View Full Version : Is this the end of the PDX-10?
Boyd Ostroff August 12th, 2005, 07:38 PM Was just looking at the B&H website and I see that the NTSC PDX-10 is out of stock. This also includes all their various bundles. They are still listing the PAL version, but at $2,550 without a rebate, that's sure no bargain....
Hans Ledel August 13th, 2005, 01:10 AM Yes , this is what you can read at Sonybiz.net
" DSR-PDX10P :This model is discontinued and replaced by HVR-A1E"
Very sad day :-(
Cheers
HANS
Duane Smith August 13th, 2005, 01:30 AM Dangit! I was hoping to buy a second PDX10 in a few months. Shoot, looks like I'll have to settle for a used one when the time comes. Ugh.
For my needs (at least for the next 2-to-3 years, anyways) I'd be better served with two PDX10s than one A1.
Crap.
Matt Stahley August 13th, 2005, 01:23 PM Duane i have a almost new PDX10 that i ran about 4 tapes thru that i may be selling in the near future. I will keep you in mind.
Sandra Warshaw August 13th, 2005, 01:32 PM SHORT VERSION:
THE JURY IS OUT....
I'll find out more on Monday....
But...to the best of my knowledge, the PDX-10 is probably NOT discontinued.
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10014&p=2&sp=11&id=65263
But the PDX-10P (the PAL VERSION) is discontinued.
(As noted...check Sonybiz.net
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THE LONGER VERSION
On Friday, I spoke with B&H about the PDX-10...and they sounded pretty confident that the PDX-10 would be arriving...maybe next week...probably by end of next month.
Though...they added nothing is certain.
So...to clairfy...just called SONY (1 800-222-SONY) and the first representative ASSURED me the PDX10 is NOT discontinued. She referred me to the www.sony.com/professional site. (And she said she couldn't find anything about the PAL version.)
Link provided above...
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But, then, I had another question about the PDX-10 and called back SONY. The NEXT representative said he couldn't be certain of its status and gave me two numbers for SONY professional...which are of course are not open on weekends.
800 883 6817 866-766-9272
________________
So...don't have the final word...but at least cause for hope....
Will keep everyone posted...after I call Monday.
Boyd Ostroff August 13th, 2005, 02:16 PM Interesting. Only thing is, that bssc.sel.sony site always seems very slow to be updated, so I wouldn't base my conclusions on that.
Duane Smith August 13th, 2005, 07:47 PM Duane i have a almost new PDX10 that i ran about 4 tapes thru that i may be selling in the near future. I will keep you in mind.
Matt, if the timing is right I'd certainly be interested. I wasn't planning on buying another one for another 4 or 5 months...but when you do decide to put it up for sale, please let me know. And if it's too soon for me, I'm sure someone will want it!
It's so sad...I just spent all day shooting with my PDX10 (the Spiderbrace I ordered showed up today, so I had to go play!) and I kept thinking what a shame it is that this wonderful cam (may) be at the end of it's production life.
Sandra Warshaw August 13th, 2005, 08:14 PM bssc.sel.sony site always seems very slow to be updated, so I wouldn't base my conclusions on that.
Good to know. I try not to base conclusions on any one source or even two. So, I'm offically downgrading my perhaps overly optimistic assessment. See below.
Sandra Warshaw August 13th, 2005, 08:23 PM To the best of my knowledge, the PDX-10 is possibly/maybe NOT discontinued.
Hopefully, a call to Sony Professionals on Monday will answer our questions.
PS. I ended up with two entries because I goofed.
Matt Stahley August 14th, 2005, 12:10 AM Matt, if the timing is right I'd certainly be interested. I wasn't planning on buying another one for another 4 or 5 months...but when you do decide to put it up for sale, please let me know. And if it's too soon for me, I'm sure someone will want it!
