Hello All, I made the fateful error of leaving my camera bag at the airport...alone so now I no longer own a HC7. I need a fast replacement so I was about to pull the trigger on the HC9, but then I read the LANC cable thread and I wonder...anymore "upgrades" to this model over the HC7 that will give me problems?

HC7 and HC9 are virually IDENTICAL, no changes in the hardware (unless you count the black finish <G>). ONLY difference is some software changes that add a couple features, and seemed to lead to a few improvements in low light handling. And you get a nifty looking lens hood...

Grab an HC9, it'll feel just like home.

PS - did you by any change try lost and found? I've been lucky... not everyone is a thief... and actually many people will try to get your stuff back to you some way!

Yeah, I have been calling.....but this isnt a case of theft, I was a complete dummy and just left it behind as I was grabbing up my other bags outside at the curb.

My main concern is that I hope the physical size is the exact same because I use the Sony SPK-HCC water housing with my old HC7 , so I hope an HC9 will fit

My main concern is that I hope the physical size is the exact same because I use the Sony SPK-HCC water housing with my old HC7 , so I hope an HC9 will fit

I think you are going to have to talk to a dealer.
In checking the B&H website for info:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479687-REG/Sony_SPKHCC_SPK_HCC_Marine_Pack.html

The SPK-HCC is discontinued. This is confirmed at Sony's website:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061590&categoryId=&SR=sony_search_seo&SQS=SPK-HCC

It appears to be replaced by the SPK-HCD which is compatible with the HDR-HC9.
In looking at the online pictures of the HCC & HCD, I can't tell the difference.

The Sony SPK-HCD can be found here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=ShowProduct&Q=&sku=540098&addedTroughType=replacementLink

As well as here:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665293381&SR=sony_search_seo&SQS=Sony%20SPK-HCD

Yeah, I have been calling.....but this isnt a case of theft, I was a complete dummy and just left it behind as I was grabbing up my other bags outside at the curb.

My main concern is that I hope the physical size is the exact same because I use the Sony SPK-HCC water housing with my old HC7 , so I hope an HC9 will fit

Identical... other than the hood, which of course comes off anyway. I still use an old HCB - electronics remain the same, and interface via the "D" jack using a LANC protocol - Sony has been using that interface for several years, they just refresh the model #'s and make some cosmetic changes. The shells are typically large enough to accomodate several different models - I've tested the SR11 in the HCB, works fine...

The two cameras (7 & 9) are physically identical, except for a few minor cosmetic changes around the control wheel - I had the two side by side briefly just before I abandoned tape...