Signal System_ Standard Definition
NTSC and PAL Systems
HDTV
1080/60i, 1080/50i, 25 Frame Progressive and 24 Frame Progressive Selectable
MPEG2 Encoding for HDTV Data_
Image Device_ 3-CCD, 1/3-Inch 16:9 Aspect
1.12 Million Pixels Total Each Chip_
Lens_ 4.5mm to 54mm
12x Optical Zoom
f/1.6 to f/2.4
72mm Filter Diameter_
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Horizontal Resolution_ More than 1080 Lines Horizontal_
Sensitivity_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Minimum Illumination_ 2 Lux _
Vertical Smear_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Built-in Filters_ 1/4 ND (1.5 stops)
1/32 ND (5 stops)_
LCD Monitor_ 3.5 Inch 16:9 Aspect
LCD Monitor and Viewfinder Can Be Used Simultaneously_
Viewfinder_ Color_
Scan Matching_ Yes_
Memory Card Slot_ No_
Tone_ 1/4 seconds to 1/10,000 seconds_
Gain Selection_ 0 dB, (+)3 dB, 6 dB, 9 dB, 12 dB, 15 dB, 18 dB_
VTR Section_ -_
Tape Format_ DVCAM Small Cassette
HDV Record and Play
DVCAM Record and Play
DV Record and Play_
Tape Speed_ HDV- 18.8mm/sec.
DVCAM- 28.2 mm/sec.
DV SP Mode- 18.8mm/sec. _
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Maximum Recording Time_ HDV- 60 Minutes
DVCAM- 40 Minutes
DV- 60 Minutes_
Audio Dynamic Range_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Audio Signal Format_ HDV
MPEG1 Audio Layer II
DVCAM/DV
16-bit/48kHz 2 Channel Mode
12-bit/32kHz 4 Channel Mode_
Audio Frequency Response_ 20Hz to 20kHz _
Audio Signal to Noise Ratio_ Not Specified by Manufacturer _
Input and Output Connectors_ Analog/Digital Component- 3 RCA (x 1 input and output both)
Firewire- 4-Pin (x 1)
Composite Video- RCA (x 1)
Mic Audio- XLR (x 2 input)
Audio- RCA (x 2 output)
Headphone- Stereo Mini (x 1) _
Power Requirements_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Power Consumption_ 8.4 Watts Maximum_
Operating Temperature_ 32 to 104 degrees F
0 to 40 degrees C_
Dimensions (WxHxD)_ 6 x 7 1/8 x 14 3/8 Inches
152.4 x 181 x 165 mm_
Weight_ 4.25 Lbs.
1.9 Kg_
_
•_ 1 Year Parts and 90 Days Labor Warranty except:2 Years Parts on CCD Block
_

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Blurring the line between consumer and professional video cameras Sony has created the HVR-Z1U camcorder. It adheres to the HDV Consortium's specifications for 1080i recording on popular DV mini cassettes. This camera represents the widest array of professional features within a new standard of miniaturization._ The HDV video standard will provide about double the resolution of the old standard DV formats.



In contrast with the consumer version of the camera, the HDR-FX1, the pro model camera offers many additional functions that the professional operator will immediately appreciate._ Just as an example, the HVR-Z1U will keep track of the hours of operation the camera endures. Another example of the pro camera's greater abilities is that it records and plays in DVCAM, consumer DV in SP mode, and the HDV formats._ You may also use the LCD screen simultaneously with the viewfinder, a function not found in the consumer model._

The design of the camera is aimed directly at the filmmaker, the most modern event video producers and even widescreen news shooters. Because it records in high definition and standard definition modes it can be used in a variety of production scenarios that may change from client to client or evolve over time. It is NTSC and PAL system compatible as well.
Key Features

