HC1 or A1U?

Jon Weber · February 23rd, 2006, 10:41 AM

Actually another difference that I caught was the button on the right side of the lens barrel. On the HC1 it is a flash adjust button (?). But on the A1U, it is a user assignable button. HUGE!
I got this through documentation so if an owner can verify this, I would love to know.

Aric Hendrix · February 23rd, 2006, 11:03 AM

meaning you can program the buttons? No way!

Chris Barcellos · February 23rd, 2006, 11:13 AM

I forgot about bottom loading issue. That is big ith the XLR adapters. So go A1U. They do have tripod adapters to allow tape change on tripod, but that won't work well with XLR adapter.

David Saraceno · February 23rd, 2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aric Hendrix

Still $500 more. The HC1 goes for 1499 and B&H. $500 could buy a lot of accessories. :)

Like a different computer?

Editing without a second internal dedicated media drive, or the abolity to create a second firewire bus is a huge factor in DV, and certainly a bigger factor when working with FCP 5 which you need to native HDV editing.

A single firewire bus iMac is NOT optimal.

Vincent Sanchis · February 23rd, 2006, 11:52 AM

Why is a B&W viewfinder better than a color one?

Because you can focus more accurately...if you use the manual focus.

Vincent Sanchis · February 23rd, 2006, 12:07 PM

Sorry, I missed the question about Full Scan.

Makes possible to record by all pixels regardless of the zoom possition.

Aric Hendrix · February 23rd, 2006, 12:12 PM

OK, now I'm wondering if my skill level is even up to the task for this camera. I'll be living in China for about 10 months to teach English, and I wanted to bring back some good HDV footage to use for a short documentary on Student University Life in China. I like the idea of having lots of controls, but I don't even know where to start learning. I'm used to a PV-GS150! This will be a big leap forward! haha.

Robert M Wright · February 23rd, 2006, 06:04 PM

I'd suggest putting an emphasis on practicing manual focusing first (and using the push auto - at least I hope an A1U has push auto, but I'm not 100% certain). Shooting HD is much more sensitive than SD to the precision of focusing (a good reason to want the B/W viewfinder). It's like anything else, put your mind to it, practice, and you'll keep improving your skills.

Holger Leonhard · February 23rd, 2006, 07:12 PM

full scan / underscan: shows really everything of the recorded image. Consumer Cams and even an XL2 only show the action / title safe area plus some additional pixels in the VF, so you simply don´t see what´s up on the edges! p.ex. if the mic is in at the edge you don´t see it or you need an additional underscan control Monitor to check this.
Therefore the usable image area decreases about 15 - 20%, real resolution / pixel loss.

Chris Barcellos · February 23rd, 2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aric Hendrix

OK, now I'm wondering if my skill level is even up to the task for this camera. I'll be living in China for about 10 months to teach English, and I wanted to bring back some good HDV footage to use for a short documentary on Student University Life in China. I like the idea of having lots of controls, but I don't even know where to start learning. I'm used to a PV-GS150! This will be a big leap forward! haha.

You are absolutely up to it--- even if you have to put onfull auto. Don't let techno freaks destroy your opportunity to get some great hdv footage. Just shoot it and enjoy it.

Aric Hendrix · February 23rd, 2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

You are absolutely up to it--- even if you have to put onfull auto. Don't let techno freaks destroy your opportunity to get some great hdv footage. Just shoot it and enjoy it.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm leaning towards the A1U. Now I just have to get myself ready to edit HDV on a iMac 17". I guess since iMovie is HDV ready, why would it totally tax my system out in FCP?

Chris Barcellos · February 23rd, 2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aric Hendrix

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm leaning towards the A1U. Now I just have to get myself ready to edit HDV on a iMac 17". I guess since iMovie is HDV ready, why would it totally tax my system out in FCP?

I'm a PC man myself- so someone else will have to give you heads up there. But if system on Imac isn't up to it, you can shoot HDV, and downconvert to DV temporarily, as you do your initial shooting. I'm thinking that you're going to have access to some pretty good deals in PC equipment, DV equipment, and software while abroad, and if not, there is nothing to say you can't do your edit when you get back..

Alexander Karol · February 24th, 2006, 07:56 AM

B/W viewfinder: As stated, it is much easier to focus when watching something in B/W as contrast and edges are more evident. You'll see what I am talking about.

