DVCAM vs HDV 1ZU

I guess the question is whether you want nor need High Definition video. They are both big cameras (if I'm thinking of the right DSR500). DVCAM format is a more robust than miniDV or HDV for sure. Depending on your quality and light needs, I'd rather take several cheaper cameras, like the Sony DSR-PDX10, even though the CCDs are smaller; it uses DVCAM (mini) tapes; or if you need HDV footage, the Sony A1U, though I don't like the bottom loading tape drawer.

That way, you could take a spare camera.

Ed

Sounds like you're shooting a documentary on landmines (having done a lot of work in Bosnia myself).

As a Z1 owner who has shot overseas, I would say, take both cameras. The safest route, especially because you're going to edit in the field, is to go with DVCAM on both. Stable, safe, with longevity.

But especially if the Z1 will be your main camera, why not shoot in HDV (on Sony HD Digital Master tapes -- an absolute must to minimize dropouts), and downconvert from the camera into your edit system as SD. That way, you've got the HDV material for some point in the future, and you're still working in an SD project with access to a second camera (is it also 16:9?).

One last caveat if you're a citizen of NTSC-land. Watch your shutter speed or shoot in PAL on the Z1 to avoid fluorescent light strobing when indoors (i.e. flickering due to the frequency discrepancy between NTSC 60 HZ and the local power supply). But if both your cameras are PAL, disregard that.

Hanson

You could even shoot in HDV, edit in HDV, and then let Compressor down-convert as part of the conversion to mpeg2 for DVD. It has been said in these forums that avoiding the conversion to DV format (as is done when letting the camera down-convert to SD) keeps the color sample at 4:2:0 and never goes to the DV 4:1:1 samples. That should minimize color banding a bit.

But, before you head out, run a bunch of tests and determine if you want or need HDV.

Ed

Personally I'd go with the dsr 500 as main camera. There is NOTHING like a good lens and real 2/3" chips.

BE CAREFUL. There are A LOT of mines still armed and dangerous. Aren't we a swell country?

I once produced a news piece on landmines in Bosnia when I worked in network news -- and a colleague of mine did a companion piece from Cambodia. The two seem to go hand-in-hand! Of course, it was when Princess Diana died, hence the sexy news hook.

I like my Z1 and the HDV quality, but after working with it for a year and shooting a number of projects, I'm craving a better lens and a more "professional" set up. So it's hard to argue with Jim Cookman when he says make the other camera your main axe.

And yes, watch your step!

A guy I know did a landmine doc in Cambodia. There's a village filled with victims who have become self sustaining. I hope you visit them. Very inspiring!
I am constantly doubly stunned by 1) what a bunch of idiots we are as a species, and 2) how amazing we are as individuals.

Or is it the other way around?

I take it you mean Z1U, if not ignore the following:

The 500 is great in low light and produces a better picture even with a cheap Canon lens, the Z1 performs about the same as a 170 or 250 and the audio circuit is not as clean as the 500s (although still good). However, the Z1 does give you the hi-def option which could be very useful if you are going to edit in SD. You can shoot loose, zoom-in with FCP and use the stabiliser to steady shots if you are shooting off the shoulder or out of a vehicle (the camera has a reasonable stabiliser already but being small...)

DVCAM is better in terms of low/no drop-outs when you are moving at pace, the MPEG2 and DV options perform about the same (test by recording and shaking the S..t of the camera).

The Z1 is also quite battery efficient and being smaller you can pass as a tourist in places where you might meet a bit of resistance with a big camera (the reverse can also apply).