Heath thanks for the input. Do you think I could buy the FX-1 shoot my fishing show and edit on VEGAS 5.0 then have good enough quality to use on a nation network such as ESPN, OLN, OUTDOOR Channel? Right now I use the GS400 for FSN and it comes out really well but if I can move up in picture quality and it work out I would do it asap. www.chewonthis.tv

Thanks,
Capt Ben

Why not? It's up to the networks whether they'd buy it or not.

I don't know if Vegas supports HDV natively or not yet, but Aspect HD offers HDV importing, etc., for Premiere and Vegas.

heath

I don't think you're going to see a difference in picture quality in the SD world.. where the camera really shines is in affordable HD. If you're looking to produce content in HD, I'd say go for it. You can go both ways with the FX-1 and Z1 and soon there will be a huge demand for HD content. Even if you shoot in HD now but still finish in SD, you'll have a season or two of shows that can be retooled for HD down the road.

One of the benefits of Vegas when I purchased it was the fact that it supports HD. At the time I didn't think I would every have the opportunity to actually shoot in HDV.

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Tiffee : I don't think you're going to see a difference in picture quality in the SD world.. where the camera really shines is in affordable HD. If you're looking to produce content in HD, I'd say go for it. You can go both ways with the FX-1 and Z1 and soon there will be a huge demand for HD content. Even if you shoot in HD now but still finish in SD, you'll have a season or two of shows that can be retooled for HD down the road. -->>>

Actually, you'll see a huge difference in shooting HDV, then downscaling to SD, particularly if you let Vegas do the downscaling vs the cam. (if you're not using Vegas, don't bother downscaling in your app)

We've done a bunch of tests, even took it to Best Buy, Circuit City, and RC Willey's for "consumers" to provide feedback.

So the FX-1 would be the better choice for me according to you guys. I believe I am going to buy the camera through Circuit City because they have a great inexpensive service plan and I can have the camera taken care of here locally without having to send it off somewhere far. I believe the total price with 3 year service plan is $3700. Do you guys think this is the best way to go?

One thing, they send the camera out, I can guarantee that. They'll just send it to Sony.

I think buying the FX1 is a wise choice, and you'll be saving plenty of money. Enough to buy a good tripod!

heath