Prime is pleased to confirm the launch of the new Sony HDV Camcorder: HVR-Z1E
HD Open Days for Cameramen and Directors of PhotographyPrime Takes to Road with New Hi Def Cameras Prime Takes Delivery of the First Sony HDW-730’s Hi Def for the Price of Digi Beta
Sony has confirmed that first European deliveries of the new HVR Z1E HDV Professional Camcorder will commence from February 2005, and Prime Television will get the first available units.
The HVR-Z1E offers users an affordable migration path from Standard Definition whilst retaining the qualities of the popular DVCAM range such as ease of use and i-LINK connectivity. Designed for the professional user, the HVR-Z1E incorporates a number of significant features over the HDV consumer version of the camcorder, the HDR-FX1.
New features include:• Switchable recording and playback of HDV, DV and DVCAM formats, providing the professional user with the flexibility to choose the format that suits the need of their production
• 50i or 60i Interlace Mode - switchable recording and playback (for 50Hz PAL market or 60Hz NTSC market)
• Two channels of balanced audio with XLR inputs and independent adjustment of input levels for each audio channel
• Colour and B/W switchable viewfinder
• Simultaneous operation of both LCD panel and viewfinder, giving professional users the opportunity to focus shots accurately via the viewfinder while simultaneously framing images via the fold-out LCD panel
Emphasising the suitability of the format for low-cost HD migration, the HVR-Z1E featuresHigh Def (HD) / Standard Def (SD) switchable operation (offering full 1080i resolution), plus on-board down-conversion to output SD or HD signals. For even greater production flexibility, the camcorder also supports switchable 50/60Hz PAL/NTSC recording and playback.
The HVR-Z1E is aimed at professional cameramen, television producers, documentary makers and feature film makers working to tight budgets. HDV is also an attractive option for mainstream broadcasters and corporate programme makers needing to acquire HD content in restricted or hard-to-reach locations. HDV also serves as an ideal source for contributing HD content into an HDCAM production environment.
Additional features:
HVR-Z1E (professional version) versus HDR-FX1E (consumer version)
8 Highlighted Features:
• HDV / DVCAM / DV SwitchableIt provides professional users with the flexibility to choose the format that suits the need of their production, offering an easy migration from their current SD based environment.
• Switchable 50i / 60i Interlace Mode for 50Hz / 60Hz (PAL / NTSC)Allows professional users to create their content on a worldwide basis, not needing two separate camcorders as in days of old
• Two Channels Audio with XLR InputsOffers high quality audio recording with an external microphone supplying +40V phantom power, where the XLR inputs or the built-in stereo microphone can be selected
• Two Channel Independent Audio Record Level ControlIntuitive control of audio recording level is possible with 2-channel separate dials
• Time Code PresetIt supports professional operation with flexible time code and user bits setting
• B/W & Colour Switchable ViewfinderAllows professional users to select black and white display on the viewfinder, which makes focusing easy, with possibility to select colour display if required
• Simultaneous Operation of LCD Panel & ViewfinderThis allows professional users to focus shots accurately via the viewfinder whilst simultaneously framing images via the fold-out LCD panel
• Six Assignable ButtonsThe six assignable buttons assist customised use for professional users. The user can assign six frequently used functions such as Hyper Gain, AE Override, and White Balance Level for Outdoor use, Safety Zone Marker etc. selecting from over 10 available parameters
Other Additional Features:
• Colour Correction• All Scan Mode • AE Override • Black Stretch• Microphone Input Setting• Edge Crop on 4:3 SD down-conversion output• Setup Level Select• AF Assist• External Record Control• White Balance Outdoor Level Shift• Hyper Gain• All Display Off• Quick Record• Numerical Value Display of Zoom Ratio• Selectable Peaking Level & Colour• Expanded Focus Off Mode• Safety Zone & 4:3 Marker• Date Record• Audio Monitoring Select• Audio Limiter• Audio Noise Reduction• Wind Noise Reduction• Sensitivity Select on Built-in Microphone• 2-mode Cinematone Gamma• Shot Transition Start Timer• Skintone Level Control• 480p Output (on analogue component)• Smooth On-handle Zoom• Audio Output Level Select• 2-mode Colour Bars • Hours Meter• AC Adaptor/Charger (AC-VQ850) supplied as standard• Silver Support with 2 year warranty (available in EU Countries only)
Full Review by Kevin Cook, Executive Administrator of the Institute of Videography:
"Putting the HDV format to one side for a moment, my first impressions of the Z1E is that it's a great camera. A true 16:9/4:3 switchable solution at this level would be a good enough news, but the added benefit of being able to record everything in stunning HD quality – and the ability to easily down-convert this to SD out of the back of the camera or CTR is going to be a winner amongst the pro-video community.
