First off, I'd like to say how much I really appreciate the discussions in this group. You guys may think you're just debating or sharing this, that, or the other thing, but the people listening are learning a ton!

I'm seriously considering a Z1 this year to use for our wedding videos. One of the big questions holding me back is how well I will be able to mix PD170 footage with downconverted HD from the Z1. I know the low light performance will differ a great deal but what about the rest of the time? Clarity, color, contrast? If I have to put a lot of time into getting the footage to mesh in post then I'll be looking at another 170 for the time being. Does anyone have any experience with this?

John

They mesh very well. I've taken footage from the PD150 and 170 both and matched them up. The HDV footage is a little more saturated,so I needed to boost sat in Vegas by .003, but otherwise, they were very close.

How would you deliver the HDV to your wedding clients.....in HD or SD?

Thanks,
Lou Bruno

In SD of course for now since there are no HD DVD or anything like that, until HD DVD become widespread like DVD then we could start deliever HD, for now I shoot all in HDV and use that as a sales tool, the benefits are they will be able to convert to HD later (save your tapes and project files), 16X9 tv will be widespread in a couple of years and so they should not have their wedding in 4:3 SD format, they want to have something that are future proof.

If I were a videographer. When the HD-DVD players get released, I would offer a "Free HD-DVD player" as part of my wedding packages. I would factor that cost in to my price naturally, but I would surely do that, IAM.

- Shannon W. Rawls

I think that would be a good idea Shannon.