It's so sad...I just spent all day shooting with my PDX10 (the Spiderbrace I ordered showed up today, so I had to go play!) and I kept thinking what a shame it is that this wonderful cam (may) be at the end of it's production life.
hey duane that timing may be perfect and the cam may see little use until then as well. i recently purchased a DVX100a and honestly am quite addicted to it so the pdx took the back seat for now. hows that spider brace? i was checking those out. cant beat the price.
Duane Smith August 14th, 2005, 12:42 AM Oooo....a DVX100a, eh? Yeah, I'd probably have trouble picking up my PDX10 if I had one off those laying around as well. ;-) But hey, for what I need, the DVX would be overkill (buy it does make me drool alittle bit--ha ha!)
The SpiderBrace is great; ultra light weight, and MUCH sturdier than I expected it to be. I think it'll fill my run-and-gun action sports event coverage needs quite well. Of course now that I've played with it, I want a lens controller as well. It's an uphill battle trying to keep up with all the things I want to buy.
:-)
Matt Stahley August 14th, 2005, 03:01 AM Oooo....a DVX100a, eh? Yeah, I'd probably have trouble picking up my PDX10 if I had one off those laying around as well. ;-) But hey, for what I need, the DVX would be overkill (buy it does make me drool alittle bit--ha ha!)
yeah well i gave up my trusty VX2k for it but honestly i couldnt be more happy :). the spiderbrace sounds like its good bang for the buck!
Boyd Ostroff August 14th, 2005, 07:47 AM That sonybiz site is one of those annoying frame based websites which is difficult to link to. But see if the following works. Like Hans says, the website says the PDX-10 has been replaced by the HVR-A1:
http://www.sonybiz.net/cgi-bin/bvisapi.dll/templates/estore_results.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1853474848.1124027017@@@@&BV_EngineID=laddeelfliklbemgcfkmcfjfdhk.0&channelId=-31985&channel_desc=dvcam%20camcorders
Sandra Warshaw August 14th, 2005, 02:38 PM Thanks. I see your point. I was aware of that reference...but it took some time to sink in.
But...FINALLY...harsh logic did overtake wishful thinking....
And I asked myself,
"And why exactly would SONY discontinue
the PDX-10P (as indicated on the sonybiz.net site) ...
but not the PDX-10 (as indicated on the http://bssc.sel.sony.com site?"
No explanation that I know...
other than the bssc.sel.sony site...as you said...tends to be slow to provide updated information.
So...I am left no choice but to downgrade my assessment to CODE BLUE (my mood).
To the best of my knowledge, the PDX-10 is in all likelihood discontinued.
But I will follow up to get the official word on Monday.
(I know I'm clinging onto a sliver of false hope...for one more day.) Kind of like the classic stages of loss/mourning...I suspect.
Boyd Ostroff August 14th, 2005, 02:41 PM I imagine that there are still PDX-10 to be had from somewhere, but I'm assuming your thought is to exchange the HC-1000 so it would have to come from B&H? In that case I'd be guided by what they told you. There may still be PDX-10's "in the pipeline" that they can obtain.
Jeff S Smith August 15th, 2005, 01:01 PM Get your PDX10 accessories while you can, I guess.
Sandra Warshaw August 16th, 2005, 12:10 PM FOLLOW UP:
SHORT VERSION
You can find sellers of PDX-10s at
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10014&p=2&sp=11&id=65263
CLICK ON "FIND A RESELLER" to find one in your region...or across the country.
Not all still sell them. But I found at least one...see below.
____________________________________
MUCH LONGER VERSION
I did call the 800 numbers provided for SONY PROFESSIONAL
800 883 6817 866-766-9272
AND SONY's official line is, "The PDX-10 is a CURRENT MODEL. IT HAS NOT BEEN DISCONTINUED"
"BUT, is it still being manufactured?" I asked.
"The PDX-10 is a current model. It has not been discontinued," they kept responding and responding.
One SONY representative even took time to research what he said was the latest most up-to-date information on the PDX-10.
And I spoke with various SONY representatives and got basically the same response. Though one admitted they are not permitted to discuss what they call "presales" information.