•_ High Definition and Standard Definition, and Film-Looks
The HVR-Z1U is Sony's first attempt at a mini-sized camcorder for the newest high definition monitors. The camera records in 16:9 widescreen with native widescreen chips. It will output component video in 1080i, 480i and 480p formats. In fact it will output 60 frame, 50 frame, 30 frame and 25 frame standards. An additional function is HD to SD down conversion. Another feature of the camera is the CineFrame Mode that replicates the look of film production. The mode has 30 frame, 25 frame and 24 frame modes that utilize a 3:2 pull down conversion. Additionally the camera has the ability to down-convert HD captured video to standard definition video for viewing on a SD monitor or for systems that require SD video.
•_ World-Wide Compatibility
The HDV camcorder is both NTSC and PAL and 50i/60i systems compatible which is a first for the pro-sumer 3-CCD camera market. This allows the industrial and event videographer to satisfy clients almost anywhere in the civilized world. The high-def formats are inherently universal being digital agorithmetic constructions.
•_ Color Correction for Special Effects
This very advanced feature allows the user to adjust color of a target subject without affection the color of the remainder of the scene. As a fascinating special effect one object may show color while the remaining scene is black and white. In fact 2 target colors may be chosen and controlled for color phase, color gain and other parameters.
•_ One-Touch Custom Set-Ups
The HVR-Z1U has 6 buttons for your special custom setting memories and menu selections. A single button push will set the camera to your specific outdoor, fluorescent or color correction selected options. Menu items like REC REVIEW, Back-Light, Spot-Light features may be selected to one of the assignable buttons.
•_ Viewfinder and LCD Monitor Features
Essentially all functions viewable through the viewfinder will be displayed on the 3.3-inch LCD screen- and both can be used simultaneously. Safety markers for 4:3 can be generated on a widescreen image for use with the Edge Crop function. The widescreen marker can be displayed on 4:3 recordings. All markers may be selected simultaneously. Zoom ratio display may be shown as a bar graph or in numerical readout as menu selected. Of course all supplemental viewfinder information may be turned off completely as well.
•_ Color Bars and Hours Metering
The HVR-Z1U has 2 sets of color bars for accurate color representation. Full SMPTE bars and standard bars may be selected through menu settings. Diagnostic metering has been available on large professional camera from the very beginning of ENG shooting. This little camera is the first to address this requirement in a small camera. Operation, Drum Run, Tape Run and Threading hours are all available for maintenance purposes. _

Signal System_ Standard DefinitionNTSC and PAL SystemsHDTV1080/60i, 1080/50i, 25 Frame Progressive and 24 Frame Progressive SelectableMPEG2 Encoding for HDTV Data_
Image Device_ 3-CCD, 1/3-Inch 16:9 Aspect1.12 Million Pixels Total Each Chip_
Lens_ 4.5mm to 54mm12x Optical Zoomf/1.6 to f/2.472mm Filter Diameter_
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Horizontal Resolution_ More than 1080 Lines Horizontal_
Sensitivity_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Minimum Illumination_ 2 Lux _
Vertical Smear_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Built-in Filters_ 1/4 ND (1.5 stops)1/32 ND (5 stops)_
LCD Monitor_ 3.5 Inch 16:9 AspectLCD Monitor and Viewfinder Can Be Used Simultaneously_
Viewfinder_ Color_
Scan Matching_ Yes_
Memory Card Slot_ No_
Tone_ 1/4 seconds to 1/10,000 seconds_
Gain Selection_ 0 dB, (+)3 dB, 6 dB, 9 dB, 12 dB, 15 dB, 18 dB_
VTR Section_ -_
Tape Format_ DVCAM Small CassetteHDV Record and PlayDVCAM Record and PlayDV Record and Play_
Tape Speed_ HDV- 18.8mm/sec.DVCAM- 28.2 mm/sec.DV SP Mode- 18.8mm/sec. _
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Maximum Recording Time_ HDV- 60 MinutesDVCAM- 40 MinutesDV- 60 Minutes_
Audio Dynamic Range_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Audio Signal Format_ HDVMPEG1 Audio Layer IIDVCAM/DV16-bit/48kHz 2 Channel Mode12-bit/32kHz 4 Channel Mode_
Audio Frequency Response_ 20Hz to 20kHz _
Audio Signal to Noise Ratio_ Not Specified by Manufacturer _
Input and Output Connectors_ Analog/Digital Component- 3 RCA (x 1 input and output both)Firewire- 4-Pin (x 1)Composite Video- RCA (x 1)Mic Audio- XLR (x 2 input)Audio- RCA (x 2 output)Headphone- Stereo Mini (x 1) _
Power Requirements_ Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Power Consumption_ 8.4 Watts Maximum_
Operating Temperature_ 32 to 104 degrees F0 to 40 degrees C_
Dimensions (WxHxD)_ 6 x 7 1/8 x 14 3/8 Inches152.4 x 181 x 165 mm_
Weight_ 4.25 Lbs.1.9 Kg_
_
•_ 1 Year Parts and 90 Days Labor Warranty except:2 Years Parts on CCD Block
_




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Hey, did you copy and paste that from some place? You're really not suppose to do that....a link is more legal. :)

Murph

I don't think there is anything new here anyway

No I just have photo memory!!

