The Sony HVR-Z1U professional camcorder shoots brilliant high definition 1080i pictures with jaw-dropping detail, color and clarity, and comes equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T 12x zoom lens - the same glass and coatings as in Zeiss prime lenses. 

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-Z1U Digital HD Video Camera Recorder a compact and cost-effective HD camcorder that builds on the market-acclaimed DVCAMTM recorders. 

The HVR-Z1U camcorder adopts the all-new, 1/4-inch HD format the HDV 1080i specification of the HDVTM format. Combined with three high-resolution 1/3-inch type mega pixel CCDs, the HVR-Z1U 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-Z1U offers a down-conversion capability of its 1080i recordings. 

These features allow the HVR-Z1U 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 formats, and switch to the HDV format 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-Z1U 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-Z1U 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 news gathering. 

Offered at a price tag comparable to Sony DVCAM camcorders, the HVR-Z1U paves the way into cost-effective but uncompromised HD program production. 

Lens

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens, 12x (optical) 
, f = 4. 5 to 54 mm, f = 32.5 to 390 mm* at 16:9 mode, 
f = 40 to 480 mm* at 4:3 mode, F = 1.6 to 2.8, filter diameter: 72 mm

Built-in filter

1/6 ND, 1/32 ND

Focus

Auto, manual (focus ring/infinity position), one push auto

Imaging device

3-chip 1/3-inch type CCDs

Picture elements

Approx. 1,070,000 pixels (effective), approx. 1,120,000 pixels (total)

White balance

Auto, one-push auto, indoor (3200 K), outdoor (5800 K ñ7 steps)

Shutter speed

60i/NTSC mode: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/90, 1/100, 1/125, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/725, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/2000, 1/3000, 1/4000, 1/6000, 1/10000 sec 
50i/PAL mode: 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25, 1/50, 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/150, 1/215, 1/300, 1/425, 1/600, 1/1000, 1/1250, 1/1750, 1/2500, 1/3500, 1/6000, 1/10000 sec

Exposure

Auto, manual

Gain

0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 dB (adjustable for H, M and L gain positions)

Minimum illumination

3 lx with F1.6 at 18 dB

Recording format

1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60i (NTSC), 576/50i (PAL)

Play out/Down conversion format

1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60i (NTSC), 576/50i (PAL), 480/60p, 576/50p

Tape speed

HDV/DV SP: Max. 18.812 mm/s with PHDVM-63DM cassette 
DVCAM: Max. 28.218 mm/s with PHDVM-63DM cassette

Playback/Recording time

HDV/DV SP: Max. 63 min with PHDVM-63DM cassette 
DVCAM: Max. 41 min with PHDVM-63DM cassette

Fast forward/Rewind time

Approx. 2 min 40 sec with PHDVM-63DM cassette

Audio/Video input/output

AUDIO/VIDEO jack x1 Video signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 oHm unbalanced, sync negative Audio signal: 327 mV (at load impedance 47 koHm, input impedance more than 47 koHm,output impedance less than 2.2 koHm

S-video input/output

Mini-DIN 4-pin x 1 
Y: 1 Vp-p, 75 oHm unbalanced, sync negative 
C: 0.286 Vp-p (NTSC), 0.3 Vp-p (PAL), 75 oHm unbalanced

Component video output

COMPONENT OUTPUT jack 
Y: 1 Vp-p (0.3 V, sync negative) 
Pr/Pb (Cr/Cb): 525 mVp-p (75% color bar), input impedance 75 oHm

i.LINK Interface

4-pin

XLR audio input

XLR 3-pin female x 2, 327 mV, -60 dBu: 3 kë, +40 dBu: 10.8 kë, power supply: approx. 40 V

Headphone

Stereo minijack (dia3.5 mm)

LANC

Stereo mini-minijack (dia2.5 mm)

LCD viewfinder

0.44-inch type, approx. 252,000 pixels (1120 x 225), hybrid type

LCD monitor

3.5-inch (viewable area, measured diagonally), approx. 250,000 pixels (1120 x 224), hybrid type

Microphone

Stereo type, noise reduction on/off

Weight

Approx. 4 lb 10 oz (2.1 kg) (camcorder only)

Power requirements

DC 7.2 V (battery pack)

Power consumption

HDV: Approx. 8.0 W (recording mode with LCD viewfinder on) 
DVCAM/DV: Approx. 7.6 W (recording mode with LCD viewfinder on)

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