It's going to be official

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/21/sony-hdr-hc3-cam-is-real-promises-to-bring-hd-recording-mainst/

I should say announced...sorry
but probably going to be released very soon

And did they really announced it to replace the HC1?

I am new here, but it seems a little odd that they would replace the HC1 with this.

I don't think it's a replacement for the HC1. It's simply an addition to the product line.

I don't think it's a replacement for the HC1. It's simply an addition to the product line.

Nope.

Contacts at Sony have confirmed it is a ´replacement´for HC1. Hc1 will be discontinued.

On the original news thread on this, it points to Sony hdv forums where I think in numbers upto HC-7. What happened to HC-2.

If this is true the value of the HC1 should skyrocket!

So, is the HC2 going to be a better model?

So, is the HC2 going to be a better model?

HC2??
You mean HC3 yes? Well it´s similar in some respects, but some features deleted etc. More ´'consumerised'. But i expect video-quality to be very good and it will have a much nicer 211,000pixel LCD screen which is about double the res of HC1 screen. No it won´t make any difference to your footage but it will be nice to use.

I think Sony are 'skipping' model numbers just to leave the possibility open to them to bring out updated versions of their cams and slot them in. So they *could* bring out an updated HC1 and call it HC2, or updated HC3 and call it HC4. This is why programmers (in some languages) number lines of code traditionally as 10, 20, 30, 40 etc. So they can insert lines of code inbetween at a later time if they need to.

I suspect that we may see an HC5 sometime later in 2006. This is just my educated guess, don´t read much into it.

HC3 has a denser sensor @4.0 mp up from 2.8 mp so this is a newer CMOS

here a still from the HC3

http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/handycam/PRODUCTS/HDR-HC3/images/HC3_15_2.jpg

I thought it had around 2MP, and the 4MP was interpolated, am I wrong on this? Nice still John.


Stu,

I meant HC2, there apparently are a few models coming, and I wonder if HC2 will be a better camera, or the HC4.

Stu,

I meant HC2, there apparently are a few models coming, and I wonder if HC2 will be a better camera, or the HC4.

G´day mate

Oh right i see what you mean. Yes i think it´s highly likely that Sony have got at least 2 more models in development. I expect to see another model be released later in 2006. Exciting times i think in 2006 for HDV cams!

I don't think the HC1 will be discontinued, just as the A1 won't.

heath

I find it interesting that the Sony guy said the HC3 will replace the HC1, but I imagine that it might be that the HC1 is dropped to aid product separation until a HC2/4/5/6/7 comes out.

At the moment globalmediapro has the NTSC version of the A1 at $2430AU, so that has got to be close to $2KUS (The PAL ones maintain premier pricing though). Is this a general price trend? So maybe the A1 replaces the HC1 for now, with lots of separation between it and the HC3.

No headphone jack = deal breaker.

No headphone jack = deal breaker.


That and the lack of a manual focus ring. Still...

If there's no manual focus ring and no headphone jack, why cancel the HC1?

heath

I think the answer is because HC1 was taking space to fx1.

At sony's site, they're still selling the HC1.

hwm

If the HC1 is discontinued, it's news to the folks at Sony in Canada and San Diego. I've just spent 4 days with those sales teams, and they all laughed when I showed them this thread. So...maybe there is a source higher than the HDV product manager that hasn't told his people that their product is discontinued? Could happen, but about as unlikely as pigs flying.
Of course, it will be discontinued at some point over the next 18 months, that's Sony's normal period for a consumer cam, but...

If anyone knows, it's Spot. I've had the pleasure of meeting a couple of Sony guys and even some of the major HDV people. They'd know for sure if the HC1 was going the way of the Dodo bird.

heath

Rumours are very suggestive, and it really depends on who is telling it as well, and where, and too how much they know is happening in another region. For example: In a thread about the another camera, a comment was made that a person known at Canon France (I can't remember how high up) said there was no immediate plans to release it. But seriously, somebody in France may not be among even the second group of people, in the world, to find out unless they are at the top, plus it could merely mean that France won't be getting it soon. Plus, apart from not having access to the latest information, how much are these sources depending on, or mining rumours themselves, or have they got contacts at the top? Very difficult, you really have to access the source, and just wait to see what happens.

I forgot to mention: The A1 could fill it's place at around $2K. So wait the next month or two, to see if stocks actually run down, but I personally think it is strange to do this to still well selling recent camera.

If anyone would care to look on Sony.ca they will see that the HC1 is no longer listed!!!!! It was removed a few days ago.

Ron Evans

Sony Style's site (US):

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=HDRHC1&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_HighDefinitionVideo

and

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=HDRHC1KIT1&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_HighDefinitionVideo

heath

I know the HC1 is on the other sites. The end of last week the 505 DVD cam was added to the Canadian site and at the same time the HC1 was removed. What this means is anybodies quess. Could just be a site error, but it is not there anymore. The only HDV camera listed is the FX1.

Ron Evans

Re-read Spot's comment in this thread--he was in touch with the Sony HDV guys. So unless they don't know something, it isn't going anywhere for a bit. Unless they cancelled it in Canada.

heath

Stu was right the HC1 has gone, I was at the PMA show and picked up the new trade accessories catalouge and only the FX1 and HC3 are listed. All the reps I talked to were quite clear -HC1 goes- FX1 stays.
On the accessory front nice to see a sports pak to fit the HC3 and a new 10w light and bluetooth wireless mike that fits all cams that take the new smaller advanced accessory shoe.

More conformation - Sony UK's Sony style shop are taking pre orders for mid April. The Spec page starts 'HDR-HC3 SUCCESSOR to the popular HDR-HC1..' (My caps)