The 200 to a B model?

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
Just wondering if anyone knows if the HVX will go to a B model? And if not, will Panasonic continue to support the 200 series (firmware updates, etc.)?
 
Panasonic just came out with the 200a which includes a number of improvements. I don't see a B model for a while. But, that's just conjecture on my part.
Jim
 
Considering the 200a is only a few months old - it's a bit premature to be talking about a 'B' model.

That said, my guess is - and it's just a guess - that the 200a is probably the last version we'll see of the HVX.
The HPX170 is already setup as the next step, really more of a lateral move for those who don't need the DV tape drive.

The HVX200 was around for 3 years before the 200a was released -
going by that timetable I would be very surprised to see Panasonic
release an HD camera 3 years from now that still included a miniDV tape drive on it.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I think your right, Luis. But do you think Panasonic will support the 200s the way they have the 100 series? It may effect my decision to go with the hpx170 or hvx200a. No one wants to own a dinosaur.
 
I really think it's hard to say.

I personally was a bit surprised they went ahead and released a DVX100B when the HVX200 was coming out. I guess that the DVX was still so popular that it seemed viable.

The HVX is a tougher sell though because they've already introduced the HPX170. That means that, in a few years, they'll probably be introducing a whole new Prosumer camera (perhaps one with full raster 1080p or even 3k), as well as a HPX170a. It might seem a bit much to also add on to that a HVX200B.

On the other hand, the HVX200s may still be so damn popular that they'll go ahead and do it. I think a big factor will be how many HVX200a's get sold compared to HPX-170 as well as how many HVX users really like mini-DV tape and want to keep it. If mini-DV is still really important to Pansonic's fans, then we may well see another HVX. If not, I think it will go the way of the dinosaur.
 
scorsesefan said:
I think your right, Luis. But do you think Panasonic will support the 200s the way they have the 100 series? It may effect my decision to go with the hpx170 or hvx200a. No one wants to own a dinosaur.
Click to expand...

The HVX200's are inherently going to be much easier to support than the DVX100. For example, the DVX100's firmware was only updateable by replacing two boards which totaled to about $1100. The HVX200 updates with a simple file download and a cheap SD card that can also be used to back up your scene files. This is going to be easier for Panasonic to justify releasing even seemingly small upgrades and at the same time being worth while to have the user to update the camera.

On the other hand, the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." As time passes, the product becomes more "complete" in the sense that there are no more bugs, feature additions, etc... So I wouldn't rely on firmware updates as being an indicator for Panasonics support. Panasonic usually provides most repair parts for a particular product for up to seven years and we have been seeing even longer times than that on the DVCPRO tape decks for TV stations that we are still getting parts for even though they were born in 1996.

I know that we will be supporting P2 for a very long time.

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