC encoder chip, and a firmware update could only affect the software in the camera. Or adding PAL/NTSC switchability -- that would require adding the alternate territory's crystal controller chip, something physical that obviously couldn't be done in firmware.

Things that I guess would be possible would include allowing us to disable the onboard microphone, or maybe (MAYBE) trimming clips in-camera, or maybe setting the size of the loop record buffer (instead of it defaulting to the entire free space on both cards). Small operational items would maybe be in the realm of a firmware update, but big changes (like adding new recording formats or such) would be beyond the scope of a firmware update.

 

[drameddie]

Do you think a DVX 100C is in the works? Possibly a Hard drive based or P2 system dvx.

 

[dregenthal]

I would guess not. It's only a little bit more money to get P2, 16x9 chips and lens when you get the HVX and those things would certainly add to the manufacturing cost of what is one of the best selling cameras in recent history (in its class).

I would think the manufacturer would want to continue to enjoy that position a while longer before having to raise the price point, or release an "in house" competitor.

But that's just my though.