I'm not to sell anything. It came from one of this websites sponser. I doubt they would care and I don't think it's illegal anyway. That is public info that Sony puts out.

So what do you think about the camera?

I'm buying it...email me Bob if you are too.

For those of us that aren't quite as technical as others, are there different optical specs on this one versus the FX1?

Is it going to give a better image or is the difference just additional features on the camera?

Thanks.

There are no optical differences. See my extensive FX1 vs. Z1U comparison chart at http://www.hdvinfo.net/articles/sonyhdrfx1/compare.php.

Thanks Chris. Good info there.

For a $2000 difference I don't know that I see the value of the Z1. But then I'm not a real technical shooter.

Ok, personally, to me as an average guy and shooter, the only really big features that the Z1 has over the FX1 are XLR's and NTSC/PAL switching ability. I don't see anything else as valuable. This camera, to me, would have been a must buy if it had TRUE 24p and not the funky Cineframe 24 mode. Add to that, Panasonic and even Canon (!) are said to be coming out with something in the Spring according to my guys at Gluskins cameras back in Stockton (they're the ones that told me when the XL2 was coming in). So, I'll pass.

I like the PAL/NTSC switcher, something I don't think any camera under $5000, DV or HDV, can do. And the XLR inputs.

heath

The only thing that prevents me from buying a Z1 is that supposedly when you make DVD's of the footage it doesn't look so hot, because of compression upon compression...

Guess I could buy one to experiment...

...instead of buying one to experiment, you could keep reading user reports right here as they come in, which I'm sure are going to cover this very topic among many others. I'd hate to see anyone lay down $5K just to experiment. This is definitely the right place to learn from the experiences of others.

> Ok, personally, to me as an average guy and shooter,
> the only really big features that the Z1 has over the
> FX1 are XLR's and NTSC/PAL switching ability. I don't
> see anything else as valuable.

DVCAM. DVCAM. Did I say DVCAM?

You see, since HDV's MPEG is GOP-based, a drop in the tape means the whole GOP is dropped. And that's BAD.

<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Struthers : The only thing that prevents me from buying a Z1 is that supposedly when you make DVD's of the footage it doesn't look so hot, because of compression upon compression...

Guess I could buy one to experiment... -->>>

Since no one has a Z1 yet how would anyone know?

"a drop in the tape means the whole GOP is dropped. And that's BAD."

That's correct. One single bad frame and you lose a bunch of them. It is horrible. Just awful. Looks really bad.

In the 5 hours of tape I have captured so far, it happened once.

Once.

I use the expensive, but recommended, tapes. No dropouts, no problems, and nobody can argue that I voided my warranty.

Once the various direct-to-disk options such as FireStore, etc. start to support HDV, you won't need to have a tape in the camera anyway.

Steven, so you got one dropped GOP in five hours... at SP tape speed. That's about 1/1080000, not bad at all, and should get better at DVCAM speed.

I don't think using other tapes would void the warranty... am I wrong? That would be the first time I have known of such a thing with tape.

When I bought the FX1, I bought 10 tapes. I didn't know what I could and could not get away with. If that is what Sony recommended, that is what I was going to buy. I was upgrading from a Canon ZR10 to a Sony HDR-FX1 without stopping along the way to buy a TRV-950 (for example). So I was going to pretty much trust Sony and do what they suggested. I don't have the deep background like many people do, so I just played along.

After having so little problem with these tapes, I will stick with them.

