a Suitable Wish List
 

I am currently using a FX1 - and absolutely delighted with the footage- but depressed when travelling to carry that huge gear. HC1 , if it keeps th equality will fix that. But if Sony wants to make a success of it, they might need some input from my whish list . Immodestly, of course.

1/EUROPE WANTs PAL ( in fact 1080/50i )

2/The not-so-pro user needs an EASY footage editor, to make simple cuts,

3/ It MUST be FREE in the HC1 package if HD wants to conquer the consumer market.

4/ It could look like MPEG Video Wizard

5/ It should integrate EASILY with production of WMV @ 1440*1080 / and /or DIVX Fusion -once stabilized..

Otherwise Windows owners ( 95%of the market ) will be left with the 1490$ needed for ADOBE PREMIERE PRO and a bulky learning curve and the need for tricky installations - or the inability to edit their takes...

BJ, are you planning on purchasing either the HC1 or the A1? If you do, I'd love to see it in person, and see what the footage it captures looks like....since you're right down the road from me.

:-)

I'll be buying an HC1 the day after a solid review comes out. You are more than welcome to check it out.

I spent about two months researching which camcorder to buy. I wanted high quality widescreen since I couldn't afford, or carry, the FX1. That narrowed the field to the GS400, PDX10, or the HC1000. I couldn't find a GS400 anywhere and the HC1000 got terrible reviews. I really liked the PDX10, so I bought a used one on ebay. I got screwed....the camcorder was broken. But I discovered that the PDX10 is too large with the XLR mic for my needs. I was also a bit frustrated that I could not directly capture video to my PC editing software. The firewire standard used by Sony on the PDX10 did not transfer stereo sound, only mono. This problem is documented in the forums, so I hope that Sony fixes it with the HC1.

Well the nice thing there is that the XLR box and mike are easily removed and it still records from built in stereo mikes. Looking at the photos of the A1, it uses the same box. OTOH, if you don't really need XLR's then perhaps the consumer version is better suited for you.

My thoughts exactly. However, I have not seen a chart comparing the features of the HC1 vs. the A1. If I'm only giving up the XLR mic and Sony Broadcasting service, then it would be worth saving a $1000 on the HC1.

Except for the size difference, I can't think of any other reason why someone would spend $3000 for the A1 instead of spending a bit more for the FX1.

In the works; I hope to have it ready here shortly.

PAL HC1 Price
 

Still waiting for price confirmation from my dealer on my HC1 order, but it's in Jessops new summer catalogue for £1495, selected stores from July. As Jessops tend to go towards the high side and expect you to beat them up with a price match deal, looks like we are going to pay around £1350 here in the UK
Paul

HC1 price
 

Great - thanks for the info Paul.
I guess the HC1 will be in short supply at first so the price might stay firm for a little while.

Still, I'm gonna get one and i expect them to sell well.

rgds

looking at the numbers
 

Using rather crude logic here, if the main difference between the C1 and A1 is only the XLR...and if the A1 and FX1 are so close in price...and if the FX1 and Z1 pictures are identical...THEN wouldn't this suggest that the picture quality of the C1 and the Z1 could be essentially the same? I'm trying to think as a Sony engineer might, knowing how they deliberately cripple various models depending on price.

The optics, DSP, chip type, and chip block and totally different compared to the FX1/Z1. I highly doubt the picture quality would be exactly the same. They could try to get it close but it is a totally different beast all together.

Oops, I asked you a question, and then somehow missed your answer. Sorry! Okay, well as soon as you get it, I'll have to come chek it out. :-) My interest is certainly piqued...but I really wanna see footage off it.

BTW, did you ever get your PDX10 eBay issue solved, or do you just have a dead camera sitting in a box now?

Duane, looooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg story! After 3 months, I did get my money back, indirectly. But the lessons learned are: (1) don't buy anything on ebay unless you get a return agreement in writing, (2) document everything, (3) save your buyer comments until everything checks out, (4) start filing your complaint immediately after communication with the seller breaks down, and (5) NEVER EVER mess with me and my hard-earned cash.