New HDV Camcorders at DVinfo.net

Glenn Gipson · January 22nd, 2004, 04:48 AM

I don't know if this is real or not, but a user over at DV.com (mary) posted this:

Sharp Corporation announced in an internal memo of January 20, 2004, three revolutionary digital camcorders: ViewcamZ HD-Z3000, HD-Z2000 & VL-Z900 miniDV and HDV camcorders with Wide-image mode.

Sharp, the world leader in high definition (HD) display technology and wide aspect ratio display technology is expanding its high end TV and video product line with three revolutionary camcorders. The two top models include HDV recording, the third one native-type 16:9 CCD chip recording. The HDV camcorders use the most advanced low power consumption ultra high quality MPEG2 encoder, which was just developed by Sharp.

Features:
„h 2 of the camcorders will use new HDV recording
„h Free-angle viewfinder and Wide image mode recording (at 16:9
ratio image).
„h The monitor is new 2.5-inch system LCD panel with 215,000-dots
with brighter view.
„h Full manual controls on the HDV models
„h Spread-LED light (to be mounted on accessory shoe)
„h Built-in optical stabilizer on the HDV camcorders and built-in digital type image stabilizer on the standard definition camcorder.
„h 10x optical zoom lenses.

Sharp ViewcamZ HD-Z3000, professional-grade HDV model
Specifications:
CCD: three 1/3-inch 1-megapixel (each). Effective (each CCD) 921,600 pixel for HDV, 690,000 pixels for 16:9 movie mode and 340,000 pixels for 4:3 DV mode
Recording Modes: 720/60i, 720/30p and 480/60i for NTSC model, 720/50i, 720/25p and 480/50i for PAL model
Minimum illumination: 5 lux
Microphone: stereo type, XLR jacks for external microphones
Sales: April 17.
Price: NTSC model Y600,000 ($5,003), PAL model Y700,000 ($5,836) expected.

Sharp ViewcamZ HD-Z2000, higher-grade HDV model
Specifications:
CCD: 1/3-inch 2-megapixel (total). Effective 1megapixel for HDV, 690,000 pixels for 16:9 movie mode and 340,000 pixels for 4:3 DV mode
Recording Modes: 720/60i, 720/30p and 480/60i
2 megapixels for still image
Minimum illumination: 10 lux
Microphone: stereo type, stereo mini-jack for external microphone
Sales: April 17 at open price.
Shop price: Y250,000 ($2,085) expected.

Sharp ViewcamZ VL-Z900 high-grade digital model
Specifications:
CCD: 1/4-inch 1.33-megapixel (total). Effective 690,000 pixels for movie and
1.25megapixels for still image
Minimum illumination: 15 lux
Microphone: stereo type
Sales: February 15 at open price.
Shop price: Y100,000 ($833) expected.

I don't have a link...so maybe this belongs somewhere else?

Frank Granovski · January 22nd, 2004, 06:23 AM

Thanks, Glenn!

MPEG2, Ugh. :-((

This same info was also posted here:

http://dv.com/jive3/thread.jspa?thre...01258&tstart=0

Perhaps someone could post the Sharp link to this info?

Glenn Gipson · January 22nd, 2004, 07:47 AM

Yeah, that's where I got the info from....however, the post sounds alarmingly similar to that Joseph fellow lol.

Jean-Philippe Archibald · January 22nd, 2004, 08:29 AM

This is the official press releases from Sharp World:
http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/index.html

There is no announcement about any HD camcorder.

The Z900 is announced on january 20 with another inexpensive consumer cam (z300).

Christopher C. Murphy · January 22nd, 2004, 08:51 AM

Oh no...I never thought they'd start putting out HDV cameras WORSE than the JVC ones.

This sucks if it's where the HDV format is going - consumer junk. It's possible that the HDV JVC cameras are and will be the high-end models for the time being.

If Sony and Canon do this I'll be ticked off. They better step up to the plate with a decent HDV cam.

Murph

Boyd Ostroff · January 22nd, 2004, 09:09 AM

After looking at those posts on DV.com I agree with Glenn; IMO "Mary" must be Joseph George...

Barry Green · January 22nd, 2004, 12:12 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jean-Philippe Archibald :

There is no announcement about any HD camcorder.
-->>>

That's correct -- there has been no announcement. Joseph (oops, I mean "mary") said that it was an "internal" memo, so take it with a huge grain of salt -- a salt lick, preferably.