Besides, once you use one type of tape, the lubrication used makes a difference if you change. So I will stick with it. I suppose if I had the heads cleaned, which I believe is part of the Mack warranty once a year, that would be a good time to switch. But I doubt I will switch unless something even better comes along.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ignacio Rodriguez : not bad at all, and should get better at DVCAM speed. -->>>

Does the Z1 record HDV using DVCAM speed? I always assumed that DVCAM was an option you could only use when the camera was in SD mode.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ignacio Rodriguez: That's about 1/1080000, not bad at all, and should get better at DVCAM speed. -->>>

Does z1 really roll the tape in hdv mode with dvcam speed?
Or can you perhaps choose the speed?

Does anyone know if my PD-150 tapes (DVCAM and standard) will play my forthcoming Z1??

Thanks!

Yes the Z1 will play back miniDV and mini-DVCAM tapes.

Does z1 really roll the tape in hdv mode with dvcam speed?
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From what I've read, the Z1 will record(on a 60 min. mini-dv tape) 60 minutes in DV mode, 40 minutes in DVCAM mode, and 60 minutes in HDV. So it appears there's no speeding up the tape for HDV, and it will record in the normal DV bandwidth of 25MB/s.

By the way, Hi to everybody, I just found out about the Z1 after upgrading to Avid Xpress Pro HD last weekend and importing some HDV footage. This board has been a great resource in finding out the nitty-gritty on HDV and Sony's response to JVC.

Thanks Barry!

I'm sorry, but I've never owned a Sony Mini-DV camera (I do have an old Video 8 camera and the first Betamax Camera [which still works and could look great with some major heavy duty lighting]) so I don't know the difference between DVCAM and Mini-DV. I know the DVCAMs can record a lot more than Mini-DV, but what does this do for HDV that Mini-DV doesn't? Are there NO dropouts with DVCAM? Or, is there like a 70% reduction in possible dropout occurence?

You're thinking of the larger form factor DVCAM cassettes which none of these prosumer cameras use. When recording DVCAM on a miniDV cassette you only 40 minutes due to the faster tape speed. I don't know that there is any hard data on dropout reduction, but the faster tape speed should help. The binary data is the same as regular DV so there is no inherent quality improvement. Do a search on DVCAM and you will find a lot of discussion, mostly in the PD-170 forum.

Eh.... no thanks. I don't like deep sea message board searching ^_^. What you've said is enough, that's all I needed to know, thanks!

I'm sorry, but recently I saw some really bad footage taken with the FX1, so I think I'll wait for Panasonic (even if it is a 16:9 DVX100, I am on a GL1 after all so anything would be an upgrade).

<< recently I saw some really bad footage taken with the FX1 >>

Gee whiz. I've seen really bad footage from just about every camcorder ever made. Most often it's operator error -- the camera doesn't have that much to do with how bad it is.

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Hurd : << recently I saw some really bad footage taken with the FX1 >>

Gee whiz. I've seen really bad footage from just about every camcorder ever made. Most often it's operator error -- the camera doesn't have that much to do with how bad it is. -->>>

I bet I could take bad footage with any camera!! Good point Chris.

Yeah, Bob, when I made that comment, I didn't state *who* had shot the bad video I'd seen...

So, allow me to clarify:

Hand me *any* camcorder, and I'll show you how to get some really bad footage out of it.

That's just, ahh, one of my many skills.

I shot on full auto on my vacation to Hawaii. I really didn't have the chance to learn to use the camcorder before I left, and had no way to look at the footage decently until I returned.

To be honest, a lot of it is useless because it was just too rainy this trip, but the majority of it is quite nice. If I knew that there market for this stuff included the ambient sound, I might have not chatted as I was shooting. My intention from the beginning was to use orchestral music as the soundtrack for the video.

When I came home I found out that there was a market for 5 minute HDV nature shots. http://www.thewindowchannel.com/

I am quite pleased with the majority of the shots I took. They are long enough to use, steady (I use a tripod), and the subject matter is striking (sunrises, waves breaking, that kind of thing).

Truly, the only time I took it off auto was to change the focus to infinity. And it is dramatic footage. All with I camcorder I don't really know how to use yet.

So, if the Sony can protect me from myself, it is a great consumer camcorder. It the Z1 adds the features the pros want, on top of what I have, it should be a great camcorder for the hard working pro.

By the way, another difference between MiniDV and DVCAM is the width of the track it lays down The wider the track, the less chance of minor problems with the tape.

Chris Hurd can show us how to get BAD footage, so we always get it right!

heath

And you know what, I can do that in my SLEEP!