Sony HVR-A1U--My view.

Gerald Lunn · August 10th, 2005, 10:46 AM

Boyd and Alexander,

Surely the HDV recording standard is 1080i 60f. There is no way to record progressive on the HDV tape even if the actual readout from the CMOS chip is progressive. That would be true for any HDV camera including the FX1/Z1. The only thing that Sony might have done is to provide the capability to output the analog Component Video in 1080p instead of 1080i - but there are no TV displays at present to watch the result (though it could be displayed on some computer monitors). The HDV standard does allow for 720p - which is what JVC chose for their consumer camcorder, but of course that does have a lower resolution! True 1080p recording would require a 2X data rate on the tape - or MUCH heavier compression - not going to happen!!!

Gerald

Alexander Karol · August 10th, 2005, 10:51 AM

I agree...but who is to say that TVs won't be capable in the near future? I mean, SONY is selling HDV camcorder like candy and HDTV is still far from mainstream. I think that the technology is already there, all they're doing is waiting for the right time.

Wayne Morellini · August 11th, 2005, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald Lunn

Boyd and Alexander,
True 1080p recording would require a 2X data rate on the tape - or MUCH heavier compression - not going to happen!!!

Gerald

They could do 30/25/24p with no penalty, and better compression than interlace.

Wayne Morellini · August 11th, 2005, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle

Stu,
There is direct control over the aperture via the exposure paddle lever

Douglas

I have read through here and the article, and I noticed that there is not a clear answer to the question of where ever the aperture can be adjusted independently by itself (or if gain can). You seem to mention it, but it is not entirely clear where ever you where talking about readouts or actual controls.

Quote:

While the camera doesn't provide aperture settings, or even gain indicators measured in dB

Quote:

I failed to mention the gain options in the menu.

What is the answer, is it the same manual control setup as the HC1?

Thanks

Wayne.

Jim Rog · August 13th, 2005, 03:51 PM

Is this better then Z1?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · August 13th, 2005, 04:01 PM

As the review explains, not by a long shot. It's a very impressive cam for sub 3K.

Sergio Perez · August 15th, 2005, 08:34 PM

From the A1 Manual, I realize there's no manual gain. What a shame for a "Pro" camera. Useless for fiction and overall manipulated lighting work (since the gain will automatically "come in"without notice... (at least that's what it looks like- it doesn't even have a gain indicator!)

Alexander Karol · August 17th, 2005, 02:23 AM

Can someone send me the A1's manual? The link seems to be down. My email is akarol@ufl.edu.

Also, I do agree that lack of manual gain control might keep this camcorder from becoming a lot more successful than it should. If not using it for helmet cam, then I don't see why any professional would get the A1 instead of the FX1.

Michael Liebergot · August 17th, 2005, 07:08 AM

It could be a great alernative for HDV video when using a steadicam or steadicam device like the Merlin, because of it's smaller size and lighter weight than the FX1 or Z1.

Sergio Perez · August 18th, 2005, 02:30 AM

My trv 900 had a gain icon display, even tough it wasn't controlable... Does the A1 have this information? This would at least give us some idea of what was going on...

Alexander Karol · August 18th, 2005, 07:02 AM

I agree. That would suffice to me. I doubt though.

I just really want to know if the "rolling shutter" effect is visible on the A1 and how well black strech really works.

Boyd Ostroff · August 18th, 2005, 07:09 AM

I haven't used the A1, but starting with the TRV-950 and PDX-10 Sony "dumbed down" their cameras a bit. No display of F-stop or gain, just a bar graph. On my PDX-10 you can tell whether gain is applied once you get accustomed to the relative position of the bargraph however.

Michael Liebergot · August 18th, 2005, 07:47 AM

"I just really want to know if the "rolling shutter" effect is visible on the A1 and how well black strech really works."

From what I have seen, the black stretch work extremely well, especially where low light would be involved, as the darks stay dark and give you better contrast and helps mainitain color better. The Z1 this feature as well, but the HC1 and FX1 do not.

Sergio Perez · August 18th, 2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

I haven't used the A1, but starting with the TRV-950 and PDX-10 Sony "dumbed down" their cameras a bit. No display of F-stop or gain, just a bar graph. On my PDX-10 you can tell whether gain is applied once you get accustomed to the relative position of the bargraph however.

