[redsox_mark]

I mentioned this in another thread where the title was their new HDV cams... for clarity I'm starting a new thread for discussion of the new SD (DV and HDD) range.

The DV range is severely "dumbed down". 4 models (not counting the existing VX2100) - all of them have a single 1/6" CCD. None of them have DV or AV input!
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...ory=SDH+MiniDV

This is a clear sign of Sony shifting away from DV for consumers. Note they aren't moving away from tape altogether as they have launced new HDV cams too....

Then we have 5 new HDD cams.
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...ard+Disk+Drive

At a quick glance, the 32/52/72 don't seem that different from today's 30/50/70. At the upper range the SR190 and 290 replace the SR90. Both have a 1/3" CMOS (instead of the CCD of the SR90), and a 40 GB HDD. The SR290 adds Optical Image Stabilisation, and 6 MP stills.

One downside though - none of the new HDD models has a viewfinder!

[redsox_mark]

This article says the HC96 is being "carried over" to 2007 - i.e. it will remain current, so Sony will still have a DV model with DV/AV input and a larger 1/3" CCD
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...New-Models.htm

However on the Sony UK site, they show the HC96 as an "archived product".