(Confusing...because Sony had been willing to admit that the HC1000 was no longer being manufactured.")
One SONY representative insisted that the http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10014&p=2&sp=11&id=65263
webpage was recently...just that week...updated. And that if you click on "resellers" you can find a company selling the PDX10. But again, she wouldn't answer if they were currently manufactured.
She did say that the PDX10 and PDX10P were not "joined at the hip."
And she said that the PDX-10 still qualifies for "flat rate repair."
As advised....I clicked on the site...and then clicked on the "resellers" button for that site. NOT ONE SELLER APPEARED. I contacted the SONY from their website e-mail link . No response.
HOWEVER...yesterday evening, a list of resellers for the PDX-10 appeared at that site.
I called one this morning...just to get an idea of what is out there. And yes, they have one PDX-10...
GREAT NORTHERN VIDEO.
1 800-631-6812.
It's in New England...and sounds solid...but who knows.
Their sale price is $1976--minus $200 rebate. (Don't know their shipping and handling or return policy).
I called B&H. They were very definite...that they were expecting more within a few weeks. So, I'm inclined to get it from them...if at all possible.
I'm assuming your thought is to exchange the HC-1000 so it would have to come from B&H?
No, it's not a requirement from their end...but I have just developed a very high level of trust and loyalty...based on their really incredible record so far...of total dependability and honesty...and respectfulness.
Also...when it looked like there might not be a PDX-10 readily available...I did begin to consider other options.
BTW, Boyd, you were right about their (B&H'S) price for the PDX-10.
SO, the above information is what I was told by various representatives. I'm guessing that there could be a representative who would be more forthcoming about the status of the PDX-10. But, apparently...as Boyd said, there are some out there.
AND you can find them (at least one) from the SONY site
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10014&p=2&sp=11&id=65263
CLICK ON RESELLERS.
ALSO...if someone wants to go for the one I've listed...great. Hope it helps!
----------------------------------------------------
And...it's likely we're probably all arriving at similar conclusions...that it looks like SONY doesn't like to tell consumers that a model is no longer manufactured while there are still models on the market. But...if I'm wrong...wouldn't be the first time.
As a friend of mine wisely said, "Truth is a moving target."
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Boyd Ostroff August 16th, 2005, 03:10 PM Wow, thanks a lot for sharing all this info with us Sandra!
Sandra Warshaw August 19th, 2005, 05:41 AM THANKS! Boyd. Hope the information helps. Though...it does seem there still is no clear answer...that I was able to obtain...about the manufacture of the PDX-10...or even just how available they really are going to be.
BRIEF UPDATE Just spoke with Full Compass. They said they've been told they'll receive some PDX-10s by August 29... They also said they have NOT been told the PDX-10s are discontinued (which again...doesn't mean they are still being manufactured.)
Boyd Ostroff August 19th, 2005, 06:01 AM Thanks Sandra. Your questions about the other cameras really don't belong in this forum, so I've moved them to our Open DV forum. You'll find a new thread on that topic here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=347990#post347990
Boyd Ostroff August 22nd, 2005, 08:27 PM If you go to the sonybiz site now (sorry, one of those sites you can't really link to easily) and navigate to the pro DVCAM camcorders, it no longer states that the PDX-10P has been discontinued and replaced by the A1E. Now just a few days ago I saw the same thing that Hans described myself, but it's gone now....
http://www.sonybiz.net/
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost.php?p=345449&postcount=2
Hans Ledel August 23rd, 2005, 12:28 AM Hello Boyd
I went to the site this morning and it is discontinued (again)look at:Products-Broadcast and professional audio/video-camcorders-DVCam.
You can still find them in shops here in Europe I´ve been looking around since I probably will buy one .
Cheers
Hans
Ps.
I did another test and did a SEARCH for the camcorder on the site and then you get all the normal information about the camera spec ...etc and that way it doesn´t say anything about the PDX being discontinued . Ds
Boyd Ostroff August 23rd, 2005, 07:03 AM Weird, now it shows it discontinued again...
