Any Sony v1u owners in the house?

[bytehoven]

We just bought a v1u after borrowing the camera for some documentary test shooting.

Does anyone on HV20 own/use the v1u?

We would love to hear/try some of your image setup tweaks.

We were looking at the Canon XH-A1, Sony v1u and the new Sony z7u. We were really tempted to spend the extra on the z7u, but there have been a number of bad reports from new owners, primarily regarding focus issues.

The choice between the A1 and the v1u came down to the image and a personal preference by one of our other shooters. The v1u has a very film like look, although I'm sure the A1 could be programmed to achieve a similar look.

For me, it came down to the HDMI port on the v1u, which the A1 lacks. The HDMI will make it easy to record 4:2:2 off the camera head. The RGB component is an alternative option on the A1 and v1u, but then you have to mess with running audio separately.

With the v1u, we will be able to send RGB component to the Panasonic HD studio monitor (for clients/producer/director) and HDMI to my work station.

Thanks in advance for any programming tips on the v1u.

[markone]

At our studio we use a Sony V1u.. It is a pretty good camera, albeit the low light capability does not compare to a Panasonic DVX-100B, or most other 1/2" CCD cameras.. the picture quality is really sharp, and the menu options are quite deep, we've used it in 24p, 30p and 1080i modes and have not been dissapointed.

Douglas Spotted Eagle of VVAST has a great DVD highlighting all the features of the camrea, I would reccomend getting it.. the dynamic range of the camera is quite broad, we usually adjust the iris to what looks good on the on cam flip screen, then stop down a little and are always happy with the final look.

As far as post we utilize Matrox hardware with the Adobe CS3 package, and we also have an edit station with Cineform, SD down conversion is acomplished using After Effects, only two out of the eight TV stations in our market can accept HD spots, so those are deliverd as M2T files on data DVDs, the SD spots go out on BetaCam SP... for the money, I don't think there is a better value.
Enjoy your new Cam !!

Mark Carey
www.markoneHD.com

[mischief08films]

I have two of the Sony V1u's and I am pleased with them, except for the lack of the auto/manual focus. To switch between you are forced to use a small button, which is not as user friendly, or able to lock such as almost any other prosumer model camera. I loved the auto/manual switch on the pd150/170 models prior..

Other than that, its a great camera especially when used in a well lit place, such as in a studio or outdoors. Lowlight is not good at all.

Lastly, I think the Hv30 is a better choice in the long run for documentary filmmaking, since the Hv30's are much smaller, cheaper (more camera's running) You can buy 4 hv30's for the price of one V1u, and last but not least quality. I dont see much difference between my V1u's and my HV30's to be completely honest.

For the money, I think the V1u is a waste.....I mean I like the camera dont get me wrong, I just think it lacks many features that a 3k + camera should have.

I prefer to shoot with my dvx100b anyday over the V1u, but thats maybe just me.

[bytehoven]

I dont see much difference between my V1u's and my HV30's to be completely honest.

Thanks for your comments. I might say, we also bought another HV30 at the same time as the v1u to use as a 2nd camera as well as "VTR" in the studio.

I might humbly suggest, if you can't see a difference between the v1u and HV30, you haven't explored the v1u "cinema" settings. The range of image programming choices are of real benefit on the v1u, and when dialed in, can produce images superior to the HV30.

The way the v1u handles blacks in the cinema modes is outstanding, especially since you can go into the settings and tweak to your hearts content.

The v1u might need to be a little cheaper, but then again you're moving up to something in the $6K+ range to get some improvements.

I think the v1u is worth the cabbage. 4-5x the HV30 is definitely a little steep, but you do get a number of valuable features for the extra coin.

[notlad]

I am an HV20 owner who recently purchased two V1U's and love them.

My HV20 got me excited about the potential of low end HD production. I got the V1U's for my event videography business and absolutely love them. The manual controls and intuitive menu's are great.

I still use my HV20 for family video's and run & gun situations and also plan on using it as a 3rd cam or backup cam in my event videography biz.

[electro]

I've used the V1u once and loved it.
I just can't afford a new one.


>> If there is ANYONE selling their V1U Please contact me!!!!