Hi Joe,

Panasonic actually have quite good after sales service, some of the best there is...

My gripe with then now is them limiting some features on this new model which definitely should be part of the HVX200...

well canon were apparently taken to the ACCC about the price fixing issues as well as the "prefered" dealers.. (ie delaer exclusivity for teh XL2. being that only somethign like 6 dealers in each state were given the cameras to sell))
but i dont know what the situation was.. either that or it was a rumour, but i doubt it

Rexel used to do all teh Panasonic stuff, but thats now changed. panasonic have taken the reigns of thier own gear now, and i have to say with the price of teh HVX, im glad they did. By Xmas, itll be down to about 8000 street price...
More than likely when the SMPTE conference was on (july 05), the unit WOULD have been anything between 12 and 15k if it went through rexel (this was the estimated price at the time of SMPTE anyway)
But Pana took it over and cut the middle man.. saving us cash..
I cant comment on panasonics after market support, but i DO know they look after their Pro clients VERY VERY well, as this is a major MAJOR cash making element of the business.. think about it.. there wil be studios out there hiring the Varicam, and using their HVX units as second and third units... if they dont look after these clients, do u think these clients will ever hire let alone buy panasonic gear ever again... ?
If the unit isnt under warranty, then i can understand their point of view, but if it is, then troubleshooting ANY problem is the first thing you should do anyway...

As for this 50/60hz issue, i can see where youre coming from, but Pana WONT do this.. not yet anyway.. maybe in a firmware update..
It would encourage grey market importation. I can tell you now that pana WILL NOT support ANY camera imported without Panas badge on it..
If u bought it in yourself, and it dies, tough cookies.. they wont want to know about it. they did it with the DVX, and theyll do it with this..
I dont like it one bit, but they dont have a choice.. the only way theyll cntinue to support the product is if they sell it.. but if nones buying it, what use is there to keep the shop doors open?