Training video/ Instructional dvd for the A1? at DVinfo.net

Joel L. Young · February 7th, 2008, 09:44 AM

I'm looking for a tutorial type video on the A1 to fill in the gaps to my head first jump in approach to teaching myself the camera. The nearest thing I could find is handsonhdv.com but that doesn't specificly have the A1. It covers the HC1 in one series and the FX1 & Z1U in another series. I would guess the HC1 would be more useful for the A1, but was wondering if anyone has seen anything else. If you have used either of the videos above for learning the A1 please let me know your thoughts.
Also if you have any used videos that would fit this and you want to sell, let me know.
Thanks,
Joel

Andy Wilkinson · February 7th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Don't let me put you off DVD training videos but to be honest I think you'll learn more by;

1. Reading the manual - its not perfectly written but it's a good place to start.
2. Reading all the posts in this Forum that you can find on A1/HC1 and related cameras and then applying some of the knowledge and techniques discussed (e.g. shot transition, shutter speed adjustments, sound levels.) Make sure you do this in a methodical way so that you learn how the camera performs at different settings and what it's limitations are....and if your A1 is anything like my HC1 it will definitely have some limitations (e.g. in low light) but is, generally, a stunning little camera.
3. There are also quite a few video clips on specific techniques and controls on various cameras on sites like YouTube.
4. Some of the better on line reviews explain some features better than camera manuals (I often find, not sure about this specific camera.)

When you've done all that, this seems to be a pretty friendly place to then ask any other questions that you might then still have if you don't understand a specific feature or want to try and find an alternative method of getting a particular type of shot. Good luck and enjoy that A1!

Joel L. Young · February 7th, 2008, 12:41 PM

I've found another video after more research, but still it's on the HC1. Sony HDR-HC1 Made Easy Training DVDs 1&2 http://www.elitevideo.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=594
I thought the A1 was a pretty popular and successful camera, but doesn't seem like they have made training videos for it.
Andy, thanks for the suggestions, I've done most of that. I did read the manual on a plane a little while after getting the camera. I've had the camera for a while now, but thought sitting down with a video going through everything will fill in some gaps of stuff I've been missing on. There's not any particular subject either, just want some topics brought up that I haven't thought to explore myself.

Victor Wilcox · February 7th, 2008, 02:47 PM

I have the Vortex Media DVD: "How To Shoot Like a Pro with Sony HDR-HC1 Camcorder". I thought it was a great starter for using my A1U. It doesn't cover the pro features of the A1U such as XLR audio but it does a great job of covering most of the features and has some go advice on shooting methods. I felt it was a great jump start. It was much easier than digging into the manual.

Joel L. Young · February 11th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Victor, let me know if you are done with the dvd and want to sell it.

Martin Labelle · February 13th, 2008, 01:56 AM

I go with Andy succgestion
This forum is the best place to learn, And youtube will show you a lot also.
If you have a question ask us!

Victor Wilcox · February 13th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Sorry, the DVD is a teaching aid I need to hang on to.

February 7th, 2008, 09:44 AM	#1
Joel L. Young Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 55	Training video/ Instructional dvd for the A1? I'm looking for a tutorial type video on the A1 to fill in the gaps to my head first jump in approach to teaching myself the camera. The nearest thing I could find is handsonhdv.com but that doesn't specificly have the A1. It covers the HC1 in one series and the FX1 & Z1U in another series. I would guess the HC1 would be more useful for the A1, but was wondering if anyone has seen anything else. If you have used either of the videos above for learning the A1 please let me know your thoughts. Also if you have any used videos that would fit this and you want to sell, let me know. Thanks, Joel

February 7th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Sony A1 Training Don't let me put you off DVD training videos but to be honest I think you'll learn more by; 1. Reading the manual - its not perfectly written but it's a good place to start. 2. Reading all the posts in this Forum that you can find on A1/HC1 and related cameras and then applying some of the knowledge and techniques discussed (e.g. shot transition, shutter speed adjustments, sound levels.) Make sure you do this in a methodical way so that you learn how the camera performs at different settings and what it's limitations are....and if your A1 is anything like my HC1 it will definitely have some limitations (e.g. in low light) but is, generally, a stunning little camera. 3. There are also quite a few video clips on specific techniques and controls on various cameras on sites like YouTube. 4. Some of the better on line reviews explain some features better than camera manuals (I often find, not sure about this specific camera.) When you've done all that, this seems to be a pretty friendly place to then ask any other questions that you might then still have if you don't understand a specific feature or want to try and find an alternative method of getting a particular type of shot. Good luck and enjoy that A1! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

February 7th, 2008, 02:47 PM	#4
Victor Wilcox Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Waller County, TX Posts: 340	I have the Vortex Media DVD: "How To Shoot Like a Pro with Sony HDR-HC1 Camcorder". I thought it was a great starter for using my A1U. It doesn't cover the pro features of the A1U such as XLR audio but it does a great job of covering most of the features and has some go advice on shooting methods. I felt it was a great jump start. It was much easier than digging into the manual. __________________ Vic Wilcox, http://wilcoxvideoproductions.com/Default.aspx Sony FDR-AX100, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, GoPro Hero 8 Blk, Vegas Pro 15, DaVinci Resolve 18

February 13th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#7
Victor Wilcox Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Waller County, TX Posts: 340	Sorry, the DVD is a teaching aid I need to hang on to. __________________ Vic Wilcox, http://wilcoxvideoproductions.com/Default.aspx Sony FDR-AX100, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, GoPro Hero 8 Blk, Vegas Pro 15, DaVinci Resolve 18

February 7th, 2008, 12:41 PM	#3
Joel L. Young Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 55	I've found another video after more research, but still it's on the HC1. Sony HDR-HC1 Made Easy Training DVDs 1&2 http://www.elitevideo.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=594 I thought the A1 was a pretty popular and successful camera, but doesn't seem like they have made training videos for it. Andy, thanks for the suggestions, I've done most of that. I did read the manual on a plane a little while after getting the camera. I've had the camera for a while now, but thought sitting down with a video going through everything will fill in some gaps of stuff I've been missing on. There's not any particular subject either, just want some topics brought up that I haven't thought to explore myself.

February 11th, 2008, 03:20 PM	#5
Joel L. Young Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 55	Victor, let me know if you are done with the dvd and want to sell it.

February 13th, 2008, 01:56 AM	#6
Martin Labelle Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: montreal Posts: 170	I go with Andy succgestion This forum is the best place to learn, And youtube will show you a lot also. If you have a question ask us!