Sony HVR-Z1E - HDV-Camcorder + Tasche LCS-G1BP HVR-Z1E + LCS-G1BP User Manual
Product codes
HVR-Z1E + LCS-G1BP
Full Review by Kevin Cook, Executive Administrator of the Institute of
Videography:
"Putting the HDV format to one side for a moment, my first impressions of the Z1E is
that it's a great camera. A true 16:9/4:3 switchable solution at this level would be a
good enough news, but the added benefit of being able to record everything in
stunning HD quality – and the ability to easily down-convert this to SD out of the back
of the camera or CTR is going to be a winner amongst the pro-video community.
There is a growing feeling that shooting everything in HDV mode, and then down-
converting to SD produces better pictures than if the material was shot in SD in the first
place. I was dying to try this out and have to say that, without the benefit of measuring
the output, to the naked eye the down-converted images do look richer and more
detailed. I don't see the need to shoot anything in SD anymore.
The variations between the consumer and professional versions of the camera are
such that it really is worth waiting the few extra months - and paying a premium.
Features such as DVCAM and DV recording, Hyper Gain, XLR audio connections and
individual audio channel control might have been enough. But, the additions of PAL or
NTSC recording mode, filmic effects settings, audio limiter and noise reduction - plus a
more varied choice of component outputs when you are able to fully appreciate the
quality offered by HDV - are what will make this camera a firm favorite in the pro-video
community.
It's a HDV future - in a product for today."
Videography:
"Putting the HDV format to one side for a moment, my first impressions of the Z1E is
that it's a great camera. A true 16:9/4:3 switchable solution at this level would be a
good enough news, but the added benefit of being able to record everything in
stunning HD quality – and the ability to easily down-convert this to SD out of the back
of the camera or CTR is going to be a winner amongst the pro-video community.
There is a growing feeling that shooting everything in HDV mode, and then down-
converting to SD produces better pictures than if the material was shot in SD in the first
place. I was dying to try this out and have to say that, without the benefit of measuring
the output, to the naked eye the down-converted images do look richer and more
detailed. I don't see the need to shoot anything in SD anymore.
The variations between the consumer and professional versions of the camera are
such that it really is worth waiting the few extra months - and paying a premium.
Features such as DVCAM and DV recording, Hyper Gain, XLR audio connections and
individual audio channel control might have been enough. But, the additions of PAL or
NTSC recording mode, filmic effects settings, audio limiter and noise reduction - plus a
more varied choice of component outputs when you are able to fully appreciate the
quality offered by HDV - are what will make this camera a firm favorite in the pro-video
community.
It's a HDV future - in a product for today."
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