I am thinking of ordering the HC1, but is the low light noise as bad as say, the low light noise on the old Hi-8 Handycams? I mean, would there be any hope of shooting at dusk or indoors with home lighting and getting smooth results?

Here is a native HDV HC1 low-light sample: Shutter Speed: 50, Gain +12dB, F1.8, 51.549 KB

http://www.fxsupport.de/hc1/daten/klotz.mpg

is better low-light than my Sony 3 Chip DSR 200 DVCAM......

I would turn on Black Stretch and also bring down the sharpness option -2 from being centered. We've discussed here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=56761 Might help you get some idea....

hate to break it to you, but the hc1 doesnt have black stretch.
only the a1u.

Thanks my Bad... get A1u and HC1 little confused sometimes... maybe just checkout the sharpness level and color settings.

I mean, would there be any hope of shooting at dusk or indoors with home lighting and getting smooth results?

Hi Jesse,

I have the HC1 and now shoot indoors with wonderful results. The normal household lights are NOT good enough to get smooth results. But for $39, I got some lights from the local hardware store (Bunnings) and set them up inside. The results are absolutely excellent.

Tracey

[QUOTE=Wolfgang Winne]Here is a native HDV HC1 low-light sample: Shutter Speed: 50, Gain +12dB, F1.8, 51.549 KB

How did you confirm the gain as being +12db?, am I going mad but I can't see how to know that on my A1.

Thanks
Paul

I've been replacing the incandescent lights around the house with warm color temperature high output flourescents. Not only does my video look better, but it's nice and bright and saves on our monthly electric bill.

[QUOTE=Wolfgang Winne]Here is a native HDV HC1 low-light sample: Shutter Speed: 50, Gain +12dB, F1.8, 51.549 KB

How did you confirm the gain as being +12db?, am I going mad but I can't see how to know that on my A1.

Thanks
Paul

Aloha (!) Paul
Er, i think just replay footage, select 'Data code' and then 'Camera Data'.
Can't see aperture or gain while recording unfortunately with A1.

catch you on email buddy.
Stu

@Paul Rickford

I can't see the F-stop and gain in the recording modus. If you play later the shoot, you can see the gain-level from tape on LCD.....

Thanks for that guys, as we have no control over the gain setting on these cams it's a shame you can't see the gain info when you are recording, which at least would give chance to increase the light or move position to lower the gain.

Paul

Here is a native HDV HC1 low-light sample: Shutter Speed: 50, Gain +12dB, F1.8, 51.549 KB

http://www.fxsupport.de/hc1/daten/klotz.mpg

is better low-light than my Sony 3 Chip DSR 200 DVCAM......

The HC1 does not have a shutter speed of 50.

Danny Fye
www.dannyfye.com

The HC1 does not have a shutter speed of 50.

Danny Fye
www.dannyfye.com

Does if it's PAL.

Thanks for that guys, as we have no control over the gain setting on these cams it's a shame you can't see the gain info when you are recording, which at least would give chance to increase the light or move position to lower the gain.

Paul

Somebody in the HC1/A1 threads tested each of the exposure setting
s to find their gain, aperture and shutter action for each. There is a list there somewhere that can be followed to hit a mark. But this information 100% should have been available to the on screen display.