If I wanted to talk to someone at SONY or write them a letter/e-mail about ideas, concerns and requests... How would I go about doing that and who should I speak to? Anyone got any info? Thanks!

First, you have identify which division of Sony you want. Broadcast? Consumer? Software? Entertainment?

Each has different websites and different contacts.

I want to talk to someone in consumer I suppose. Specifically I want to talk about HDV decks and why there isn't a much less expensive, simple, mini-HDV deck for editing. Why are they always over 2 grand? Why can't they make one that is as cheap as a VCR that does pretty much the same thing but connets to your computer or camera? These would sell like hotcakes. Save your camera's gears - buy a cheap deck.

Any ideas on who to contact?

What do you suppose this person would say to you?

We'd all like things to be smaller and cheaper!

uhmm...theres two decks that are about $1200... they're called the HC1 & HC3...

It would be nice to have a deck in the $600-800 range, but for $400-600 more you could have a nice deck and nice vacation/ backup camera...

Also I've never seen a miniDV (SD) deck for less than $300/400 range, so I highly doubt they'd make a HDV deck in the "VCR price range" like you said (VCR's, if you can even find them anymore cost like $30-$50)

If I wanted to talk to someone at SONY or write them a letter/e-mail about ideas, concerns and requests... How would I go about doing that and who should I speak to? Anyone got any info? Thanks!

I used to have numbers of people I could call in the regional offices of the major manufacturers and actually exchange ideas with them. They knew about the fine details and liked to pick up ideas from customers. Nowadays, that kind of representative is mostly inaccessible to unconnected folks like me. About the only way you can talk to them is at trade shows. However, they also have demonstration tours they take and appear at A/V dealerships in many cities. Sometimes, they appear jointly with their counterparts from other companies and put their products head-to-head. One of the best afternoons I've spent was at a local dealer's, where two reps each from Canon and Sony presented their latest equipment. About 50 people from town participated, including those from TV stations, A/V depts. at colleges and production companies. I believe our collective efforts improved the expertise of the manufacturers' people. If you have any pro (or semipro) dealers in your town, ask them if any such demo workshops are scheduled.

Nate,
I agree with you that my suggestions would most likely get filed under, "who cares?" But I believe that you have to start somewhere in the pursuit of specific goals. They could say, "That's not a bad idea".

Noah,
You know, I didn't even think of those. I might just pick one up since they are a lot cheaper than a deck! Thanks!

Stephen,
Thanks for the suggestion. If any demo shows come close by ( or within several hours driving distance) I'll check then out!

I'd just like to have my ideas heard. Perhaps if there are enough people interested in such a product we could send them a petition/product request packet. I think there is a prosumer market for this type of deck. What do you guys think?

I think the problem is that most sales of decks go to either small companies, or prosumers who can afford it. They expect, and design, their cameras ot be used as decks for consumers or hobbiests.

There is a lot of worry about wearing out one's "heads" by playing, rewinding, etc but thats what these cams are designed for.

I do videography for a living, so I bought a deck (Sony HVRM15U) to save my cam some wear and tear but mainly to have a component out from HDV tape to HD monitor... and this deck was only $300 more than the SD deck I was checking out (DSR11).

Decks are pricey because a great set of video heads ands a tape mechanism are not cheap. They also don't sell in the same quantity as cameras, so the units have to be more expensive... I know it sucks but it's always been a hard fact of life... VCR's only got cheap cause they made so many.

Anyway, I would buy a cheap Cam... HDV or Mini DV and use it as a deck, or shell out for the 15U and pick up some extra work to pay for it...

I do, however, wish you luck with sony. If you manage to get the ball rolling, I'm sure I'll be in line to buy a nice cheap deck!