Comments on: The little camcorder that could http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/ "Everybody who cares for his art, seeks the essence of his own technique." -- Dziga Vertov (1922) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:42:38 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Canon HG20 camcorder provides stunning price/performance : Kino-Eye.com http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-217061 Canon HG20 camcorder provides stunning price/performance : Kino-Eye.com Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:37:26 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-217061 [...] manner. Last time I was in the market for one was quite some time ago and I ended up buying a Sony HVR-A1 HDV camcorder. The fact that it is tape based has tainted my impression of it, and I’ve often said, [...] [...] manner. Last time I was in the market for one was quite some time ago and I ended up buying a Sony HVR-A1 HDV camcorder. The fact that it is tape based has tainted my impression of it, and I’ve often said, [...]

]]> By: Michael J. http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-71910 Michael J. Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:13:33 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-71910 Pete you need to deinterlace your video if you want to distribute to internet. You also need to deinterlace if you want to scale, like to a standard DVD. Basically, if you don't distribute on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray you need to deinterlace. Pete you need to deinterlace your video if you want to distribute to internet. You also need to deinterlace if you want to scale, like to a standard DVD. Basically, if you don’t distribute on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray you need to deinterlace.

]]> By: Peter http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-59993 Peter Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:01:01 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-59993 Hey David, I was researching online and those lines are caused by the cameras interlacing effect. It's my understanding that this effect is only good when watching the movies on tv. Do you have any trouble with this when posting videos online? Is there anyway to turn that effect off on the camera? Also what is this compressor you use. Is that like changing an avi. file into a wmv file? Anyway thanks for the quick reply still got tons more stuff to discover with regards to this awsome piece of machinery they call the Sony HVR A1U. thanks for you help pete Hey David, I was researching online and those lines are caused by the cameras interlacing effect. It’s my understanding that this effect is only good when watching the movies on tv. Do you have any trouble with this when posting videos online? Is there anyway to turn that effect off on the camera? Also what is this compressor you use. Is that like changing an avi. file into a wmv file? Anyway thanks for the quick reply still got tons more stuff to discover with regards to this awsome piece of machinery they call the Sony HVR A1U.

thanks for you help
pete

]]> By: david http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-59857 david Thu, 21 Jun 2007 03:06:32 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-59857 Pete, I don't use a Windows PC nor Adobe Premiere, so I can't help with that issue specifically. I capture HDV using a Macintosh and Final Cut Pro without any problems. Not sure what the "horrible lines" are about. My workflow is (1) capture HDV into Final Cut Pro with FireWire; (2) Edit in Final Cut Pro; (3) Export HDV QuickTime movie; (4) Use Compressor to create iPod movies for iTunes; (5) Use Visual Hub for creating FLV movies for web viewing. Pete,

I don’t use a Windows PC nor Adobe Premiere, so I can’t help with that issue specifically. I capture HDV using a Macintosh and Final Cut Pro without any problems. Not sure what the “horrible lines” are about. My workflow is (1) capture HDV into Final Cut Pro with FireWire; (2) Edit in Final Cut Pro; (3) Export HDV QuickTime movie; (4) Use Compressor to create iPod movies for iTunes; (5) Use Visual Hub for creating FLV movies for web viewing.

]]> By: Peter http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-59405 Peter Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:23:49 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-59405 Hey I have the HVR-A1U camera and I'm just getting used to it. First I can't find a program that will capture in HDV format so I've been using Adobe Premiere to capture in DV through an i.LINK. When the project is rendered in Adobe it looks pretty good but when converted into a smaller file (.wmv) there are some horrible lines that show up when there is movement. I want to post vids on the internet so I was thinking of just using my digital camera for that cause those lines are horrible. Please let me know if you have any advice. thanks pete Hey I have the HVR-A1U camera and I’m just getting used to it. First I can’t find a program that will capture in HDV format so I’ve been using Adobe Premiere to capture in DV through an i.LINK. When the project is rendered in Adobe it looks pretty good but when converted into a smaller file (.wmv) there are some horrible lines that show up when there is movement. I want to post vids on the internet so I was thinking of just using my digital camera for that cause those lines are horrible. Please let me know if you have any advice.

thanks
pete

]]> By: david http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-57534 david Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:16:53 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-57534 But a small amount of supplemental lighting goes a long way. But a small amount of supplemental lighting goes a long way.

