Crap sound on Z1 [Archive] - DVdoctor.community

Relievo

8th March 2006, 16:35

I've just finished a load of filming interviews, there is a load of static coming from the quieter interviews, some worse that others. What could have caused this?

I'm am usuing the Rode NTG-2, and the XLR was 2ft long.
This was a big job to do (impossible to re-shoot), I have some friends that could fix the audio up to a point but, if its the camera thats doing this, It has to go back.

please give me some advice :mad:

Dave R Smith

8th March 2006, 17:32

Are you listening diect from camera - or from NLE?
See this thread:
http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=37148&highlight=Z1E

Relievo

8th March 2006, 17:59

on the FCP lineline, its very staticy, very annoying. Could it be something to do with the XLR cable?

Des

8th March 2006, 23:04

We shot a short last month with a Z1 and an FX1 - sound to DAT and mirrored to the Z1 as a spare. The sound on the Z1 was so good it was tempting to use it instead of the DAT. Presumably you monitored the sound on a headset and it was ok so has it been introduced on digitising? What happens if you play it back on camera and listen on a headset - is it still bad? If so it must have been there when you monitored it. You did monitor the sound when shooting.....?

Relievo

8th March 2006, 23:59

Nah, it was rubbish from the start of the interview, I fiddled with all the wires but couldn't shake it.

It was present for the next interveiw, and just like Kyser Sosay, it vanished... for a while! The first few interviews were fine though.

I've been hard pushed to look at the camera, coz I'm working on a dealine. I bought it for the job, so I jumped right into the deep end.

Once this job is finished, I will have a closer look at the camera, but I cant right now as I'm on a bit of a tight schedule, plus the job Im doing is going to pay off the credit I bought the camera with :confused: :confused:

tom hardwick

9th March 2006, 06:29

It'll pay off the credit if the customer is happy with the sound, that is. Worth changing the mic, then the cables. One of other is surely at fault.

Chrome

9th March 2006, 07:15

I realise this does not help with your current situation, but in these 'mission critical' interview situations (which I seem to get regularly) I invariably record audio on both channels simultainiously. For example I usually have a lavalier (tie clip mic) running into ch1 (usually via radio) and either use a high-quality on-camera mic (such as the Sennheiser 416) or the same mic in a rycote basket with a boom and get it pointing-at and as close to the speakers mouth as possible whilst still being out of shot. I also ALWAYS monitor the sound with a good pair of closed-back headphones such as BeyerDynamics DT100s. This set up might sound a bit like overkill, however it means I usually have excellent audio even in difficult sound situations where there is a lot of ambient sound.

It also means if there is a 'glitch' or problem with ch1 sound, then you can 'drop' a carefully mixed few seconds from ch2 into the mix; sure this is sometimes a bit noticeable, but it's better to have some useable sound than none at all. This in-out mixing is a carefully developed skill however but if done correctly can cover any problems fairly well. Sometimes I simply mix some of ch2 sound throughout to enhance the ambience too.

So my advice - in future always record on two channels, preferably by two different mics. :)

PaulD

9th March 2006, 08:09

...on the FCP lineline, its very staticy...
Hi
If you have FCP 5 Studio, then export the track to Soundtrack Pro, and use the Analyse function to isolate and Fix clicks and pops (the top Analyse option).

Dave R Smith

9th March 2006, 09:25

I recall one tme with a radio mike (Sennheiser EW 112 G2) in a classroom I had static.
I turned lights and an OHP off to no effect, checked connectons etc. I had checked the combination theprevious day, so was happy with the gear. Put mike on different camera, all fine. Mike back on first camera all fine - but worrying. This was approx 6.30pm when an adjacent classroom was leaving and probably turning electrical items off.
So, put it down to 'environment'. Yours isn't radio receiver, but possibly still susceptible to say flourescent light buzz?
You don't mention sound recording in other places, to determine if it's likely to be equipment or other factor.
Like chrome I like belt/braces on sound as you often don't know how good it is until in post.
I tend to solve this with 2 cameras, both manned by myself. One locked off on wide shot (2 people?) and one for cose ups - or to switch between presenter/interviewee.
Was camera running off battery or mains? Latter - in theory - could introduce a buzz (I believe).

