Sony Japan's official anouncement on HVR-Z1J and HVR-M10J
 

Z1 has auto focus override
 

Z1 has auto focus override by the focus ring like XL2 which FX1 does not have.

And the gain goes up to +36db.

Six assignable buttons to select from 15 functions.

It does have "black streatch".

It does not have real progressive recording.

This is is going to rock.
 

I think this is a better link:

http://www.sony.jp/products/Professi...Z1J/index.html

Is it me or does it look like they're purposefully making graphics instead of HTML text, so we can't translate!!!

Murph

<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher C. Murphy : I think this is a better link:

http://www.sony.jp/products/Professi...Z1J/index.html

-->>>

But it can't be Babelfished like the other...



Carlos

Thanks Christopher.

No, thank you Katu....you've been the star player up until now. Without you'd we all would have been sitting around with our thumbs up our you-know-whats!

Who can translate this new information about the "HVR-Z1J" best? I'm not able to get jack from using translation sites. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything new posted we don't already know, but I still think we all want to read it. There looks to be detailed information on there about shooting controls. What's the deal with the black and white shot with the color surfboard?? Interesting..

Chris/Heath -- can we start a new thread that is "OFFICIAL HVR-Z1J" ?? We have so much junk that's on these other threads...it would be nice to have one central location for factual items we find.

Murph

How much will this be? If its not true progressive scan, then what are the major differences? Also, will this have 24p. What is that little box right next to in in the pictures, and will that come with the camera. If not how much do you guys think it will be? Did they move the LCD screen over to the left a few inches?

It might be expensive. Over 6000€ is rumored where I live, but we have a 22% VAT + everything is really expensive anyway (4799€ is the official price for the FX1, but you can get it close to 4500 here).

If you mean the little box next to the camera in the press release, then it's the HVR-M10 which is (what do you call it) redording deck? It most definately is not included with the camera. It propably costs alot by itself.

You use it, if you want a non-linear edit, where the deck is always available.

In another sony press release they say that the price of the Z1J will be around $4900 and the M10J is around $3700.

According to the US press release, the HVR-Z1U will have an MSRP of under $5000.
EDIT: I'm too slow! :)

schweeeeeet! XL-2 just got clobbered.

Re: Z1 has auto focus override
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Kaku Ito : Z1 has auto focus override by the focus ring like XL2 which FX1 does not have. -->>>

Kaku,

Does this mean you can't manually control focus on the FX1, or did I misinterpret you?

heath

No, from what I understand, just like the stock lens on the XL1,s,2, there is an auto focus button for when you're in manual focus, but just want the camera to grab a quick autofocus...you hold in the button, the camera does the work, then let go and you're back to manual focus, without having to switch modes...

oh, right. The XL-1 did that, too. Gotcha. I was worried it was auto focus only!

heath

Re: This is is going to rock.
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher C. Murphy : I think this is a better link:

http://www.sony.jp/products/Professi...Z1J/index.html

Is it me or does it look like they're purposefully making graphics instead of HTML text, so we can't translate!!!

Murph -->>>

I ran this page - http://www.sony.jp/products/Professi...10J/index.html through babelfish.altavista.com and got back some useful information on the M10J deck.

I saw a couple of numbers 400,000 and 420,000 - I assume they are yen, which would put the price at around (US)$4,000

Im just waiting for the Z1 to hit UK shores and i'll be waving goodbye to my PD-150. Can't wait to use my new G5 2.5ghz and 23" Cinema Displays for what they were designed for.... HD.

>>Cinema Displays for what they were designed for.... HD.
<<
Since your display is progressive and the video is interlaced, it might not look that good unless Apple has some sort of converter for displaying video.

If I was a newpersion, or one of the wags that do stuff for the syndicated shows, I'd be excited. But no progressive? I'll have to think long and hard before I buy. If JVC comes out with a true progressive option, then their 20k price tag won't seem to high.
But not holding my breath on that one.

is it possible that a powerfull enough G5 and a Cinema Display could be set up to display HD footage with a bob deinterlace - which would in effect give you proper field by field playback.

Manual Focus on FX!
 

I got one last week and have been happily playing with it.

There IS manual focus using the ring... not the push-button focus as in the xl-1. It has to be in the manual mode in order for it to work. There is also manual zoom using the lens as well. Unfortunately, you can only use THAT when you flip a switch on the lens...but it is smooth.