The neat thing about the A1, is that you can have both, the viewfinder and LCD, simultaneously on at the same time. This provides you the ability of using the B/W VF for focusing, while being able to see the colors your frame is emcompassing. Really convenient!

Assignable button: I definetely forgot to mention that on my list of main features, but that is indeed true. You can assign a function to that button quite easily such as stabilization, white balance, zebra, etc. Very, very useful. I recommend you assign it to white balance as it will be something you'll constantly be tweaking.

R.P. Cuenco · February 24th, 2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aric Hendrix

Also, does anyone edit HDV in FCP 5 with an iMac G5? If so, tell me your experiences with it. Thanks.

a bit delayed with the response, but im sure you dont mind.

pretty good for what its doing. strongly suggest against multitracking and massive effects. even slower going through an intermediate codec. just make sure you master in another codec, such as dvcpro hd so you dont get some crazy artifacting.

but heck, i dont care, its a mac :-)

Jack D. Hubbard · February 25th, 2006, 01:06 AM

Hi Alex:

Been to China. You are definitely up to the A1. In 10 months, you will grow into the camera, and with the extras on it, and the extra 500 bucks, you will thank yourself for the extra margin the camera will give you.

Jack

February 23rd, 2006, 11:13 AM	#18
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I forgot about bottom loading issue. That is big ith the XLR adapters. So go A1U. They do have tripod adapters to allow tape change on tripod, but that won't work well with XLR adapter. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 25th, 2006, 01:06 AM	#30
Jack D. Hubbard Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Menlo Park, CA Posts: 342	China Hi Alex: Been to China. You are definitely up to the A1. In 10 months, you will grow into the camera, and with the extras on it, and the extra 500 bucks, you will thank yourself for the extra margin the camera will give you. Jack

February 23rd, 2006, 10:41 AM	#16
Jon Weber New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 8	Actually another difference that I caught was the button on the right side of the lens barrel. On the HC1 it is a flash adjust button (?). But on the A1U, it is a user assignable button. HUGE! I got this through documentation so if an owner can verify this, I would love to know.

February 23rd, 2006, 11:03 AM	#17
Aric Hendrix New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 18	meaning you can program the buttons? No way!

February 23rd, 2006, 11:52 AM	#20
Vincent Sanchis New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oldenburg, Germany Posts: 23	Why is a B&W viewfinder better than a color one? Because you can focus more accurately...if you use the manual focus.

February 23rd, 2006, 12:07 PM	#21
Vincent Sanchis New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oldenburg, Germany Posts: 23	Sorry, I missed the question about Full Scan. Makes possible to record by all pixels regardless of the zoom possition.

February 23rd, 2006, 12:12 PM	#22
Aric Hendrix New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 18	OK, now I'm wondering if my skill level is even up to the task for this camera. I'll be living in China for about 10 months to teach English, and I wanted to bring back some good HDV footage to use for a short documentary on Student University Life in China. I like the idea of having lots of controls, but I don't even know where to start learning. I'm used to a PV-GS150! This will be a big leap forward! haha.

February 23rd, 2006, 06:04 PM	#23
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I'd suggest putting an emphasis on practicing manual focusing first (and using the push auto - at least I hope an A1U has push auto, but I'm not 100% certain). Shooting HD is much more sensitive than SD to the precision of focusing (a good reason to want the B/W viewfinder). It's like anything else, put your mind to it, practice, and you'll keep improving your skills.

February 23rd, 2006, 07:12 PM	#24
Holger Leonhard Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 71	full scan / underscan: shows really everything of the recorded image. Consumer Cams and even an XL2 only show the action / title safe area plus some additional pixels in the VF, so you simply don´t see what´s up on the edges! p.ex. if the mic is in at the edge you don´t see it or you need an additional underscan control Monitor to check this. Therefore the usable image area decreases about 15 - 20%, real resolution / pixel loss.

February 24th, 2006, 07:56 AM	#28
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	B/W viewfinder: As stated, it is much easier to focus when watching something in B/W as contrast and edges are more evident. You'll see what I am talking about. The neat thing about the A1, is that you can have both, the viewfinder and LCD, simultaneously on at the same time. This provides you the ability of using the B/W VF for focusing, while being able to see the colors your frame is emcompassing. Really convenient! Assignable button: I definetely forgot to mention that on my list of main features, but that is indeed true. You can assign a function to that button quite easily such as stabilization, white balance, zebra, etc. Very, very useful. I recommend you assign it to white balance as it will be something you'll constantly be tweaking.