I'm just not using my PD170 enough to warrant keeping it. So I plan to sell it.

It's a great unit, but the biggest thing that bothers me about it is the fact that it uses a tape. Is it true that more units in the future will be going tapeless? I'm suspecting when this happens that the dv camcorders such as PD170 will lose a lot of value.

Am I right? Thanks.

It really doesn't matter to the end results, the storage technology you use.

Tape has a lot of advantages starting with the low cost and replacablity (reloads). The downside is that the transports are expensive and fragile. Still, they've done the job for a long time and will continue to do so.

I suspect the issues that cause the 170 to fall in value have very little to do with the storage media and all to do with the video format.

It's a great unit, but the biggest thing that bothers me about it is the fact that it uses a tape. Is it true that more units in the future will be going tapeless? I'm suspecting when this happens that the dv camcorders such as PD170 will lose a lot of value.

Am I right? Thanks.

I wouldn't be too concerned at this moment regarding whether the unit uses tape or unit.

Yes, tapeless recording will become the thing of the future. Right now, the pricing for these tapeless devices puts them out of reach for a great many con/prosumers (and some professionals too). I personally believe that we will see a great storm of tapeless recording devices in the near future - but not necessarily by the camera manufacturers.

That the camera manufaturers will adopt this mechanism soon - I doubt it will become an industry standard very soon. As Mike has said, they have been around a long time and will be for quite a while yet.

The reason for my reply is:

One thing you will MORE likely need to consider is how will the release of the newest range of cameras effect the value of your current PD170. The PD will remain popular for the masses for a good while to come and there should always be a fair market value also for a while to come. As newer cams with the latest technology become available, so the older cams will move down the food chain and accordingly their demand will become less.

The newer cams are being priced favourably for the consumer and prosumer - an effort by the manufacturers to bring technology to the masses. As more of these "higher" end cams become available at reasonable prices, the more the man in the street will have access. The general public is becoming more technology conscious - hence the greater demand.

If it was me - I'd wait till closer to the end of the year before making a decision to ditch the camera.

Cheers

Basing your camera choice on what you think it's resale value might be at some time in the future doesn't make a lot of sense to me. But if you don't use it then sell it, that's another matter entirely.