On Tue, 17 Apr 2001 21:33:46 GMT, "Alexander Ibrahim" wrote:

>You are a little "obsessed" with that camera. Justifiably
>perhaps, but your missing out on this one I think.

Hmmm.... The VX-2000 has a picture that places it in
company with more expensive gear (VERY attractive! ;-),
but it has audio that is very good in "handycam" terms,
but short of "pro" grade. The VX-2000 is a $2400
*consumer*-grade camcorder that can be used to produce
very high-quality video at a bargain price, so, yes, I
like it (though I'm also not shy about pointing out its
many faults - see my review at:
http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm ).
What is annoying, though, is the continued stream of
posts about this "hiss" problem that I have seen
little evidence for other than some very logical
explanations (pointed out in the review) - and the
stream of emails to me and posts on the order of,
"I'm hesitant to buy the VX-2000 due to the 'hiss'
problem". THIS PROBLEM IS NON-EXISTANT in terms of
consumer "handycam" standards! The audio quality of
the VX-2000 is as good as, or better than, most
of the Mini-DV camcorders on the market (and FAR
better than some). I'm not defending the VX-2000
just because I own two - I'm defending a good product
from a stupid rumor based on inexperience with the
camera's quirks, with audio in general, or on too-high
expectations based on the outstanding picture quality.
This does NOT mean that the occasional sample will not
show a fault in the audio (or picture, or whatever) - in
complex gear there IS sample variation and an expected
defect rate. ALL gear should be tested upon purchase
for defects, new or used... But, again, to present
the expectation to people that the VX-2000 audio is
noisy is to do a disservice to potential buyers
(but, heck, then those of us "in the know" can then
beat the competition with better-looking video
shot with bargain-priced gear - so, yuh, the
VX-2000 has this really nasty hiss problem, an'
th' pichur iz ree-lee mushy, an' th' kamra falz
apart iffen yuh jes' luk at it...!;-).

>I expect and get CD quality sound from my XL-1. The PD150 is a
>decent match for the XL-1 in this regard. The VX2000 is not.
>There is a hiss on early production models. Its audio is inferior
>in any case to the XL-1, I can't say why.

I have observed the same (except for the VX-2000
early-model hiss), but the sound is (now?) good, and
the picture noticeably better than the XL-1's, so...;-)

[...]
>I won't buy up to the PD150 from my XL-1. I am more likely to go
>to the JVC DV500 or the Panasonic DVC200, unless the rumored XL-2
>really wows me and is priced RIGHT. The PD150 is priced too close
>to those more professional models and doesn't have features I'd
>like. (Like interchangeable lenses.)

NOW, who's "obsessed" with a camera...?;-)
The PD150 has a better picture (and better low-light
ability), great sound (and XLRs), is easier to power,
is lighter and smaller, has better AF/MF/AE/AGC, is
excellent with the WD-58 WA converter, and is cheaper
than the XL-1 (especially when fully-equipped), yet
you won't buy up to this relative bargain...?!;-)