Alex: The HVX200 doesn't record HDV. Panasonic has refused to support Sony's consumer HD format in favor of going full HD (non MPG). If you choose to record using the miniDV deck in the camera, you're only able to record SD (standard-def). You may also be limited in framerate to 30i/60p/24p like the DVX100.
As far as the memory cards go, I refuse to support them until either:
a) they get below $1000 for 20min of HD
b) another non-Panasonic manufacturer starts making/selling them
Until that time, what I'm REALLY waiting for is a firewire HD that can plug onto the HVX200 and record the HD signal directly to a harddrive (and I've heard roumers that it's being developed).
As much as Panasonic pushes the P2 format as the "format of the future" because of the durability aspect (no moving parts and such), I can't help but think that it might be Panasonic's version of the "razor blade" model where they sell you the camera cheap (and it IS fairly cheap for the kind of technology inside), and make their money on selling memory cards instead.
The memory cards DO have a finite lifespan - just like any other kind of flash-memory, they do wear out after repeated read/write cycles (something Panasonic does mention, but doesn't really go out of their way to call attention to). Sure, magnetic media also wears out, but a DV tape doesn't cost over a grand a piece.
Right now there's nothing that comes even close to harddisk storage for price/storage/speed. 2.5" HDs are low-power, fast, and almost disposably-priced.
The Triumph proved to be one of the better looking and performing pre-paid handsets we'd had the pleasure of holding in our sweaty mitts, but we had one major hangup: the name.
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Alex: The HVX200 doesn't record HDV. Panasonic has refused to support Sony's consumer HD format in favor of going full HD (non MPG). If you choose to record using the miniDV deck in the camera, you're only able to record SD (standard-def). You may also be limited in framerate to 30i/60p/24p like the DVX100.
As far as the memory cards go, I refuse to support them until either:
a) they get below $1000 for 20min of HD
b) another non-Panasonic manufacturer starts making/selling them
Until that time, what I'm REALLY waiting for is a firewire HD that can plug onto the HVX200 and record the HD signal directly to a harddrive (and I've heard roumers that it's being developed).
As much as Panasonic pushes the P2 format as the "format of the future" because of the durability aspect (no moving parts and such), I can't help but think that it might be Panasonic's version of the "razor blade" model where they sell you the camera cheap (and it IS fairly cheap for the kind of technology inside), and make their money on selling memory cards instead.
The memory cards DO have a finite lifespan - just like any other kind of flash-memory, they do wear out after repeated read/write cycles (something Panasonic does mention, but doesn't really go out of their way to call attention to). Sure, magnetic media also wears out, but a DV tape doesn't cost over a grand a piece.
Right now there's nothing that comes even close to harddisk storage for price/storage/speed. 2.5" HDs are low-power, fast, and almost disposably-priced.
N.