- High-definition video camera records in 1080i, 720p, and 720i specification with analog down-converting.
- 16:9 widescreen ; 4:3 conversion capable.
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom Lens; optical Super Steady System dampens hand jitter and vibration.
- 3CCD camera system; records to conventional DV tape stock.
- Powered by NP-F570 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack.
Product Description
-------------------
The Sony HVR-Z1U professional camcorder shoots brilliant high
definition 1080i pictures with jaw-dropping detail, color and
clarity, and comes equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar® T 12x
zoom lens - the same glass and coatings as in Zeiss prime lenses.
.com
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With high-definition television sets replacing standard
definition, it's time for a high quality HD camera to lead
prosumer video into the future. Sony's HVR-Z1U Digital HD video
camera recorder is just such a camera. It's the compact and
cost-effective machine that bridges the gap between high
definition and standard definition video formats.
See large image
( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/photo/detailpages/B00097HL6K-diagram-large.jpg )
HDV 1080i
The HDV 1080i specification features 1080 effective interlaced
scanning lines and 1,440 horizontal pixels. Interlaced pictures,
which have been common to TV broadcasts from the beginning,
alternately display odd and even numbered lines between each
screen refresh. The HVR-Z1U can also record at the HDV 720p
specification, which features 720 effective progressive scanning
lines and 1,280 horizontal pixels. Progressive scanning fills
both odd and even numbered lines with each refresh, providing a
flicker-free picture.
Not yet ready for HD? The HVR-Z1U can convert material from 1080i
down to 480i and 576i, and output these digital video signals
through its i.LINK interface or as analog signals through
component, composite, or S-video connectors. When down-converting
these signals, the aspect ratio displayed can be converted from
16:9 to 4:3, and display modes can be selected from squeeze,
letterbox or edge crop.
Keep an eye on audio levels on the LCD monitor Audio
The HVR-Z1U adopts the MPEG-2 compression format, which uses
8-bit digital component with a sampling rate of 4:2:0.
The camera uses MPEG-1 Audio Layer II audio compression format,
allowing for two-channel with a sampling frequency of
48 kHz/16-bit. It features a built-in stereo microphone, as well
as two XLR audio input connectors for use with professional-grade
microphones or external audio sources. Each input level for CH1
and CH2 can be independently adjusted using two audio level dials
on the camera body and viewed with an audio level meter on the
LCD monitor.
3CCD camera system
Originally, camcorders used one CCD--the imaging device that
turns light into electronic information--and let the image
processing unit decipher the color information from the data.
Like today's broadcast video cameras, however, the HVR-Z1U uses a
prism to divide incoming light into three beams and uses
specially tuned 1/3-inch CCDs to create red, blue, and green
composite images, which are assembled into a final image. The
result is a more film-like vibrancy and more accurate color
representation.
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 12x zoom lens
The HVR-Z1U is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* high
definition lens with a 12x zoom function. It has the same optical
coating as is used on all of the Carl Zeiss prime lenses, which
produces sharp, high-contrast images with virtually no chromatic
aberration. This lens is designed with a wide viewing angle, and
a 35-mm equivalent focal length ranging from 32.5 mm to 390 mm in
16:9 mode, and from 40 mm to 480 mm in 4:3 mode.
In order to facilitate zoom control and operation
during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever and a rec
start/stop button have been added to the carrying handle. There's
also a motorized zoom ring, equipped with stops and barrel
marking, located on the lens body. Turning this zoom ring allows
for fine adjustments in zoom position settings. Furthermore, the
supplied wireless Remote Commander unit can be used for external
control.
Expanded Focus helps you confirm your manual focus Large, 16:9
widescreen color viewfinder and LCD monitor
View your subject through the built-in viewfinder, the swing-out
LCD display, or both. The HVR-Z1U features a 0.44-inch type color
LCD viewfinder and a 3.5-inch color LCD monitor, both in a 16:9
aspect ratio. You'll save battery time by using just one, but you
may want to use one for adjusting focus and the other for
monitoring audio levels. When eschewing auto focus for the
fine-tuning manual focus, you can double the magnification at the
center of the screen, making it easier to confirm focus settings
during manual focusing. Also, the camera's "peaking" function can
provide sharp outlines on the monitor to help with manual focus.
Optical Super Steady system
Sony's optical Super Steady System helps remove the slight
hand jitter and vibration that is often the bane of video
production. Sensors inside the camera detect horizontal and
vertical movements and the camera can counteract those movements
by adjusting the lens mechanism on the fly. This is superior to
digital anti-shake systems that counteract image shake by
trimming off edges of the frame.
The Hollywood look
The HVR-Z1U has features that can make your videos look more
like they were on film. Cinematone Gamma allows operators to
quickly setup and load a gamma curve with similar contrast
characteristics to a film gamma curve. The Cineframe feature
allows movement to be reproduced at 24 frames per second--the
speed of film--as sed to video's 30 frames per second
standard. The Color Extraction function can retain up to two
desired colors of monitored pictures in the screen by designating
color hue, saturation and range, while making the other colors
black and white. The Color Revision function can change the hue
of only the colors designated by Color Extraction, while
retaining the hue of the other colors, thus making it possible to
change the color of something you've already .
No new tape stock
The HVR-Z1U is compatible with conventional DV tape stock, but
Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster PHDVM-63DM tape, with
its dual layer of magnetic material, which delivers higher RF
output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts
compared to regular DV tape.
More camera features ·Six Assign buttons -- get quick access to a
variety of settings ·Time Code Preset -- fill in any timecode
starting value · Transition -- creates smooth automatic
transitions between scenes ·Color Bar -- Two types ·Status Check
-- displays camera setting menus for audio, output signal, assign
button and exposure lever functions and hours meter on the LCD
monitor ·Zebra -- displays a striped pattern in the LCD monitor
and viewfinder across highlight areas, helping manual exposure
settings ·Quick REC -- shortens the record interval from stop
mode. ·Personal Menu -- allows operators to customize the setting
menu ·AE Override -- manually change exposure settings during the
AE mode via an iris dial ·Hyper Gain -- automatically boost the
gain level up to approximately +36 dB ·Black Stretch -- allows
more contrast to be seen in dark parts of the picture without
affecting mid-tones ·Picture Profile -- easily call up customized
picture-quality settings to the camera to suit various shooting
conditions
What's in the box
HVR-Z1U, AC-VQ850 AC adaptor/charger, power cord, connecting
cord, lens hood, large eyecup, RMT-841 wireless Remote Commander
unit, A/V connecting cable, component video cable, shoe adaptor,
NP-F570 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack, two AA-size (R6)
batteries, cleaning cassette, shoulder strap, and operating
instructions.