Boyd and Alexander,

Surely the HDV recording standard is 1080i 60f. There is no way to record progressive on the HDV tape even if the actual readout from the CMOS chip is progressive. That would be true for any HDV camera including the FX1/Z1. The only thing that Sony might have done is to provide the capability to output the analog Component Video in 1080p instead of 1080i - but there are no TV displays at present to watch the result (though it could be displayed on some computer monitors). The HDV standard does allow for 720p - which is what JVC chose for their consumer camcorder, but of course that does have a lower resolution! True 1080p recording would require a 2X data rate on the tape - or MUCH heavier compression - not going to happen!!!

Gerald

I agree...but who is to say that TVs won't be capable in the near future? I mean, SONY is selling HDV camcorder like candy and HDTV is still far from mainstream. I think that the technology is already there, all they're doing is waiting for the right time.

They could do 30/25/24p with no penalty, and better compression than interlace.

Douglas

I have read through here and the article, and I noticed that there is not a clear answer to the question of where ever the aperture can be adjusted independently by itself (or if gain can). You seem to mention it, but it is not entirely clear where ever you where talking about readouts or actual controls.

What is the answer, is it the same manual control setup as the HC1?

Thanks

Wayne.

Is this better then Z1?

As the review explains, not by a long shot. It's a very impressive cam for sub 3K.

From the A1 Manual, I realize there's no manual gain. What a shame for a "Pro" camera. Useless for fiction and overall manipulated lighting work (since the gain will automatically "come in"without notice... (at least that's what it looks like- it doesn't even have a gain indicator!)

Can someone send me the A1's manual? The link seems to be down. My email is akarol@ufl.edu.

Also, I do agree that lack of manual gain control might keep this camcorder from becoming a lot more successful than it should. If not using it for helmet cam, then I don't see why any professional would get the A1 instead of the FX1.

It could be a great alernative for HDV video when using a steadicam or steadicam device like the Merlin, because of it's smaller size and lighter weight than the FX1 or Z1.

My trv 900 had a gain icon display, even tough it wasn't controlable... Does the A1 have this information? This would at least give us some idea of what was going on...

I agree. That would suffice to me. I doubt though.

I just really want to know if the "rolling shutter" effect is visible on the A1 and how well black strech really works.

I haven't used the A1, but starting with the TRV-950 and PDX-10 Sony "dumbed down" their cameras a bit. No display of F-stop or gain, just a bar graph. On my PDX-10 you can tell whether gain is applied once you get accustomed to the relative position of the bargraph however.

"I just really want to know if the "rolling shutter" effect is visible on the A1 and how well black strech really works."

From what I have seen, the black stretch work extremely well, especially where low light would be involved, as the darks stay dark and give you better contrast and helps mainitain color better. The Z1 this feature as well, but the HC1 and FX1 do not.

Boyd, any idea if this bar graph is on the A1? And is this bar graph something like an "equalizer display", with easy to read + (gain) display?
-------
(nogain) -

I think when it comes to the data code (gain, iris, and shutter speed), the only visible setting during recording is the shutter speed. The remaining settings can only be viewed during Playback. Hopefully, I am wrong, but I highly doubt it.

That is something that really bothers me about the A1U. They aren't including independent gain/iris control, the least they can give us is a display of what setting it is on.