Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=30#39 date=02/01/05 at 23:23:38]Give me 24p or give me......![/quote]
the Sony? Either one will do? Why John you unfaithful.... ;D
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=LUXGAP link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=30#31 date=02/01/05 at 17:54:42] I strongly agree with Steve in the reality that HD is our future, how can anyone be so shortsighted?.  [/quote]

I still don't get why anyone thinks anyone here IS that shortsighted.


I love my DVX100 just like I still love my two VX1000s but I cannot close my mind to the certitude that in five year's time SD will most likely be going the way of the eight track.
Click to expand...

Eventually. But five years? Prob'ly not. Got a loooong way to go before it disappears. Even if the FCC deadline is met and all analog broadcasting stops next year (big if), most people who don't have HDTVs will probably go the less expensive route of set-top converters if need be. I agree with Barry; it's a tough slog and SD will be with us for a while yet.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=David Jimerson link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=30#30 date=02/01/05 at 13:24:53]

What I'm saying, Steve, is that if you keep the project file -- whatever FCP's extension might be (“Johnson Wedding.xxx” – where .xxx would be the extension, like .doc or .veg), it takes up little space, has all of your project info, and will store the timecode data for each tape and will be able to recapture every clip exactly the same as you did the first time.

Sure, you can archive the finished product out to tape, but if you keep the project file and the original tapes, you can re-edit something later.  Change the font in the titles, for example – which would a lot harder to do with just a master of the finished program.

[/quote]


Yes I know this. By the way I have just got back from a couple who are getting married in August. As we chatted I showed them the camera (I always take along my camera to show couples and pass it to the "husband" to play with for a few mins, always impresses ;)) and told them about HD. They both said I was the only guy to mention this (so obviously they had seen a few videographers) and when I went into detail about 10 years down the line blah de blah de blah they both thought it a wonderful idea to have their wedding filmed in HD.

No, they had hardly a clue what HD was, but once explained they were hooked. I couldn't demonstate it to them as they had a cheap 21 inch TV, but guess what, I just walked out the place with a deposit and a firm booking! ;D

I won't say that was proof that HD got me a wedding shoot, because my sales talk is pretty good, but it certainly helped, and seperated me from the rest.

Next stop, a big wedding expo, a huge HD plasma (which I will rent) and HD footage to show the blushing brides.
Can't wait! ;D
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=45#45 date=02/02/05 at 11:02:49]Doesn't anybody get clients based on their portfolio anymore?  :-/  ???[/quote]

Ha.... very good question John!!  I was thinking the same thing... yet when you think about it one can understand why the porfolio is slowly becoming less mandatory in landing jobs/clients.  Again, the work usually speaks for itself but in an era where job importance is now placed on adaptability/flexibility rather than job security/loyalty, all to often it seems that the porfolio sometimes gets set on the back burner due to "technology" minded people selling a concept.  (can anyone say struggle?!... I'm not sure what side I'm on sometimes)  Now adays, especially with new "pro" gear getting released in such a low price range, everyone and their dog thinks they are a film maker... and in a sense they are!   What really is the true definition of a "film maker"... Is there one...?!  Now we put lables on people... "indies", "broadcasters", "prosumers" etc.... when at the end of the day the common goal seems to be learning to produce/communicate the best video/film/production product for the dollar value with the current means of technology available to you...?!  (sorry if doesn't make any sense... ???  seems like a mouthful now that I read it back)

I would venture that most of us are either self employed, working for a video company, or working a job and toying with production on the side or as a hobby.

If this is what this generation is like,... imagine in 10 year what competition will be like with gear available to virtually everyone... !?  if that is at all possible... :-/
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

The equipment needed to produce professional-level music on CD has been available to the “average” consumer for a while now, but not everyone makes music. We are all aware of the advances in video technology and how cheap and accessible it’s becoming . . .

But the vast, vast majority of people neither know nor care.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

Hey hey hey of course they get to see my portfolio! Well a sample dvd of my previous weddings anyway!

Do I call myself an independent film maker? Hell no! I am a wedding videographer who does a very good job of it ( well I have had no complaints so far touch wood!)

I would love to have the time to make a no budget zombie movie along the lines of Shaun Of The Dead, but I have a wife and kid and a large mortgage to pay! The wedding work is a sideline, and a nice one at that, but full time I run websites and never have time to sit and play making movies with my mates.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

Image is everything (so says Andre).

Prior to getting my Mattebox I did not get too much attention when out and about with the DVX. But as soon as I put the MB on? Constantly getting remarks from passersby "That's quite a camera you have there..." or "That looks like a serious piece of equipment!"

LOL Funny.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=The_Video_Guy link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=45#46 date=02/02/05 at 12:25:49]
- imagine in 10 year what competition will be like with gear available to virtually everyone... !?  if that is at all possible... :-/[/quote]

... in 10 years you have all today's high end equipments on your kitchen table. Everything you can just dream about today. But I can guarante it gonna be more to dream about in 10 years.

In 10 years you have more storage in your cell phone than all you got in your computer today. Palmcorders, if there is any palmcorder in 10 years, can have real HD with hours of storage capacity in the memory. It isn't just sci-fi. The polymer memory or a new kind of storage is the next step.

But I don't think it going to be too good for most of you doing video job for others. You have right, the possibility to make audio cd or even a video is in all computers. It doesn't mean every one is doing that but it isn't a big deal anymore. Kids are making audio cd with the same pc they are using to surf the internet.

