Suppose they simply offer an ordinary flat-panel display as an option. They just provide a DSUB or digital video output, and you can plug in any monitor. A 20" job goes for not much over $100.

And these generally have a standard, VESA-compliant mounting plate on the back. Roland need only provide an (optional?) post of some sort, to which you attach any monitor of your choice. (Or, if you don't want that look, omit the monitor.)

You could also do all that with a laptop computer ... but not for $100. I think they should put the necessary computing power inside the piano. Just add monitor.

As for buttons ... If an itty-bitty cell phone can have a full keyboard, surely there's room for a proper set of buttons on the piano?

New versio in about 4-5 years? I really hope we have to wait much less than that.

I tried the V-piano today.

It seemed to me that there was a change in sound when going from B5 to C5. It almost sounded like the V-piano transformed into a different voice. I think it was one of the Grands.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Any news or rumors about a " V-Piano 2 " ?

I doubt if a new version of the V-Piano will arrive anytime soon - even after 2 years, noone else has managed to emulate its technology, and it remains unique and (dare I say it) for the cognoscenti only, i.e. those who want a piano substitute pure and simple, with no distractions from the joys of playing like lots of fancy buttons, dials and flashing lights that you get from almost every other DP. Reading through all those posts from 2009, I realize that the V-Piano is really in a niche market because it doesn't give what most people expect from a 'digital piano' (i.e. lots of alternative & weird non-piano sounds, and bells & whistles), yet for me, a first-time buyer wanting a piano that I can use with headphones (and for the reviewers in magazines I've read), it's ideal precisely because it plays like a real piano and distractions are kept to the bare minimum.

The article in the Fall Supplement 2010 to Larry Fine's Piano Buyer gave strong hints that as far as Roland is concerned, they 'filtered' the V-Piano's technology (in the form of 'Supernatural') down to their cheaper, 'normal' (i.e. sample-based) models, which appears to include the RD series, without actually using modelling technology per se on them, which suggests that there are no plans to produce another modelled DP.

I am surprised that nobody compared V-Piano to Yamaha Avantgrand N2. The N2 does not cost more that a V-Piano PLUS 4 amplified speakers PLUS the stand ... and it has a real AC Grand piano action keyboard.


And...The new YAmaha Avantgrand N1, to be anounced a NAMM, may give V-Piano some very tough competition. it is supposed to be priced like the V-Piano, but (1) with a real AC action, and (2) with built-in speakers, so in fact way cheaper than a V-Pianio since no need for extra costs on speakers and stand.

What do you think ?

Moved the posted to the newer thread opened by B Michaels.