Anyway, I remember talking to a Sony rep several months back and said that it would be released sometime around OCT-FEB, and run somewhere around $1,200 or so.

Ah... so option B it is ;)

Check the news section like I said september, get ready for some tapeless action guys!

Check the news section like I said september, get ready for some tapeless action guys!

"The HVR-MRC1K memory recording unit is expected to cost ¥98,490 (US $900)."

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/digital-video-industry-news/129342-sony-unveils-hdr-fx1000-hvr-z5j.html

It is being advertised as available in the UK, but no price I can find.
Sony : HVR-MRC1K (HVRMRC1K) : Product Overview : United Kingdom (http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/view/ShowProduct.action?product=HVR-MRC1K&site=biz_en_GB&pageType=Overview&imageType=Main&category=HDVVTRs)
Anyone know of availability or pricing in their part of the world?

Here is a the official line from Sony UK

"The HVR-MRC1K is due to be shipped in October so we are hoping to have stocks around the middle of the month. At the moment we have tentative list price in the region of £580.00 excl VAT but the final price will be down to the Dealers."

Does this unit have a memory cache, I would like it record about 10 seconds into cache so that I never miss a bird taking flight or a soccer goal

Bob

Does this unit have a memory cache, I would like it record about 10 seconds into cache so that I never miss a bird taking flight or a soccer goal

Bob
I seem to remember reading about a 3 second buffer - see if you can find a Sony z7 brochure or user-manual, since the MRU1 has been shipping with the z7 for several months.

Thanks, I should have done a search of this web site, I found the manual http://www.dvinfo.net//conf/sony-hvr-z7-hvr-s270/114943-hvr-z7u-user-manual.html

it appears that the cache is 14 seconds which is fantastic

Bob

Perhaps it's a bit of engineering costs.???

A brand new PC stand alone tower quoted to me by a private builder for $900.

800 mhz front end buss

2.4 dual processor

500 gig HD 7200rpm

ASUS motherboard

Software

4 Gig ram

+Many more goodies...

Well, you get the picture..

$900 for quite a bit of hardware and software....

But for the A-1....

A 100 gig processor, just to 'record' analog to digital runs well over $1,000.

Like I said...gotta pay for those engineering costs.

:)

Rog Lee

Fired off an e-mail to Sony, and this was the response I got:

Hello Alex,

Thank you for your interest in Sony products. I am not sure when the HVRMRC1 will be released for sale as an individual product or how much.
I have also heard that this unit should be available for purchase as a separate item but do not know if it will be sold through a reseller or through our parts department.

The best that I can suggest is to keep an eye out on our web site Sony | Broadcast and Business Solutions (http://www.sony.com/professional) for the part to be listed. Once it is available on the website, we will know if it will be consider as a part that can be ordered through our parts or a unit that will need to be purchased through a reseller.

I am sorry I do not have more information available for you at this time.

Regards,
Donna De Genaro

Fired off an e-mail to Sony, and this was the response I got:

Hello Alex,

Thank you for your interest in Sony products. I am not sure when the HVRMRC1 will be released for sale as an individual product or how much.
I have also heard that this unit should be available for purchase as a separate item but do not know if it will be sold through a reseller or through our parts department.

The best that I can suggest is to keep an eye out on our web site Sony | Broadcast and Business Solutions (http://www.sony.com/professional) for the part to be listed. Once it is available on the website, we will know if it will be consider as a part that can be ordered through our parts or a unit that will need to be purchased through a reseller.

I am sorry I do not have more information available for you at this time.

Regards,
Donna De Genaro

Well the response is ridiculous as the MRC1 is going to be sold separately. But being sold as the MRC1K.
As Sony had already announced that the MRC1K will be sold separately so new users of the Z5 can purchase them for use with their cameras.
It was also posted that it is the same unit that currently ships with the Z7.

Release date was scheduled for October and retail around $940.

This directly from the Sony Press release.

Now as for price. it might go up or down, but Sony also said it would retail for

I may have missed it somewhere in this thread but will the Sony unit record Canon's 24F from the A1 and will it be able to record the 24f from the HV20?

Sorry if this has already been addressed here.

Thanks,
Garrett

I may have missed it somewhere in this thread but will the Sony unit record Canon's 24F from the A1 and will it be able to record the 24f from the HV20?

