Pricing and release info for Varicam 2700 and 3700?
 

Didn't read anything about this in the Panny press release. Anybody know?

Peter

How much? A lot. (laughs - seriously, I've not seen it mentioned yet) When? Considering previous ENG P2 cam releases I'm sure broadcasters and large production companies (i.e. FOX, Discovery etc.) have already placed orders and will scoop up the first shipping units. That means one-off sales to individuals won't get parsed out through distributors until Dec or first part of next year.

If you want one I'd place an order with one of the "A list" Panny distributors like Omega Broadcast right away and get on the waiting list. Historically, Omega has been one of the very few distributors to get priority placement for allocation fulfillment from Japan; places like B&H follow many months later.

Hopefully Panny will grace us with the real info soon...

Thanks Robert! I'm guessing around the time these are available is about when I'll be ready to buy one :) Do we know if this is the same sensor as the current Varicam? Kind of sounds like it. I can't recall from the press release if it's full raster 1080. Is it just a tapeless Varicam that uses the AVC-Intra codec? That wouldn't be all bad, mind you.

Peter

No, the new P2 Varicams are actually the HPX2000/3000 cams with VFR and AVC-I added. It's *not* the same chipset in the tape-based Varicam at all. Keep in mind the HPX2700 is a native 720p chipset - like the HPX2000; the HPX3700 is native 1080p.

The 2700 seems to be more versatile as it can ramp up to 60p VFR whereas the 3700 can only ramp up to 30p - probably a limitation of the chipset. (?) Barry would know more.

Update
 

Check out the video from SD about the Varicams - tons of good info:

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news/9361.html

Pricing is expected to be appx:

$40k for 2700

$60k for 3700

Thanks for all the great info Robert! Better start saving :)

Peter

Great video. The body looks remarkably like the HPX500. I'm guessing it's more rugged, but the shell looks the same. Can't wait to see some footage!

Peter

It's more like the HPX2000.

I don't really get the point behind the 3700. Variable frame rates in 1080, great, but ... only up to 30? Huh? I mean, I think I know why (interlaced chipset, same reason the XDCAM-HD cameras drop to half-resolution when you go faster than 30P) but still... I think I'd get the 2700 over the 3700.

Yeah, the 3700 is perplexing, but I guess it distinguishes itself from the 3000 with its FILMREC capability and other more film oriented features? I guess for someone needing a film package with full raster 1080p it would make sense. I'll be making a reservation for the 2700, though. That is going to be a great camera. Barry, have you seen images from the 2700? Comments?

Thanks!

Peter

I know the HPX3000 has the FILMREC setting -- I assume it would be the same as the 3700's.

The next King: the HPX2700
 

I'm with Barry; I don't really see the point of a VFR camera that can't ramp past 30p. If you really needed full-raster 1080p for your features then probably the Viper or other 2k camera would actually be a better choice since there's little visual difference between 720p and 1080p - especially between the 2000 and 3000 cams. Both of those imaging blocks are... stunning, for lack of a better word.

And for those wondering if Sony can compete in this realm, the answer is a flat "no". The soon-to-be-released PDW700 can't even do 24p much less full-raster VFR, not to mention it's still long-GOP XDCAM to boot with now very limiting record times to a 50gb BR (XDCAM) disc compared to count-em, *5* P2 slots on the 2700/3700. That means with the upcoming 64GB cards in either of the new P2 Varicams, and at 1080p DVCPRO-HD (a gig a minute) that means over 320 minutes of non-stop recording.

Yes indeed my fellow shooters/producers, the King has arrived: the HPX2700.

I'm in.

Hmm. That's still $9000 worth of memory ;-) Impressive specs, though...

Compare that to the cost of any DVCPRO-HD deck not to mention DVCPRO-HD tape and the memory more than pays for itself in one commercial shoot, which is the market the camera was intended for.

In fact, the HPX2700 along with the Letus Ultimate will be our main camera rig for all our upcoming productions, with exception to those requiring film which most TV commercial work still is. However I expect this camera will start to change that "need" for film drastically once we've proven it's output capabilities.

Yep, the 5-slot P2 card reader is probably the cheapest, and most reliable, "deck" you'll ever buy. A big factor in my decision to go with the HPX500 instead of the HDX900 was the cost of tape. If you're working even somewhat regularly, P2 very quickly pays for itself, even including the cost of archiving onto LTO ($40 for 400GB tape).

Peter

$10K+ for firmware?
 

I was ready to post just after NAB, but thought I'd settle down a bit.

I love Panny products - it's their marketing that keeps me guessing at times.

I've invested in them in the last year - a couple of 2000's, the HPM110, the 200A, (10) 32's, BT900, couple BT80's, BT1760, Intra cards, etc - I'm sure there's more (still have an SPX800, etc)...

So - the 200/200A & 500 have under/overcrank - but a non-native chipset. The 2000 has a native chipset, but no under/overcrank (my guess was to protect tape-based Varicam sales). Beauty of a cam - like I said, I bought two (and I found it mildly offensive that the under/over wasn't in them).

The 2700 has under/overcrank, Intra, another HDSDI and a two-position filter wheel... Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but I think that's the main difference between my 2000 and the 2700.

So - my question is, where's the extra money coming from? Intra card - $3k list. That said - I feel like I may be paying $9-$10K or more (street) for the VFR firmware (and Film-Rec gamma), the HDSDI out & the dual-filter.

Always glad to hear where I'm wrong - just trying to decipher the ultimate pricepoints. Maybe the Varicam logo is made of real gold... :)

I was super-excited the morning of day one, staring wide-eyed at the 2700, hearing $40ishK for it - all along thinking it was a native 1920 chipset. Been a bit confused since then...

Just wondering, thinking out loud, and hoping it comes in at a comparible street price (by which I will get one).