Sony HVR-Z1U camera & HVR-M10U console HDV tape deck…

[Graeme Nattress]

You can loop through the deck, but only for DV video, not high def HDV video. One of the major failings of HDV is you can’t play back through the deck in real time to get monitoring – for that you need an HD card in your mac like a Decklink.

Also, you do realise that that deck is just a camcorder without a lens? It’s not a pro deck with the speed or robustness of even a DSR-11. I’d think you’d be further ahead getting an FX1 camera as your deck, and then you’ve got a second camera for B-roll. Also, that deck doesn’t take big tapes – what on earth were Sony thinking?

Graeme

– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects and Standards Conversion for FCP

[David Healy]

tnx, Graeme…

[Jeff Carpenter]

I’d think you’d be further ahead getting an FX1 camera as your deck.
=====

Yup, or even this little guy:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=385368&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

A lot cheaper than the deck and I can’t see that the deck would be much different from it in practical terms. The lack of a good HDV deck is pretty odd, isn’t it? It’s one of the main reasons I’m holding bak on this whole HDV thing for now.

[Graeme Nattress]

Odd, I’d say so. You should have seen the Sony rep’s face when I asked if the deck took big tapes 🙂 I thik Sony see HDV as a transition format, and for consumers. What they really want you to buy is HD on XDCAM when that comes out! IMHO, of course.

Graeme

– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects and Standards Conversion for FCP

[Jeff Carpenter]

It’s my guess that Sony and JVC each played chicken with each other. “WE don’t need to spend R&D money making a large HDV deck because THEY will do it. We’re making money on the camera, we don’t care if our customers buy THEIR deck…whoever makes it will probably break even at best with it so why risk it?”

By the time they both figured out that no one was doing it, well, it was too late. Sony rushed together a tiny deck by building a new case for the camera’s tape drive.

At least, that’s how it happened in my mind…

[Graeme Nattress]

Except the JVC HDV and Sony HDV are only mildly compatible with each other…..

Graeme

– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects and Standards Conversion for FCP

[Mark Maness]

Let me say that these cameras and decks do work as intended. No, they are not professional level equipment like they are marketed but they do a fine job for the cost. Another thing to think about. FCP 5.02 dosn’t do HDV very well at all. Yes, it works but its clumsy at best. And yes, you do have to still have a capture card like the Kona2 or Blackmagic, if not for capture, then for monitoring.

My best suggestion is to purchase one of these cards and an HDV to HD-SDI converter box (such as Convergent Desgin’s HD-Connect LE) and capture as DVCPRO HD or 10-bit Uncompressed. The quality will be better and you can mix it with anything HD. HDV is fine BUT its not compatible with anything but itself. We found out the hard way. At the moment, we are using it as a down converted DV signal – component video thru the AJA IO LA. That works great but its not the best quality down converted video. The nice thing is that we can do HDV quality video when ever we want.

My tru feelings are that Sony and Apple need to get together and solve this speed bump out.

_______________________________

Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions

[David Healy]

Thanks Wayne and all — appreciate it!

David Healy

[Drizzt_g]

So do you guys think the HVR-Z1U is a good investment or am I better off with a used XL1 or PD150/170 and wait for something better.

[David Healy]

The camera is a great camera — does DV25 too!