Hello,

I come form the photography world and I am just starting into video. I have a Sony HVR-A1U and I have only shot it in Auto Mode straight from the box.

I know a lot about light, shutter and aperture, but not so in as much as it related to a video camera.

Any suggestions on what my next step would be to get more familiar with this little beast?

I don't do well with books, I prefer videos either online or DVD.

Chris Sgaraglino
OutdoorStudiosPhotography.com

Search "Sony A1U" on YouTube. There's tons of stuff.

And learn how to white balance. I realize you hate to read, but it's in the manual.

Thanks for the reply.
I got the DVD for the HDR-HC1 and it gave me about 70% of the features of the A1U - it's a good start.

I also have warming cards (http://www.warmingcards.com) that I use for Photography and when I got them they only have the video version.

I played a lot with them over the weekend and it seems to give me better color in some tricky situations.

Just re-read my own response. It looks a little terse. Sorry. It was not meant to be.

Hope you get comfortable with your camera. I bought a used one that I basically just use as a capture deck because I have so many tapes. But I'm shooting tapeless now... don't ever want to go back.

No worries Charles, I did not take offense to your post.

My issue with typeless is that I can NOT use it.
Most if not all camcorders at this level use hard drives and I shoot in the mountains above 10,000 feet most all summer - sometimes as high as 14k.
Hard drives don't work above 10k - They'll lock-up and the heads will freeze the platters at these pressures.

Chris:

I don't know anything about cameras with hard drives in 'em. I use the Sony EX1 and EX3, both of which use SXS cards and SDHC cards. I live at 8,000' elevation (in Salida) and I routinely shoot in hot and cold environments at elevations of 11,000' to over 12,000'.

Goes to show how little I know....
I did not know that some of the higher-end cameras were able to use memory cards. Didn't think they were fast enough.

I did poke around and read a few things about you on the internet... Very impressive background.
Do you ever make it to the Springs, wouldn't mind buying you lunch some day.

I do get down there a couple of times a month. I do a few pieces each month for KRDO. Most times I can just upload the story; but sometimes I need to go to the studio. I'd be pleased to meet with you.

Charles
http://web.me.com/mtntvguy