There is a growing feeling that shooting everything in HDV mode, and then down-converting to SD produces better pictures than if the material was shot in SD in the first place. I was dying to try this out and have to say that, without the benefit of measuring the output, to the naked eye the down-converted images do look richer and more detailed. I don't see the need to shoot anything in SD anymore.
The variations between the consumer and professional versions of the camera are such that it really is worth waiting the few extra months - and paying a premium. Features such as DVCAM and DV recording, Hyper Gain, XLR audio connections and individual audio channel control might have been enough. But, the additions of PAL or NTSC recording mode, filmic effects settings, audio limiter and noise reduction - plus a more varied choice of component outputs when you are able to fully appreciate the quality offered by HDV - are what will make this camera a firm favourite in the pro-video community.”
HD Open Days for Cameramen and Directors of Photography
As part of our successful HD Roadshow with Sony we are including Freelance Cameraman / DOP days to our schedule.
With one Open Day under our belts already, the next date will be Mid January 2006.
These events provide a little more than our usual HD Roadshow as we normally get a good number of interested, like minded people under one roof.
To make sure that ample food and drink is readily available we stage these Open Day’s at The Station Tavern (opposite Latimer Road tube station) as the venue.
Proceedings start lunchtime at 1pm and finish at 5.30pm (or when you want to go home). There will be basic HD training session in the afternoon with the Sony guru, Neil Thompson and also a presentation detailing some of the BBC’s experiences with HD, given by Andy Quested.
Our HDW-750 and HDW-730 cameras are available to play with throughout the afternoon and comparisons between HD and Digital Betacam will be on large screens for all to see.
If you would like to attend the next HD Open Day please email nick@primetv.com or call us on 020 8969 6122.
HD Technical Training
In addition to the HD Open Days we are holding regular HD training sessions with Neil Thompson from Sony.
The next dates in the diary are the 3rd and 7th December.
Numbers are limited (12 people maximum per training session) so get your name down ASAP, if you are interested. Again email nick@primetv.com.
The training days are non-profit making but there is a small charge of £50 to pay for Neil’s time. This charge will be refunded from your first HD camera / kit hire.
Prime Takes to Road with New Hi Def Cameras
We have just announced a collaboration with Sony UK to promote the new High Definition HDW-730S HDCAM camcorder. From August 2004 the Prime Roadshow will take a specially equipped OB vehicle on the road visiting the UK’s leading producers and broadcasters, demonstrating this new technology.
The Prime Roadshow will tour the UK demonstrating the cost, workflow and quality benefits of shooting High Definition, using theses new Sony HDCAM cameras.
We will show the new Sony HDW-730S camera alongside its 25P big brother, the HDW-750P. A demonstration of the use of the Sony J-H3 player will also be available showing downwards compatibility, which is capable of playing out in either Standard or High Definition in post-production, along with a split screen presentation showing the difference in picture quality between High Definition and Digi Beta.
We are convinced this is going to fuel a drastic change in how mainstream television is made. To this end we have committed to High Definition and bought half the first batch of new Sony HDW-730 cameras allocated to the UK. Producers can now have all the benefits of Hi Def – and hire the kit for the same price as Digi Beta.
Prime has the full range of Sony HDCAM camcorders, including the HDW-730S and HDW-750P as well as latest Canon High Definition lenses.
Call us now on 020 8969 6122 for more information or email HD@primetv.comwww.primetv.com
Most of our work and PSC crewing is currently shot on Digital Betacam, which although a great format, has been around now for nearly ten years. As demand for our crews and equipment is growing (up by 30% over last year) and we regularly have upwards of fourteen crews out on a busy day, we had no alternative; we had to look at buying new cameras. We faced a clear choice - buy into old technology or find something better for our clients.
