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Batteries Included: 1Binding: Electronics Brand: Sony Color: Black Display Size: 3.5 inches EAN: 0027242668799 Item Dimensions: Label: Sony Manufacturer: Sony Maximum Focal Length: 54 millimeters Minimum Focal Length: 4.5 millimeters Model: HVRZ1U MPN: HVRZ1U Optical Zoom: 12 unknown-units Publisher: Sony Release Date: November 08, 2004 Studio: Sony Variation Description: Black Features:
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Editorial Review: Product Description: The rapid transition to HD programming in broadcasting and postproduction has introduced a tremendous demand for an entry-level path into the HD world. Sony's response to this demand is the HVR-Z1U Digital HD Video Camera Recorder - a compact and cost-effective HD camcorder that builds on the market-acclaimed DVCAM recorders.The HVR-Z1U camcorder adopts the all-new, 1/4-inch HD format - the HDV 1080i specification of the HDV format. Combined with three high-resolution 1/3-inch type mega pixel CCDs, the HVR-Z1U captures and plays back 1080i HD signals, while maintaining the DVCAM/DV recording and playback capabilities provided on current Sony DVCAM models. What's more, the HVR-Z1U offers a down-conversion capability of its 1080i recordings.These features allow the HVR-Z1U to be active immediately in current SD systems, while also providing a step-by-step migration to the HD world - operators can continue to acquire in DVCAM or DV, and switch to the HDV as needed, or acquire in HDV 1080i from the start and use the down-conversion capability as required.In addition to a unique camcorder body design and with its multitude of camera features, the HVR-Z1U offers maximum operability in the field, as well as opening up a new range of opportunities for creative shooting. Combining these features with the HD picture quality that HDV format provides, the HVR-Z1U becomes an exciting acquisition tool for a variety of applications today and tomorrow - from video journalism, wedding and event videography, corporate and training productions, and digital movie-making, up to broadcast newsgathering.Offered at a price tag comparable to Sony DVCAM camcorders, the HVR-Z1U paves the way into cost-effective but uncompromised HD program production. Amazon.com Product Description: With high-definition television sets replacing standard definition, it's time for a high quality HD camera to lead prosumer video into the future. Sony's HVR-Z1U Digital HD video camera recorder is just such a camera. It's the compact and cost-effective machine that bridges the gap between high definition and standard definition video formats.
The HDV 1080i specification features 1080 effective interlaced scanning lines and 1,440 horizontal pixels. Interlaced pictures, which have been common to TV broadcasts from the beginning, alternately display odd and even numbered lines between each screen refresh. The HVR-Z1U can also record at the HDV 720p specification, which features 720 effective progressive scanning lines and 1,280 horizontal pixels. Progressive scanning fills both odd and even numbered lines with each refresh, providing a flicker-free picture. Not yet ready for HD? The HVR-Z1U can convert material from 1080i down to 480i and 576i, and output these digital video signals through its i.LINK interface or as analog signals through component, composite, or S-video connectors. When down-converting these signals, the aspect ratio displayed can be converted from 16:9 to 4:3, and display modes can be selected from squeeze, letterbox or edge crop.
The HVR-Z1U adopts the MPEG-2 compression format, which uses 8-bit digital component recording with a sampling rate of 4:2:0. The camera uses MPEG-1 Audio Layer II audio compression format, allowing for two-channel recording with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz/16-bit. It features a built-in stereo microphone, as well as two XLR audio input connectors for use with professional-grade microphones or external audio sources. Each input level for CH1 and CH2 can be independently adjusted using two audio level dials on the camera body and viewed with an audio level meter on the LCD monitor. 3CCD camera system Originally, camcorders used one CCD--the imaging device that turns light into electronic information--and let the image processing unit decipher the color information from the data. Like today's broadcast video cameras, however, the HVR-Z1U uses a prism to divide incoming light into three beams and uses specially tuned 1/3-inch CCDs to create red, blue, and green composite images, which are assembled into a final image. The result is a more film-like vibrancy and more accurate color representation. Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 12x zoom lens The HVR-Z1U is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* high definition lens with a 12x zoom function. It has the same optical coating as is used on all of the Carl Zeiss prime lenses, which produces sharp, high-contrast images with virtually no chromatic aberration. This lens is designed with a wide viewing angle, and a 35-mm equivalent focal length ranging from 32.5 mm to 390 mm in 16:9 mode, and from 40 mm to 480 mm in 4:3 mode. In order to facilitate zoom control and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever and a rec start/stop button have been added to the carrying handle. There's also a motorized zoom ring, equipped with stops and barrel marking, located on the lens body. Turning this zoom ring allows for fine adjustments in zoom position settings. Furthermore, the supplied wireless Remote Commander unit can be used for external control.
