Next Wedding with new Z5 at DVinfo.net

Franklin Bencosme · February 3rd, 2009, 12:13 PM

Just got my new Z5,next saturday I have
a 1 camera wedding,any sugestion for my
firts HD wedding with this AMAZING TOY!!
This will be a night Wedding !!!

Thanks in advance !!.....Franklin

ps-I am coming from pd-170

Phil Burton · February 3rd, 2009, 12:41 PM

My advice would be to use the camera every day from now until the wedding to familiarise yourself with all the controls and settings.

Oh, and good luck doing a wedding as a one camera shoot, very brave.

Franklin Bencosme · February 3rd, 2009, 01:26 PM

Hey Phil ! thanks for your coments,any way
I might bring the pd-170-just in case !!

Franklin...

Jo Ouwejan · February 3rd, 2009, 02:10 PM

In that case, I hope takes will match.

Brian Rhodes · February 3rd, 2009, 06:08 PM

I would recommend you get a cam light for the reception. I use this one at all of my weddings.

Bescor | KLK-65XT Light Battery Kit | KLK65XT | B&H Photo Video

Stelios Christofides · February 4th, 2009, 02:21 PM

I have just ordered my HVR-Z5 and I can't wait to shoot my next christening with this camera. I will post my impressions here.

One thing though, what is the difference between DVCAM SP and DV SP?

Stelios

Daniel McPake · February 4th, 2009, 02:53 PM

Basically, its the speed that the tape is wound when recording, DVCAM is a format designed to reduce drop outs by increasing the speed the tape is moved during camera recording and playback. Therefore increasing the surface area and giving the footage - more "room" on the tape.

This reduces drop outs, which are especially harmful with the GOP video compression that this camera uses, but i have only really seen use for DVCAM with HD, i suppose its just a way to better ensure no dropouts are found on the tape.

You will turn a 63 Minute HDV tape into a 43 minute tape however if recording in DVCAM if i remember correctly.

Hope this helps!

Stelios Christofides · February 4th, 2009, 03:23 PM

Thanks Daniel for the quick reply. I hope that this camera can record in ordinary DV mode ( widescreen) as well.

Stelios

Ron Evans · February 4th, 2009, 03:26 PM

DVCAM is the pro version of DV and is SD not HD. As you say the tape runs faster to reduce dropouts so a 60 min tape will be a 40min DVCam time. The audio is also locked to the video clock so that it is possible to use a linear editor for DVCam( audio will be cut with the video) The standard DV spec allows the audio to be 1/3 frame out from the video. The pro versions of Z1, Z5 and Z7 etc have HDV , DVCAm and DV SP whereas the consumer FX1, FX1000 have HDV, DV SP and DV LP. When DV was introduced the pro segment was still using linear editors so DVCam needed to be more robust and have locked audio. Technology rolled on and effectively made the difference negligible when used with NLE's. DV and DVCAm are DCT intra frame encoders whereas HDV is long GOP MPEG2. Both are constant bit rate at 25mbps since they go to tape.
The video encoders for DVCam and DV are the same, the main difference is locked audio and a faster tape speed but the data rate is the same DVCam just uses more tape. The JVC pro DV camcorders use locked audio in the DV stream. Panasonic had their own pro version of DV called DVCPro that not only had locked audio but also a linear audio track that the linear editors were used to using so that it could drop right into the normal pro work flow. In fact DV SP and DV LP are also the same, again only tape speed is the difference. DV LP becomes more susceptible to drop outs and head alignments so really needs to be played back from the deck that wrote the data. Once they are in an NLE there is no difference as the audio is then locked!!!!

Ron Evans

Stelios Christofides · February 5th, 2009, 01:04 AM

Ron
Thanks for the detail explanation.
Now if you use a 16GB flash card on the HVR-MRC1 unit, they say that you can record about 72 minutes of video HDV or DVCAM. If you record though standard DV format will the capacity increase to record more that 72 minutes?

Stelios

Marco Dias · February 5th, 2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

If you record standard DV format will the capacity increase to record more than 72 minutes?

No, If you record in DV, you will only get 72 minutes on your 16GB flash card.

My suggestion is that you record your christening on DV widescreen.

I have never seen a difference in picture quality between DV and DVcam.

Since you are going to record the Christening with your 16GB flash card, there's no worries of dropped frames.

Ron Evans · February 5th, 2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

Now if you use a 16GB flash card on the HVR-MRC1 unit, they say that you can record about 72 minutes of video HDV or DVCAM. If you record though standard DV format will the capacity increase to record more that 72 minutes?

No. They are exactly the same data rates 25Mbps so they will record exactly the same time on the flash card. The only difference is on the tape where DVCam uses more tape than DV or HDV to record the same data thus reducing the chance of a tape defect causing any problems the error correction cannot fix.

Ron Evans

Ken Ross · February 5th, 2009, 10:09 AM

My friend is getting an error message on his CF recorder when using his Z5 and a Lexar CF card. The card matches the requirements, but he seems to get the error message only when he has the cam set to downconvert from HDV to SD on the card.

That seems odd since I would think the file is essentially the same whether the camera is set to native SD or to HDV and then downconverting to SD on the fly. Since the camera is doing the downconverting, I don't see why he'd get the error one way and not the other.

Anyone have any ideas?

