My entire interest in this device is VERY MUCH because it would encode directly to a Cineform Intermediate. I have no interest in a device that does otherwise.

Ditto what Bill said

Regarding the LCD screen, I'm torn on the idea. On one hand I would like to get this as economical as possible which means skip the screen. On the other hand, I see the advantages of a nice screen. Would something like an add on screen work? Where the base unit has a simple display screen for menu navigation with a connector for an optional hi-rez screen that can be attached either directly onto it or to the camera and tethered?

Regarding the screen. It isn't intended to signicantly better than the on camera LCD, so it isn't going to be of high cost. Our thinking is a compromise between the two threads about the screen, two make the unit as cheap as possible, or to make the unit as flexible as possible. We feel the flexibility gained will be significant without impacting cost too greatly. Yet also see the potential for a different model with a larger screen so it becomes a combination high res camera monitor and DDR, yet this isn't currently the plan for the first units.

I think I paid $50 retail for my Lilliput 2.5" diag. battery-operated LCD monitor.

Looks like a similar screen should do fine on Cineform box for menus and simple, lo-rez video viewing.

For these "first units", do you expect they may be in production as early as 3 months, 6 months, 12 months?

It is hard to talk about timing at the moment, as there is several factors that will move this timing around. But not as long as 12 months, that way too long for us. We see the need now, and all your interest helps prove that. The more interest there is, the more the product can be pulled in.

Good enough for me.

Although I will cross my fingers that maybe it'll be ready by NAB. =)

1. Option to "flip" the image during acquisition for 35mm adapters.
2. No screen unless it is usable for HD focus.
3. Simple as possible. Don't succumb to feature-itis!
4. Rugged. Metal chassis, rubberized body, threaded for standard tripod mount. (Think Beachtek.)
5. And oh, yeah, definitely XLR connectors over RCA wherever possible.

It definitely gains from the flexibility of the touchscreen LCD. No other input is as easy to use for setup and recording.

I can think of many ways in which it will help. Don't write this one off, it's very useful, just don't think of it as a "monitor". That's not it's function.

Think things like "audio record levels", NEO choices, video signal confirmation, timecode sync, etc.

1. We plan on the 180 degree flip, not just for preview, rather the acquired image will be stored with the correct orientation.

2. Sorry, you have to have a screen. :)

3. We plan on it. A simple platform -- with a screen -- allows us to optimize the unit for a range of markets. Without the screen, all we have is a nice disk recorder unit, it has much more potential than that. Wider market servability for the base technology helps lower the price.

4. Yes, sounds good.

5. Unlikely for the first product, but that would be nice for a pro configuration.

I think "video signal confirmation" alone is worth the extra expense.

Sorry, but physical buttons with tactile response are generally easier to use in the field. Just ask anyone who'd tried to use BMW's iDrive!!! ;-)

David, without physical controls, how would one actually access the screen if the decision was made to mount it under the camera? Seems like if you go the touchscreen route an arm mount will be the only practical config.

Why go with RCA over XLR? Price?
The reason why I'm pestering on this issue is that you can always convert XLR to RCA and not give up anything, but you can't do vice-versa and retain XLR's benefits. Every RadioShack in the country sells adapters for a few bucks, so it's not like this choice would lock anyone or any equipment out.

It seems to me that most consumers willing to drop $2k on a "recorder" are also looking to use quality microphones.

P.S. I didn't say it before, but this thing will ROCK! However the details shake-out, you're gonna sell a bajillion of them.

definitely a biggie. But there's more...lots more

Is the issue the actual XLR connectors themselves or the issue of balanced audio inputs vs. unbalanced audio?

XLR's are pretty big . . . other connectors could be suited to work if the issue is mainly having balanced audio inputs over unbalanced.