1. IS THE HDR-FX1 CONSIDERED AN HD OR AN HDV CAMERA?
The term "HD" encompasses multiple formats, standards, and technologies (i.e. 1080 60i, 1080 24p, 720p, etc.) These numbers refer to frame rate, image resolution, and whether the image is interlaced or progressive. For example, 1080 60i refers to an image size of 1920 x 1080, at 60 interlaced fields per second. 720p refers to a smaller image size of 1280 x 720, at 60 progressive frames per second. Sony equipment typically works at the higher resolution 1080i or 1080p. By comparison, standard definition like DV is 720 x 480.
Sony's highest end HD broadcast equipment adheres to the 1080 standard. Similarly, Sony HDV also conforms to this standard, but accomplishes the task in a much more cost-effective way, using tape transport technology based on DV/DVCAM and utilizing long GOP (Group of Pictures) MPEG2 compression. BTW, HDV also supports a lower resolution (720 30p) which can be played back on Sony HDV equipment, but Sony records at the higher resolution 1080i format.
Think of it the same way as DV and Digital Betacam. Both digital formats, both standard definition, both offering great pictures at different entry points into the market."
2. WHY PURCHASE AN HDV CAMERA IF DELIVERY STANDARDS (SUCH AS FOR DVD'S) HAVE NOT MATURED IN THE MARKET?
The fact is HDV delivery standards are maturing very quickly. An HDV camera will serve you very well for many years - for about the same cost. As an example, the new Sony Z1 camera delivers DV, DVCAM, and HDV at approximately the same price as the Sony DSR-PD170 (a DV-only solution).
Also, most HDV cameras can be set to output video, via their Firewire connector, down-sampled to standard resolution DV. Using Firewire, this footage can be captured into a PC to edit with popular NLE software (such as EDIUS by Canopus).
Most important, HDV cameras deliver much higher quality video than standard DV cameras and, with EDIUS software, HDV can be down-sampled to extremely high quality DV while preserving the HDV original. In most cases, HDV video down-sampled by EDIUS will look better than footage originally shot as DV.
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HDR-FX1 AND THE HVR-Z1U?
The overwhelming popularity of both these "Pro-sumer" - level camcorders has led many to ask what the differences are between them.
Generally speaking, the main difference between the two is the fact that the HVR-Z1U is classified as a professional camcorder, while the HDR-FX1 is a consumer-level camcorder. This classification is based on the feature sets of both, as each has different characteristics which are geared towards a specific user.
Some of the notable technical differences between the two are as follows:
- The HVR-Z1U can record in DVCAM format (the HDR-FX1 supports HDV / DV (SP) / DV (LP), but not DVCAM)
- HD out to iLink has a 2 second delay with the HDR-FX1, while the HVR-Z1U is able to accomplish this in real-time
- The HVR-Z1U is able to switch between 50/60 Hz
- The HVR-Z1U offers numerous professional display features over the HDR-FX1, including more options in EVF color, Peaking Color, Peaking Level setting ability, Action Safe/4:3 Safe Zone setting, and more…
- The HVR-Z1U can achieve balanced audio with XLR inputs
- Numerous Time Code features are found in the HVR-Z1U, whereas the HDR-FX1 is fairly limited in this area.
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