Trying to get to the bottom of the three models. Some have speculated that the HD101 will be a "universal", worldwide model.

From what I can deduce so far:
There is a USA model, and a European model without DV/HDV input, and a second European model WITH DV/HDV input (for about $300 more). There doesn't appear to be a single worldwide model. Unlike the Sony Z1, which offers full NTSC and PAL capability as well as both 1080/50i and 1080/60i, making it a genuine worldwide model, the HD100 doesn't appear to do so, at least for standard-def and DV recording.

HD100U is the USA model. Includes 24p and 30p and 480/60p, as well as DV 480/60i and 480/24p (but doesn't appear to offer 480/30p).

HD100E is one of the European models, but has firewire input disabled -- no HDV input, no DV input. Offers 25p, but also offers 24p and 30p. For standard-def, it offers 576/50p as well as PAL DV of 576/50i and 576/25p. No NTSC-compatible video, no 480/60p mode either. So for standard-def it'd be useless in the US, but for high-def it actually offers one additional frame rate (25p) as compared to the US model.

HD101E is the other European model, but this one has firewire input enabled -- you can send either HDV or DV into its firewire port. It appears to offer all the same shooting modes of the HD100E, meaning no NTSC format at all, and no SD format of 480/60p.

So, there's no real reason to fret over which model to get -- if you're in the States, the HD100U is the right one. The European models don't offer any NTSC-compatible standard-def, and while they do offer one additional framerate in high-def (720/25p), that seems like way too little to gain in exchange for losing all compatibility in standard-def territory.

But, for our European friends who are constantly chagrined, it looks like this time the camera will be more capable, comparatively, than its equivalent US model. It won't be 25p only, they'll actually give you 24p and also 30p. It would require a 720/60p-capable display to see the footage, but at least you have the option.

Specs for the 101 taken from this page:
http://www.jvcpro.co.uk/item/item/index_html?item=GY-HD101E&p=yes

HD101E

"HDV" and "HDV" logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)

It's sentance from manual. Notice that Sony is mentioned first.


It has 720/24,25,30p and 1080/50,60p output. Says in manual also: HD live output signal is uncompressed 720p/50 or /60.

It is universal model in high def.


As to SD: It's interlaced and progressive PAL , can be converted to NTSC with pulldown.

It only has 2 audio channels.

Radek

Yeah, JVC's official brochure states that the camera will support both NTSC/PAL recording formats. It seems really stupid to me if they make a different version for Europe with no NTSC compatibility - people would just go for the US version.

As to the lack of DV input, on a $6,000 camera, sounds totally unreasonable. Even if it's just the case of a particular model.

Of course, I'm not stating that it's not the case, but both this issues seem quite bad choices from JVC if they are to be true.

I more confused now.
According to JVCs web site for the 100U version, it supports 25p/50i options too.

Here is the link
http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/specs.jsp?tree=&model_id=MDL101539&itempath=&feature_id=03

It doesn't seem like they are talking about both models.
But maybe I'm reading it wrong.

Ken, could you jump in here and comment?

The HD100U VTR section supports 720/25p and 576/50p. No support is made for PAL DV (576/25p or 576/50i), just for the MPEG version of SD (576/50p).

The camera section has no support for 720/25p or 576/50p.

Apparently you could firewire dub 720/25p or 576/50p footage from a European camera, but you could not shoot those frame rates from a US camera.

Okay. Now I understand. Guess that means I'm going to have to reconsider my decision to purchase. I'm tired of the NA market getting dumped on by Japan inc. Doesn't mean I definitely won't buy, just not sure I want to contribute to their on going policies of treating us like 2nd class citizens. The bad thing is B&H will probably offer the 101E at a premium. Bummer.

I wonder how much support there would be for a boycott until they give us the same options as the Europeans? (I bet not much).

Sorry to be so negative, it's a pet peeve of mine.

Okay, I feel better now. After further review, I'm really looking forward to this camera. All I'm waiting for is a good review from a reputable source. Plus I plan on getting the vtr.

Of course it still a great camera. You can easily obtain 576p25 or 576i50 from 576p50, but it just strikes me as silly it doesn't have this modes by default. It seems to me that JVC do not have a very good software development department.

It is surprising that the vtr section of the camera supports the different formats, but the actual recording from the ccds doesn't. Seems more like politics than programming ability.