Unicorn

9th March 2006, 10:39

I've been very impressed with Z1 sound recording, so I'd guess it has to be either a connector problem, a duff mike or interference.

Relievo

9th March 2006, 14:08

So my advice - in future always record on two channels, preferably by two different mics. :)

Yeah after that I cracked open my Ew112p, also brand new. I just used it "as is", I also struggled with that (settings), coz everything I was doing was straight out of the box!
After this project is over I will have time to set things up and learn how to do it properly.

Yeah Soundtrack pro fixed it good enough to use, again a new piece of software I have to get to grips with. I used 'SET NOISE PRINT' then reduced the noise. I tried the 'Analyse function' for a bit of peaking, it found the offending bit but the fix button was shaded out, so I couldnt press it.:confused:

josjac

9th March 2006, 19:39

It was present for the next interveiw, and just like Kyser Sosay, it vanished... for a while!

Bad sound may be forgiveable. Bad spelling isn`t... Keyser Söze :eek:

Shocking! :D

Des

9th March 2006, 22:50

Is that a kind of stocking...?

Relievo

10th March 2006, 02:22

heheh, dont blame me, blame google!:p

DVdoctor

10th March 2006, 06:59

One thing we have heard with this sort of noise is a close by cell phone. We Discovered that the talent had left the cell phone on silent, but there still was distortion on the mic line. Might not be the case here, but it is certainly something worth checking into.

Sharyn

Alan Roberts

10th March 2006, 08:05

That's why moboile phones are always switched off on the shoots I work with. It's one of the things the 1stAD always shouts early in the morning.

Relievo

15th March 2006, 02:00

I checked my camera for the sound, I took the mic off, the sound was still there - I took the XLR cable off, and the sound was still there… I’m sure it’s the camera.

The settings on the camera were both channels were set to 1 XLR port, and it was HDV, now I know HDV sound isn’t supposed to be as good as DVcam but it surely isn’t supposed to be this bad… is it?

Here is a quick sound bite so you can see what I am talking about, it's not immediately obvious, but when you turn it up its there, I mean more than it should be.

>>>>http://tinyurl.com/oj2jo <<<< Listne for the snowy/staticy sound

Dave R Smith

15th March 2006, 09:53

It took me 4 listens to hear it.
Can't offer a solution - or thought as to cause.
As a workaround in meantime - if you have adobe audition, this can sample such static and process clip to remove it.

H & M Video

15th March 2006, 10:33

Listened to it twice, sounds OK to my ears. Would the client notice it? BTW nice wee Scottish voice?

Harry

Relievo

15th March 2006, 13:45

I can get around it, and I dont think the clients will notice. But the thing is I'm going to be stuck with the camera a while.

You guys just heard a small clip, but it gets worse the longer I hear it. :mad:

Relievo

16th March 2006, 11:48

I re-recorded some sound with no other background noise.

This is exactly how it sounded in the headphones, I havent touched a thing, not raised the audio gain or anything.

If you listen carfully: **5 sec's in**, the fuzzyness gets quieter, the camera does this all by it's self. The noise will get louder and quieter while I'm trying in interview ppl.

When I record in a quiet area, the fuzzy noise gets right on my wick.

I recorded this sample without a mic attached and XLR 'manua'l selected, this is the sound I get with & without a mic:
>>>> http://www.relievo.co.uk/relievo/crap.sound.test.aif<<<<

Please tell me I'm not going mad.

