Various questions Sony HVR-A1 at DVinfo.net

Matt Howell · May 19th, 2005, 06:49 PM

In-camera down conversion:

Does anyone know if the Sony HDR-HC1 and HVR-A1 can down convert from HDV 1080i to SD DV 480i via firewire the way the FX1 and Z1 can? I would think that they WILL be able to do this, but I haven't seen it in any of the press so far. Am I wrong in thinking this is a feature that almost has to be in these new cameras?

Steven Gotz · May 19th, 2005, 07:46 PM

It must be there for another few years I think. HDV is too new. The people who want to shoot DV are still plentiful. But they might want to have options.

Jack Zhang · August 6th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Can anyone post a link to a .pdf of the A1's User's Manual when it becomes availible?

Chris Hurd · August 6th, 2005, 04:48 PM

You had better believe that when it becomes available, as soon as possible we'll have a link to it "stuck" at the top of the message list. Hopefully it's not too far away.

Dennis Kane · September 7th, 2005, 07:26 PM

I just got an email from B & H and the A1 is now in stock. My order will ship tomorrow.

Alexander Karol · September 7th, 2005, 08:34 PM

Dear Customer

Thank you for your inquiry for this item:
Sony - SOHVRA1U - HVR-A1U HDV Camcorder

We would like to inform you that this item is now available from bhphotovideo.com.

Check it out:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sk...&is=REG&bi=E15

---------------------

GO GO GO!!! Get it so you can give us your first impressions. :D

Laurence Kingston · October 17th, 2005, 12:20 AM

Just curious as to whether the HC1/A1 has undocumented ND filters like the PDX-10, or if the CMOS just has a wider dynamic range than regular CCDs. Either way, it looks fine in bright sunlight, but I'd like to know what is going on "under the hood".

Anhar Miah · October 17th, 2005, 05:23 PM

From what I have understood, it does not have a ND filter as the CMOS uses EIP to deliver the wider dynamic range.

Anhar

Leo Zheng · October 22nd, 2005, 05:30 PM

There are pretty close in price. What are the major differences in performance and features? Especially concerning low-light?

Thanks a lot!

Michael Liebergot · October 23rd, 2005, 07:21 AM

The FX1 will have better low light capability from all of my readings. I would preffer to use an on camera light when needed (and allowed), to get better image in low light. I even preffer this with my VX2100 which is great in low light.
Here are teh differences. There are more, but these are teh ones that you may want to know.
A1:
Smaller footprint
Bottom loading
XLR audio
LCD on side of camera
Combo Zoom/Focus ring
Black Stretch for low light (to maintain black values)
Touch screen settings, some external manual settings
External dial to assign various menu functions (like Zebra, White balance, Exposure etc.)

FX1:
Larger Footprint
Side loading
LCD screen on top of camera
No XLR Audio
Excellent Manual Settings
Better Low light
Seperate Zoom and Focus Ring

I am leaning towards the A1 because of it's smaller footprint and removable XLR feature. It is a go for me if I can find a solution to bottom loading problem.

John Dombrowski · December 3rd, 2005, 11:01 PM

I can't seem to find how to turn on the date and time stamp during playback.
Any suggestions where to look? I have looked thru all the menus but it is not there.

Thanks...........JD

John Dombrowski · December 3rd, 2005, 11:20 PM

Found it. I had to be playing back a recording for it to appear in the menu.

--JD

Vincent Sanchis · January 24th, 2006, 02:46 AM

Hi
I am currently working in documentary production with DVCPRO cameras. I need now a 'b' camera, because my current camera is very heavy and sometimes 'intimidating'.
The size of A1 seems perfect for my needs of 'low profile' shooting. However i am very concerned with the problem of low light situations.
¿Has anybody try to shoot in DV/DVCAM with the a-1?
¿Am I right if I think that shooting in DV/DVCAM will result in better 'low light' capabilities with the A-1?
Regards.

Boyd Ostroff · January 24th, 2006, 07:41 AM

I haven't used the A1, but am assuming it may be like the Z1 in DV mode... you can gain one full f-stop by shooting at 1/30 sec shutter speed. Like most cameras, it does field doubling at 1/30, however the doubling is done before downsampling to 720x480 so you don't lose vertical resolution in the process like you would on a standard definition camera.

Graham Hickling · January 24th, 2006, 09:58 PM

Given the non-standard hotshoe on the HC1 (what the #@&&@# were you thinking, Sony engineers?) I needed a way to mount my external mic.

The bracket I've started using is working out well for me, so here's some images of the setup and the relevant links:
http://home.att.net/~ghickling/flash_bracket.jpg

The mic is an Audio-Technica AT-822 (stereo with on-board battery):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

The AT-822 comes with the camera-shoe adapter and the 1.7' XLRF-to-Stereo-3.5mm-Miniplug cable that you can see in the images.

The flash bracket was $13 at B&H. It has two cold-shoes so I suppose there's even the potential to hang another light or whatever off its side (if you were being really enthusiastic):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

That particular bracket is presently out of stock, but this Bescor "VB-50 Universal Shoe Mount Adapter" appears to be essentially the same thing:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

Note that you'll need a reasonably long cable to reach HC1's mic jack on the right side of the camera. I wrapped the cable shown here once around the shoe adapter, and then used a strip of black electrical tape to fasten it to the underside of the crossbar (indicated by the yellow arrow). The cable has stayed put well so far, with the bracket both on and off the camera.

Just my $0.02 ....

