You can get the camera from TapeWorks Texas.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=117339
http://tapeworkstexas.com/

Comes with a good bag.

$5,595.00

-------------------------------------------

Transcend 32GB 133X CF Card

Depending on how much you shoot, these cards hold 146 minutes of footage.

TapeWorks has a deal on these too.

$149.00

-------------------------------------------
Mini-DV tapes

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._DV_Video.html

$ 2.65/tape

-------------------------------------------

Batteries, you can get some cheap generic 970's that work just as well as the "Sony Brand" depends on the amount left in your budget.

http://power101.com/item.htm?id=60029
Cheap and work well.

$13.51

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tery_Pack.html
Expensive Sony Branded Battery

$ 99.95

-------------------------------------------

Tripod

Matthews M25

http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=...5b58df3c680459

$170.00

Not sure what other accessories you might need but you are under budget so far.

-------------------------------------------

FCP workflow is straight forward.

*Production*

You would need to capture from the cards at the end of every shoot day, or whenever they get filled up.

Put the tapes in a safe place. Stay organized with your tape and file naming convention.

-------------------------------------------

*Post Production*

You will need to visit this link and install the plugin for the CF Recorder Unit that comes with the camera.

http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...veContext=true

Then open FCP and select File>Log and Transfer.

The rest is pretty self explanatory, drag the clips to the capture area (lower left corner of the Log and Transfer window).

If you already know your FCP basics you should be fine.

Aaron

transfer test
 

today i got my sandisk extreme firewire card reader.
sandisk promises 40mb/sec transfer speed.

i made some shots (8 files) with my HVR-Z7. these 8 files have exactly 2 GB size.

i put the original 8 GB sony CF card in the sandisk reader and it took 1min 5secs to transfer this 2 GB.

after that i did the same with the sony CF recording unit and it took 1min 19secs.

so it's not just faster, you even don't need battery power on the compact flash recording unit.

all tests were done on a macbook pro. the sandisk reader were connected to firewire 800, the sony unit with 400.

some nice details: the sandisk card reader is delivered with a firewire 400 and a firewire 800 cable ('cause it's firwire 800). the sandisk card reader was about 50,- euros.

regards,
clemens

Z7 progressive playback HVR-1500
 

Will progressive video shot with the Z7 playback in the HVR-1500. I've read that Sony "doesn't recommend" playing back the V1U's progressive video in the 1500. Does the same go for the Z7?

wide and fisheye for z7
 

for the z7, what are a good wide and fisheye lenses for the camera?

thanks

Benchtest Compact Flash
 

Here is my new Benchtest comparing the HVR-Z7 supplied Sony Compact Flash 8 GB Card and a Sandisk Extreme III 16 GB Card.

All Tests were done on a Macbook Pro 2.2 with a Sandisk Firewire Extreme Reader, connected thru Firewire 800.

http://www.bilder-space.de/thumb/odl00NY1Vi1BPXf.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/show.php?...NY1Vi1BPXf.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/thumb/KcABx2aAYzETYRw.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/show.php?...2aAYzETYRw.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/thumb/BxxoZG8JD4xZN39.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/show.php?...G8JD4xZN39.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/thumb/kQaOmMqM54nOi5w.jpg

http://www.bilder-space.de/show.php?...MqM54nOi5w.jpg

Some of the images are really small, but interesting results with those that could be read. I'm trying to get some Sony cards to test since they're not yet available around here, but we'll see what happens.

Regarding the Z7U:



16x9inc has one that supposedly works, although it's advertised as working with the Z/FX1 cameras.



Schneider has one but requires an additional adapter ring.



Sony's WA for the Z7U (VCL-308BWH) won't be released until May or June. No info on price, either.



Watch out for BH in that they're still convinced that the Z1U WA works when it doesn't. I've told them this so many times.

Z7 & S270 Training Available
 

Just FYI for those that are looking for training with the Z7 and S270, I saw that VASST had some new Training DVD's in the New Products list. I haven't seen them before and I don't know of any other training DVD's out there so if you've been looking for training, it looks like these are available for purchase now.

S270
http://www.vasst.com/product.aspx?id...5-a8234c7e75aa

Z7
http://www.vasst.com/product.aspx?id...f-eadbbb8278cc

If anyone orders one of these, I'd be curious to hear what you think of the DVD.

Thanks

The Z7 and S270 have a "native recording mode" which is not compatible with the 1500. However, both cameras have 24 and 30 frame scan modes that are compatible with the 1500. In the 24? 30 scan modes, 3-2 pulldown is added to the progressive signal to reorded on the tape with a 60i syntax. Final cut and other NLE will extract the 24P or 30P signals.

Juan Martinez
Senor Manager, Sony Electronics

HVR-S270 cf DSR-450/570
 

Has anyone compared SD pictures from HVR-S270 with those from DSR-450/570? Could the HVR-S270 with supplied lens be considered as a replacement for a 570 with a fairly standard Fujinon VCL916BYA lens?

You pose a very good question. I haven't done the comparison, but the 570 uses 2/3" chips, the 270 1/3", so it's extremely likely the lowlight performance of the 570 will be superior. Likewise the depth of field characteristics of the 570 will allow more controllability.

Because the 270 will be producing HD pictures and downconverting for SD, a lot will depend on the performance of the downconversion circuits - difficult to do without spending a lot of money.

Hence I'd guess they should be seen as catering for two different needs. The 570 for optimum quality if you are working in SD, the 270 allowing HD work and SD ability if required.

canon a1 and sony Z7
 

I've been trying to keep up with all of the info about the Z7 but it's a lot of info so I apologize if this has been discussed at all.

Is there anyone here that is using or has used the canon a1 and owns or has used the Z7 also. I've been waiting for the sony but am not sure I'm happy with the problems the cameras are having...especially for their price. I've seen some amazing footage come from the canons and I'm starting to think that dealing with low light will be easier that dealing with the cards, lens issues and everything that could affect me all day at a wedding rather than just the dark reception.

So I'm just looking for anyone that has used both of these or if anyone has any comments one way or another. My main factor being low light. If they are even comparable, I would be ready to go with canon. Any info on this aspect would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

THanks!

Check out this month's issue of Event DV, the Z7 is tested in it and the author compares the Z7 to his A1 in regards to low light.
In essence he states that image quality between A1 and Z7 is equal in all but low light, where the Z7 enjoys an advantage.

Here's a link, or address to the site.
http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/Read...rticleID=41396

EX1 vs Z7U shoot off
 

so I searched & searched & haven't found this (if it exists, please point me to it) but both of these cameras have been out on the streets for some time now & I'd like to see a side by side shoot off

I know the EX1 should blow the Z7u away, but I'd like to see how well the Z7u holds up w/ different (read: better) glass on the front. as well as I'd like to see some shots of these cams uncompressed (ie 4:2:2 straight into a computer / VTR)

I wouldn't be too surprised if in well lit situations it would be hard to tell the difference, but there is really only one way to see the difference & that is to see the difference

You really would be better off with a hands on demonstration...

NAB next week!