XL2 or Z1 for DVD at DVinfo.net

Joe Barker · July 20th, 2005, 01:45 AM

Has anyone had the chance to compare the quality of DVD's produced from footage shot on an XL2 and a Sony Z1 ? I plan to travel quite a bit and the Sony is a better size to pack and be ready for use than the XL2. I have seen excelent DVD quality from the XL2 but nothing from the ZI.I will be shooting in 16.9 widesceen most of the time,and will not be editing any HD from the Sony to begin with, but will have the capacity to move into HD at a later date.I have been told that the Sony can be used in HD mode and the quality of footage will be as good as the XL2 when down loaded into the DV editing program and output to DVD.I use Premeir Pro 1.5 and PAL system. Joe

Boyd Ostroff · July 20th, 2005, 05:08 AM

I haven''t used the XL-2, but it does have progressive scan which the Z1 lacks. I have a Z1 and really like it though. You can shoot in HDV mode and set the camera to send regular DV over firewire. This gives nicer looking DV footage plus an HDV tape if you want it later. In your case I would think that the ability to switch between NTSC and PAL might come in handy sometime also. That was the main reason I bought mine.

Dave Merrell · July 20th, 2005, 08:22 AM

We recently shot a dance performance using 2 XL2's, a Z1 and a PD-170. The PD-170 was used only to capture audio (line-in dance music). We have found we ended up using more of the video from the Z1 than the XL2's. The quality of the video from the Z1 is nothing short of amazing.
Dave M.

Ash Greyson · July 20th, 2005, 11:11 AM

Z1 is great for capture crystal clear images in a controlled environment. It does not do so well with little light or changing light. In DV mode I personally prefer the XL2 because of its image manipulation tools but you can go wrong with either. The progressive mode on the Sony HDV cams is terrible though...

ash =o)

Dave Merrell · July 20th, 2005, 12:11 PM

Ash,
I hear you. However, my experience has shown me the following...compared to my XL1s, the XL2 image is far superior. Compared to my XL2 cameras, the Z1 image is better (not far better, but better). We shot this last gig in 30p and were very happy with the performance.
Dave M.

Dave Merrell · July 20th, 2005, 12:38 PM

I should also add that this was all shot in very low light conditions typical of a dance recital.
Dave M.

Ash Greyson · July 20th, 2005, 01:44 PM

When I first shot with the Sony HDV cams I was in awe... still very video but superb clarity and color BUT... then I shot this concert that had huge lighting and lots of changes and the Z1 didnt perform so well...

ash =o)

July 20th, 2005, 01:45 AM	#1
Joe Barker Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Perth WA Australia Posts: 124	XL2 or Z1 for DVD Has anyone had the chance to compare the quality of DVD's produced from footage shot on an XL2 and a Sony Z1 ? I plan to travel quite a bit and the Sony is a better size to pack and be ready for use than the XL2. I have seen excelent DVD quality from the XL2 but nothing from the ZI.I will be shooting in 16.9 widesceen most of the time,and will not be editing any HD from the Sony to begin with, but will have the capacity to move into HD at a later date.I have been told that the Sony can be used in HD mode and the quality of footage will be as good as the XL2 when down loaded into the DV editing program and output to DVD.I use Premeir Pro 1.5 and PAL system. Joe

July 20th, 2005, 05:08 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,800	I haven''t used the XL-2, but it does have progressive scan which the Z1 lacks. I have a Z1 and really like it though. You can shoot in HDV mode and set the camera to send regular DV over firewire. This gives nicer looking DV footage plus an HDV tape if you want it later. In your case I would think that the ability to switch between NTSC and PAL might come in handy sometime also. That was the main reason I bought mine.

July 20th, 2005, 08:22 AM	#3
Dave Merrell New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 23	We recently shot a dance performance using 2 XL2's, a Z1 and a PD-170. The PD-170 was used only to capture audio (line-in dance music). We have found we ended up using more of the video from the Z1 than the XL2's. The quality of the video from the Z1 is nothing short of amazing. Dave M.

July 20th, 2005, 11:11 AM	#4
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	Z1 is great for capture crystal clear images in a controlled environment. It does not do so well with little light or changing light. In DV mode I personally prefer the XL2 because of its image manipulation tools but you can go wrong with either. The progressive mode on the Sony HDV cams is terrible though... ash =o)

July 20th, 2005, 12:11 PM	#5
Dave Merrell New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 23	Ash, I hear you. However, my experience has shown me the following...compared to my XL1s, the XL2 image is far superior. Compared to my XL2 cameras, the Z1 image is better (not far better, but better). We shot this last gig in 30p and were very happy with the performance. Dave M.

July 20th, 2005, 12:38 PM	#6
Dave Merrell New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 23	I should also add that this was all shot in very low light conditions typical of a dance recital. Dave M.

July 20th, 2005, 01:44 PM	#7
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	When I first shot with the Sony HDV cams I was in awe... still very video but superb clarity and color BUT... then I shot this concert that had huge lighting and lots of changes and the Z1 didnt perform so well... ash =o)