Dave R Smith

16th March 2006, 13:33

First listening was silent - so I upped 'wave/direct sound' to max and 'volume' to max.
Yes horrible. After 5 secs, I hear it as pitch getting lower rather than quiter.
I'm no audio whizz, but I believe open channels are a no no ( manually set to xlr with no mike attached)

From what you have described, I understand you are trying to take the mike out of the equation, but I think having a circuit that doesn't close could eqially be a cause of the problem.

You said:
'The settings on the camera were both channels were set to 1 XLR port, '
I wonder if this wasn't the case - either your misunderstanding or fault on camera - as again an 'open' connection could be the problem. Thinking through, if this was the problem, then the Rode sound would only be on one channel of your imported file.

Have you done any tests with the builtin mike.
I believe the built-in mike connections are internal (not via the external xlr)?
Do this test in both manual and auto (auto will probably put gain right up, so you are likely to get hiss if testing in silent environment).

For sake of completeness - while monitoring sound:
Put focus in auto, put hand in front of lens and take away.
Zoom lens in/out.

I'm wondering if any of the internal motors are causing the interferance.

Relievo

16th March 2006, 18:36

but I believe open channels are a no no ( manually set to xlr with no mike attached)

The sound is there with or without a mic attached, if I close one of the channels off the sound stops on that channel. Which is not good if I want an xlr, hehe
I will test the other things you mentioned next... :confused:

Cheers Dave :rolleyes:

DVdoctor

16th March 2006, 20:58

Hi
Does having it on mains or battery make a difference?

Most of the cameras have a limiting circuit that Might be cutting in and out
In addition capacitors are usually part of the filtering design, and there have been recent instances where these have had problems. Sony should fix it for your, iF YOU CAN GET THEM TO HEAR THE PROBLEM which of course might be a challenge.

Many of the supposed balanced audio preamp input designs these days have been know to not deal with the balanced nature of the signal properly, and in effect unbalancing it (this is common in cheaper mixers) so that the noise canceling effect of the balanced feed is not totally effective. If you could find someone who would lend you an isolation transformer setup for the mic line in, it would be interesting to see if the problem goes away. These devices have two transformers back to back to totally isolate the signal.

Sharyn

Relievo

16th March 2006, 21:31

The camera was on batteries, not on mains, and the sound is present with and without the mic or XLR lead. So if the problem is with the camera, Sony will hear about it.

I can't be bother to spend extra money to fix a problem that shouldn't be there, hehehe... I'll set my mum on 'em!

Dave R Smith

21st April 2006, 11:42

Hi Relievo,
I'm about to buy a Z1e so I'd like to know:

Is problem now cured / resolved? It should be - over 1 month on.
Did you have sony prime support - or was it a retailer g'tee.
I believe prime support means they collect/deliver anywhere and endeavour to fix within 7 days or provide 'loaner' after 7 days - was this the case for you?
Which retailer did you deal with - and are you happy with their service.

Relievo

21st April 2006, 12:45

Sony still have it, and just had it over a week.

They say there is nothing wrong with it, and maybe it's because I had the mic volume set to 10 (max).

But to me, that doesnt explain the noise even without the mic attached, or the shift in Pitch noise.

FYI: I bought it from a place called Prokit, you can check them out on their "dotCom"... All nice and smiley until...

They were reccomended to me by a speaker at the videoforum.

Dave R Smith

21st April 2006, 14:07

Thanks Relievo for swift reply.

I haven't dealt with with prokit, but have a nice colour brochure from them - mainly lighting.

I'm surprised at your experience as they look like a big/pucka company.

Relievo

21st April 2006, 18:27

Hi Dave,

OK here's my story in brief:

I bought my lights from them together with the camera. One of the buld where broken when it arrived, but they replaced it, with no questions asked. I was very happy with every aspect of their service.

I was assured they had knowledgeable camera people in there shop, so I thought I'd best ask for some advice about my problem. When I tried to asked for some simple advice about the camera, they passed the buck - I couldn't have been avoided more if I had leprosy. Such a shame, I could have done quite a bit of business with them too.

