FREE upgrade for U.S. owners to "A" Version

Carl Hicks · June 8th, 2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enzo Giobbé

BTW Carl,

I just received a call this morning from a producer over at the local ABC affiliate who is using the HD100 (testing actually) on a reality show. She says that in a two shot, the person on the left side of the frame is distorted (in profile, the person's head is "wider", or at least looks wider, than the person on the right side of the frame).

She asked if this is possible. And I am thinking, possible yes, probable, no. I guess it could be a problem with one of the blocks going awry, Ever hear of anything like that?

They are using the 13x3.5 lens up, but I have the same lens and even with a .8 CO wide adapter in front, I don't notice it "pulling the edges out". May be just an optical illusion.

I will check it out for them tomorrow. Since I recommend the camera, she feels I am obligated to furnish tech support :)

Great promotion on the HD100 / AB-DIONIC battery system package! Is it retroactive? ;))

Hi Enzo,

I've never encountered anything like this. Hopefully it's cockpit error. A few questions come to mind:

What shooting mode is the camera in?
What model monitor are they viewing the camera on?
Does this complaint exist with the standard lens?

Bring a large ball with you, like a basketball, soccerball, volleyball, etc. I use a ball on camera often to check for aspect ratio issues. It's easier and more cooperative that a person's head!

Let us know what you find.

Regards, Carl

Scott Ward · June 10th, 2006, 06:59 AM

I just picked up the hd100 and it came with the revision "A" already... this camera came through vancouver, bc.

Enzo Giobbé · June 11th, 2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Hicks

Hi Enzo,

I've never encountered anything like this. Hopefully it's cockpit error. A few questions come to mind:

What shooting mode is the camera in?
What model monitor are they viewing the camera on?
Does this complaint exist with the standard lens?

Bring a large ball with you, like a basketball, soccerball, volleyball, etc. I use a ball on camera often to check for aspect ratio issues. It's easier and more cooperative that a person's head!

Let us know what you find.

Regards, Carl

Ciao Carl,

They shot in HD/30, and used one of ABC's broadcast editing suite systems to view the output.

Turns out, it was just an optical illusion. One head in full profile on the left side of the frame (about a foot in) did look distorted/wider than the head on the right side of the frame, but the cam checked out fine. I've had the same kind of phenomena happen using my Sony PDW-F350, so it's not unique to the HD100.

The phenomena is most likely to occur on a two shot using soft lighting at a low ratio when one person is in full profile and the other is 3/4 or full to the camera. Having the camera angled so the subject in profile is closer, will further exaggerate the illusion.

I personally like to use a topless model in my frame to check for ratio distortion. I do like your ball idea, but my system is better esthetically. When my wife is along, I use a 16:9 aspect ratio white card with 2 rows of black alternating circles and squares (circle, square, circle) instead :)

Besides not having to take any heat for recommending the HD100 to her, I also got a free lunch out of it, so all is well in JVC recommendation land.

John Mitchell · June 12th, 2006, 07:09 PM

Nice one Enzo!

Robert Durab · July 28th, 2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Ward

I just picked up the hd100 and it came with the revision "A" already... this camera came through vancouver, bc.

I too just bought what was stated to be a new "A" model from an authorized dealer. Not caring if it is a true A model or an upgrade/refub, how I can I tell it is now "A" capable? Bob

Carl Hicks · July 28th, 2006, 10:32 PM

The A versions will have a little round sticker with an A on it, near the serial number - under the shoulder pad.

Bob Diesso · July 29th, 2006, 06:58 AM

Thanks, Carl. It's nice to see JVC representatives' participation. When the "A" Version upgrade was announced, it was offered as a free upgrade to existing users. Is there a cutoff date for the "free" upgrade? If so, what is it and how much will the upgrade cost after the "free" upgrade cutoff?

Carl Hicks · July 29th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Diesso

Thanks, Carl. It's nice to see JVC representatives' participation. When the "A" Version upgrade was announced, it was offered as a free upgrade to existing users. Is there a cutoff date for the "free" upgrade? If so, what is it and how much will the upgrade cost after the "free" upgrade cutoff?

Bob,

Although I do not have an official document that spells this out, my understanding is that the free upgrade cut-off is July 31st - about 4 months after the upgrade was announced, and that the cost after that is about $150.00.

Regards, Carl

June 10th, 2006, 06:59 AM	#137
Scott Ward New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 12	Canada JVC A Version I just picked up the hd100 and it came with the revision "A" already... this camera came through vancouver, bc.

July 28th, 2006, 10:32 PM	#141
Carl Hicks JVC America Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 516	"A" version ID The A versions will have a little round sticker with an A on it, near the serial number - under the shoulder pad. __________________ Carl Hicks JVC Professional Products Company

June 12th, 2006, 07:09 PM	#139
John Mitchell Contributor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 873	Nice one Enzo!

July 29th, 2006, 06:58 AM	#142
Bob Diesso New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Thanks, Carl. It's nice to see JVC representatives' participation. When the "A" Version upgrade was announced, it was offered as a free upgrade to existing users. Is there a cutoff date for the "free" upgrade? If so, what is it and how much will the upgrade cost after the "free" upgrade cutoff?