That's not the impression I got.

I certainly appreciated Timothy Duncan's fairly deep practical analysis of Sony's new PDW-F350 camera, and the comparison of certain aspects with the F900, Varicam, and HVX200.

... its really just a shill organ for advertisers.

Isn't that what the vast majority of these magazines are anymore? That's the impression I'm left with, anyway.

They are, for the most part, nothing but a collection of "reviews," and I use the term loosely. Every review that I have read (granted I've not read them all) is a glowing endorsement for whatever the product is being reviewed. And herein lies the problem. These quasi reviewers don't seem to realize that certain people depend a great deal upon what they've written--too much so.

I don't how many times I've read in various forums (including this one) how someone has bought a given product only to find it to be less than what was touted in given reviews.

One should always remember the consumer catch phrase--"Buyer beware," especially when it comes to video magazines.

Absolutely Jay-----I really dont read them anymore.

What the h-e (double hockey sticks) is a "shill organ"?

A "shill" is nothing more than a spokesperson or promoter for any given thing--business, service, product. In this case, these magazines are nothing more than the device (organ) that the advertisers are using as a "shill" for their products. They offer little or nothing in the way of geniune, non-biased reviews.

Some video forums are nothing more than "shill organs." There is one "independent" video forum that is very large, very well known and very popular that comes to mind. Some of the more knowledgeable posters there have been approached by manufacturers to say positive things about their products (as much as $500 a month). In my mind, that ruins any credibility that forum may have had. Anyone that says anything negative about certain video products will get cut off at the knees.

I would not classify this forum as a "shill organ" because it is made clear from the very outset that it is a "Sony" forum for Sony products. Yes, it promotes Sony products, but I expect it to!

I wanted print version but just received PDF instead. Haven't had time to fully go over yet...

Reviewing products can be a tough business. Those in the UK will know of Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear. One reason he is so outspoken when it comes to cars is because he really does try and point out what he really thinks of stuff. Many are not aware of the the fact that most car reviewers are afraid to say anything too bad about something in case they never get to review anything ever again. Or they are swayed by expenses paid trips to fancy hotels in exotic places for press events etc.

It is the same for camera equipment. I know of one manufacturer in particular who doesn't like ANYTHING no matter how small being written in reviews that might suggest a drawback to their product. Manufacturers can, and have, stopped supplying review products to magazines in the past because of past negative reviews.

Simon, I think if more reviewers let such behavior be known, then things would begin to change in that regard.