Any factory upgrade ? at DVinfo.net

Mark Donnell · May 4th, 2008, 10:40 PM

Question to Panasonic people - Any chance that the factory could upgrade my HVX-200 to a 200A ? It would be worth significant money to me for lower noise and slightly increased sensitivity. If not, how about a trade-in allowance ?

Robert Lane · May 5th, 2008, 08:05 AM

Mark,

Having been a direct consultant for Panny I can answer this:

The 200 and 500 are not "upgradeable" cameras; there are no internally swappable cards to change capabilities such as many of the full-size ENG rigs do (the HPX2000 has an AVC-Intra card option, for example) nor can you change-out the imaging blocks without completely rewiring the associated circuitry. And unfortunately there are no trade-ins/upgrades with Panny or any other manufacturer directly.

However, some dealers offer equipment leasing options which *does* allow for trade-ins/upgrades so that you're not stuck with any one camera. The downside obviously is that you don't own the camera outright and the cost of the lease cost is often double the value of the equipment itself.

If you're really wanting to upgrade to the 200A your best bet is either to post your camera for-sale here in the "Private Classifieds" section or put it up on eBay.

David Saraceno · May 5th, 2008, 09:37 AM

Just sell the HVX200.

You'd probably get more that way than either paying for an upgrade or trading it in if you could.

May 4th, 2008, 10:40 PM	#1
Mark Donnell Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 385	Any factory upgrade ? Question to Panasonic people - Any chance that the factory could upgrade my HVX-200 to a 200A ? It would be worth significant money to me for lower noise and slightly increased sensitivity. If not, how about a trade-in allowance ?

May 5th, 2008, 08:05 AM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,788 Images: 15	Mark, Having been a direct consultant for Panny I can answer this: The 200 and 500 are not "upgradeable" cameras; there are no internally swappable cards to change capabilities such as many of the full-size ENG rigs do (the HPX2000 has an AVC-Intra card option, for example) nor can you change-out the imaging blocks without completely rewiring the associated circuitry. And unfortunately there are no trade-ins/upgrades with Panny or any other manufacturer directly. However, some dealers offer equipment leasing options which does allow for trade-ins/upgrades so that you're not stuck with any one camera. The downside obviously is that you don't own the camera outright and the cost of the lease cost is often double the value of the equipment itself. If you're really wanting to upgrade to the 200A your best bet is either to post your camera for-sale here in the "Private Classifieds" section or put it up on eBay.

May 5th, 2008, 09:37 AM	#3
David Saraceno Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Inland Northwest Posts: 490	Just sell the HVX200. You'd probably get more that way than either paying for an upgrade or trading it in if you could.