Jean-Philippe Archibald · January 22nd, 2004, 12:28 PM

Who is Joseph George?

Glenn Gipson · January 22nd, 2004, 01:08 PM

Joseph George is a hired henchman by an unknown company to promote various HD products. He often changes his name to disguise his identity. I actually feel like a fool for posting this now lol. But hopefully his “internal memo” has a grain of truth in it.

Ken Hodson · January 22nd, 2004, 02:13 PM

Christopher-"Oh no...I never thought they'd start putting out HDV cameras WORSE than the JVC ones"

Although I think the memo is complete bunk, why do you say they would be worse than the JVC's? 3chip and full manual control sound better to me?

Ken

Chris Hurd · January 22nd, 2004, 02:19 PM

Beware any such "insider info" coming from unconfirmed sources. I could sit here all day using my imagination to make up all kinds of insider info. Without a legitimate press release, it's just bogus dis-information which does a serious dis-service to our readers. We don't allow that sort of nonsense here, but it's difficult to stop well-meaning members from posting links from other message boards. Glenn said himself that he wasn't sure if it was real -- no harm done.

Glenn Gipson · January 22nd, 2004, 02:57 PM

Yeah, sorry about that Chris, I forgot that News in this forum requires an actual link...just got suckered in is all lol.

Michael Struthers · January 25th, 2004, 01:44 AM

..start out being poo pooed and then end up being true in one form or another...everyone knows the hd camcorders are coming.

But I wouldn't buy a Sharp anything anyway.

Frank Granovski · January 25th, 2004, 02:49 AM

Quote:

But I wouldn't buy a Sharp anything anyway.

Why not? Back in 1986 (I remember because of Expo 86 in Vancouver), everytime you went to see a movie, the first thing that came on was an ad from Sharp. It went like this: Sharp products for sharp minds. :-))))))

Joe Carney · January 26th, 2004, 10:47 AM

If the cameras are good, and affordable, I have no problem buying from Sharp. Or anyone else for that matter. Quality + value, not brand name is what matters to me. I'm a total mecenary when it comes to electronics and software.

Just remember..
What do Sony, Panasonic, Walt Disney, and a hot stripper have in common?

No matter how beautiful, inspiring, titalating, professional, outstanding, creative, humourous,sexy ,etc...they are...

They don't want you,
just your money.
Dealt with it.

January 22nd, 2004, 04:48 AM	#1
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	New HDV Camcorders I don't know if this is real or not, but a user over at DV.com (mary) posted this: Sharp Corporation announced in an internal memo of January 20, 2004, three revolutionary digital camcorders: ViewcamZ HD-Z3000, HD-Z2000 & VL-Z900 miniDV and HDV camcorders with Wide-image mode. Sharp, the world leader in high definition (HD) display technology and wide aspect ratio display technology is expanding its high end TV and video product line with three revolutionary camcorders. The two top models include HDV recording, the third one native-type 16:9 CCD chip recording. The HDV camcorders use the most advanced low power consumption ultra high quality MPEG2 encoder, which was just developed by Sharp. Features: „h 2 of the camcorders will use new HDV recording „h Free-angle viewfinder and Wide image mode recording (at 16:9 ratio image). „h The monitor is new 2.5-inch system LCD panel with 215,000-dots with brighter view. „h Full manual controls on the HDV models „h Spread-LED light (to be mounted on accessory shoe) „h Built-in optical stabilizer on the HDV camcorders and built-in digital type image stabilizer on the standard definition camcorder. „h 10x optical zoom lenses. Sharp ViewcamZ HD-Z3000, professional-grade HDV model Specifications: CCD: three 1/3-inch 1-megapixel (each). Effective (each CCD) 921,600 pixel for HDV, 690,000 pixels for 16:9 movie mode and 340,000 pixels for 4:3 DV mode Recording Modes: 720/60i, 720/30p and 480/60i for NTSC model, 720/50i, 720/25p and 480/50i for PAL model Minimum illumination: 5 lux Microphone: stereo type, XLR jacks for external microphones Sales: April 17. Price: NTSC model Y600,000 ($5,003), PAL model Y700,000 ($5,836) expected. Sharp ViewcamZ HD-Z2000, higher-grade HDV model Specifications: CCD: 1/3-inch 2-megapixel (total). Effective 1megapixel for HDV, 690,000 pixels for 16:9 movie mode and 340,000 pixels for 4:3 DV mode Recording Modes: 720/60i, 720/30p and 480/60i 2 megapixels for still image Minimum illumination: 10 lux Microphone: stereo type, stereo mini-jack for external microphone Sales: April 17 at open price. Shop price: Y250,000 ($2,085) expected. Sharp ViewcamZ VL-Z900 high-grade digital model Specifications: CCD: 1/4-inch 1.33-megapixel (total). Effective 690,000 pixels for movie and 1.25megapixels for still image Minimum illumination: 15 lux Microphone: stereo type Sales: February 15 at open price. Shop price: Y100,000 ($833) expected. I don't have a link...so maybe this belongs somewhere else?

