HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

Now available to order, yes, but not shipping yet. They still estimate 2-4 weeks for delivery.
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

Signal System_      Standard Definition
NTSC and PAL Systems
HDTV
1080/60i, 1080/50i, 25 Frame Progressive and 24 Frame Progressive Selectable
MPEG2 Encoding for HDTV Data_
Image Device_      3-CCD, 1/3-Inch 16:9 Aspect
1.12 Million Pixels Total Each Chip_
Lens_      4.5mm to 54mm
12x Optical Zoom
f/1.6 to f/2.4
72mm Filter Diameter_
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Horizontal Resolution_      More than 1080 Lines Horizontal_
Sensitivity_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Minimum Illumination_      2 Lux _
Vertical Smear_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Built-in Filters_      1/4 ND (1.5 stops)
1/32 ND (5 stops)_
LCD Monitor_      3.5 Inch 16:9 Aspect
LCD Monitor and Viewfinder Can Be Used Simultaneously_
Viewfinder_      Color_
Scan Matching_      Yes_
Memory Card Slot_      No_
Tone_      1/4 seconds to 1/10,000 seconds_
Gain Selection_      0 dB, (+)3 dB, 6 dB, 9 dB, 12 dB, 15 dB, 18 dB_
VTR Section_      -_
Tape Format_      DVCAM Small Cassette
HDV Record and Play
DVCAM Record and Play
DV Record and Play_
Tape Speed_      HDV- 18.8mm/sec.
DVCAM- 28.2 mm/sec.
DV SP Mode- 18.8mm/sec. _
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Maximum Recording Time_      HDV- 60 Minutes
DVCAM- 40 Minutes
DV- 60 Minutes_
Audio Dynamic Range_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Audio Signal Format_      HDV
MPEG1 Audio Layer II
DVCAM/DV
16-bit/48kHz 2 Channel Mode
12-bit/32kHz 4 Channel Mode_
Audio Frequency Response_      20Hz to 20kHz _
Audio Signal to Noise Ratio_      Not Specified by Manufacturer _
Input and Output Connectors_      Analog/Digital Component- 3 RCA (x 1 input and output both)
Firewire- 4-Pin (x 1)
Composite Video- RCA (x 1)
Mic Audio- XLR (x 2 input)
Audio- RCA (x 2 output)
Headphone- Stereo Mini (x 1) _
Power Requirements_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Power Consumption_      8.4 Watts Maximum_
Operating Temperature_      32 to 104 degrees F
0 to 40 degrees C_
Dimensions (WxHxD)_      6 x 7 1/8 x 14 3/8 Inches
152.4 x 181 x 165 mm_
Weight_      4.25 Lbs.
1.9 Kg_

Blurring the line between consumer and professional video cameras Sony has created the HVR-Z1U camcorder. It adheres to the HDV Consortium's specifications for 1080i recording on popular DV mini cassettes. This camera represents the widest array of professional features within a new standard of miniaturization._ The HDV video standard will provide about double the resolution of the old standard DV formats.



In contrast with the consumer version of the camera, the HDR-FX1, the pro model camera offers many additional functions that the professional operator will immediately appreciate._ Just as an example, the HVR-Z1U will keep track of the hours of operation the camera endures. Another example of the pro camera's greater abilities is that it records and plays in DVCAM, consumer DV in SP mode, and the HDV formats._ You may also use the LCD screen simultaneously with the viewfinder, a function not found in the consumer model._

The design of the camera is aimed directly at the filmmaker, the most modern event video producers and even widescreen news shooters. Because it records in high definition and standard definition modes it can be used in a variety of production scenarios that may change from client to client or evolve over time. It is NTSC and PAL system compatible as well.
Key Features

