[Dominic Desantis]

Good to read Tom and Erich’s opinion on Panasonic’s deal. At first thought to unload a Beta SP camcorder for a $30,000 rebate seems like a too good to be true proposition-The 3700 is a bit a big gun in what may be turning out to be a smaller and cheaper is better environment. At least from the ground in DC. The 3700 seems to be off the radar as far as what producers are asking for. Although if Panasonic’s 3700 push is successful, its possible this will change. Not sure that is happening, I wonder how many have taken the 3700 deal. Certainly if Panasonic increases the installed base of both P2 and in particular the 3700, in hindsight this deal may have been the thing to do. Yet, $30,000 plus viewfinder is till on the extreme high end of camera systems these days. Not to mention the technology gamble on formats and possible new and improved models( for instance a 1080P camera that can run at 60 frames). That might be worth $30,000 plus in my world.

In an era of transitional production technology its hard to lay down good money on a camera that is not seeing demand on the ground, no matter how attractive the deal. That Erich’s point and I agree. Only problem “What to do with an 18 year old BetaSP Camcorder?”

Dominic

Dominic DeSantis