Would you like the HPX170 to be PAL/NTSC switchable?

Would you like the HPX170 to be PAL/NTSC switchable?

  • Yes. Must have out of the box

    Votes: 189 66.5%

  • Would be okay with a factory upgrade option at add'l cost

    Votes: 34 12.0%

  • No. Doesn't matter to me

    Votes: 61 21.5%
  • Total voters
    284
I think its a good idea, although I can't see it happening as this would make it harder for Panasonic to fix prices across different world regions and would encourage grey imports, etc.
 
There actually is an upgrade for the camera but see below the response that I got from them just today...I know this thread is old, but hey someone will find this useful:

Tim,

The cost of 59.94/ 50Hz system frequency switchability function upgrade
for AGHPX170P is $500.00 + tax + S/H (UPS 2nd day).
Please be advised above optional upgrade irreversibly alters standard
functionality of AGHPX170P camera.
Therefore, it is required the owner of the camera signs acknowledgement
form accepting conditions of the upgrade before upgrade is performed.
Please print attached form, sign and fax it back to 201-348-5200.
Upon receiving signed form we will schedule the upgrade of your
AG-HPX170P camera.

Regards,
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company
Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
Technical Support Center (USA)
pbtscservice@us.panasonic.com

One thing that I have not confirmed and am awaiting is how "standard functionality" is effected.
 
By the way, shouldn't we change the name of the topic or remove it from the stickies as it is now switchable, or simply create a new topic on the subject.
 
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EX1 costs about $1,500.00 more than the HPX170 too though. We are lucky that Panasonic is even offering the option, this is the first prosumer camera they have offered this on.

You can always buy a gray market HPX171E, that model sold in the U.K. is switchable, although you will have no U.S. warranty or support. I personally find that very few people need both 50Hz and 59.94Hz capability, even though many people seem to think that they MUST have it. There are few people who shoot for both PAL and NTSC clients. In my experience, when Europeans are shooting here, they use their 50Hz cameras with a 1/60th shutter speed to avoid the flicker and when I shoot in Europe or other PAL areas, I use a 1/50th shutter to eliminate flickering from discharge sources. If I needed to deliver to PAL country clients, I would do the upgrade but I don't have any PAL based clients.

At least you have options. And yes, the new lower than EX1 range Sonys all require $300.00 to add this feature as well so even Sony has some of the same marketing concerns.

Dan
 
I would by this camcorder with this function right away. I mean if i can shoot in 1080/50 that would be amazing.
 
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