Posted by PTravel on 11/15/41 11:51

"iws" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:plGog.148205$k%3.32398@dukeread12...
> "PTravel" <ptravel@ruyitang.com> wrote in message
> news:4ggnvtF1n0uepU1@individual.net...
>>
>> "iws" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:7vFog.148196$k%3.29649@dukeread12...
>> > "PTravel" <ptravel@travelersvideo.com> wrote in message
>> > news:9Qoog.124166$dW3.66877@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...
>> >>
>> >
>> >> However, do
>> >> _not_ get a low-end Panasonic 3-ccd machine -- these were designed
>> >> specifically to sell to consumers who had heard about the advantages
>> >> of
>> >> 3-ccd, but didn't want to spend the money for a prosumer machine (the
>> > VX2100
>> >> has a street price of around $2000, the XL2 around $3,000), and
> represent
>> >> good marketing rather than good engineering. You'll get better video
>> >> from
>> > a
>> >> comparably priced single-ccd Sony or Canon.
>> >
>> > The single-ccd Canon Optura 60 and the Sony DCR-HC90 both are
>> > comparable
>> > in
>> > price to the 3 ccd Panasonic PV-GS300 (actually the Panasonic is
> cheaper)
>> > and according to this review http://tinyurl.com/pp466 , the Panasonic
> has
>> > considerably better video performance. Upon what do you base your claim
>> > that
>> > the 3-ccd Panasonics are inferior than the comparably priced Sony and
>> > Canon
>> > single-ccd units?
>>
>> The video that I've seen from them, as well as the specs and,
> particularly,
>> the CCD size. There's a reason why the VX2100 costs $2200 and the Panny
>> costs $650. Take a look at what the review had to say about low-light
>> performance.
>>
>> However, I'm not going to argue about it. I've given my opinion, and
>> it's
>> different from yours. That's fine. Feel free to disagree, and feel
> equally
>> free to recommend otherwise to the OP.
>>
>> For what it's worth, I've found Robin Liss' site to be, at times, bizarre
> in
>> its recommendations and reviews. However, your mileage may vary.
>
> I'm not trying to argue with you. I don't doubt that a $2200 unit is going
> to be superior to a $650 unit. I'm just trying to get information for my
> own
> future purchase. I don't plan to spend more than $600 for a camcorder and
> the GS300 looked like a good value. I don't much care for Sony's touch
> screen approach but I'm also interested in Canon offerings. BTW, I'm
> replacing an old Digital8 that requires costly repair.

Sony uses HAD ccds, which give its machines somewhat better low-light
response than those of other manufacturers. The Panny has 1/6" CCDs -- no
way will these perform will under low light, and the review confirms it.
People like to use camcorders at night, indoors, etc. Frankly, there aren't
any in the consumer range that perform well under these conditions (though
there used to be). Unfortunately, manufacturers seem think consumers want
small, light, multi-funciton and gimmicky, rather than high-quality.

Bottom line is this: if you like the quality of the video, get the
camcorder. Be sure to try it under realistic conditions, e.g. most stores
are much better lit than most homes -- find a dark corner. Video scenes
with strong horizontal lines -- that will show up digital artifacts.

I opted out of the consumer line and bought a VX2000 some years ago because
I couldn't find anything that remotely approached the quality I expected.


>
>

[Back to original message]