Plans to release the next FX1 version? at DVinfo.net

David Delaney · August 18th, 2006, 07:43 AM

I am wondering if Sony has any plans to upgrade the FX1 or the Z1U? I thought they might have said something at NAAB, but I haven't heard anything. Any ideas?

Heath McKnight · August 18th, 2006, 07:49 AM

Nothing at NAB. I think they just talked about XDCAM HD, the F330 and F350 CineAltas.

heath

Boyd Ostroff · August 18th, 2006, 09:14 AM

There are always rumors about new cameras, usually they're wrong but who knows? Like we always say around here, if you need a camera now then buy it now and don't look back. But if you can wait, there's always something new and improved on the horizon...

Mack Fisher · August 18th, 2006, 09:20 AM

They released those mystery decks with full size HDV tapes, Im curious as to see what goes with that.

Chris Barcellos · August 18th, 2006, 08:15 PM

There is scuttlebut about a 3 chip 3 cmos, HD replacement to replace the FX1/Z1 line and to compete with Canon's new offerings-- supposedly before first of year.

Bob Zimmerman · August 19th, 2006, 01:36 PM

they should announce that soon if they would like to cut into the Canon sales this fall.

Heath McKnight · August 19th, 2006, 04:16 PM

But Boyd is right, who knows what will come? I certainly don't, but I can dream and hope, too. And if you need a camera now, buy one, there are plenty of good ones out there.

And don't go selling and buying cameras, because you won't be a better filmmaker or videographer if you're buying the latest and greatest instead of using what you have and getting good at it.

I'd be rich if I got a buck for every person who told me that using a non-24p camera like the Z1 won't shoot a movie well, even if I'm using software or workflows.

I'm always excited by new technology, but I always try to stick with what I have (I used to not live by that philosophy, and it became VERY expensive) and get great with it, unless I need to upgrade.

And to echo Boyd, if you need a camera now, an FX1 or Z1 would be great, but if you can wait and see if and when Sony puts out their next potential cameras, go for it. I have a movie shooting in less than two months, so I'm going to use what I and my DP are comfortable with.

heath

Jack Zhang · August 19th, 2006, 07:05 PM

There might soon be a Pro AVCHD cam possibly with a removable HDD? That's what I think.

Heath McKnight · August 19th, 2006, 08:19 PM

Sounds interesting, but Sony has said repeatedly that AVCHD will only be consumer. HDV will probably last for a while.

hwm

Noah Hayes · August 19th, 2006, 08:31 PM

The main reason I'd love a new FX2/Z2U to come out is because I'd really like a Z1 or another FX1, and I'll be more than happy to buy one of yours when you want to get the new ones! I also like to drool over the new stuff as I wait for all the potential bugs to be worked out...

Also as far as the whole AVCHD thing, I don't mind the compression on HDV all that much, but there is NO WAY I'd want a camera that records in a format even more compressed than HDV...when I move away from HDV I'll want a less compressed image that I can play around with more, with computers getting faster and faster and storage getting cheaper and cheaper...there's no real need for a more compressed image for anyone except consumers...That is why AVCHD is pitched as a consumer format

Heath McKnight · August 19th, 2006, 08:34 PM

Noah,

I love being able to test gear, because it keeps me from buying it while still checking it out for reviews at www.hdvinfo.net and here!

Other than the infamous HD10/HD1, I feel like these second- and third-"gen" HDV cameras have been great!

heath

Stu Holmes · August 25th, 2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Zimmerman

I hope your right.

I've seen a pic. Relax... all is good.

*Maybe* not a straight replacement for FX1, but certainly at least will run alongside (for time being). Smaller, looks bit like a VX2100.

Bob Zimmerman · August 25th, 2006, 09:07 PM

from the picture,,,just tape?AVCHD?

Stu Holmes · August 25th, 2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Zimmerman

from the picture,,,just tape?AVCHD?

Tape, HDV. 3CMOS. Looks visually like a cross between VX2100 and FX1. BIG optical zoom, somewhere between 19x and 21x, allegedly.
(& maybe even... a zoom rocker button rather than a toggle!)

