I am in the process of determining which camera to buy. Either the Z1 OR the new and improved Z7, or EX1. One of many questions, is:

With the EX1 or Z7, can you capture to a HDV deck (in SQ 25) and by pass the Compact Flash? I am talking about laying video down on HDV deck as the action occurs. Example would be a 3 -4 hour uninterrupted event that is not feasible with CF at the existing cost.

I just discovered the answer.

For those who might be interested. EX1 will output via firewire to a HDV deck (recorder) according to the diagram on page 15 of the brochure.

Yes, but keep in mind your footage must be shot in one of the "SP" modes. The EX1 can't convert XDCAM EX 35mbps footage to HDV compatible footage over firewire.

So... Just for clarification, are you say that If I shoot all of the footage in sp(HDV) mode on the EX1, I could then hook the camera up via firewire to my
Sony HVR M15U deck and playback/record all aquired to tape in HDV?

This is also and important question for me. I too am considering the purchase of this camera, and the above method seems like a good archive
plan when the EX1 footage has been shot in sp mode.

Yes, Al. As long as you shoot 1080 60i in SP mode with the EX1.

1: Can I run a firewire cable to a Canon HV20 and record live HDV from the SP output of the EX1? Can I record downconverted DV?

2: Can I run a firewire cable to a DVCAM deck and record live DVCAM from the SP output of the EX1?

Thanks!

1: Can I run a firewire cable to a Canon HV20 and record live HDV from the SP output of the EX1? Can I record downconverted DV?

2: Can I run a firewire cable to a DVCAM deck and record live DVCAM from the SP output of the EX1?

Thanks!

Can't answer the first one, but the second one is NO. The EX1 will not record in DVCAM. Only 35mbps in HQ and 25mbps in SP

To add to what Scott said, the EX1 will do NO downconversion to an SD format of any kind over firewire. It sure would be nice... maybe Sony could ad that in a future firmware release?