The HVR-V1U is a new 3-1/4″ CMOS HDV camcorder from Sony. It sports a pair of XLR inputs and other prosumer features. There’s also a new HVR-DR60 60GB hard disk recording unit designed to be a companion for this camcorder. The camera can record 1080/24P, 1080/60i, and 480/60i. Yes, you read right, real 24P, no more CineFrame crap masquerading as 24P. The fact that Sony chose to finally adopt true 24P after years of resistance is a breath of fresh air and a really progressive move on their part. The HVR-V1U is expected to start shipping in December, just in time for Santa to throw one on his sleigh for you. I’m looking forward to seeing how the image stacks up against the larger 3-1/3″ chip camcorders, the price will be under that of the Z1U, so Canon, Panasonic, and JVC are in for some stiff competition this winter in the 24P camera race.
How is this one different from the Sony HDW-F900?
I completely agree, and I believe the future belongs to digital filmmaking. Though I also believe that digital can never match the film resolution, the cost factor will ultimately guide the filmmaker towards the 24P HD Cameras.
This camera is completely different than the Sony HDW-F900. The HDW-F900 is a professional camera, the HVR-V1U is a little consumer camera. Since I now do mostly documentary, I’ve grown more fond of the little cameras, but 24P is not something I want to give up. For web video, 24P offers higher qality images than 60i, the interlace adds all sorts of problems for the compressor to deal with. Progressive images compress better, and the lower frame rate compared to 30P offers more “data budget” for spatial quality.
And of course, 24P is best if you want to transfer your video to film stock. Thanks for letting me know about HVR-V1U, I’m still in my learning phase about filmmaking – but I definitely have HVR-V1U in my priority list when I purchase my next cam. Still stuck with PD-150 right now, lol. Your blog is awesome – very informative! Would you like to exchange links…whatever your answer is, I’m adding you to my blogroll!
Regarding the HVR V1 camcorder, I’d be interested to know of anyone who has taken delivery on the PAL version, Sony HVR V1P. Some of my projects will call for HDV 25P.
David, I appreciate your posting your list of sound equipment that you use for video production & for podcasting. I’m teaching a sound-for-film class in New York & I like to be able to offer examples of various filmmakers’ choices in their sound kits.
On another matter: I noticed you were contemplating getting some Sennheiser wireless units. I’m going to be selling off some of my Sennheiser Evolution Wireless 100 & 500 transmitter/receiver sets. They work really well in medium or close range. I am going to replace them with some much more expensive 200 & 400 series Lectrosonics wireless equipment, which has a longer reach. So if you or any of your readers are interested my Sennheiser wirelesses I’ll make them a really good deal.
You said you were intending eventually to get a Sennheiser MKH-60 as a boom microphone. I have on & can recommend it. My students use the modular Sennheiser ME-66, which works fine but does not sound as nice as the more expensive MKH-60. I like the Sony ECM-670 as an on-camera microphone & WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BUYING A USED ONE IF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE MIGHT BE SELLING ONE.
Again, David, thanks for providing us with this forum for discussion.
With regard to the V1U, does that have the other personalities I like along with 24P– DV, DVCAM, HDV?
(Yeah, I know, I could look it up ;-)
This is actually THREE CMOS sensors?? So that’s a low-light contender, yes?
– LSM
Sorry, that was directed to Rob. I thought David was selling. Blogs is so confusing!!
To the guy who mentioned digital would never be as good as film.
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