ClaireTall

22nd April 2006, 06:34

I had a a really bad sound problem with my Z1 when I first got it. It was caused by feedback from having a big LCD monitor plugged into it, I pulled out the AV lead and perfection was restored.

Any other sound problem I've ever had have always been the XLR lead not the mic.

Relievo

10th May 2006, 21:59

OK so the lastest is, Sony says "we compared it to the other sony camera we have, and it sounds the same, we think your camera is normal".

I must be going mad, the static is awful, on the manual setting. at the No.5 setting its noticeable, and at 10 its a joke!

Arrgh! I guess I will have to take a trip to London and have a listen to a few other cameras myself!

If all the Sony Z1's have this much static, I'm gobsmacked, coz that aint braodcast quality sound.

I have to get my 'Sound' friends to try and deduct the noise from my recording, but it makes the finished piece sound metallicy.

infocus

11th May 2006, 07:36

I can't help but wonder if an incompatability problem may be happening here, a particular combination of two connectors?

I once bought a new computer, connected the LAN, and no network. First thought was the connection, so plugged the cable into laptop - no problem. A service call bought out a technician, and to cut a long story short the problem was the local cable not mating properly with the new computer, though being fine with the laptop. Just a thought......

Dave R Smith

11th May 2006, 10:35

Releivo - I read your post last night. Too tired to test mine, so I went to bed - but dreamt I was hearing horrendous static in my headphones. I forgot out the dream/nightmare until I saw your post again this morning!

Z1E, inbuilt mike, headphones on in quiet room, audio manual level 5 - perfect.Scratching mike, clicking fingers confirmed all well and left/right independant.
Increase mike level to 10 - now I hear static and then another noise - like a peice of paper flapping in a bycycle wheel for but much quieter. Stopped after 4 seconds.

After trying a few things I sussed it was the auto focus. Each time I moved the camera it would kick in for about 4 seconds. Put in manual focus mode - just the static.

'Push auto' (stay in manual focus but autofocus when pressed) results in this clicking for about 2 seconds.

Not sure if it's the static you are referring to or the clicking.If Sony have it on a work bench, focus won't be changed, so clicking won't be heard.

I tried zooming in quiet room - both rocker switch mode and zoom ring mode and they each produce noise with the manual audio level at 10(though probably not the one you refer to).

Pc room may have picked up quiet pc hum. Quiet room showed 2 bars of noise in display, zero if level down at 5.

So - I think it's the (ultrasonic?) focus motor.

tom hardwick

11th May 2006, 11:03

I think it's more likely to be the Steadshot actuation Dave. I'll test mine later, but I know the VX/PD OIS produces quite a lot of noise, and switching it off brings magical silence.

Dave R Smith

11th May 2006, 11:26

Just tried the image stabiliser and on/off - no difference.

Relievo

11th May 2006, 12:34

Do you hear any (bad) static when you have no XLR mic in, but with all the audio settings are set to Manual XLR input. Because in theory, there should be no sound coming in, i think?

Dave R Smith

11th May 2006, 14:35

I agree with your theory - no mike should give pure silence, but I know 'open circuits' are to be avoided.
Anyway, headphones connected, manual audio - level 10 (auto focus 'on' but camera static and Optical stabiliser turned off), builtin mike sat in pc room - static still there - along with lawnmowers in background (the real thing).Switch to xlr input (no mike connected) - pure silence - but I notice that CH1 levels disaplay fluctuates between 1 bar and zero. XLR is set for input 1 to channel 1 and input 2 to channel 2, XLR ch sel=CH1.

Turn camera off - write this note - turn camera back on - still set to XLR, but level meter fluctuates between 1 and 2 bars and static heard.

Change XLR input 1, to feed Ch1 +CH2 and level meter show 1 to 2 bars and CH2 remains at zero - static heard in left ear only - oops plonker - increase manual level (5 to 10) on CH2 and hear static in both channels.

