Is there a European market for the SONY HVR-Z1? at DVinfo.net

John Jay · October 20th, 2004, 07:45 AM

Based on confirmed reports for this Pro version of the FX1 with its 50i/60i switch at $7k, I wonder how many of us in 50i countries will actually be flicking that switch. Is it a lot extra to pay for something you would hardly use?

For 60i countries I can see a market for the 50i switch - better compression and a post path to 24p via 25p through field reconstruction or even CineFrame25.

Simple math says that if you purchase 2 x FX1 and negotiate a 5% discount you will also be spending $7k.

What would you rather have - 2 x FX1 or 1 x Z1 ?

Your existing setup is most likely to already include an XLR / 16 bit uncompressed sound recording facility is it not?

Even in 60i land , the purchase of an additional 50i version of the FX1 would still make sense over a Z1 since HDTV is 60i/50i compatible, so nothing lost there and everything to gain

In short the deal looks like 1 camera for the functionality of two (Z1) versus 2 cameras for the functionality of two (2 x FX1)

Joe Carney · October 20th, 2004, 01:19 PM

Think economies of scale. Having to support only one type of camera world wide keeps costs down, and eliminates a lot of problems when looking for help. It won't matter what country you are shooting in, it will have support. I've been wishing for this for a long long time.

For me, thats worth paying a little extra for.

Mark Kubat · October 20th, 2004, 03:42 PM

than meets the eye (or the lcd, since both will be on at the same time!) with regards to the pro version - there has to be "something more" than those piddly features so far confirmed for Z1 - now the question of different resolution/different CCDs and true 24p/25p certainly make the Z1 worth the extra $$.

As an NTSC filmmaker, my plan up until now was to get PAL FX1 (FX1-E?) for filmic potential - if and only new Z1 has true "p" modes (25/24p) and "better quality" (higher resolution? better ccds?) will I save up for extra $$$...

John Jay · October 27th, 2004, 08:16 PM

Just wanted to chirp up on this topic before the candle blows out.

I personally would not wish to pay for 24p on a European Pro version.

To balance the cost differential I would like to see four heads on that drum, a twofold increase in tape speed and a little switch which allows me to record 30 minutes of uninterrupted MP@HL at 50 Mbits/sec. ......and.....and..... throw in a free PCI dual platform card which can decode it to the desktop to make editing a breeze.

It might be too much for a reindeer to pull half way across the globe, but at least give it a try.

Would you sell many of these I wonder ? (s)

October 20th, 2004, 07:45 AM	#1
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	Is there a European market for the SONY HVR-Z1? Based on confirmed reports for this Pro version of the FX1 with its 50i/60i switch at $7k, I wonder how many of us in 50i countries will actually be flicking that switch. Is it a lot extra to pay for something you would hardly use? For 60i countries I can see a market for the 50i switch - better compression and a post path to 24p via 25p through field reconstruction or even CineFrame25. Simple math says that if you purchase 2 x FX1 and negotiate a 5% discount you will also be spending $7k. What would you rather have - 2 x FX1 or 1 x Z1 ? Your existing setup is most likely to already include an XLR / 16 bit uncompressed sound recording facility is it not? Even in 60i land , the purchase of an additional 50i version of the FX1 would still make sense over a Z1 since HDTV is 60i/50i compatible, so nothing lost there and everything to gain In short the deal looks like 1 camera for the functionality of two (Z1) versus 2 cameras for the functionality of two (2 x FX1) __________________ John Jay Beware *PLUGGER-BYTES*

October 20th, 2004, 03:42 PM	#3
Mark Kubat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 375	this is why I'm more inclined to believe there's more... than meets the eye (or the lcd, since both will be on at the same time!) with regards to the pro version - there has to be "something more" than those piddly features so far confirmed for Z1 - now the question of different resolution/different CCDs and true 24p/25p certainly make the Z1 worth the extra $$. As an NTSC filmmaker, my plan up until now was to get PAL FX1 (FX1-E?) for filmic potential - if and only new Z1 has true "p" modes (25/24p) and "better quality" (higher resolution? better ccds?) will I save up for extra $$$...

October 27th, 2004, 08:16 PM	#4
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	Just wanted to chirp up on this topic before the candle blows out. I personally would not wish to pay for 24p on a European Pro version. To balance the cost differential I would like to see four heads on that drum, a twofold increase in tape speed and a little switch which allows me to record 30 minutes of uninterrupted MP@HL at 50 Mbits/sec. ......and.....and..... throw in a free PCI dual platform card which can decode it to the desktop to make editing a breeze. It might be too much for a reindeer to pull half way across the globe, but at least give it a try. Would you sell many of these I wonder ? (s) __________________ John Jay Beware *PLUGGER-BYTES*

October 20th, 2004, 01:19 PM	#2
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	Think economies of scale. Having to support only one type of camera world wide keeps costs down, and eliminates a lot of problems when looking for help. It won't matter what country you are shooting in, it will have support. I've been wishing for this for a long long time. For me, thats worth paying a little extra for.