Elvis had to go to a recording studio to make a single to his mother. An Elvis today will try to do it first at home with his frends. It means a customer has a choice today. If they want they can record a wedding or corporate stuff self. (I guess most of you are doing this kind of video jobs) Of course knowledge and experience counts but if they want they have a choice. They didn't had much to choose between 10 years back in time.

Jody Eldred said the Z1U with all those extras is something like 7 000,- , it is more like 10 000.-, but it is cheap. It isn't cheap for a student or an indy but it is there for everyone who wants to do video business. The same with DVX or XL2. It isn't something just a proff can have. Or you who have a DVX today, are you using a video studio to do your editing? I don't think so. And in 10 years with all those sofisticated equipments and knowledge the kids going to have... It wil be not too good for an one man video studio's financial situation.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

I dont like the Xl2, i think is a dvx imitation. But Z1, i know has a big latitud. You can shoot inside at night in front to a Window, and still have deatail inside and outside, its wonderfull.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

are all these brides going to like seeing every single flaw of themselves in HD? I saw the superbowl in Hd and man, the picture of Collinsworth and Aikman showed every crack and line in their faces! Don't zoom in too tight I guess. Of course I'm comparing 2 guys in there 40's with waaaaay too much makeup on to some 20 year old baby face. :D
David
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=45#53 date=02/18/05 at 17:02:22]Thats a good point Yellowdog; better get the Soft FX![/quote]

;D
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=yellowdog link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=45#52 date=02/18/05 at 12:34:20]are all these brides going to like seeing every single flaw of themselves in HD? I saw the superbowl in Hd and man, the picture of Collinsworth and Aikman showed every crack and line in their faces! Don't zoom in too tight I guess. [/quote]

Funny that you mention that... I was on a trip south this week and as a favor to some friends I brought my FX1 to shoot their ceremony outside.

I was actually really impressed with the camera overall. Shot it in HDV 60i and on my HD set, outside visuals are incredible.... almost too clear... Like you have mentioned, the close up sometimes are crazy sharp. I'm never going to complain about having a higher quality source but it is a bit frighting at time to see the clearity so clear.

Like your super bowl experience, I had one very similar. I always love getting the SUUUUUUUUUUUPER tight close up which makes it feel like you are going to hit them with the lens when you are shooting... but when I got it back and watched it on my HD set it was almost border line distrubing. It was hot and everyone was crying, and sweating, and snot is runnin' down the nose... I got every pour and bodly fluid up close in HD... :-/ I don't know whether to be excited or discusted... definately wondering what the people will say when the see it. I know 100 percent that the woman will say.... "oh oh... no .. not that close.... oh no... my make up... my face... I don't really sound like that or look like that do I..." Which I will then reply... noooooo... ;D

I watched it on the 4x3 set and it isn't nearly as bad. I've made them aware that it's downconverted DVD they are getting so I'm not scammin' them but I got to show it once to them the raw stuff in HD. It's scary... good and bad scary at the same time. :)
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

As I was writing forgot to ask jnolla if you made you decision yet. A lot of good dicussion on this thread. You started it a few weeks ago... what was the final purchase verdict or is the jury still deliberating?
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

I have to say, this has been the hardest decision of my life! Not even joining the Marine Corps was this hard of a decision.

I like the XL2, the Z1 gives me a head start on HD, but I can't wait util NAB for Pani to come out with their response at NAB, plus it might not even ship right away!

I have been thinking on the XL2, for some reason I feel it will that it will have a good resell value, once the Pani DVCPROHD camera is out.

But to be perfectly honest, we can't hold back anymore, so this week we have to decide. We are still undecided!

Thanks for all the replies, we are definetly taking is consideration all the opinions you guys have given!
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

I'm not trying to sway you one way or another, but I'm not too crazy about the idea of jumping on a new model of something that is not even really been battle tested.Let someone else be the guinea pig.Let them work out all the kinks first.Still kinda early for me to jump on the HD bandwagon.
David
 
The Lowdown on the Z1U

The Lowdown on the Z1U

As a director/cameraman who owns both the F900 CineAlta and the Z1U,(and D600 Betacam, PD150, etc.), I've conducted many tests with both (and with the DVX 100). I shoot for CBS' JAG and NCIS, and we recently used the Z1U on a JAG episode where we intercut it very nicely with both F900 and 35mm footage.

And this is a $5,000 camera we're talking about.

There's a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about the capabilities of the HDV Z1U, and comparing it to the DVX 100 and XL2.

Let me clear some up, briefly.

1. By NAB there will be at least 4 NLEs to handle HDV: Finl Cut Pro, Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Vegas.

2. You need no more storage capacity for editing HDV than you do for DV.

3. The Z1U offers 24, 25 and 30 frame output. The 24 and 25 look EXACTLY like film motion artifacting. True, it is not actually, technically 24 "P", but it looks just like film, which is the desired result. You can also shoot with the Cineframe feature off so it will not look like film motion.

4. The Z1U offers 4 times the resolution of the DVX 100 and XL2. You heard me right: 4 times the resolution.

5. The Z1U has 4 excellent Steadyshot modes for smoothing out handheld work.

6. In 20 years, 1080i will certainly be the standard, and that is what the Z1U shoots: 1080i. You are future protecting by shooting in HD NOW vs. later wishing you had as your footage played on an HD monitor-- today or in 5 or 10 years-- will look crummy, especially compared to all the other footage which will all be in HD.

The days of SD cameras are rapidly coming to a close.

There are many fine SD cameras out there, but do not waste your money buying one-- you will regret it.

The Z1U makes them obsolete.

And Sony is not paying me to say this-- It's based on very comprehensive testing which I, a natural skeptic, performed.

Hope this is useful.

--Jody Eldred
 
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