Sorry if this has already been addressed here.

Thanks,
Garrett

I believe someone in this thread has recorded 24F to the unit. The HV series records 24P within a 60i stream, so that's just standard 1080i/60 as far as a recording unit is concerned. We should be good to go... when Sony finally releases it :)

I believe someone in this thread has recorded 24F to the unit. The HV series records 24P within a 60i stream, so that's just standard 1080i/60 as far as a recording unit is concerned. We should be good to go... when Sony finally releases it :)
As far as I know, no it can't.
Sony and canon have different methods of recording 24P footage.

As far as I know, no it can't.
Sony and canon have different methods of recording 24P footage.

Actually Sony has moved to progressive 24P recording in their newer models, same as Canon's.

Actually Sony has moved to progressive 24P recording in their newer models, same as Canon's.
But do they encode the same way as Canon's 24F?

But do they encode the same way as Canon's 24F?

Yes, its native progressive at 24fps. Their newest VTR even works with 24F footage. People need to stop being confused by the "F" :) Doesn't matter that the sensors are interlaced and magically produce a progressive frame that Canon calls F instead of P, the resultant MPEG2 stream is progressive 24fps. Just like Sony does now.

Interesting, really, but not too practical if you want to record native m2t files. A friend of mine uses a small portable PC with an 80GB HDD inside, software needed for this and records both in the tape and in the portable PC. The only limitation is the portable PC, 150-160 minutes. But you can solve , if you want, this limitation too. And it is cheaper.

I was wondering about a small laptop too. Not only can you record direct to disk, but you get a bigger screen to look at. Our current laptop is quite big and heavy, but I use it when doing stuff close to the house - it's quite heavy on battery power, and that is probably its main limitation, so I have to be within cable reach of a power supply.

I was wondering about a small laptop too. Not only can you record direct to disk, but you get a bigger screen to look at. Our current laptop is quite big and heavy, but I use it when doing stuff close to the house - it's quite heavy on battery power, and that is probably its main limitation, so I have to be within cable reach of a power supply.
While a laptop is a good and viable option, many of us, like myself, need to be totally compact and portable.
So a laptop is not an option.

Most of the time I am run and gun for sports events, weddings, and such. A laptop would be viable option for my stage performances and some cooperate production. But a CF recorder is very small, lightweight, and very reliable (as there's no moving parts). Plus the cards are swappable, whiole hard drive solutions are not.

It's limited use for me too, as I shoot mostly wildlife. But when using the kitchen as a blind, or a blind in the garden, or small creatures on a set, I have had the luxury of recording direct to the laptop. And being able to focus via the bigger screen is wonderful. Anywhere else, and I'm recording only to tape. But I can't help feeling that when I'm in dusty environments, using equipment that doesn't have any more moving parts than absolutely necessary is a good thing. Hence I'm following this thread with interest.

While a laptop is a good and viable option, many of us, like myself, need to be totally compact and portable.
So a laptop is not an option.

Most of the time I am run and gun for sports events, weddings, and such. A laptop would be viable option for my stage performances and some cooperate production. But a CF recorder is very small, lightweight, and very reliable (as there's no moving parts). Plus the cards are swappable, whiole hard drive solutions are not.

I don't mean to take this thread too off topic, but being a longtime A1 user who just got a Panasonic AG HMC-150, I thought I would share my tapeless excitement.

So far, a tapeless camera seems the way to go. Just sticking the SDHC card in the card reader gets stuff on the HD and timeline really quick, literally in a couple minutes, then put the SDHC card back in the camera.

I really like the A1s and I hope the next ones are tapeless. It's possible a tapeless XH-A1 will be out in the next year I would think.

Interesting, really, but not too practical if you want to record native m2t files.

I thought the CF recorder does save m2t files...?? Did I remember that wrong?

I really like the A1s and I hope the next ones are tapeless. It's possible a tapeless XH-A1 will be out in the next year I would think.

I really wish Canon would release a CF or SD recording unit that integrates with the XH series, maybe at the $600-800 price point. They'd sell by the boatload and offer Canon the benefit of retaining a couple of customers that might have jumped brands otherwise.

Anything new happening with this thing? Anxious to move into tapeless workflow..lol.