Relievo

11th May 2006, 18:02

Sony are picking it up again, this time they want a tape with the static noise on, too...

This is mind numbing, lol.... If I'm not happy with the result I think I might try and get my money back and go for the Panni ????? but doesnt it cost a crap load more???

Gaaawwd!!!!

Bruce

11th May 2006, 18:51

Will try my Z1 tomorrow. Have never thought to use internal mics for anything at all - have alway rated any such mic as a joke regardless make. I am sure XLR inputs when loaded with mics are fine.

Relievo

11th May 2006, 19:00

The internal mic has never been a problem, its just the XLR on MANUAL, even on auto it's not that bad, just in manual xlr... Hmmmm...

MattDavis

12th May 2006, 22:56

Gaaawwd!!!!

Sorry to hear about these problems. The ProKit team are great IMHO, but they're there to sell kit. Mark spots cool stuff that does better than, perhaps, the market leaders (e.g. COS-11 over ECM-77, Bebob over Manfrotto LANC), but when it comes to the niceties of Z1 tweakage, I've never seen any retail outlet prepared to offer advice or even a strong opinion. They don't live with the kit, they just sell it.

But I digress...

My only grumble has been the Zoom servo noise if using the supplied mic holder. Easily solved.

I had problems with my PD150 and ECM-77 where nasty scratchy noise would creep up from nowhere and then suddenly disappear with any vocalisation from the talent. It drove me mad until I realised that there was a battery (!!!) in the ECM-77 barrel that was giving up the ghost. I took it out and suddenly roses were blooming in the garden again. I don't know who put the battery in it, but...

In general, I've had no problems at all with Z1's audio inputs SO LONG AS YOU DON'T LOAN IT OUT, when all the settings get mixed up. Or people stuff batteries in mics that don't need it.
:)

Dave R Smith

13th May 2006, 11:09

MattDavis

16th May 2006, 14:52

Matt - can you mirror the test.
Pickup audio from XLR input 1 - unloaded, manual level 10 and say what you hear on headphones - along with focus/zoom/internal motor noises - and is the level display completely at zero?

Okay... Sorry it's taken so long - sudden rush of work, nice but... :-)

If I set XLR1 to Mic, +6dB Gain, manual, set to 10, and DON'T have a mic plugged in, I get an unacceptable hiss. No sign on the level meters, but completely "there".

On plugging in a cheap mic (just the freebie I got with the PDX-10), the hiss is substantially reduced and hidden under 'room tone'. It seems to have a slightly different nature, or perhaps it's a different hiss, but I can hear it.

Next I tried my ECM-55 (cherished from student days). Hiss changes, and is almost gone - better than the cheap mic. It's there, but there's so much more around it.

I switched to my COS-11 tie-clip (lav) mic. With the extra dB gain, the noise was well below the rumblings of my wife making tea two rooms and 1 door away, which barely ruffled the first blob or two on the meter.

I had the second channel set to Line In +6db. Absolutely silent.

BAD NEWS:
My only grumble has been the Zoom servo noise if using the supplied mic holder. Easily solved.

Er, no. Not after some testing. Hoped that a suspension mount would fix this, but it doesn't.

The zoom noise is NOT via the microphone. The zoom servo noise was present at the same volume whether a mic was plugged in or not. It's audible doing gross zooms (full range) and louder as the zoom passes through the central region.

It was only audible when zooming at full speed or thereabouts. I couldn't hear slower (2+ secs through range) zooms. The trouble is, when snatching an interview, the first few seconds zooming in, focusing, zooming out, fiddling with framing - all that renders the AUDIO useless as well as the video.

