Sony HDV Product Range, IBC 2008
For more info about the Sony HDV range of products CLICK HERE
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Professional HDV camcorder - HVR-Z5E
On show at IBC this year Sony revealed their latest camcorder, the HVR-Z5E. This has been called the replacement for the HVR-Z1 - a camera which has set the standard for professional HDV since it was launched in February 2005. The HVR-Z5E takes a form factor very similar to the HVR-Z1E and has produced something far superior.
The lens has been significantly improved along with the 3 CMOS sensor in the camera. The combination of these two factors provides far greater low-light performance, higher resolution images, with the reach of a 20x lens.
The capabilities of the HVR-Z5E has also been improved on the back end as well as the front. Batteries now run longer and the user can choose to record to Compact Flash and/or tape, or both simultaneous, using the optional HVR-MRC1 Compact Flash recorder.
The newly developed G-lens, featured on the HVR-Z5E, starts at 29.5mm and ends at 590mm in 35mm photography terms.
The HVR-Z5 is a more efficient camera to the HVR-Z1E. Expect to get 15% better battery performance with the HVR-Z5E over the HVR-Z1E.
CF Recorder HVR-MRC1
The HVR-MRC1 Compact Flash recorder, expected to hit the market for close to £600 also features as standard with Sony's HVR-Z7E. The HVR-Z7E, along with the HVR-Z5E, are described as hybrid cameras - meaning they can record the video signal to DV or HDV tape, and the video can be stored on tape and compact Flash - the facility is there to record HDV to tape and DV or DVCam to tape. Many options are provided using the CF recorder. Furthermore, this provides safety in that the your recorded content is effectively stored in two places - on tape and CF card, reducing the likelihood of disaster in the case of tape or card trouble.
The high speed Compact Flash cards which work with the HVR-MRC1 Compact Flash recorder are available in sizes up to 32GB for less than £70 in the UK.