•_      High Definition and Standard Definition, and Film-Looks
The HVR-Z1U is Sony's first attempt at a mini-sized camcorder for the newest high definition monitors. The camera records in 16:9 widescreen with native widescreen chips. It will output component video in 1080i, 480i and 480p formats. In fact it will output 60 frame, 50 frame, 30 frame and 25 frame standards. An additional function is HD to SD down conversion. Another feature of the camera is the CineFrame Mode that replicates the look of film production. The mode has 30 frame, 25 frame and 24 frame modes that utilize a 3:2 pull down conversion. Additionally the camera has the ability to down-convert HD captured video to standard definition video for viewing on a SD monitor or for systems that require SD video.
•_      World-Wide Compatibility
The HDV camcorder is both NTSC and PAL and 50i/60i systems compatible which is a first for the pro-sumer 3-CCD camera market. This allows the industrial and event videographer to satisfy clients almost anywhere in the civilized world. The high-def formats are inherently universal being digital agorithmetic constructions.
•_      Color Correction for Special Effects
This very advanced feature allows the user to adjust color of a target subject without affection the color of the remainder of the scene. As a fascinating special effect one object may show color while the remaining scene is black and white. In fact 2 target colors may be chosen and controlled for color phase, color gain and other parameters.
•_      One-Touch Custom Set-Ups
The HVR-Z1U has 6 buttons for your special custom setting memories and menu selections. A single button push will set the camera to your specific outdoor, fluorescent or color correction selected options. Menu items like REC REVIEW, Back-Light, Spot-Light features may be selected to one of the assignable buttons.
•_      Viewfinder and LCD Monitor Features
Essentially all functions viewable through the viewfinder will be displayed on the 3.3-inch LCD screen- and both can be used simultaneously. Safety markers for 4:3 can be generated on a widescreen image for use with the Edge Crop function. The widescreen marker can be displayed on 4:3 recordings. All markers may be selected simultaneously. Zoom ratio display may be shown as a bar graph or in numerical readout as menu selected. Of course all supplemental viewfinder information may be turned off completely as well.
•_      Color Bars and Hours Metering
The HVR-Z1U has 2 sets of color bars for accurate color representation. Full SMPTE bars and standard bars may be selected through menu settings. Diagnostic metering has been available on large professional camera from the very beginning of ENG shooting. This little camera is the first to address this requirement in a small camera. Operation, Drum Run, Tape Run and Threading hours are all available for maintenance purposes. _

Signal System_      Standard DefinitionNTSC and PAL SystemsHDTV1080/60i, 1080/50i, 25 Frame Progressive and 24 Frame Progressive SelectableMPEG2 Encoding for HDTV Data_
Image Device_      3-CCD, 1/3-Inch 16:9 Aspect1.12 Million Pixels Total Each Chip_
Lens_      4.5mm to 54mm12x Optical Zoomf/1.6 to f/2.472mm Filter Diameter_
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Horizontal Resolution_      More than 1080 Lines Horizontal_
Sensitivity_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Minimum Illumination_      2 Lux _
Vertical Smear_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Built-in Filters_      1/4 ND (1.5 stops)1/32 ND (5 stops)_
LCD Monitor_      3.5 Inch 16:9 AspectLCD Monitor and Viewfinder Can Be Used Simultaneously_
Viewfinder_      Color_
Scan Matching_      Yes_
Memory Card Slot_      No_
Tone_      1/4 seconds to 1/10,000 seconds_
Gain Selection_      0 dB, (+)3 dB, 6 dB, 9 dB, 12 dB, 15 dB, 18 dB_
VTR Section_      -_
Tape Format_      DVCAM Small CassetteHDV Record and PlayDVCAM Record and PlayDV Record and Play_
Tape Speed_      HDV- 18.8mm/sec.DVCAM- 28.2 mm/sec.DV SP Mode- 18.8mm/sec. _
Signal-to-Noise Ratio_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Maximum Recording Time_      HDV- 60 MinutesDVCAM- 40 MinutesDV- 60 Minutes_
Audio Dynamic Range_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Audio Signal Format_      HDVMPEG1 Audio Layer IIDVCAM/DV16-bit/48kHz 2 Channel Mode12-bit/32kHz 4 Channel Mode_
Audio Frequency Response_      20Hz to 20kHz _
Audio Signal to Noise Ratio_      Not Specified by Manufacturer _
Input and Output Connectors_      Analog/Digital Component- 3 RCA (x 1 input and output both)Firewire- 4-Pin (x 1)Composite Video- RCA (x 1)Mic Audio- XLR (x 2 input)Audio- RCA (x 2 output)Headphone- Stereo Mini (x 1) _
Power Requirements_      Not Specified by Manufacturer_
Power Consumption_      8.4 Watts Maximum_
Operating Temperature_      32 to 104 degrees F0 to 40 degrees C_
Dimensions (WxHxD)_      6 x 7 1/8 x 14 3/8 Inches152.4 x 181 x 165 mm_
Weight_      4.25 Lbs.1.9 Kg_
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

There might be a slight difference because of cine gamma tone control 2,
but
Isn't the picture quality of Z1 almost exactly the same as FX1?
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

One question:

is this sony's "file convertion" (HDV -> SD) working on IEEE output?
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

Unless I'm misunderstanding your question, yes, you can convert HDV->SD on the firewire port. You can record or play back HDV, and set it to either out put HDV or downconverted DV out the firewire port.
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

It shoots at 60i, and only 60i, to make its CineFrame 24.