Jacob Mason · August 25th, 2006, 10:38 PM

Stu,
Where did you see the pic for this cam? (Don't tell me if you have to kill me afterwards)
But was there anything else in particular about the cam, other than the increased optical zoom that seemed more advanced than the FX1?
(not holding breath for 24p/f) :) but with such a heavy duty lens, and having 3 new chips, and the body description fitting a prosumer model, what was it that indicated this camera wouldn't be a replacement for the FX1?
Now that the G1 and A1 are out of the bag, it'd be a little difficult for Sony to try and pull any punches, and if what you say is true about the specs, particularly the lens, it sounds like they're gearing up to go head to head directly with Canon. (without the 24p/f of course) :)

August 18th, 2006, 07:43 AM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Plans to release the next FX1 version? I am wondering if Sony has any plans to upgrade the FX1 or the Z1U? I thought they might have said something at NAAB, but I haven't heard anything. Any ideas?

August 18th, 2006, 07:49 AM	#2
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Nothing at NAB. I think they just talked about XDCAM HD, the F330 and F350 CineAltas. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

August 18th, 2006, 09:20 AM	#4
Mack Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 158	They released those mystery decks with full size HDV tapes, Im curious as to see what goes with that. __________________ Northweststockfootage.com Shooting 100% HD Washington, Oregon, and Soon British Columbia

August 18th, 2006, 08:15 PM	#5
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	There is scuttlebut about a 3 chip 3 cmos, HD replacement to replace the FX1/Z1 line and to compete with Canon's new offerings-- supposedly before first of year. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 19th, 2006, 04:16 PM	#7
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	But Boyd is right, who knows what will come? I certainly don't, but I can dream and hope, too. And if you need a camera now, buy one, there are plenty of good ones out there. And don't go selling and buying cameras, because you won't be a better filmmaker or videographer if you're buying the latest and greatest instead of using what you have and getting good at it. I'd be rich if I got a buck for every person who told me that using a non-24p camera like the Z1 won't shoot a movie well, even if I'm using software or workflows. I'm always excited by new technology, but I always try to stick with what I have (I used to not live by that philosophy, and it became VERY expensive) and get great with it, unless I need to upgrade. And to echo Boyd, if you need a camera now, an FX1 or Z1 would be great, but if you can wait and see if and when Sony puts out their next potential cameras, go for it. I have a movie shooting in less than two months, so I'm going to use what I and my DP are comfortable with. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

August 18th, 2006, 09:14 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	There are always rumors about new cameras, usually they're wrong but who knows? Like we always say around here, if you need a camera now then buy it now and don't look back. But if you can wait, there's always something new and improved on the horizon...

August 19th, 2006, 01:36 PM	#6
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	they should announce that soon if they would like to cut into the Canon sales this fall.

August 19th, 2006, 07:05 PM	#8
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	There might soon be a Pro AVCHD cam possibly with a removable HDD? That's what I think.

August 19th, 2006, 08:19 PM	#9
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Sounds interesting, but Sony has said repeatedly that AVCHD will only be consumer. HDV will probably last for a while. hwm __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

August 19th, 2006, 08:31 PM	#10
Noah Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 226	The main reason I'd love a new FX2/Z2U to come out is because I'd really like a Z1 or another FX1, and I'll be more than happy to buy one of yours when you want to get the new ones! I also like to drool over the new stuff as I wait for all the potential bugs to be worked out... Also as far as the whole AVCHD thing, I don't mind the compression on HDV all that much, but there is NO WAY I'd want a camera that records in a format even more compressed than HDV...when I move away from HDV I'll want a less compressed image that I can play around with more, with computers getting faster and faster and storage getting cheaper and cheaper...there's no real need for a more compressed image for anyone except consumers...That is why AVCHD is pitched as a consumer format

August 19th, 2006, 08:34 PM	#11
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Noah, I love being able to test gear, because it keeps me from buying it while still checking it out for reviews at www.hdvinfo.net and here! Other than the infamous HD10/HD1, I feel like these second- and third-"gen" HDV cameras have been great! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

August 25th, 2006, 09:07 PM	#13
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	from the picture,,,just tape?AVCHD?

August 25th, 2006, 10:38 PM	#15
Jacob Mason Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 205	Stu, Where did you see the pic for this cam? (Don't tell me if you have to kill me afterwards) But was there anything else in particular about the cam, other than the increased optical zoom that seemed more advanced than the FX1? (not holding breath for 24p/f) :) but with such a heavy duty lens, and having 3 new chips, and the body description fitting a prosumer model, what was it that indicated this camera wouldn't be a replacement for the FX1? Now that the G1 and A1 are out of the bag, it'd be a little difficult for Sony to try and pull any punches, and if what you say is true about the specs, particularly the lens, it sounds like they're gearing up to go head to head directly with Canon. (without the 24p/f of course) :)