Stephen Finton August 23rd, 2005, 09:02 AM Weird, now it shows it discontinued again...
You don't run that website, do you Boyd? :)
Tom Hardwick August 24th, 2005, 12:14 AM Thing is, discontinued information is highly prized. Dealers with shelves full of the kit are loath to see the manufacturer claim that it's dead - that's when punters turn away in droves.
Car manufacturers are almost as coy about releasing discontinued info as they are about release dates of new models - all for the same reason. The manufacturer's market is the shop front. Keep the dealer happy and he'll keep buying your stock.
tom.
Boyd Ostroff August 24th, 2005, 08:19 AM Speaking of which, looks like the PD-170 is out of stock at B&H....
Tom Hardwick August 24th, 2005, 08:26 AM You, could be the end of the line for all the 4:3 chipped cams. Not that this suddenly makes them all useless - far from it. And the VX2k1 and PD170 will always hold a place dear in many a photographer's heart, due in part to their quite amazing low light capability.
tom.
Chris Hurd August 24th, 2005, 12:42 PM For Sandra Warshaw:
"BUT, is it still being manufactured?" I asked.Some folks may not be aware, but camcorders aren't manufactured on an assembly line on a daily basis throughout the product life of the camera. Instead, they're assembled on a table by a group of six or eight or nine technicians, and they build them in batches at a time. Near the end of a product life cycle, if the world inventory levels are up, they won't put out any more batches and will instead just sell out of the remaining inventory. However they might get an order from some big government or educational contract and suddenly they need a few hundred more, so they'll run off another batch or two, more than they need, and now with this resupplied inventory it staves off the end-of-life for awhile longer. What it boils down to is that it doesn't really matter if it's still being manufactured. What matters is whether they have any to sell. Some consumer models have had their entire allotment made up a month before their announcement and that inventory lasts throughout the entire life cycle... so even though they're not being manufactured anymore, there are still plenty to sell. Sometimes manufacturing stops for good even before that model hits the shelves for the first time, but enough were built to last throughout the life cycle.
They didn't answer your question directly because they feared you would draw the wrong conclusion. Again, it doesn't matter whether or not they're still building them. And they're probably not still building them, but if they wanted to they can fire up that table and spit more of them out. The goal is to sell every last one, so they watch their inventory pretty closely.
I've seen photos of the manufacturing process but have not been allowed access to those photos because the people who showed them to me knew I'd put those images on my site if I had 'em. Hope this helps,
Sandra Warshaw August 24th, 2005, 08:03 PM Thanks Chris. Appreciate your taking time to describe process. You've helped to make sense out of what seemed like mixed and somewhat confusing information I've been getting from various sellers and SONY. In fact, one seller did explain they get them in batches.
And today...when I called SONY for an update...they again said they were NOT discontinued. But the representative said the HC1000 was. And again she admitted she couldn't answer if they were still being manufactured.
Thanks for the clarity. It will help stop my head from spinning.
And probably just as important...now I feel like I have the information I need finally reach a decision as to how to proceed!
ALSO..MANY!!!! THANKS for this GREAT forum. It keeps providing answers that I haven't been able to find ANYWHERE else...and which are essential for making sound decisions!!!
Dean Sensui August 31st, 2005, 11:01 PM If this is any indication, Sea & Sea has the underwater housing for the PDX10 listed as "discontinued".
Brian Wells September 1st, 2005, 02:10 PM [video cameras are] assembled on a table by a group of six or eight or nine technicians, and they build them in batches at a time.
That's fascinating, Chris! I'd like to hear more professional camera manufacturing techniques if you could point me in the direction of a resource (if such an esoteric publication exists...)
Brian
Michael DAmbrose September 13th, 2005, 05:26 PM They raised the price $200. Supply in demand...