]]> By: david http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-57532 david Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:16:30 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-57532 Under average interior lights, you're just above the border line of "low light" it really depends on how bright the interior lights actually are. The best thing to do is experiment, if you have access to the camera. A typical bright kitchen (with overheard fluorescents) is bright enough to avoid excessive gain. The A1U camera does OK in most lit situations in comparison to the Z1U, the difference is much more noticeable video noise with the A1U. Under average interior lights, you’re just above the border line of “low light” it really depends on how bright the interior lights actually are. The best thing to do is experiment, if you have access to the camera. A typical bright kitchen (with overheard fluorescents) is bright enough to avoid excessive gain. The A1U camera does OK in most lit situations in comparison to the Z1U, the difference is much more noticeable video noise with the A1U.

]]> By: Scott http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-57531 Scott Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:09:12 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-57531 We are thinking about getting this camera to produce product videos for our website. We will be shooting mostly indoors in a warehouse. My question is what is considered low light? Is inside my house with my lights turned on considered low light? Thats the only thing holding me back. I don't really get what low light is? Is anything other than full daylight considered low light? We are thinking about getting this camera to produce product videos for our website. We will be shooting mostly indoors in a warehouse. My question is what is considered low light? Is inside my house with my lights turned on considered low light?

Thats the only thing holding me back. I don’t really get what low light is? Is anything other than full daylight considered low light?

]]> By: david http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-5462 david Tue, 05 Sep 2006 18:11:38 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-5462 Let me add one thing... if you're looking for the definitive book on Sony's HVR-Z1 and HVR-A1 cameras, Steve Mullen's Book <a href="http://www.knowledge-download.com/SonyHDV/index.html " rel="nofollow">Sony HVR-Z1 and HDR-FX1 Handbook </a> Let me add one thing… if you’re looking for the definitive book on Sony’s HVR-Z1 and HVR-A1 cameras, Steve Mullen’s Book Sony HVR-Z1 and HDR-FX1 Handbook

]]> By: david http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-5083 david Fri, 01 Sep 2006 02:17:18 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-5083 I still think for low-light work the Z1U kicks ass compared to the A1U, other than than, in good lighting situations, I agree, the A1U is amazing for the price (except I hate interlace... the one thing I HATE about the camera is interlace...) I still think for low-light work the Z1U kicks ass compared to the A1U, other than than, in good lighting situations, I agree, the A1U is amazing for the price (except I hate interlace… the one thing I HATE about the camera is interlace…)

]]> By: Brett http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-5016 Brett Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:25:15 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-5016 The HVR-A1U is an amazing camera. My company just purchased two of them, and for the size and cost, it's a much better option than going with the Z1U. If you know what you are doing with your editing software, there is barely any difference in the terms of quality. Before I used the A1U, I was all about the 3CCD sensors, and would not even think about using anything else. Though since using the A1U, my preference is it's CMOS technology. I think it looks much better, especially if you know how to edit. The A1U may not be used to shoot a Hollywood epic, but it's the best thing out there for the buck unless you won't to spend 20 g's. The HVR-A1U is an amazing camera. My company just purchased two of them, and for the size and cost, it’s a much better option than going with the Z1U. If you know what you are doing with your editing software, there is barely any difference in the terms of quality. Before I used the A1U, I was all about the 3CCD sensors, and would not even think about using anything else. Though since using the A1U, my preference is it’s CMOS technology. I think it looks much better, especially if you know how to edit. The A1U may not be used to shoot a Hollywood epic, but it’s the best thing out there for the buck unless you won’t to spend 20 g’s.

