I just got my Wal-Mart flyer in the mail today. Even they are selling high def TVs now. What's wrong with this picture? Mainstream America is now able to buy HD TVs for $1300 and we, the entrepreneurial video producers of this country are limited to one and only one affordable and crippled HD camcorder. It's been out 15 months and the manufacturer is still trying to figure out which of their cameras have the crappy audio defect! Amazing. ANd we're still wondering if it's possible to make money with HDV. The clock's ticking....

<<<-- Originally posted by Lynne Whelden : Mainstream America is now able to buy HD TVs for $1300 -->>>

Actually the WalMart's in my area just started selling HDTV's about 3 months ago I think, or at least that's the first time I saw them there. They had two different models of ~30" tube-type HDTV's, but both were selling for about $700. Seems unlikely that WalMart would ever sell anything that costs over $1,000 ;-)

This one's a 52" RCA model. The flyer also uses half a page to educate the public to what HD is and its particular requirements for proper reception. Go Wal-Mart!

Our company, HighlyDef Productions, LLC has been making money doing HDV videos with the HD10 since March of this year.
The clients love the look whether its viewed on HDTV or letterbox standard broadcast or DVD.

At this point we've shot 3 paying projects HDV and only 1 project in standard def TV (4:3) using a Sony PD 150. We only used the PD 150 because we had to complete a political ad in 2 days.
Please see our web site for HDV samples.
www.highlydef.com

I would love to see this camera with a completely manual
shutter speed and manual aperture. But using ND filters and manual shutter at 1/60 or 1/30, seems to work well in most situations.

I think it can be done. The HD 10 has some minor audio issues but its still possible to make money with these tools.

GO FOR IT!

Ed

Ed: so what media and format are you using to get this HD
footage to your clients? DVHS?