Sony's new PD 175 (replaces PD 170) at DVinfo.net

Andreas Jaeger · August 28th, 2009, 03:19 AM

Here the Babelfish from an German Website:

Übersetzung für http://www.slashcam.de/news/single/Sony-bringt-Retro-Knaller--DSR-PD175P-DVCAM-Camcor-7817.html

Its an Z5 HDV-Camcorder as an original DVCAM Modell !

Chris McMahon · August 28th, 2009, 11:58 AM

Sony: DSR-PD175P (DSRPD175P): Product overview: Germany

I think that this URL might be more useful, since it's off the Sony site.

Tom Hardwick · August 28th, 2009, 01:24 PM

Why have Sony done this?

I've had a close look at the spec sheet and it seems to be a Z5 in everything but HDV capability. I was hoping that as it only shoots in SD it might have matched the legendary PD170 in the low-light stakes but no - it's the same as the Z5, suggesting that the CMOS chips are in fact the Z5's - 1440 x 1080 (effectively).

So what are the advantages over the Z5 if you only want to shoot SD? Do we presume Sony get better SD out of it than out of an internal downconvert from the Z5 in HDV mode?

tom.

Adam Gold · August 28th, 2009, 01:57 PM

As was mentioned in the Area 51 thread on this topic a while ago, this makes no sense. The Z5 already does DVCAM and SD, so it's obviously just a firmware hack to remove HDV ability. Makes no sense at all to me, unless they're pricing it dirt cheap as a loss leader, then "upgrade" users to HDV via firmware later on at exorbitant cost.

Just don't get it, myself.

Boyd Ostroff · August 29th, 2009, 07:44 AM

It is really bizarre. The PD-175 is not on the US site, but if you look at the PD-170 page you will see that it has been discontinued: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-bro...duct-DSRPD170/

Quote:

Please note: Effective immediately the DSR-PD170 is discontinued.

So evidently Sony feels they need a replacement in order to still have a low-cost DVCAM model. I have edited the title of this thread to reflect this. Well, the PD-150/170 had quite a long run. Hail and farewell!

Giroud Francois · August 29th, 2009, 11:45 AM

No, they just want CMOS everywhere so nobody will remember how good was the picture of a CCD.

Tom Hardwick · August 30th, 2009, 09:35 AM

Bizarre, a good word. Might have better served us by being called the Z3 as that Sony alpha-numeric was up for grabs and appears to have been missed.

Anyway, looks like the camera is in permanent down-convert mode (between chips and tape). Good job it isn't locked off in the 4:3 mode as well, or people would notice how the PD170 gives far better pictures.

Boyd Ostroff · August 30th, 2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giroud Francois

No, they just want CMOS everywhere so nobody will remember how good was the picture of a CCD.

My personal journey has been VX-2000 > PDX-10 > Z-1 > EX-1. Still getting used to the EX-1, but so far I am really happy with CMOS and have no interest in going back to CCD. But I don't shoot weddings or other things which would be a problem with the rolling shutter.

I needed to edit some old VX-2000 footage last week and crop it to 16:9 to match the rest of the project. It looks better than I expected, but I've gotta say I don't miss that camera at all today. OTOH, the PDX-10 footage in 16:9 looks terrific.

The PD-150, PD-170, VX-2000 and VX-2100 were great cameras in their day, but a 4:3 native camera is a bit of an anachronism today.

Boyd Ostroff · August 31st, 2009, 07:26 AM

Product page from Sony UK is here: Sony : DSR-PD175P (DSRPD175P) : Product Overview : United Kingdom

Still no listing at Sony US or B&H photo. I wonder if they will release this product in the US?

Ethan Cooper · August 31st, 2009, 07:41 AM

Since the other thread was closed I'll post my question here:

Maybe I'm missing the big picture here. Someone care to explain why they'd release this camera now?

My thoughts:
1) is this a European model only? Maybe there is a market for these things there that doesn't exist here in the states.
2) the strength of the pd150's/170's was their legendary low light performance. why muck around with that if you're going to release an "upgrade"
3) uhhhh.... uhhhh.... what? why?
4) I've got a FX7, if I open it up, snip a few magic HDV wires and rebrand it as the FX7.5 which of you would buy it?

Brian Standing · August 31st, 2009, 08:35 AM

Sony's corporate philosophy seems to be: "Market domination through infinite segmentation."

How many models do they have these days?

Boyd Ostroff · August 31st, 2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Cooper

Someone care to explain why they'd release this camera now?

Sony is the only one who could do that. I don't get it either. But I'm wondering, is there some kind of spec for a government contract (BBC?) which calls for a standard definition DVCAM camcorder at this price point? Sometimes companies will position a product so it fits the description of an item the government is buying in large quantities.