As one of Europe’s leading broadcast facilities companies we have to make sure we stay ahead of the game. Just as a cameraman may only be as good as his last job, the same applies to a hire company and the equipment they provide.
Having the right equipment for the job is of paramount importance to any production and we would be letting our clients down - or be out of business - if we did not make sure we continued to supply the best equipment available.
Our yearly pilgrimage to NAB, the Mecca of broadcasting conventions in Las Vegas, is our main source of information on what the future holds. With new and current models of camera on display, as well as prototypes, you can almost plan three years ahead.
At this year’s NAB we were faced with a bit of a dilemma. With the launch of Sony’s long awaited XDCAM hard disc format and the low cost HDW-730S HDCAM we didn’t know which way to go.Disc we feel is the broadcast medium of the future; Hi Def on the other hand is undoubtedly the de facto broadcast standard that we will all use one day soon. The problem is that we wanted both combined - in one camera!
Unfortunately Hi Def using the hard disk media found in the XDCAM is still a few years off, although a prototype was on show to a select few at April’s NAB.
That said, we believe that what is needed right NOW is High Definition and in buying the new Sony HDW-730S HDCAM camcorder we are able to offer our clients High Definition for mainstream television at the same price they are already paying for Digital Betacam.
The new HDW-730S shoots interlace only in either 50i or 60i which suits the European, US and Japanese markets, unlike its big brother, the HDW-750P. We already know from a good number of our clients shooting with the 750P, interlace is all that they require - so why should they pay nearly twice the amount to hire the 750P camera? The answer now is that they don’t have to. The choice is clear. For interlace shooting hire the 730S at lower cost, for progressive scan use our 750P cameras.
With four cameras being delivered immediately and an order for two more on the way, we believe that we now have what our clients require, at least for the next couple years.
We are also offering a free Sony J-H3 player on loan with all HDW-730S camcorder hires *
If you are interested in seeing how easy it is for your next production to shoot in High Definition and still keep the cost down to that of Digital Betacam, email us at HD@primetv.com
Call us on 020 8969 6122 for more information.
www.primetv.com
* Terms and Conditions Apply
Prime television has been dabbling in the Hi Def market for over three years. Using cross hired Sony HDW-F900 Cine Alta cameras, we shot a feature called Joyrider and worked on behind the scenes for the Harry Potter movies. Recently we have had reasonable success with our Sony HDW-750P HDCAM camcorders, often shooting interlace only, but do feel HDCAM has yet to really kick off in the UK. We knew that High Definition was here to stay but it would take the introduction of a lower cost camera to get HD into more mainstream television.
When we first heard about the launch of Sony’s new HDW-730S camera we knew we had found the missing link. As a good number of HDW-750P clients were quite happy to shoot interlace only we knew that if we could supply a lower cost camera that covered the European, US and Japanese markets, with 50i and 60i, we’d be on to a winner.
You only have to open a Radio Times and work out for yourself what would be shot in Interlace or Progressive to know that our new 730’s will be working a lot harder than our 750’s.
The lower cost price of the HDW-730S gives us the ability to hire the camera at a lower price, in fact the same price as our Digital Betacam cameras. In recognition that Hi Def tape stock is still more expensive than Digi, we are countering that by offering a free loan Sony J-H3 player for downloading in post production. *
Taking this offer will give our clients four times the quality of Digital Betacam, the ability to future proof their productions and a loan J-H3 player the ability to edit in either standard definition at lower cost or in HD (for HD broadcast, DVD’s etc). Either way you still have significantly better quality.
Prime has enjoyed a long history of supplying top flight PSC crews and equipment, with business up by 30% in 2004 and upwards of 14 crews out on a busy day we had to look at buying new cameras. We had to make a choice - buy into old technology or find something better for our clients.
With a total of six new cameras at Prime there will be only a few to go round. So get in early as this deal provides the biggest jump in quality "at no extra cost" in the history of television.
If you’re still intent on shooting Digital Betacam drop us an email to HD@primetv.com and tell us why…Call us on 020 8969 6122 for more information.