Is the sound crap on the Z1? It's good enough most of the time, but the zoom noise is a salutory lesson, and I'd want a microphone plugged into a channel if recording line in on the other channel! (It's a good idea anyway)

Dave R Smith

16th May 2006, 15:19

Thanks Matt,

Haven't used the Z1E for 'proper' stuff yet.
Fortunately my first job is a music video, so camera sound isn't integral (apart from synching), so I'll see how it is in practice - but it seems from your test even 'off-camera' mike would be prone to zooming noise.

Perhaps Relievo could mention this to Sony guys for comment/solution/workround (ie suppressor).

For comparison I tried my Canon XM2, manual audio level to max, builtin mike. Slight hiss/static, but not as bad and ZERO noise when letting autofocus switch from close to distant objects.
Zoom has zero noise.

Relievo

16th May 2006, 15:50

hi,

I have sent the camera back to sony again, this time I included a tape logging the hiss and change of frequency every 1-2mins' for 5 mins... I hate it! lol

I am a little tempted to try and get my cash back and blow it on the new panni, but I aint that rich :(

I should have made a copy of the tape for you guys, but the delivery guy was FAST:::...

Cheers
Steve

tom hardwick

16th May 2006, 15:59

Well I do hope you get it sorted, and at least the Silver Service means quick turnaround and no costs.

Relievo

16th May 2006, 16:21

Cheers Tom :)

Relievo

27th May 2006, 15:46

tom hardwick

28th May 2006, 08:14

Persevere with the Z1. P2 cards are outrageously expensive and short lived on a shoot. Hard drives are great lumps that beautifully demonstrate tape's compactness, cheapness and goodness at doing what it does best - storing huge digital files efficiently and accurately.

We all laughed happily as we waved VHS goodbye, but MiniDV is the David in this Goliath fight. Brave of Panasonic to be first, but whatever were they thinking when they installed a tape deck that only recorded SD?

tom.

Dave R Smith

30th May 2006, 11:24

Just to let you know, I sent back the camera to Sony, with a tape and a note, pin-pointing all the audio errors, and Snony are now replacing the sound board, so there must have been a problem!?!?!

Hi Relieveo,

Atleast the engineer is now recognising the issue.
Either:
i)Your camera has a problem
ii)All Z1's have the problem, but first time it's been brought to the engineers attention.
iii)It's a design problem/defect which has since been remedied.

If it's iii) there are many readers here who will be desiring the fix/upgrade before the g'tee runs out.

We seem to be outside the 7-10 days turnround time for repairs.
I look forward to your comment post-fix and hope it is a fix.

MattDavis

5th June 2006, 00:41

We seem to be outside the 7-10 days turnround time for repairs.
I look forward to your comment post-fix and hope it is a fix.

I still rate the audio circuitry on my Z1, but a colleague's unit seems to have a non-working line feed. It's not been something he uses on a day to day basis, but we recently confirmed it with identical settings and two different setups.

So that's another Z1 going back for audio problems on warranty.

FWIW, Mine's coming up to being 6 months old - his unit is almost a year old.

Dave R Smith

5th June 2006, 08:26

I have had my Z1E for 5 weeks now.
Input1 XLR has green oxidisation on most of it.
Input2 XLR has green oxidisation on it to a lesser extent.
I have only used input1.

Until Friday I have only used the camera around the house/garden to test it and familiarise myself with it. At other times it has been stored in its case.
Many of the very small screws are also oxidized with white/green residue.
It has most definitely been in a humid environment - I did walk around the garden on a sunny day.

I have never experienced oxidisation on cameras before.
I wonder if this could be related to the audio not making a 'clean' contact on the XLR for good sound.

At the moment I don't know whether to return it to dealer for comment or live with it and put some degreasant spray on the affected parts (which could impede any future complaint).

Do any other owners have such oxidisation?

MattDavis

5th June 2006, 08:59

I have had my Z1E for 5 weeks now. Do any other owners have such oxidisation?

NO! :)

I'd be dealer-bound by now. Do you keep a couple of bags of silica gel in the case? Every so often, put the bags on a hot radiator to dry out to ensure they're still doing the job.