Dylan,
There is a converter for viewing the image on a computer monitor:
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/site/hdlink.htm
Unfortunately, it sems that the input is SDI...

<<<-- Originally posted by Valeriu Campan : Dylan,
There is a converter for viewing the image on a computer monitor:
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/site/hdlink.htm
Unfortunately, it sems that the input is SDI... -->>>

What about this? It's only $59. Takes component HD and outputs VGA.
http://www.vdigi.com/index.php?optio...d=14&Itemid=34

It is an interesting device but it seems to work only on NTSC video input. The converter outputs the same refresh rate as the input signal. Computer monitors/LCDs have a refresh rate different from the 50Hz PAL...
Unfortunately, it doesn't appeal to those living and working in PAL world.

<<<-- Originally posted by Valeriu Campan : It is an interesting device but it seems to work only on NTSC video input. The converter outputs the same refresh rate as the input signal. Computer monitors/LCDs have a refresh rate different from the 50Hz PAL...
Unfortunately, it doesn't appeal to those living and working in PAL world. -->>>

Ah, missed that part.

Just looked in their support forum and found this:

"The VDZ3 will convert the component to VGA signal withe same refresh rate as the Input. For your case, the output signal will have refresh rate at 50Hz, but most of the monitor don't support it refresh rate ( Min. support fresh rate is 60Hz )."

Unless we find a CRT/TFT monitor that supports this rates...

<<<-- Originally posted by Barry Green : According to the US press release, the HVR-Z1U will have an MSRP of under $5000. -->>>

B&H Photo is already listing the Z1 at $4,900 with estimated availability in February...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=357486&is=REG

I just checked BH Photo and they said it was in stock. I am assuming that means it is available. If anyone knows just reply back.

Thanks

B&H has them in stock, right now.

In stock, aka, available! Yeah!

heath

ps-I need money... <g>

LOL

The reason for asking the dumb question is:

If they are available there then hopefully they will be available at SonyStyle for 12months no interest financing. We'll see.

SonyStyle=consumer stuff, so I don't think they're selling the Z1, just FX1. keep in mind, the FX1 and the Z1 have basically the same image. Hook up a mic adaptor from BeachTek and save over $1300!

heath

Heath thanks for the input. Do you think I could buy the FX-1 shoot my fishing show and edit on VEGAS 5.0 then have good enough quality to use on a nation network such as ESPN, OLN, OUTDOOR Channel? Right now I use the GS400 for FSN and it comes out really well but if I can move up in picture quality and it work out I would do it asap. www.chewonthis.tv

Thanks,
Capt Ben

Why not? It's up to the networks whether they'd buy it or not.

I don't know if Vegas supports HDV natively or not yet, but Aspect HD offers HDV importing, etc., for Premiere and Vegas.

heath

I don't think you're going to see a difference in picture quality in the SD world.. where the camera really shines is in affordable HD. If you're looking to produce content in HD, I'd say go for it. You can go both ways with the FX-1 and Z1 and soon there will be a huge demand for HD content. Even if you shoot in HD now but still finish in SD, you'll have a season or two of shows that can be retooled for HD down the road.

One of the benefits of Vegas when I purchased it was the fact that it supports HD. At the time I didn't think I would every have the opportunity to actually shoot in HDV.

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Tiffee : I don't think you're going to see a difference in picture quality in the SD world.. where the camera really shines is in affordable HD. If you're looking to produce content in HD, I'd say go for it. You can go both ways with the FX-1 and Z1 and soon there will be a huge demand for HD content. Even if you shoot in HD now but still finish in SD, you'll have a season or two of shows that can be retooled for HD down the road. -->>>

Actually, you'll see a huge difference in shooting HDV, then downscaling to SD, particularly if you let Vegas do the downscaling vs the cam. (if you're not using Vegas, don't bother downscaling in your app)

We've done a bunch of tests, even took it to Best Buy, Circuit City, and RC Willey's for "consumers" to provide feedback.

So the FX-1 would be the better choice for me according to you guys. I believe I am going to buy the camera through Circuit City because they have a great inexpensive service plan and I can have the camera taken care of here locally without having to send it off somewhere far. I believe the total price with 3 year service plan is $3700. Do you guys think this is the best way to go?

One thing, they send the camera out, I can guarantee that. They'll just send it to Sony.

I think buying the FX1 is a wise choice, and you'll be saving plenty of money. Enough to buy a good tripod!

heath