Mike
Boyd Ostroff September 13th, 2005, 06:32 PM How about that! Oh well, I guess if you want one you'd better for it since I believe the rebate ends on Sept 30. It must be "Sony Day" there - I see the PD-170 is also back in stock, and at its old price....
Boyd Ostroff March 9th, 2006, 06:40 PM Revisiting this old thread....
Looks like the end has finally arrived, although the PDX-10 did not die easily! Looking at Sony's Pro website, I don't see the PDX-10 in their lineup anymore :-( As recently as a few weeks ago it appeared here:
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplaySubCategory?m=0&p=2&sp=11&s=1&cpos=1
B&H is still selling them for $1,700 however:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=252192&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
The PDX-10 was introduced at NAB 4 years ago:
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/docs/press_releases/b&ppr4-7-02i.pdf
LAS VEGAS (NAB, Booth #18207), April 7, 2002
Compact, Yet Sophisticated Camcorder
Sony's new DSR-PDX10 DVCAM camcorder combines a compact design with sophisticated features such as
web transfer of still images, as well as streaming of live video and VTR playback through an integrated USB
port when connected to a computer.
Weighing slightly less than three pounds fully equipped, the camcorder integrates a 1/4.7 inch 3-CCD
(the smallest HAD CCD ever offered in the DVCAM line), offers superb picture quality (530 lines of horizontal
resolution and 12X optical zoom), both DVCAM and DV format recording capability and an integrated
Memory Stick® recording media slot. The DSR-PDX10 also incorporates the ability to edit and record up to 85
minutes of MPEG-based video on 128MB Memory Stick media. The camcorder also features a Sony i.LINK®
IEEE 1394 digital video interface, as well as composite and S-video analog video I/Os.
The DSR-PDX10 camcorder is expected to be available this summer for a suggested list price of $2,900.
Sandra Warshaw April 9th, 2006, 05:56 PM http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=0&p=2&sp=11&id=65263
DSRPDX10
DVCAM Compact Digital Camcorder
"DISCONTINUED WITH no direct replacement. The HVR-A1U C-MOS 1080i HDV camcorder is from the same form factor as the DSR-PDX10 and
records DV, DVCAM™, & HDV™ formats. It is a perfect step up from the DSR-PDX10. Please refer to bulletin # 05-0391 for more information on the HVR-A1U. The DSR-PDX10 provides high quality acquisition in the DVCAM component digital format, allowing up to forty minutes recording on one tape Mini DVCAM tape or 60 minutes in the DV mode...."
ETC.
Michael Gibbons April 24th, 2006, 02:16 PM I still have mine and it is my primary cam. I spent a lot of time earlier this year trying to decide weather or not to take the hd plunge, but at my current skill level it would not make much sense.
I'm going to shoot with it for at least another year, I think- possibly two, any money I get these days goes in front of the cam for the most part. We (my "crew" and I) are all trying to better our skills, and really the pdx is completely adeqaute for the level we're at- and, really, I'm looking at highly compressed web delivery as my venue right now, and i'm not sure HD would even make sense for that, at all. I'm not sure about much, if'n you hadn't noticed.
I guess that's the lesson I've learned through all this format chaos- the cam matters, the sound matters, but you can do a lot with a little, and, although there are some advantages to having a cam that is a bit beyond your skill level, it is easy to fall into a trap where all you do is stare at the buttons and try to figure out which one to push and/or how to push it...
Furthermore, although, i do feel a bit of envy for Boyd and the others who have moved on to HD, I revel in the thought that there is a good chance that by waiting I'll get a better camera for less money.
But I'm not sure about that either. :/
Boyd Ostroff April 24th, 2006, 02:52 PM Hey man, you need to work on your self confidence a little ;-)
I think the PDX-10 is capable of some really nice images and am still very happy with all the hours I shot with it. I like the manual controls and image tweaks on the Z1, but the bulk of my shooting gets downsampled to SD for DVD anyway.
So I think you present a very good case for sticking with your current gear and putting the money somewhere else for the time being.
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