I've used my Z1 from 3000 feet above Stockholm in a balloon, to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, from Steamy Florida, to Sopping wet Slough. It's endured moisture, sand, the occasional attack from a 2 year old toddler, and the odd downpour (with a very brave interviewee).

It's stood up very well, though the sand was scary.

My colleague with the duff Line input - his Z1 is similarly well travelled, and apart from the lack of line level, it's in similarly good nick. Another colleague has a Z1 that's been faultless until the iris stuck at about 5.6.

Whilst there may be a whiff of citrus about some units described here, another part of me thinks that these Z1 things are built on a budget - and without care and luck, professional use will probably kill a Z1 by the time the Silver Warranty runs out - and if we have a problem with that, Sony would probably point us towards a bigger stronger camera. Alternatively, base one's pricing structure to enable writing off the camera at the same speed as a laptop - nominally 6 months to recoup purchase cost, 18 months as revenue stream based on 6 days per month paid usage. But I digress. And IMHO. :)

mooblie

5th June 2006, 09:10

Do any other owners have such oxidisation?

No - not on either of our two Z1s, despite having been used outdoors in the rain on the riverbank the other week.

tom hardwick

5th June 2006, 09:30

Dave Smith - hot foot it back to the dealer. No degreasant spray. Take close-up photos of the affected areas. Your covering letter should explain all. I wouldn't buy a second hand unit in the condition you describe, let alone a new one. So demand a new one.

tom.

Dave R Smith

5th June 2006, 11:36

Thank-you Matt, Mooblie and Tom,

Gearhouse Broadcast (where I bought it 28/4/06) have put me on to prime support, who are collecting it in 2 days time.
I hope they don't just replace external rusty screws and leave me with a camera rusting on inside.

I do keep silica gel with my other cameras, but didn't pack it with Z1E as it was in it's case - not in use!

tom hardwick

5th June 2006, 12:19

Gearhouse are good guys. They'll see you right.

Dave R Smith

5th June 2006, 13:39

Thank-you Tom,
If it wasn't for your comment, I may have dithered for a few more days before taking action.
In a way I'm relieved it's close to purchase date and the 'hour-ometer' proves it's minimal use. It's also fortunate that I can manage with another camera for the next 10 days - by when I should get new/repaired/replacement camera.

PaulD

5th June 2006, 13:46

...Brave of Panasonic to be first, but whatever were they thinking when they installed a tape deck that only recorded SD?
Hi
Panasonic have already answered that one, several times, as here:
Quote:
"Being able to have a little camera that records a 4:2:2 signal in HD with Intraframe(each frame on its own) is possibly the biggest benefit. In a Varicam it takes 16 record heads and a pretty expensive transport to make it work. Those record heads are about $800 a pair and the chassis/transport is about another $1000. And then they are big."
That makes a DVCProHD tape deck $7,400 just for the production cost of the mechanism alone...
http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_read_post.cgi?forumid=193&postid=794073&archive=T

tom hardwick

5th June 2006, 14:45

And the reason the tape deck isn't HDV is that Panasonic were one of the few big firms not to sign up to the standard. I'm just wondering if they regret the decision in the light of Z1 sales.

Dave R Smith

21st June 2006, 12:03

Update - my 5 week old rusty Z1E (unused apart from testing 'profiles') is now on it's way back to Japan for further tests after service dept had it for 2 weeks.
Whether Sony repair or replace is undecided (well I'm in no doubt what should be done).

Dave R Smith

12th October 2006, 08:06

Just to let you know, I sent back the camera to Sony, with a tape and a note, pin-pointing all the audio errors, and Snony are now replacing the sound board, so there must have been a problem!?!?!

I think I might be sick of the Z1 already, what do you know about the new Panni camera, has a resonably Hard Drive come out for it yet??

Hi Relievo - was the problem fixed - impoved - other?