January 22nd, 2004, 08:29 AM	#4
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Press releases from Sharp This is the official press releases from Sharp World: http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/index.html There is no announcement about any HD camcorder. The Z900 is announced on january 20 with another inexpensive consumer cam (z300). __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

January 22nd, 2004, 08:51 AM	#5
Christopher C. Murphy Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,707	HDV junk cams? Oh no...I never thought they'd start putting out HDV cameras WORSE than the JVC ones. This sucks if it's where the HDV format is going - consumer junk. It's possible that the HDV JVC cameras are and will be the high-end models for the time being. If Sony and Canon do this I'll be ticked off. They better step up to the plate with a decent HDV cam. Murph __________________ Christopher C. Murphy Director, Producer, Writer

January 22nd, 2004, 12:12 PM	#7
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Re: Press releases from Sharp <<<-- Originally posted by Jean-Philippe Archibald : There is no announcement about any HD camcorder. -->>> That's correct -- there has been no announcement. Joseph (oops, I mean "mary") said that it was an "internal" memo, so take it with a huge grain of salt -- a salt lick, preferably.

January 22nd, 2004, 12:28 PM	#8
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Who is Joseph George? __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

January 22nd, 2004, 06:23 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Thanks, Glenn! MPEG2, Ugh. :-(( This same info was also posted here: http://dv.com/jive3/thread.jspa?thre...01258&tstart=0 Perhaps someone could post the Sharp link to this info?

January 22nd, 2004, 07:47 AM	#3
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Yeah, that's where I got the info from....however, the post sounds alarmingly similar to that Joseph fellow lol.

January 22nd, 2004, 09:09 AM	#6
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	After looking at those posts on DV.com I agree with Glenn; IMO "Mary" must be Joseph George...

January 22nd, 2004, 01:08 PM	#9
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Joseph George is a hired henchman by an unknown company to promote various HD products. He often changes his name to disguise his identity. I actually feel like a fool for posting this now lol. But hopefully his “internal memo” has a grain of truth in it.

January 22nd, 2004, 02:13 PM	#10
Ken Hodson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 1,315	Christopher-"Oh no...I never thought they'd start putting out HDV cameras WORSE than the JVC ones" Although I think the memo is complete bunk, why do you say they would be worse than the JVC's? 3chip and full manual control sound better to me? Ken __________________ Damnit Jim, I'm a film maker not a sysytems tech.

January 22nd, 2004, 02:19 PM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Beware any such "insider info" coming from unconfirmed sources. I could sit here all day using my imagination to make up all kinds of insider info. Without a legitimate press release, it's just bogus dis-information which does a serious dis-service to our readers. We don't allow that sort of nonsense here, but it's difficult to stop well-meaning members from posting links from other message boards. Glenn said himself that he wasn't sure if it was real -- no harm done. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 22nd, 2004, 02:57 PM	#12
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Yeah, sorry about that Chris, I forgot that News in this forum requires an actual link...just got suckered in is all lol.

January 25th, 2004, 01:44 AM	#13
Michael Struthers Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SF, Ca Posts: 421	Most of the "rumors" ..start out being poo pooed and then end up being true in one form or another...everyone knows the hd camcorders are coming. But I wouldn't buy a Sharp anything anyway.

January 26th, 2004, 10:47 AM	#15
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	If the cameras are good, and affordable, I have no problem buying from Sharp. Or anyone else for that matter. Quality + value, not brand name is what matters to me. I'm a total mecenary when it comes to electronics and software. Just remember.. What do Sony, Panasonic, Walt Disney, and a hot stripper have in common? No matter how beautiful, inspiring, titalating, professional, outstanding, creative, humourous,sexy ,etc...they are... They don't want you, just your money. Dealt with it.