Boyd, any idea if this bar graph is on the A1? And is this bar graph something like an "equalizer display", with easy to read + (gain) display?
-------
(nogain) -

Alexander Karol · August 19th, 2005, 03:30 AM

I think when it comes to the data code (gain, iris, and shutter speed), the only visible setting during recording is the shutter speed. The remaining settings can only be viewed during Playback. Hopefully, I am wrong, but I highly doubt it.

That is something that really bothers me about the A1U. They aren't including independent gain/iris control, the least they can give us is a display of what setting it is on.

August 13th, 2005, 04:01 PM	#51
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	As the review explains, not by a long shot. It's a very impressive cam for sub 3K. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

August 15th, 2005, 08:34 PM	#52
Sergio Perez Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 331	From the A1 Manual, I realize there's no manual gain. What a shame for a "Pro" camera. Useless for fiction and overall manipulated lighting work (since the gain will automatically "come in"without notice... (at least that's what it looks like- it doesn't even have a gain indicator!) __________________ If you don't believe in your film, no one else will.

August 18th, 2005, 02:30 AM	#55
Sergio Perez Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 331	My trv 900 had a gain icon display, even tough it wasn't controlable... Does the A1 have this information? This would at least give us some idea of what was going on... __________________ If you don't believe in your film, no one else will.

August 10th, 2005, 10:46 AM	#46
Gerald Lunn New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dublin California Posts: 18	Boyd and Alexander, Surely the HDV recording standard is 1080i 60f. There is no way to record progressive on the HDV tape even if the actual readout from the CMOS chip is progressive. That would be true for any HDV camera including the FX1/Z1. The only thing that Sony might have done is to provide the capability to output the analog Component Video in 1080p instead of 1080i - but there are no TV displays at present to watch the result (though it could be displayed on some computer monitors). The HDV standard does allow for 720p - which is what JVC chose for their consumer camcorder, but of course that does have a lower resolution! True 1080p recording would require a 2X data rate on the tape - or MUCH heavier compression - not going to happen!!! Gerald

August 10th, 2005, 10:51 AM	#47
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	I agree...but who is to say that TVs won't be capable in the near future? I mean, SONY is selling HDV camcorder like candy and HDTV is still far from mainstream. I think that the technology is already there, all they're doing is waiting for the right time.

August 13th, 2005, 03:51 PM	#50
Jim Rog Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: PAL Zone Posts: 188	Is this better then Z1?

August 17th, 2005, 02:23 AM	#53
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	Can someone send me the A1's manual? The link seems to be down. My email is akarol@ufl.edu. Also, I do agree that lack of manual gain control might keep this camcorder from becoming a lot more successful than it should. If not using it for helmet cam, then I don't see why any professional would get the A1 instead of the FX1.

August 17th, 2005, 07:08 AM	#54
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	It could be a great alernative for HDV video when using a steadicam or steadicam device like the Merlin, because of it's smaller size and lighter weight than the FX1 or Z1.

August 18th, 2005, 07:02 AM	#56
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	I agree. That would suffice to me. I doubt though. I just really want to know if the "rolling shutter" effect is visible on the A1 and how well black strech really works.

August 18th, 2005, 07:09 AM	#57
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	I haven't used the A1, but starting with the TRV-950 and PDX-10 Sony "dumbed down" their cameras a bit. No display of F-stop or gain, just a bar graph. On my PDX-10 you can tell whether gain is applied once you get accustomed to the relative position of the bargraph however.

August 18th, 2005, 07:47 AM	#58
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	"I just really want to know if the "rolling shutter" effect is visible on the A1 and how well black strech really works." From what I have seen, the black stretch work extremely well, especially where low light would be involved, as the darks stay dark and give you better contrast and helps mainitain color better. The Z1 this feature as well, but the HC1 and FX1 do not.

August 19th, 2005, 03:30 AM	#60
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	I think when it comes to the data code (gain, iris, and shutter speed), the only visible setting during recording is the shutter speed. The remaining settings can only be viewed during Playback. Hopefully, I am wrong, but I highly doubt it. That is something that really bothers me about the A1U. They aren't including independent gain/iris control, the least they can give us is a display of what setting it is on.