Buy now or wait? HD200...
 

I was planning on buying the GY HD100 in a couple of weeks and have just recently found out about the HD200 version coming out later this year. Will the new features on the HD200 make it worth the wait/extra money?

The main feature that I was interested in is JVC's new 16mm lens adaptor. Will this work on the HD100 as well? Will using the 16mm lens make it easier to rack focus/get a shallow depth of field, or should I still consider buying somthing like a Micro 35?

the 16mm adapater will be available for HD100 as well.

The new model is 2K more, and will get you:
1) Slowmotion (720/60P)
2) Flipped image in the viewfinder..

http://www.snipurl.com/jvccomparison

That 16mm adaptor works on the hd100 also. You'll probably still want the mini 35 if you're into shallow DOF.

Just get the hd100 now, quit messing around and start shooting.

60p is good for more than just slomo ain't it?

Yes, 60p is the framerate of broadcast HDTV, so if you're shooting for TV, that's the way to go.

If your target is SDTV, 60p preserves the temporal resolution of 60i, while still allowing you to shoot HD for posterity.

Being very categoric on the issue >>> what would be point by point difference between HD100 & Hd200 ... I hope we get a comparative answer supplemented with few detail rather then one liners as this will help slow rockers like me :)

There are two new models for later this year, the HD200 and HD250. The HD200 is sold with the 16x lens for $7995 MSRP and the HD250 is sold without a lens for $8995 (MSRP.)

The HD200 has all the features of the HD100 as well as:

• 720P60 encoding/recording to HDV tape
• Image Inversion recorded to tape for use with 35mm homebuilt adapters (like redrock micro, G35, etc.)

The HD250 has all the features of the HD100 as well as:

• BNC connectors
• SDI OUT
• Timecode IN/OUT plus GENLOCK for slaving multiple cameras
• 720P60 encoding/recording to HDV tape (also on HD200)
• Image Inversion recorded to tape for use with 35mm homebuilt adapters (like redrock micro, G35, etc.) (also on HD200)
• Studio 26-pin configuration (KY-HD250 Studio Adapter) with remote CCU control
• Professional battery mount included as standard (I'm not sure if this is exclusive to A/B or will also include IDX and PAG)
• RCA audio out instead of the 1/8" jack
• 4-pin XLR battery connector

The HD200-250 is not JVC's 2nd gen HDV cams, because they use the same CCDs. They are just updated models and PQ should be the same.
No need to wait if you don't need the new features.

A few more things:

On the two new cameras, there will be actually be two new frame rates in HDV: 720/50P and 720/60P

Also, there will be some more adjustments added to the gamma menu. No specfic details on this yet.

Other than this, Tim's list is accurate.

Regards, Carl

Seems like the HD 250 is being aimed at broadcasters and the demands camera people who demand higher quality connections etc than can be provided on a more price driven product.

If you need it right away, buy the HD100. If you don't need it right away, wait until the HD200 is released, view some footage, and test out the camera. If the new features (such as 60P) are worth the extra $1800, then get the HD200. If not, then you still have the less expensive option of the HD100.

Wouldn't using 16 mm cine lenses also give you a shallow DOF?

Yes. Shallower DOF than the standard 1/3" lens, but not as shallow as 35mm format.

However, there has been some debate on how this PL mount adapter actually works and whether it retains all of the optical characteristics of the 16mm lens or not. We'll have to wait and see.

Doesn't it seem that $2000 extra is asking a bit much just for two new features? I guess there's extra gamma features as well, but still it seems like quite a jump.

Tim or Karl- Will the HD200 have a burnable timecode?

JVC said there is advanced Cina-Gamma.

I just bought the HD100 and love it. If you don't really need slow-mo in 720 for a lot of work, then you can shoot in 480/60P and upres which still looks decent.

I will be doing mostly 720/24P in the future, and plan to use the extra $2000 for a HDD and other accessories.

Chad,

Adding the 50P and 60P record modes required entire re-engineering of the MPEG-2 encoder to a new level of quality and capability. The R&D to do this and then the cost to produce it is very expensive.

Regards, Carl

Don't know. I will ask product management.

By the time the 200 and 250 come out (who knows when the actual release date is...) there will be something else on the horizon. My dad has been waiting for the TV set that does it all since 1985. I'm not lying. 21 years. Don't fall into that trap. If you're ready to shoot--take the plunge. Stop screwing around.

I'm in the same way as Brian. The "eternal wait" for a better investment is a trap and very easy to fall into. I recently bought a HD101 and had the same doubts but finally i thought "i'm ready to shoot and this cam, right now, it's perfect for my work". I want it for filmmaking and i don't know if i gonna exploit all its features.

Maybe today it's cheaper. Maybe the new model it's better. Nevermind. I love the cam i have now, in this moment. It's cool. The footage it's impressive. Have a tremendous potential. A year ago, HD-24p in this range of price doesn't exist.

Undoubtedly, i'm a lucky guy.

You can always trade up, That's my plan make money on the HD100 and when the time is right you will have no regrets.

you can always wait for the HD500. joking, cameras are like computers, there will always be a better one coming out in due time.

my 2 cents