The SxS recorder still connects by FireWire. The great thing about the HDD and the SxS is that you won't connect your camcorder to your PC anymore (just your card or your HDD), therefor eliminating the possibility to blow your FW-port... Another argument for HDD or SxS

If we are talking about this device KA-MR100G, then there is no firewire connection.
The product is indeed attached directly to the back of the camera body.

And this device will not be out until this spring?

Huh. I realize something, are we talking about two different devices? One that has a harddrive and also records to normal flash cards and the other that records to SXS cards? Did one get dropped for the other?

Actually, originally I was talking about the MR-HD200U JVC News Release - MR-HD200 (http://pro.jvc.com/pro/pr/2008/nab/mrhd200.html)

Is this now not coming out? And if it is coming out, any idea when?

It looks pretty slick.

According to a JVC product manager attending IBC, both devices will be in the market, and both do not require firewire for connection. It will be a direct connection.

That is very cool. I understand one will be available this March, do you know when the other, the MR-HD200U, will come about?

The 200 won't come out. It became the new shape of DR-HD100, and it's out now. The SxS recorder is still a few months.

If you want to connect to your current GY-HD200 you'll need firewire for both devices... You indeed mount it between camera and battery plate, but it still needs a video feed. Perhaps with future updates of the GY-HD200 FW will not be necessary anymore, but for now, if you remove the batteryplate, you'll see there's only a power connection - therefore you need firewire anyway.

That said, since you win't be using the firewire for capturing tapes, you won't blow that eitherway.

Ok, thank you. When you say the new shape of the DR-HD100, does that mean it now mounts directly to the battery plate?

And thank you again for your help. I'm going to order this.

No, it's still with a bracket behind your battery. The bracket connects to your batteryplate, though...

About blowing the firewire card. Since i received Tim's excellent DVD I've fixed small hinged red plastic cards with a large "'!" on them over both the rear switch and the firewire port so that you have to lift them to either switch or plug the firewire. Old age is hell.....

Batteries:

it's very easy to take the IDX plate off and replace it with an Anton Bauer plate, I had one knocking about on an old camera, I also had an Anton Bauer to PAG adapter which is great because I use PAG batteries. This also gives me two 12V power outs which is useful. so I can slip the PAG adaptor off Anton Bauer plate and put this on the back of the SxS recorder and power it all with PAG batteries? Anyone still with me?

Might be wise not to take this combination down the Khyber Pass, could always fit a reel and use it for big game fishing I guess....