Stelios Christofides · February 5th, 2009, 12:54 PM

Thanks Marco and Ron for your answers.
I always record with DV widescreen in any case. There is no need,yet, for me to record on HDV, as not so many people here have the equipment to see it. Besides the outcome from my FX7 in DV mode is outstanding and I would imagine the Z5 would be the same if not better.

Stelios

Hans Ledel · February 5th, 2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

Thanks Marco and Ron for your answers.
I always record with DV widescreen in any case. There is no need,yet, for me to record on HDV, as not so many people here have the equipment to see it. Besides the outcome from my FX7 in DV mode is outstanding and I would imagine the Z5 would be the same if not better.

Stelios

Hi Stelios

It would be really nice if you could tell us how the FX7 compares to the Z5, when you get it

Cheers

hans

February 3rd, 2009, 12:13 PM	#1
Franklin Bencosme Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 135	Next Wedding with new Z5 Just got my new Z5,next saturday I have a 1 camera wedding,any sugestion for my firts HD wedding with this AMAZING TOY!! This will be a night Wedding !!! Thanks in advance !!.....Franklin ps-I am coming from pd-170

February 3rd, 2009, 12:41 PM	#2
Phil Burton Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK Posts: 42	My advice would be to use the camera every day from now until the wedding to familiarise yourself with all the controls and settings. Oh, and good luck doing a wedding as a one camera shoot, very brave. __________________ Phil

February 4th, 2009, 02:21 PM	#6
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	I have just ordered my HVR-Z5 and I can't wait to shoot my next christening with this camera. I will post my impressions here. One thing though, what is the difference between DVCAM SP and DV SP? Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

February 4th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#7
Daniel McPake New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 19	Basically, its the speed that the tape is wound when recording, DVCAM is a format designed to reduce drop outs by increasing the speed the tape is moved during camera recording and playback. Therefore increasing the surface area and giving the footage - more "room" on the tape. This reduces drop outs, which are especially harmful with the GOP video compression that this camera uses, but i have only really seen use for DVCAM with HD, i suppose its just a way to better ensure no dropouts are found on the tape. You will turn a 63 Minute HDV tape into a 43 minute tape however if recording in DVCAM if i remember correctly. Hope this helps! __________________ Stake Productions - Director, Editor, Cinematographer, ...Sony HVR Z5E

February 4th, 2009, 03:23 PM	#8
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Thanks Daniel for the quick reply. I hope that this camera can record in ordinary DV mode ( widescreen) as well. Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

February 3rd, 2009, 01:26 PM	#3
Franklin Bencosme Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 135	Hey Phil ! thanks for your coments,any way I might bring the pd-170-just in case !! Franklin...

February 3rd, 2009, 02:10 PM	#4
Jo Ouwejan Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Veenendaal, Holland Posts: 225	In that case, I hope takes will match.

February 3rd, 2009, 06:08 PM	#5
Brian Rhodes Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 753	I would recommend you get a cam light for the reception. I use this one at all of my weddings. Bescor \| KLK-65XT Light Battery Kit \| KLK65XT \| B&H Photo Video

February 4th, 2009, 03:26 PM	#9
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	DVCAM is the pro version of DV and is SD not HD. As you say the tape runs faster to reduce dropouts so a 60 min tape will be a 40min DVCam time. The audio is also locked to the video clock so that it is possible to use a linear editor for DVCam( audio will be cut with the video) The standard DV spec allows the audio to be 1/3 frame out from the video. The pro versions of Z1, Z5 and Z7 etc have HDV , DVCAm and DV SP whereas the consumer FX1, FX1000 have HDV, DV SP and DV LP. When DV was introduced the pro segment was still using linear editors so DVCam needed to be more robust and have locked audio. Technology rolled on and effectively made the difference negligible when used with NLE's. DV and DVCAm are DCT intra frame encoders whereas HDV is long GOP MPEG2. Both are constant bit rate at 25mbps since they go to tape. The video encoders for DVCam and DV are the same, the main difference is locked audio and a faster tape speed but the data rate is the same DVCam just uses more tape. The JVC pro DV camcorders use locked audio in the DV stream. Panasonic had their own pro version of DV called DVCPro that not only had locked audio but also a linear audio track that the linear editors were used to using so that it could drop right into the normal pro work flow. In fact DV SP and DV LP are also the same, again only tape speed is the difference. DV LP becomes more susceptible to drop outs and head alignments so really needs to be played back from the deck that wrote the data. Once they are in an NLE there is no difference as the audio is then locked!!!! Ron Evans

February 5th, 2009, 01:04 AM	#10
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Ron Thanks for the detail explanation. Now if you use a 16GB flash card on the HVR-MRC1 unit, they say that you can record about 72 minutes of video HDV or DVCAM. If you record though standard DV format will the capacity increase to record more that 72 minutes? Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

February 5th, 2009, 10:09 AM	#13
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	My friend is getting an error message on his CF recorder when using his Z5 and a Lexar CF card. The card matches the requirements, but he seems to get the error message only when he has the cam set to downconvert from HDV to SD on the card. That seems odd since I would think the file is essentially the same whether the camera is set to native SD or to HDV and then downconverting to SD on the fly. Since the camera is doing the downconverting, I don't see why he'd get the error one way and not the other. Anyone have any ideas?

February 5th, 2009, 12:54 PM	#14
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Thanks Marco and Ron for your answers. I always record with DV widescreen in any case. There is no need,yet, for me to record on HDV, as not so many people here have the equipment to see it. Besides the outcome from my FX7 in DV mode is outstanding and I would imagine the Z5 would be the same if not better. Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis