Ready to purchase XH-A1 but worried about "XL-H1s & XL-H1A" type upgrades
 

Hi all,

I've saved up and am ready to purchase an XH-A1 but after reading about the update to the XL-H1 (with the H1s and H1A) I'm worried that something similar for the A1 could be around the corner.

Has anyone heard anything about Canon planning this type of update for the A1? i.e. an XH-A1s etc ... Or can anyone put my worries to rest?

I know I can't sit around waiting for the next big thing otherwise I'll wait forever but I thought it wise to ask the question.

Thanks!

Matthew.

Matthew... You know that Canon will update the A1 at some point. If I had to guess, look for news at next year's NAB. It's possible, only possible that some of the big brother's features will trickle down to the A1. Hard to tell.

Here's what I'd recommend, if there are new features in the XL H1 that you have to have, you can wait until the A1 gets an update and buy the next generation unit. Or, you can get an H1 now. Otherwise, get the A1 now and start shooting.

We're all chasing technology. If we waited because we expect a newer, better version we'd all still be shooting to 1/2" tape.

Remember, my advice is worth way less than what you paid for it.

If you're waiting, you're not creating.

If the A1 is updated a week after you buy one, no big deal. Just sell the one you have and move up.

Why would you be worried about an upgrade? Neither of those new models makes the original XH A1 obsolete. Sony goes through numerous upgrades in all its 2/3" chip cameras all the time. I bought a BVW300 many years ago, and the next year they had the 300A...didn't hurt my camera a bit. Then more recently I had a DSR500, the first minor upgrade version which only fixed a few very near-insignificant things from the original; then they upgraded that. Thousands of people bought the PD150. Then the 170 came out--didn't affect the PD150 owners a bit.

If they didn't do upgrades, that would mean the camera would be a "mature" product and they might quit building it. Which wouldn't mean anything to an owner either. The only thing to worry about would be if you can't get repair parts. But...you can still have an XL1 worked on, and for that matter, Sony still has repair parts for its 3/4" decks and B&H still sells 3/4" tape.

The idea that a new model somehow makes the previous model unworkable is...well...all I can say is go to the library and read some Rushkoff. This one, specifically: http://books.google.com/books?id=Imj...GzOjZBQ&pgis=1 He's sort of a Chomsky for the masses. You'll like him.

Thanks Chris, Tripp & Bill for your quick responses.

That's pretty much how I was feeling but figured there's no harm in asking the question.

Looks like I'll be ordering my A1 after the weekend. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers,

Matthew.