Anything new happening with this thing? Anxious to move into tapeless workflow..lol.

B&H doesnt have it on their site yet.
And the sony site only has a "have sony contact me" button

In the states you can get if from b&h.
In canada you can get it from vistek.

$850 at b&H: Sony | HVR-MRC1 MEMORY RECORDING UNIT | HVR-MRC1 | B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580065-REG/Sony_HVR_MRC1_HVR_MRC1_MEMORY_RECORDING_UNIT.html)

I thought the CF recorder does save m2t files...?? Did I remember that wrong?

Nope you're right, a quick process from that to bring them into most nles.

Hi Evan. I use Vegas and Edius, and they both accept m2t files directly. Are you saying the CF recorder files need a conversion to make them m2t, or that other NLEs don't accept m2t files? I'd appreciate it if you could clarify that please.

Richard

Hi Evan. I use Vegas and Edius, and they both accept m2t files directly. Are you saying the CF recorder files need a conversion to make them m2t, or that other NLEs don't accept m2t files? I'd appreciate it if you could clarify that please.

Richard

Sorry I wasn't clear. I was saying that it does make m2t and certain nles can't read m2t natively. For example final cut needs a plugin off sony's site to take in m2t. It's does an extremely quick rewrap of the file, so it really doesn't count as a transcode.

In vegas and edius you obviously don't even need a plugin which is pretty sweet.

Hi Evan. That's great, thanks for the clarification!

Richard

Hi, is there a way to attach this unit on the rear bracket of an XLH1 ?

Hello,

I bought the HVR-MRC1K in the Netherlands and trying to get the rec-button synct.
I can't get it to work.

When I connect the Firewire cable to the camera, the recorder thinks, It's connected to a computer (You see in the screen CF---Computer).

- I changed menu : 'settings-camlink select' to 'follow' and 'synchro',
- I tried with CamLink on and off
- I tried normal camera-settings M, Auto, and Ext . Control...

The only way It seems to work a bit is if :
- I set the camera to M
- Set Cam Link (button) : ON
- Set menu : setttings-camlink select' to 'synchro'
- Connect Fire Wire
- Go to menu and choose DV-PAL (I do'n't use HDV)

Then, When I push the record button on the camera, I see a red light on the recorder and a attemp to start.

I have the feeling I m nearby.. Anybody have experiences ??

Rgds, Daan

Daan in the XH-A1's menu go "System Setup --> DV Control ON" then the recorder will not see the A1 as a computer

Daan,

When you get the unit up and running could you please try simultaneously shooting HDV to tape and SD to CF, to see if there are any problems.

I would also love to know if the record to 14 second cache works.

Thanks

Bob

Exciting times for us tape users. Hopefully the units will be available here in NZ in the next few months. Will have to chase up the local supplier.
Ratu

Daan in the XH-A1's menu go "System Setup --> DV Control ON" then the recorder will not see the A1 as a computer

It was already 'On'.. Other suggestions ?

I've got a MRC1K. Here's some unboxing photos via picasa:

Picasa Web Albums - Evan - Sony HVR-MRC1... (http://picasaweb.google.ca/ecking/SonyHVRMRC1KUnboxing#)

It was already 'On'.. Other suggestions ?

I don't know other than I set my MRC1K to "Synchro" instead of follow and now I'm able to use the A1's record button to control the unit no problem.

How do you keep recording to CF card while you're changing tapes?

I've got a MRC1K. Here's some unboxing photos via picasa:

Picasa Web Albums - Evan - Sony HVR-MRC1... (http://picasaweb.google.ca/ecking/SonyHVRMRC1KUnboxing#)

I like the idea of this unit but doesn't it seem a bit bulky and awkward mounted on the shoe like that? It just seems as thought it would completely take away any ergonics that your camera has.

I have an XLh1 and would like to mount it on the rear accesorry plate myself but am not sure exactly how to pull that off until I have one in hand. Regardless.....let us know how it goes. I just know that I personally would not want to mount that on my H1 at the accessory shoe as the weight distribution is already whack.

Peace.

I've got a MRC1K. Here's some unboxing photos via picasa:

Picasa Web Albums - Evan - Sony HVR-MRC1... (http://picasaweb.google.ca/ecking/SonyHVRMRC1KUnboxing#)

What's the workflow with Final Cut? Will the Sony plugin work for drag-n-drop, no-rendering-required m2t editing?