Ethan Cooper · August 31st, 2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

But I'm wondering, is there some kind of spec for a government contract (BBC?) which calls for a standard definition DVCAM camcorder at this price point? Sometimes companies will position a product so it fits the description of an item the government is buying in large quantities.

I've got no clue about that, but it's a darn good theory. I can't think of many other scenarios that make sense.

I tend to buy Sony products but is it just me or does Sony get ripped more in the forums than other camera manufactures? Is that just my perception or do the rest of you guys think so too?

Tom Hardwick · August 31st, 2009, 09:50 AM

I think (considering the vast numbers of cameras Sony has in production at any given time) that they get little stick really. I find it's JVC that gets more bad press per camera produced.

Chris McMahon · August 31st, 2009, 10:18 AM

I would agree that JVC gets the bad rep more than Sony, but that's also because I come mainly from BMX/skate video boards, where kids think that a VX1000 is superior to everything...

August 28th, 2009, 03:19 AM	#1
Andreas Jaeger Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 40	Sony's new PD 175 (replaces PD 170) Here the Babelfish from an German Website: Übersetzung für http://www.slashcam.de/news/single/Sony-bringt-Retro-Knaller--DSR-PD175P-DVCAM-Camcor-7817.html Its an Z5 HDV-Camcorder as an original DVCAM Modell !

August 31st, 2009, 07:41 AM	#10
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	Since the other thread was closed I'll post my question here: Maybe I'm missing the big picture here. Someone care to explain why they'd release this camera now? My thoughts: 1) is this a European model only? Maybe there is a market for these things there that doesn't exist here in the states. 2) the strength of the pd150's/170's was their legendary low light performance. why muck around with that if you're going to release an "upgrade" 3) uhhhh.... uhhhh.... what? why? 4) I've got a FX7, if I open it up, snip a few magic HDV wires and rebrand it as the FX7.5 which of you would buy it? __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

August 31st, 2009, 08:35 AM	#11
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Sony's corporate philosophy seems to be: "Market domination through infinite segmentation." How many models do they have these days? __________________ http://www.prolefeedstudios.com/blog/ Documentary for the masses!

August 28th, 2009, 11:58 AM	#2
Chris McMahon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose, CA,, USA Posts: 144	Sony: DSR-PD175P (DSRPD175P): Product overview: Germany I think that this URL might be more useful, since it's off the Sony site.

August 28th, 2009, 01:24 PM	#3
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Why have Sony done this? I've had a close look at the spec sheet and it seems to be a Z5 in everything but HDV capability. I was hoping that as it only shoots in SD it might have matched the legendary PD170 in the low-light stakes but no - it's the same as the Z5, suggesting that the CMOS chips are in fact the Z5's - 1440 x 1080 (effectively). So what are the advantages over the Z5 if you only want to shoot SD? Do we presume Sony get better SD out of it than out of an internal downconvert from the Z5 in HDV mode? tom.

August 28th, 2009, 01:57 PM	#4
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	As was mentioned in the Area 51 thread on this topic a while ago, this makes no sense. The Z5 already does DVCAM and SD, so it's obviously just a firmware hack to remove HDV ability. Makes no sense at all to me, unless they're pricing it dirt cheap as a loss leader, then "upgrade" users to HDV via firmware later on at exorbitant cost. Just don't get it, myself.

August 29th, 2009, 11:45 AM	#6
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	No, they just want CMOS everywhere so nobody will remember how good was the picture of a CCD.

August 30th, 2009, 09:35 AM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Bizarre, a good word. Might have better served us by being called the Z3 as that Sony alpha-numeric was up for grabs and appears to have been missed. Anyway, looks like the camera is in permanent down-convert mode (between chips and tape). Good job it isn't locked off in the 4:3 mode as well, or people would notice how the PD170 gives far better pictures.

August 31st, 2009, 07:26 AM	#9
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Product page from Sony UK is here: Sony : DSR-PD175P (DSRPD175P) : Product Overview : United Kingdom Still no listing at Sony US or B&H photo. I wonder if they will release this product in the US?

August 31st, 2009, 09:50 AM	#14
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I think (considering the vast numbers of cameras Sony has in production at any given time) that they get little stick really. I find it's JVC that gets more bad press per camera produced.

August 31st, 2009, 10:18 AM	#15
Chris McMahon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose, CA,, USA Posts: 144	I would agree that JVC gets the bad rep more than Sony, but that's also because I come mainly from BMX/skate video boards, where kids think that a VX1000 is superior to everything...