May 19th, 2005, 06:49 PM	#1
Matt Howell Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, N.C. Posts: 26	Various questions Sony HVR-A1 In-camera down conversion: Does anyone know if the Sony HDR-HC1 and HVR-A1 can down convert from HDV 1080i to SD DV 480i via firewire the way the FX1 and Z1 can? I would think that they WILL be able to do this, but I haven't seen it in any of the press so far. Am I wrong in thinking this is a feature that almost has to be in these new cameras?

May 19th, 2005, 07:46 PM	#2
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	It must be there for another few years I think. HDV is too new. The people who want to shoot DV are still plentiful. But they might want to have options. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

August 6th, 2005, 03:48 PM	#3
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	A1 User's Manual? Can anyone post a link to a .pdf of the A1's User's Manual when it becomes availible?

August 6th, 2005, 04:48 PM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	You had better believe that when it becomes available, as soon as possible we'll have a link to it "stuck" at the top of the message list. Hopefully it's not too far away. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 7th, 2005, 07:26 PM	#5
Dennis Kane Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: san francisco, ca Posts: 106	Hvr A1 I just got an email from B & H and the A1 is now in stock. My order will ship tomorrow.

September 7th, 2005, 08:34 PM	#6
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	Dear Customer Thank you for your inquiry for this item: Sony - SOHVRA1U - HVR-A1U HDV Camcorder We would like to inform you that this item is now available from bhphotovideo.com. Check it out: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sk...&is=REG&bi=E15 --------------------- GO GO GO!!! Get it so you can give us your first impressions. :D

October 17th, 2005, 12:20 AM	#7
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	Does the HC1/A1 have ND filters built in? Just curious as to whether the HC1/A1 has undocumented ND filters like the PDX-10, or if the CMOS just has a wider dynamic range than regular CCDs. Either way, it looks fine in bright sunlight, but I'd like to know what is going on "under the hood".

October 17th, 2005, 05:23 PM	#8
Anhar Miah Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: United Kindom, England Posts: 290	From what I have understood, it does not have a ND filter as the CMOS uses EIP to deliver the wider dynamic range. Anhar __________________ The IT Ninja Learn, Teach, Grow..

October 22nd, 2005, 05:30 PM	#9
Leo Zheng Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 34	Any comparison between FX1 and A1? There are pretty close in price. What are the major differences in performance and features? Especially concerning low-light? Thanks a lot! __________________ Leo

October 23rd, 2005, 07:21 AM	#10
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	The FX1 will have better low light capability from all of my readings. I would preffer to use an on camera light when needed (and allowed), to get better image in low light. I even preffer this with my VX2100 which is great in low light. Here are teh differences. There are more, but these are teh ones that you may want to know. A1: Smaller footprint Bottom loading XLR audio LCD on side of camera Combo Zoom/Focus ring Black Stretch for low light (to maintain black values) Touch screen settings, some external manual settings External dial to assign various menu functions (like Zebra, White balance, Exposure etc.) FX1: Larger Footprint Side loading LCD screen on top of camera No XLR Audio Excellent Manual Settings Better Low light Seperate Zoom and Focus Ring I am leaning towards the A1 because of it's smaller footprint and removable XLR feature. It is a go for me if I can find a solution to bottom loading problem. __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

December 3rd, 2005, 11:01 PM	#11
John Dombrowski Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 45	No data code setting in menus of A1... I can't seem to find how to turn on the date and time stamp during playback. Any suggestions where to look? I have looked thru all the menus but it is not there. Thanks...........JD

December 3rd, 2005, 11:20 PM	#12
John Dombrowski Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 45	Found it. I had to be playing back a recording for it to appear in the menu. --JD

January 24th, 2006, 02:46 AM	#13
Vincent Sanchis New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oldenburg, Germany Posts: 23	Recording In Dv/dvcam With A-1 Hi I am currently working in documentary production with DVCPRO cameras. I need now a 'b' camera, because my current camera is very heavy and sometimes 'intimidating'. The size of A1 seems perfect for my needs of 'low profile' shooting. However i am very concerned with the problem of low light situations. ¿Has anybody try to shoot in DV/DVCAM with the a-1? ¿Am I right if I think that shooting in DV/DVCAM will result in better 'low light' capabilities with the A-1? Regards.

January 24th, 2006, 07:41 AM	#14
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I haven't used the A1, but am assuming it may be like the Z1 in DV mode... you can gain one full f-stop by shooting at 1/30 sec shutter speed. Like most cameras, it does field doubling at 1/30, however the doubling is done before downsampling to 720x480 so you don't lose vertical resolution in the process like you would on a standard definition camera.

January 24th, 2006, 09:58 PM	#15
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	External microphone bracket for HC1 / A1 Given the non-standard hotshoe on the HC1 (what the #@&&@# were you thinking, Sony engineers?) I needed a way to mount my external mic. The bracket I've started using is working out well for me, so here's some images of the setup and the relevant links: http://home.att.net/~ghickling/flash_bracket.jpg The mic is an Audio-Technica AT-822 (stereo with on-board battery): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search The AT-822 comes with the camera-shoe adapter and the 1.7' XLRF-to-Stereo-3.5mm-Miniplug cable that you can see in the images. The flash bracket was $13 at B&H. It has two cold-shoes so I suppose there's even the potential to hang another light or whatever off its side (if you were being really enthusiastic): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation That particular bracket is presently out of stock, but this Bescor "VB-50 Universal Shoe Mount Adapter" appears to be essentially the same thing: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation Note that you'll need a reasonably long cable to reach HC1's mic jack on the right side of the camera. I wrapped the cable shown here once around the shoe adapter, and then used a strip of black electrical tape to fasten it to the underside of the crossbar (indicated by the yellow arrow). The cable has stayed put well so far, with the bracket both on and off the camera. Just my $0.02 ....