What's the workflow with Final Cut? Will the Sony plugin work for drag-n-drop, no-rendering-required m2t editing?

Yeah you just fire up fcp's log and transfer once you've installed sony's plugin and it's a very quick rewrap process to bring it in. I'm almost positive it's just rewrapping and not transcoding which is why it's so quick.

I like the idea of this unit but doesn't it seem a bit bulky and awkward mounted on the shoe like that? It just seems as thought it would completely take away any ergonics that your camera has.

I have an XLh1 and would like to mount it on the rear accesorry plate myself but am not sure exactly how to pull that off until I have one in hand. Regardless.....let us know how it goes. I just know that I personally would not want to mount that on my H1 at the accessory shoe as the weight distribution is already whack.

Peace.

Agreed. I just put in top of the camera to show everyone what it comes with but for now I'm just using a longer cable and chucking it in a pocket. I'm working on making a clip of some sort that I can hang it off the handgrip.

For your bracket the unit has a 1/4 20(I think) screw hole on the bottom so you just need some kind of "U" shaped bracket for the back of your XL and the other end can go underneath the mrc1k with the non-opening side touching the XLH1. Essentially what I'm picturing is the recording unit on it's side with the battery facing your right ear and the recorder's interface facing towards your outside right side since the mrc1 opens on the left side to put in CF cards in.

So if I were you I'd make the bracket with the the right side of recorder facing the back of the XLH1 so you can both put in cards and change batteries easily.

For anyone wanting to know the exact process of making it work with the A1 here it is:

So record to card only this is my process:
- In the A1's menu so "System Setup ---> DVControl ON"
- Connect the firewire cable between the A1 and the MRC1K
- Turn on the MRC1K throw in your CF card (it won't let you get to the MRC1K's menu without a card in it) and go press the MENU button
- Now go "SETTING ----> CAMLINK SEL"
- Choose "SYNCHRO"
- Now on the A1 you should see a green box next to "DVCONTROL"
- Your now able to control the recording with the A1's record buttons and don't need to shoot tape at the same time

That's all there is to it. Once it's set once you don't need to do it again. Just connect the two and turn the MRC1K and you're ready to go.
I may to a little youtube vid about it or something.

For anyone wanting to know the exact process of making it work with the A1 here it is:

So record to card only this is my process:
- In the A1's menu so "System Setup ---> DVControl ON"
- Connect the firewire cable between the A1 and the MRC1K
- Turn on the MRC1K throw in your CF card (it won't let you get to the MRC1K's menu without a card in it) and go press the MENU button
- Now go "SETTING ----> CAMLINK SEL"
- Choose "SYNCHRO"
- Now on the A1 you should see a green box next to "DVCONTROL"
- Your now able to control the recording with the A1's record buttons and don't need to shoot tape at the same time

That's all there is to it. Once it's set once you don't need to do it again. Just connect the two and turn the MRC1K and you're ready to go.
I may to a little youtube vid about it or something.

Can you still record to CF while changing tapes? If so, how?

Thanks for all the info Evan, much appreciated.

For anyone wanting to know the exact process of making it work with the A1 here it is:

So record to card only this is my process:
- In the A1's menu so "System Setup ---> DVControl ON"
- Connect the firewire cable between the A1 and the MRC1K
...........
I may to a little youtube vid about it or something.

Heeee !
This works for me. Don't know what I did wrong.. Thanksss !

Rgds,
Daan

BUT !!!!

Is my camera goes to sleep, I have the same problem :
The recorder is trying to connect the CF card (?)

I , again you have to choose for DV-PAL and the everything fires up again....

Maybe I have an other setting wrong ? Can anybody tell me the other settings in the menu ?

Rgds, Daan

I may to a little youtube vid about it or something.

He Evan,
Where can I find the YouTube vid ?

Thks, Daan

I've got a MRC1K. Here's some unboxing photos via picasa:

Picasa Web Albums - Evan - Sony HVR-MRC1... (http://picasaweb.google.ca/ecking/SonyHVRMRC1KUnboxing#)

Where did you get your unit from? I can only find a couple of dealers listing the item in the US and both of them are backordered or preorder. The best price I found so far is US $753.08