Then it somehow drops/blends fields to make a simulation of 24 frames. The results are really nothing like 24P: you end up with frames that have variable resolution and uneven motion. I tested it to find out exactly what it was doing. It groups frames together in groups of five, which are four
"pseudo-progressive" frames that have 2:3 pulldown applied to them to round them up to five interlaced frames, so at first glance it almost looks like 24PN on tape. However, the first thing I noticed is that it pulses and crawls, even on a still frame. Frame-by-frame examination of a resolution chart shows that in each five-frame group, you have two frames with 475 lines of resolution, two frames with 425 lines, and then one with 575 lines! So even if you're shooting a static shot, the very process of CF24 will add shimmering and motion in the shot!

The other disturbing thing is how it handles motion. Because it samples at 60 samples per second (60hz), it has to try to simulate the motion of 24 samples per second (24hz), but of course it can't do that directly. So what it ends up doing is slicing the motion apart so that over the course of any pair of frames, something like 1/3 the motion happens in one frame, and 2/3 happens in the other.

As an example, I checked true 24p against cf24 of a car driving by. The 24P shoots a frame at 24 equally-spaced intervals in time, and with a constant-speed object like a car, you would expect that it would travel an equal distance each frame. And it did. Every frame was something like 33 pixels of movement.

But with CineFrame 24, on even frames the car would move like 25 pixels or so, and on odd frames it would move something like 40 pixels. (I don't remember the exact numbers, I think I posted the test results on DVInfo.net) So instead of evenly-spaced motion, you get an uneven herky-jerky motion... Very, very unfilmlike for anything that's showing a lot of motion. For mild motion it's not so bad; headshots/talking interviews, etc. But for ice skating it was startlingly "wrong".

So, 24P as implemented on the DVX = higher resolution and filmlike motion.
CF24 as implemented on the FX1 = lower resolution, variable resolution per frame, and uneven herky-jerky motion.
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

Wow. Thanks for the detail. 24p has seemed to really catch on with the filmmaking crowd (even with the big brother cameras); why are these other companies 'not getting it' ?
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

I think I answered my own question; maybe?

JVC/SONY seem more concerned with HD than they do 24 Progressive. Why should they invest in 24 Progressive when what they really want is to sell more HD Televisions?

I dont know enough about it; am I going down the right road here?
 
Re: HVR-ZIU - B&H - $4,900

"what they really want is to sell more HD Televisions"


I think you are right, John. It seems to me that for that reason, and also to offer a new product that creates a buzz (hype), they chose to go HDV. To have a "first" with the 3 chip version. Panasonic dominates 24p, so Sony would be in the  "me too" category. They know that many of us get all hot and bothered by something that seems to be cutting edge. Let's face it, initially that helped spur the DVX sales. The big difference I see is that Sony has created a cam that has no immediate use that can't be accomplished with SD cams, and in the case of low-light, can be accomplished better by their own PD and VX models. I think also that they are gambling that if they jump in early (and I consider it early when you consider that there is no viable means of delivering HDV, and I don't think it is even in the near future) it will become the de-facto standard for prosumer level HD. And I think that gamble leaves a wide opening for Panasonic. In fact, I believe that currently Panasonic is more cutting edge than Sony (and this is not a Sony bash. I own a VX and a PD). And by cutting edge, I don't necessarily mean first to market, but rather first to market with a solid cutting edge product. I'm not doing anything with any flavor of HD until I see what Panasonic is going to offer. After all, what's the rush. SD is still where the mass market is, so I can afford to wait for the best solution. And one other thing, it wouldn't be the first time that Sony has misread the market. They did it with consumer beta, which was a superior format to vhs, but because Sony over-priced,  JVC was able to bury them. And I could see that happening again, because I think their HDV cams are overpriced. The Z1 is at the doorstep of the price of an entry-level shoulder-mount 1/2" 3 chip cam.
 
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