DVX100A - Marcy just translated this from the Japanese site
 

Just translated from Japanese message board.

• Improvement on prgressive mode - Auto Focus, New Cine-like gamma, gain-up (up to -12dB) - color bar
• Improved color reproductivity with optimized optical block
• Improved image adjustment
• added two more cine-like gammas (CINE-LIKE-D, CINE-LIKE-V, B-PRESS)
• Improved Zoom and Focus feelings
• Improved EVF/LCD monitor (detail enhanced mode, B/W mode, etc.)
• Shorter interval for time lapse
• Slow shutter speed function (1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25 - PAL50i, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12 (PAL25P)
• Digital squeeze mode (16:9)
• black and dark silver body color
• available Nov/03, 550,000JPY(5,300USD)

Frank:

What's the source of this - any info on Panasonic Japan?

"available Nov/03"

OMG, they got almost all of the items on my suggestion list. I hope it's true, I guess we'll find out pretty soon....

Do we start selling our DVX's???

Ahh, NOW I can finally buy one!

;-)

Stephen, I'll look around tonight to see if I can find a Pana Japan link.

What's that digital squeeze mode exactly? Is the camcorder going to have real 16:9 chips? I would hope so considering that suggested retail price of $5,300.

I'm curious too about how good of a source this info is from - sounds a lot like those XL2 rumors that keep coming up...

It could be just a rumour, don't know. I haven't found a link yet. Marcy posted this at dv.com's camera forum.

Panasonic will really bite themselves in the arse if they come out with the gain and autofocus now in the progressive modes. Considering their excuse for why they didn't implement it in the current DVX100. I hope this is just a rumor.

PAL?
 

I see a mention of PAL... is this a PAL model or is it an NTSC model that can do PAL? Or neither?

Auto at slow frame rates is possible... it's just slower. I can set my PDX10 to 1/30 and even 1/15 and use auto focus... as long as there is enough light of course.

NOW we're talkin'
 

...the PAL version would be perf for a low budget feature.

Gimme Gimme Gimme!

I e-mailed Mr. C. at Pana tech about this, but I won't hear back 'til next week because he took a week off. :(

Don't you mean Ms. C - I assume you're talking about Jan.

No, Mr. C., from Down-Under. All he has to do is tap in his Pana info system to see what's up. I'm sure that Jan can do the same thing, but may be reluctant (under orders) in divulging this kind of information.

That first line seems a bit suspicious.

Anyways if it is real, then good. I can get the DVX100 for cheaper.