]]> By: Kino-Eye.com » Blog Archive » Sony HVR-A1U Performance in Low Light http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Kino-Eye.com » Blog Archive » Sony HVR-A1U Performance in Low Light Wed, 12 Apr 2006 22:00:16 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-111 [...] As a follow-up to my previous writings on the HVR-A1U, here’s a series of video frames from “Boston Haunted” (a 48 Hour Film Project film I worked on this past weekend). The frames taken from the video demonstrate the good and bad of the low-light performance of the Sony HVR-A1U HDV camcorder we used to shoot the piece in Standard Definition DV/squeezed mode. [...] [...] As a follow-up to my previous writings on the HVR-A1U, here’s a series of video frames from “Boston Haunted” (a 48 Hour Film Project film I worked on this past weekend). The frames taken from the video demonstrate the good and bad of the low-light performance of the Sony HVR-A1U HDV camcorder we used to shoot the piece in Standard Definition DV/squeezed mode. [...]

]]> By: John E. Maher http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-46 John E. Maher Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:39:28 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-46 Dear Folks: I have started shooting an independent feature length documentary with the Z1U in combination with the Panasonic Varicam whic is my main camera. I need to be able ti intercut these two cameras on the FCP-5 timeline. Does any one have any experience with this and if so what are the best settings and framerates to use on the Z1U. What bridging gadgets are needed between the camera and the FCP edit system to convert the Z1U to 720-P if any. Any and alll information will be greatly appreciated. Especially fromsomeone who has actually put these two camera on the same time line.... Thank You.... JohnE. Maher JEM Films Dear Folks:

I have started shooting an independent feature length documentary with the Z1U in combination with the Panasonic Varicam whic is my main camera.

I need to be able ti intercut these two cameras on the FCP-5 timeline.

Does any one have any experience with this and if so what are the best settings and framerates to use on the Z1U.

What bridging gadgets are needed between the camera and the FCP edit system to
convert the Z1U to 720-P if any.

Any and alll information will be greatly appreciated. Especially fromsomeone who has actually put these two camera on the same time line….

Thank You…. JohnE. Maher JEM Films

]]> By: Tim Wilson http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Tim Wilson Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:21:46 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-44 Am much interested in the A1U, having had very nice results with the bigger Z1U in standard def DVCAM, cineframe 30 and cinegamma mode. A question: is there a way with the little A1, shooting full manual and not AE aperture priority (which tended to blow out highs), to quickly adjust shutter speed so as to keep the lens opening constant, i.e. wide open for best-looking portrait-style doc shooting? The more general question: how are your pro readers and DOPs finding this little cam measuring up in the real world? Am much interested in the A1U, having had very nice results with the bigger Z1U in standard def DVCAM, cineframe 30 and cinegamma mode. A question: is there a way with the little A1, shooting full manual and not AE aperture priority (which tended to blow out highs), to quickly adjust shutter speed so as to keep the lens opening constant, i.e. wide open for best-looking portrait-style doc shooting?

The more general question: how are your pro readers and DOPs finding this little cam measuring up in the real world?

]]> By: Kino-Eye.com » Blog Archive » How does the “little camcorder that could” compare to its larger siblings? http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Kino-Eye.com » Blog Archive » How does the “little camcorder that could” compare to its larger siblings? Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:55:47 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-40 [...] I’ve gotten lots of questions how the little Sony HVR-A1U compares to its two bigger siblings. Besides the size, weight, and slight differences in terms of image quality, here’s how the little A1U stacks up to the larger 3 CCD models currently available from Sony: [...] [...] I’ve gotten lots of questions how the little Sony HVR-A1U compares to its two bigger siblings. Besides the size, weight, and slight differences in terms of image quality, here’s how the little A1U stacks up to the larger 3 CCD models currently available from Sony: [...]

]]> By: Aaron Faulls http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Aaron Faulls Mon, 20 Mar 2006 05:01:18 +0000 http://kino-eye.com/2006/03/14/a1u/#comment-39 David: Best review for this camera I've ever read. I've been looking at my options for going hi-def (HDV...), and this helped form my position dramatically. Thank you. -Aaron David:

Best review for this camera I’ve ever read. I’ve been looking at my options for going hi-def (HDV…), and this helped form my position dramatically. Thank you.

-Aaron

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