Sony HVR-HD1000

[kelvintwt]

hi everyone.
im thinking of buying the Sony HVR-HD1000P. any comments on this camcorder?
also where can i get one in singapore.
Thanks

[DXNMedia]

I use this camera for my wireless camera package just because it's a cheap shoulder-type camera.

Function-wise...it's able to do most of the basic video filming job, but the pain is that you have limited manual controls. The main ring on the lense provides you with only one control at a time....You can choose to use it to control Focus, zoom, exposure, white balance, and some other controls which I don't really pay attention to. To be frank, it's quite painful to use for serious filming job, but it serves my purpose of being a fully auto camera module for my wireless digital microwave transmitters.

Manual focus on the ring is a pain to use because it's slow...You need quite a lot of turns to get your focus right, and as per usual Sony electronic lens control, it's pretty laggy.

Manual exposure/gain control is painful to use because it uses a meter gauge and not F-stop numbers. You won't know when you've hit the +3dB, +6dB or +15dB gain range to minimise video noise setting in.

For audio, other than a mic-plug-in-power input, there are no options for professional XLR connections, but at least there are options for audio gain control in the menu, which is also super hard to use coz everything is menu driven.


All in all, you're getting it as a beginner trying to get into videography, it's an OK camera but I'm sure you'll upgrade in no time..
If you're getting it for simple low budget event shoot and only want to depend on auto settings, it's an OK camera.
If you're getting it for serious or pro video work like what I use it for, you'll need to understand your needs and the camera's limitations. You pay for what you get.


Other than that, the HVR-HD1000P have DV/HDV capability, good battery life, pretty pro-looking, and its very lightweight. Shoulder-pad isn't very comfortable to use too.

[DXNMedia]

Also want to add that LCD screen is a tad too small to be useful for focusing, and once the on-screen info are displayed, the screen is pretty much being too cluttered. Quite irritating after a while.

So here's the info that you have..it's up to you to assess your needs and make your choice.

[tommytang]

After much research. This are my findings. The cam is a single CMOS cam thus image quality will suffer and its shoots on miniDV tapes in HDV format (not true HD).
I think Panasonic HMC 72 is far more superior, using SDHC cards (totally tapeless), it has 3 CCD, component out, shoots on AVC HD format (True HD) for about the same price.
Website to check out
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp...Model=AG-HMC70
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8FIgQa1-xg

[DXNMedia]

Originally Posted by tommytang After much research. This are my findings. The cam is a single CMOS cam thus image quality will suffer and its shoots on miniDV tapes in HDV format (not true HD).

I think it is unfair for you as a media professional/consultant to put down a single chip camera just because specifications state so.

Based on side-by side tests, the contrast/highlights dynamic range is a lot wider on the 1/2.9" Sony CMOS chip as compared to the 3x 1/4" CCDs on the HMC-72. Both cameras does have component outputs.

Of course there are pros and cons for the 2 mentioned cameras, but just because the Panasonic HMC-72 have 3CCDs & it runs with AVCHD 1920x1080 doesn't prove that it's more superior.

The only obvious advantage in terms of features on the HMC-72 are the XLR audio input which the HD1000P seriously lacked considering that Sony markets it as an entry level professional camera.

[kelvintwt]

seems like a fair comparison between these 2 cams..
new to videography and would really hope to learn more and seeking more advice from professionals..currently working alone and would be traveling around quite a lot..
anyway, just talking about dimensions and weight, HMC-72 weighs lighter than the HVR-HD1000 ?
btw i don't drive

cheers

[Reportage]

Originally Posted by kelvintwt seems like a fair comparison between these 2 cams.. new to videography and would really hope to learn more and seeking more advice from professionals..currently working alone and would be traveling around quite a lot.. anyway, just talking about dimensions and weight, HMC-72 weighs lighter than the HVR-HD1000 ? btw i don't drive cheers

question is you use for what and what features you want and how you want to use?

Might be surprised all you need is a consumer camcorder.

[tommytang]

Originally Posted by DXNMedia I think it is unfair for you as a media professional/consultant to put down a single chip camera just because specifications state so. Based on side-by side tests, the contrast/highlights dynamic range is a lot wider on the 1/2.9" Sony CMOS chip as compared to the 3x 1/4" CCDs on the HMC-72. Both cameras does have component outputs. Of course there are pros and cons for the 2 mentioned cameras, but just because the Panasonic HMC-72 have 3CCDs & it runs with AVCHD 1920x1080 doesn't prove that it's more superior. The only obvious advantage in terms of features on the HMC-72 are the XLR audio input which the HD1000P seriously lacked considering that Sony markets it as an entry level professional camera.

Sorry, but I was really comparing the cameras based on the price range. The HMC-72's does have better specs compared to HD1000, it's also tapeless which could save time on downloading images on the PC / Mac.

Anyway, I did give both cams a try and found the HD1000's image to be softer and somehow lacking in quality as a HDV cam. What was most frustrating was the HDV tape capture, tapes are not 100% reliable. I think it's more the tape thingy that I don't like.

Hey are we doing a review here? ? ?

[kelvintwt]

Originally Posted by Reportage question is you use for what and what features you want and how you want to use? Might be surprised all you need is a consumer camcorder.

i'm doing event coverage for the company i'm working for. Things like interviews and stuffs mainly into sports. XLR connection is not a must but at least an ext. mic i suppose. i'm hoping to find a reasonably priced cam but manual enough. not a consumer handy cam coz that's what i've been using all these while. lol.
hope you get me.
cheers mate

[Reportage]

Originally Posted by kelvintwt i'm doing event coverage for the company i'm working for. Things like interviews and stuffs mainly into sports. XLR connection is not a must but at least an ext. mic i suppose. i'm hoping to find a reasonably priced cam but manual enough. not a consumer handy cam coz that's what i've been using all these while. lol. hope you get me. cheers mate

If you are doing event coverage then maybe can consider the Canon HG20 (HG21 if you need viewfinder) using built in hdd as well as memory card. Its sensor is pretty good for lowlight and being small means you can be very mobile. Can also use a hotshoe adapter to use 3rd party shotgun mics. You can pack your kit into just about any bag and good to go and it works very well with decent fluid head tripods.

I would recommend pro video cameras only if you need you need changeable lenses, built in ND, zebra stripes, On the fly white balance changes as well as video and audio gain controls at the touch of your fingertips as well as phenomenal zoom range and focus control. This is very good if you need to zoom up to the soocer player faces while being way way up there. Hope you have personal transport.

So if you are like me and have discovered the limitations of consumer camcorders, by all means grab a pro video camera but try getting those that use memory card rather then tapes. If no choice but tape then may want to consider Firestore for your footage.