Sony HVR-Z1P,HVR-Z1N Brochure & Specs

Digital HD Video Camera Recorder

HVR-Z1N/Z1P

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Bringing Compact and Cost-effective
HD Acquisition into the Field

– the HVR-Z1 HDV 1080i Camcorder

The rapid transition to HD programming in broadcasting
and postproduction has introduced a tremendous demand
for an entry-level path into the HD world. Sony's response
to this demand is the HVR-Z1 Digital HD Video Camera
Recorder – a compact and cost-effective HD camcorder
that builds on the market-acclaimed DVCAM

TM

recorders.

The HVR-Z1 camcorder adopts the all-new, 1/4-inch HD
format – the HDV 1080i specification of the HDV

TM

format.
Combined with three high-resolution 1/3-inch type mega
pixel CCDs, the HVR-Z1 captures and plays back 1080i HD
signals, while maintaining the DVCAM/DV recording and
playback capabilities provided on current Sony DVCAM
models. What's more, the HVR-Z1 offers a down-conversion
capability of its 1080i recordings.
These features allow the HVR-Z1 to be active immediately in
current SD systems, while also providing a step-by-step
migration to the HD world – operators can continue to
acquire in DVCAM or DV, and switch to the HDV as needed,
or acquire in HDV 1080i from the start and use the
down-conversion capability as required.

In addition to a unique camcorder body design and with
its multitude of camera features, the HVR-Z1 offers
maximum operability in the field, as well as opening up a
new range of opportunities for creative shooting.
Combining these features with the HD picture quality that
HDV format provides, the HVR-Z1 becomes an exciting
acquisition tool for a variety of applications today and
tomorrow – from video journalism, wedding and event
videography, corporate and training productions, and
digital movie-making, up to broadcast newsgathering.

Offered at a price tag comparable to Sony DVCAM
camcorders, the HVR-Z1 paves the way into cost-effective
but uncompromised HD program production.

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Images Simulated

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3CCD Camera System with 1080i HD CCDs

The HVR-Z1 incorporates three 1/3-inch type 1080i HD CCDs,
each with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a total pixel number of 1.12 M
(1,012 x 1,111), and an effective pixel
number of 1.07 M (972 x 1,100).
The combined 3CCD system achieves a
resolution of 1,440 x 1,080 by adopting
the precise spatial offset technology
and interlace scanning system.

14-bit HD DXP

The HVR-Z1 incorporates a high-integrity 14-bit HD DXP
(Digital eXtended Processor), which features a 14-bit A/D
converter and advanced camera processing. This 14-bit HD
DXP can process the high-quality images captured by the
1080i HD CCDs with greater precision than conventional
10-bit A/D LSIs. In particular, this higher bit resolution allows
the contrast to be reproduced more faithfully in mid-tone
areas of the picture. The 14-bit HD DXP also enables highly
sophisticated image controls, such as Cinematone Gamma,
and Color Correction functions.

Optical 12x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*

®

Zoom Lens

The HVR-Z1 is equipped with a new Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*
high definition lens with a 12x zoom function. Its fully
coated glass is the same as used on Carl Zeiss prime lenses,
producing sharp, high-contrast images, with virtually no
chromatic aberration. This lens is designed with a wide
viewing angle, and a focal length ranging from 32.5 mm to
390 mm in 16:9 mode

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, and from 40 mm to 480 mm in

4:3 mode

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, thanks to a large filter diameter of 72 mm.

2 These values are calculated to be equivalent to the 35 mm film.

Optical Super SteadyShotTMSystem

The HVR-Z1 employs the Super SteadyShot system,
whereby horizontal and vertical movements can be detected
independently by the sensors. The prism system located
behind the lens adjusts and optically compensates for
unsteady camera handling, and a choice of SteadyShot
function types – “HARD”, “STANDARD”, “SOFT” or
“WIDE CONV”

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– can easily be selected.

3 Select “HARD” to activate the SteadyShot functionality with stronger
effect than “STANDARD”.
Select “SOFT” to activate the SteadyShot functionality with softer effect
than “STANDARD”.
Select “WIDE CONV” for the most effective SteadyShot functionality when
the optional VCL-HG0872 wide conversion lens is attached.

HDV 1080i Specification

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The HDV 1080i specification of the HDV format features
1080 effective scanning lines (interlace scanning system) and
1,440 horizontal pixels. It adopts the MPEG-2 compression
format (MP@H-14 for video), which uses 8-bit digital
component recording with a sampling rate of 4:2:0. MPEG-1
Audio Layer II is used as the audio compression format,
allowing for two-channel recording with a sampling frequency
of 48 kHz/16-bit. The HDV 1080i specification provides high
picture quality that can be used for HDTV program production.

1 The HDV format also defines the HDV 720p specification, which features 720
effective scanning lines (progressive scanning system) and 1,280 horizontal pixels.

Compatible with Existing and
New DV Videocassette Tape

As a member of the proven DV family of formats, the HDV
format has, from the outset, been developed for compatibility
with all grades of DV videocassette tape. This allows operators
to use high-grade DV videocassette tapes for applications
where high robustness is critical, or consumer-grade
videocassette tapes for more economical operations.
For heavy-duty applications, a new high-grade Mini Cassette
tape has been developed; the DigitalMaster

TM

PHDVM-63DM.

This tape is compatible with the HDV, DVCAM and DV formats.

Long Recording Time

The HDV format adopts the same track pitch and tape speed
as the DV format, thus offering the same recording time –
a maximum of 63 minutes on a mini videocassette such as
DigitalMaster tape.

A New Addition to the HD Format that
Broadens the Scope of HD Program Production

New Technologies to Capture High-resolution
Images of 1,440 (H) x 1,080 (V)

HDV FORMAT CAMERA FEATURES

Track Pattern of the HDV 1080i Specification