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Home: Video University Forums: Sony DV and DVCAM Forum:
Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma

Hector
Novice

May 1, 2006, 9:21 AM

Post #1 of 11 (3324 views)
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Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma	Can't Post

Hi to all...
I'm an event videographer since 1985. I actually have the VX 2000 since 2003 but it have long milleage on his heads. Planning to buy the VX 2100... but this cam looks like its in the market from long time.. I dont know the introduction time of this... but anyway I don't know if I w'd buy it and in the couple of months Sony through a new version... since I know the HD FX-1 could stop new developments of VX's.
I could buy an used Vx 2000 low mileage too as a partial solution.

Any advise in this disjuntive??

MLiebergot
Veteran

May 1, 2006, 2:23 PM

Post #2 of 11 (3313 views)
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Re: [Hector] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hector, the VX series cameras as you know it are gone, dead and burried. As are the PD series cameras as well.
Sony, has pretty much gone away from DV cameras, in regards to their prosumer end.

FX1 replaces VX2100
Z1 replaces PD170
A1 replaces PDX10

So in regards to Sony, it's pretty much HD or bust, as they have the full Sony machine running on all cylinders to push out HD content in the pro market. Consumer will follow in fll force in teh next couple of years most likely. Hell they already released HC1 HD consumer cam and replaced that with HC3 HD consumer cam.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Hector
Novice

May 1, 2006, 5:30 PM

Post #3 of 11 (3308 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your response, Michael
The FX-1 could be an expensive solution... apart that I read that this cam needs too much light. Remember the rating is as 7 lux ... wow! vs 1 lux VX 2100. I don't want to carry a weist battery and a Varilight again as in the old days. So I think; what's better: a dark HD/DV picture or a clear well lighted normal DV video??
The even video needs boths. But if I have to choose will go for low light cam. (only used a 10w)

So will go for the 2100 before all are gone.
Thanks

Postal_Boy
Veteran

May 1, 2006, 5:49 PM

Post #4 of 11 (3307 views)
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Re: [Hector] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would disagree that the VX/PD lines are "gone".

There is an HD line that will eat some of it up, but the PD line and VX line are intended for a different market. There is still no other prosumer cam that can match the low-light capabilities of the VX/PD series. I can see them integrating true wide-screen chips into them though, but I don't see it happening REALLY soon...maybe in a year or two.

-Postal
__________________________

PD-170, Dual athlon 2200+, 1gig ram,, Vegas, Combustion, Photoshop, dual monitor (ashamed of the video card, so I won't mention it), Samson wireless, and a couple of one-chippers (sony) just for the heck of it. - And an IRIVER

MLiebergot
Veteran

May 1, 2006, 8:01 PM

Post #5 of 11 (3300 views)
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Re: [Postal_Boy] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Postal, what I meant is that the VX/PD lines are dead now as far as production is concerned. Both lines have are being phased out, as well as Sony'd DV lines.
Sony has too much invested in HD going forward to worry about when will the consumer market go to HD. They will take it into their own hands and direct the public on their own, HD TV's, HD cameras, and BLURAY HD DVD's. That is Sony's way to do things.

Yes, you can still purchase the cams, and I read elsewhere that the VX2100 will be discounted $500-700 starting around the end of this month.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Hector
Novice

May 1, 2006, 8:57 PM

Post #6 of 11 (3296 views)
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Re: [Hector] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

Will be a real pain if I buy the 2100 and in the next couple of weeks will go down $500-700 bucks!
B&H is still $2250.
Can I really find a store as responsible as B&H but with lower prices? Exist?

I ordered from TCS camera Saw (Brooklin)($1309) together with a hard case. I received a cheapy plastic hard case($300) but never the camera!! I called them but they say the "old story"... is out of stock. Now they never answer the phone the times I called it back.

LarsCA
User

May 2, 2006, 7:36 AM

Post #7 of 11 (3288 views)
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Re: [Hector] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

I knew going in that TCS would not make good on their promise, but I ordered from them anyway just to see what happened. Sure enough, within a day it turns out all I ordered was the camera body. If I wanted a battery, cables, a manuel even, I would have to fork up an extra $5-600 for the "retail" package, which meant I would have spent as much or more as if I would have bought it from B&H. So, of course I canceled my order (which I'm sure these guys are used to).

abesofmaine.com has slightly better prices than B&H. I've never had a problem with them. Just don't place your order over the phone, or they'll try to pack all kinds of stuff on you.

I don't know anything about price drops or where Sony is going with their camera development, but it seems to make sense to me that they don't develop their PD or VX line any more, and that eventually these cameras will be phased out and replaced by HD. I'd love to get an FX-1, if only it could perform better in low light. I really hope there's no price drop on the VX. I just spent $2180 on a new one...

---
So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

Postal_Boy
Veteran

May 2, 2006, 10:10 AM

Post #8 of 11 (3279 views)
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Re: [LarsCA] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

The low light performance is what concerns me. If they can boost the HD line to do a bit better I would consider moving over. I think SD production gear will be in use for several more years to come, though, even though it will slowly be phased out.

-Postal
__________________________

PD-170, Dual athlon 2200+, 1gig ram,, Vegas, Combustion, Photoshop, dual monitor (ashamed of the video card, so I won't mention it), Samson wireless, and a couple of one-chippers (sony) just for the heck of it. - And an IRIVER

Hector
Novice

May 2, 2006, 9:22 PM

Post #9 of 11 (3261 views)
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Re: [LarsCA] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

For $1300 I w'd buy it . I don't care about batteries, charger or anything else. I have plenty of F750 and never use the camera batt. charger.. I only need the camera...
they never make that offer

CaliDude
Novice

May 17, 2006, 7:57 PM

Post #10 of 11 (3152 views)
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Re: [LarsCA] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

abesofmaine.com has slightly better prices than B&H. I've never had a problem with them. Just don't place your order over the phone, or they'll try to pack all kinds of stuff on you.

So you're the one guy who didn't get ripped off by Abe. Cool

I've heard bad things about ol' Abe for years. Maybe he turned over a new leaf.

Dude

lee hopper
Novice

May 21, 2006, 1:47 AM

Post #11 of 11 (3101 views)
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Re: [CaliDude] Upgrade the VX 2000 dilemma [In reply to]	Can't Post

To whom it may concern.

Unless you are getting paid extra fee's or a customer requests HDV..it is really dumb to spend $5100.00 on an HDV camera, instead of $2900.00 on a PD170.

I know a guy who sold two PD170's for $1750.00 each then turned around and bought 2 sony HDV camera for $11,000.00

It is not charging any extra for his new service. His average wedding is about $1500.00, so for the need 6 weddings he is working for free.

Buy the DVcam/DV camera and make money, wait for the second generation of HDV to come out, or at least until you can deliver an HDV dvd.

Know, if you have the extra cash, then there is no problem.