VX2000 VS PD170, any help??

[loanstar]

Hello,
Can anyone help me understand the major differences of the Sony VX2000 and the Sony PD170? I currently have the VX2000 and have been very happy with it but have been thinking of upgrading to the PD170. Beside the duel XLR inputs on the PD170, is there any major difference in the camera's picture quality??
Thanks.

[zorankarapancev]

PD170 records DVCam tapes and also records in DV and DVCam mode. It has a different microphone and viewfinder, but the picture quality is about same as the VX2000.
I don't consider this camera to be a real "upgrade" for the VX2000.

[takeshi]

It really depends on whether or not the additional features and functionality are with it for you. I'm partly rehashing what was already said, but here goes:

The PD170 includes a wide angle lens and XLR inputs with phantom power (a plus if you have phantom powered mics). I have a VX2000 and we paid about $400 for these items for the camera. Had I known what I know now, we would have bought a PD150 at the time. We now have both a VX2000 and PD170.

On the PD170 you get two discrete audio channels with manual level control for each channel. The VX2000 is stereo, but the levels are tied (you could use each stereo channel as a separate channel, but as I said the levels are tied).

The PD170 separates iris and gain controls, where they are tied on the VX2000.

The PD170 comes with a B&W viewfinder (supposedly better for focusing).

If it's of use to you, the PD170 has true SMPTE timecode. I've never had a problem with the VX2000's drop-frame timecode though.

PD170 can record to DVCAM. Not a plus in my book, really. As I understand most Sony miniDV equipment can play DVCAM whether it can record or not.

For me, the built-in XLR jacks, phantom power, separate audio levels, and separate iris and gain controls are totally worth it. However, I really didn't have any idea until I had used the VX2000 for a bit. I bought my PD170 for $2,800 after a $300 rebate from Sony which made it about $400 more than the price we paid for the VX2000. Considering that XLR and wide angle were included in the PD170, it was totally worth it.

Either way, you're getting a great camera.

[loanstar]

Wow, thats awesome info and I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out! The XLR inputs are needed as I use two woreless mic's quite a bit. I'm also not fully invested in accessories for the VX2000 so it won't be a huge loss if end up going the PD170 route, plus the VX will still be a great CamB for me.
Thanks again!

[edDV]

Further to takeshi of whom I am in agreement thus far

DVCAM can be an advantage if you trade tapes with news broadcasters. The DVCAM version of DV records wider tape tracks for theoretically improved interchange quality when trading tapes with others. The penalty for DVCAM recording is a 40min recording on a 60min DVC tape. Further, Sony attempts to force 2x more expensive tape for DVCAM purists but this is not required.

If I were on Ebay looking at a PD-150 vs PD-170, I would be coveting that wide angle glass. I have never rented a camcoder at the DV level that has a lens wide enough for interviews in crowds. Pro Betacams have huge and expensive lenses primarily for wide angle in your face recording.

I've been told that other better wide angle glass is available that can be used on the VX-2000(2001), PD-150 or 170 but at least the PD-170 comes with a solution to the problem.