Informational and corporate? An authentic, candid commercial? Is it a training video or a corporate video.

Good post. This stuff drives me nuts sometimes

S.

S.

Comparing tape with hard drives will always be a subject for discussion. If you look for fast workflow, you should use hard disk, as it eliminates capturing time, you only have to transfer recorded data to your Workstation’s hard drive and you can start editing right away. The same goes for SD/Express Media Cards recording. The only issue I see in this way of recording is backup. Let’s say you finished editing and exporting, but you need to keep the source material for later editing. You’ll need valuable hard disk space to store it. If you use tape, it’ll be a natural backup of the source material. Need to re-edit? No problem, insert the tape in your VTR and capture again what you need.

I’ve used the HVR-DR60 and it’s not bad, but if you do a lot of “outdoors” recording, there’s no comparison with the Focus Enhancements FS-5 Portable DTE Recorder. Apart from having 40GB more than the DR60, it has more functions and records in more formats. In other words, it is more compatible with more NLE’s.

I’ve worked a lot with the Sony HVR-Z1N and I own the Sony HVR-V1N. In my experience, both cameras are good enough to be purchased, it depends on how you’ll be using them. I’ll give some reasons to choose.

1. The Z1 is heavier than the V1. If you’re using it always on a tripod, you won’t have any problems, but if you do a lot of handheld or use it on a glidecam stabilizer (as I do), you’ll appreciate having a lighter cam.

2. The Z1 is a 3CCD sensor, older than V1′s CMOS image sensor. To your eyes probably there will be no difference between the two, but there are improvements in newer tech. Also, the CMOS sensor gave birth to the RED Camera, which has huge resolutions of 4K, equal to 4 times 720p.

3. The Z1 does not record in 24p (Not interlaced 24 progressive frames per second) and the V1 does. 24p is a popular format right now because it equals film’s frame rate. Obviously 24p video won’t look as film, but it’s closer to it.

4. The V1 only allows video output through the A/V connection. If you need to capture an external video source with your camera (like a VHS VCR or a DVD Player), you won’t be able to do it with the V1. The Z1 allows input and output.

Conclusions:

1. Solid state/hard drive recording.
2. HVR-V1.

No more to say.