will the varicam be upgraded?

[Jeff Merritt]

Hello All,

Panasonic’s position is that the existing VariCams are still so popular that to upgrade them or make major changes would not be in the best interest of our customers. Again, nothing new for the VariCam at NAB this year. There will be a new version of the VariCam in a couple of years that will be a leapfrog over existing technology for both Panasonic and other companies.

For the price and performance the VariCam continues to be viable as a creative tool and will be for many years. We will continue to provide the best support of the camera and work together with other 3rd party vendors to be sure the post path is easy and appropriate.

Please keep in mind that the HDX900 is not a “poor-man’s” version of the VariCam but an outstanding HD upgraded version of the very popular SDX900 which has sold extremely well.

Enjoy both these cameras but know that in all technology there are certain limitations and it is in your best interest to understand what those limitations are.

Best regards and good shooting,

Jeff Merritt
Product Line Business Manager
High Definition Products
Panasonic Broadcast
323-436-3676

[Galen Yeo]

thank you for your response.

[Peter Corbett]

It’s a tricky time to buy at the moment. The new 2.2 megapixel Panasonic HPX3000 will be out later this year which would have to put pressure on the tape-based Varicam. Don’t know whether the 3000 will have variable frame rate though.

Peter

Peter Corbett
Powerhouse Productions
http://www.php.com.au

[Jeff Merritt]

Hello all,

We will have a lot more to say about the 3000 at NAB but suffice it to say, it is not a VariCam with a P2 record section so please don’t get excited about a new VariCam: it ain’t happening. As I have stated many times, the VariCam is so popular that we don’t want to change it for the many people who make a living off the camera as it is.

We have a huge base of VariCam users for motion picture, commercials, government, and corporate and documentary and natural history work and we want to do everything possible to support those users in the long run. So therefore, no changes for the VariCam in the near future. Your investment is protected.

I hope I see many of you at NAB.

Sincerely,

Jeff Merritt
Product Line Business Manager
High Definition Products
Panasonic Broadcast
323-436-3676

[Peter Corbett]

Thanks Jeff for chiming in. Although you say the HPX3000 is no Varicam, I can’t see how it won’t have a serious impact on the Varicam with it’s native 2.2m 1920×1080 imager and 10-bit recording to AVC. It’s inevitable that this camera in combination with the new low-cost 16gb and 32gb P2 cards will be a major viable alternative for all those markets you mentioned.

Peter

Peter Corbett
Powerhouse Productions
http://www.php.com.au