When Sony, Sharp, JVC and Canon got together to create the HDV
format, they were actually planning a revolution. The earth-shattering
idea: To create HD video with a workflow thats just like the old,
comfortable and familiar DV Format. But it hasnt really come into
fruition for serious videographers until now. Last week (Nov. 10) in NY,
Sony unveiled the HVR-Z1U (available Feb. 2005 for $4900), an HDV
camcorder that brings pro-level features to a system for low-cost HDTV
production that has revolution written all over it. We traveled to New
York to bring you this exclusive pictorial report. At the gala
debut in New York City, my impression of the event was that Sony was
trying to thread a needle here. Careful not to step on the toes of its
successful line of HD camcorders including HDCam and its more-capable
4:4:4 big brother HDCam SR, the Japanese giant was looking to define its
next foray into the so-called prosumer world. The HVR-Z1U is the next
HDV camcorder Sony will release come this February, on the heels of its
soon-to-ship HDR-FX1, the consumer version that rolls out the door at
prices less than $3000 later this month. Sony officials, trying to steer
prospective users where it wants them to go, emphasized that this unit
is aimed at wedding and event videographers, corporate video
departments, government video users, independent filmmakers and
stringers. The Sony guys stopped short of creating PowerPoint slides
depicting network logos with the universal ?no red circle-slash symbol
over them, but clearly hopes the HDCam gravy train will keep rolling for
the company and that networks might not notice the intensely high
quality coming out of these new pocket rockets. But this reporter has
heard otherwise, with the big Nets looking closely at this new breed of
HD camcorder, privately vowing to use it even if they dont admit it,
certainly for circumstances where theyd rather not place a $40K
camcorder in harms way.
That said, there are plenty of reasons why even high-end pros might be interested in a closer look at this highly capable .
Among its list of new and unique features, perhaps the most interesting
concept is the way Sony has tipped its hat to the many shops still
using good old standard-definition DV. The HVR-Z1U (heck, lets just call
it the Z1 for brevitys sake, with apologies to BMW and Minolta) is
format agnostic, at least when DV is concerned, because it can record
and play back HDV and DVCam in all its flavors including 60i, 50i, 30
frames, 25 or 24 frames. But the most impressive feat of this camcorder
is its magnificent HD footage. Just like its consumer-level sibling,
shooting at 1080i/60 fields, its three 16x9 native CCDs crank out some
great looking video. And the most astonishing thing about it is, its
only using 25mbit/sec. of bandwidth. Who knew a few years ago that such a
huge basketball could be stuffed through such a spaghetti-thin garden
hose, if youll permit me to mix metaphors here.
Notice that
its not actually able to shoot in 24p, but then this is not a bad thing
at all. In fact, Sony could have fudged and called it 24p, because the
result is the same. Sony has tucked electronics inside that give you
progressive footage thats shot at 24 frames per second, using
interpolation that looks as good or better than any 24p. So dont let
that 24p buzzword get to you this baby can give you that 24-frame film
look and then some. The result to these trained eyes is some
great-looking, smoothly cadenced 24-frame footage that looks exactly
like 24p if not better. Bravo, Sony.
f course, we all knew that if Sony wanted to pitch this camcorder to the
pro market it would have to include two balanced audio (XLR) inputs,
with a 48-volt phantom power supply and separate right-left audio
control for each channel. And keeping all the frames straight is another
staple of the pro shooters' club, so of course SMPTE time code is
included in all its flexibility, where youre able to designate free run
or rec run as well as your choice of drop or non-drop frame, just like
the big boys.