View your subject through the built-in viewfinder, the swing-out LCD display, or both. The HVR-Z1U features a 0.44-inch type color LCD viewfinder and a 3.5-inch color LCD monitor, both in a 16:9 aspect ratio. You'll save battery time by using just one, but you may want to use one for adjusting focus and the other for monitoring audio levels. When eschewing auto focus for the fine-tuning manual focus, you can double the magnification at the center of the screen, making it easier to confirm focus settings during manual focusing. Also, the camera's "peaking" function can provide sharp outlines on the monitor to help with manual focus. Optical Super SteadyShot system Sony's optical Super SteadyShot System helps remove the slight hand jitter and vibration that is often the bane of video production. Sensors inside the camera detect horizontal and vertical movements and the camera can counteract those movements by adjusting the lens mechanism on the fly. This is superior to digital anti-shake systems that counteract image shake by trimming off edges of the frame. The Hollywood look The HVR-Z1U has features that can make your videos look more like they were shot on film. Cinematone Gamma allows operators to quickly setup and load a gamma curve with similar contrast characteristics to a film gamma curve. The Cineframe feature allows movement to be reproduced at 24 frames per second--the speed of film--as opposed to video's 30 frames per second standard. The Color Extraction function can retain up to two desired colors of monitored pictures in the screen by designating color hue, saturation and range, while making the other colors black and white. The Color Revision function can change the hue of only the colors designated by Color Extraction, while retaining the hue of the other colors, thus making it possible to change the color of something you've already shot. No new tape stock The HVR-Z1U is compatible with conventional DV tape stock, but Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster PHDVM-63DM tape, with its dual layer of magnetic material, which delivers higher RF output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts compared to regular DV tape. More camera features
What's in the box HVR-Z1U, AC-VQ850 AC adaptor/charger, power cord, connecting cord, lens hood, large eyecup, RMT-841 wireless Remote Commander unit, A/V connecting cable, component video cable, shoe adaptor, NP-F570 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack, two AA-size (R6) batteries, cleaning cassette, shoulder strap, and operating instructions. Average Rating:
 Rating: - HDV Work HorseI've used my Sony HVR-Z1U HDV camcorder in some very extreme conditions, and it it comes through on a regular basis. I shot Hurricane Katrina video footage during the storm (for StormStock) in driving 100 mph rain. At that time, I had purchased and was using a rain coat for the camera. It never failed. Previously, in Hurricane Dennis, the unit failed in the rain, without the coat. The screen went black. I dried it off with a hand dryer and it came back to life to be called back into action ... Read More Rating:  - Recommendation by New FilmmakerI've chosen this camera for my short film after viewing some rough footage at a local studio. The colors that this camera can capture in DV mode are jaw-dropping! It comes with all of the manual controls you could hope for and they're very intuitive. I highly recommend this to independent filmmakers if you're able to rent them in your area. It does not offer the 'truest' cinematic feel but if you do some research on the web you'll find resources for things you can do in pre & post production to get ... Read More Rating:  - Half HD - too good to be trueThe HVR-Z1U seems too good to be true. And it is. It promises a camera with full HD resolution and outstanding features for a reasonable price. In many ways, it delivers. The video quality is superior to the JVC HDV camera. Unlike the JVC, the camera offers full manual control and is a pleasure to shoot with professionally. Alas - for someone who expects and needs full HD resolution, the Sony is a disappointment. Pointing the camera at a resolution chart while viewing the ... Read More Rating: - Awesome Technology Here!!!Indie Filmmaker here, always looking out for a better camera! The Sony HDV series is an astonishing technology Don't let people tell you that the footage is "too compressed" ---- technically, it is, but once it gets on screen, it looks stunning! I haven't done much filming with this camera ---- but I have seen its footage and edited its footage Both on television and the computer monitor, I was impressed with its 'look' ---- very detailed and extremely ... Read More |
