Yeah. Im gonna need to go out durning the day for the slow motion feature as I expect you should have a fair amount of light. Plus you only get 3 seconds so ill have to find something that is fairly fast moving.

Also if you check my videos, I went out last night (just outside my house) to get some footage in the dark. It can get fairly grainy if you leave it on auto, but at least controllable if you switch to manual and play with the exposure.

Great and impressive review Greg, you have no idea how helpful this has been.
When you get a chance let us know about the definition of the viewfinder and if you find any problem with it.
Thanks

To above poster: Slow motion on Sony cams does not give you full HD res, you get like a quarter, so it's only decent for youtube.

About the review, nice review, this cameras looks nice for the price.

Yeah i was playing with it earlier (slow motion) and even in fairly decent light the quality dropped considerably. Ill try and post a short clip later. But its not really a feature that should be thought of as a selling feature.

Thanks for great info Greg.

One Question. What is the Camcorder dimensions?

Thanks

i know the camera has its pros and cons...like many out there...but i do like the shoulder mount and some of the pro/prosumer aspects of the camera...douglas spotted eagle said it's mostly an hc7 in a pro shell with a number of technical and physical improvements...a decent camera for its class...

I completely agree. And I was actually going through the menu of the Sony A1U and except for some extra audio features because of the XLR, the menus are very similar. I would say the HC7, HD1000U and the A1U are pretty much the same camera. Each has their pluses and minuses depending on what you want the camera for. I plan on picking up a Beachtek box for the HD1000U and it should be perfect for everything that I need it for.

does the beachtek box somehow attach to the camera?

yup. It attaches via the tripod hole on the bottom of the camera and then plugs into the mic jack on the camera. It gives you dual XLR connections. Very nice. Ive used them before and have been pleased with their performance.

what kind of video light do you use that works with the hd1000u shoe ?

thanks

I just use a Bescor Light (50-100 watt) with battery belt. Work good. Looking at possibly picking up the Sony LED light though this year. Its a little pricey but looks like a nice light.

Greg,
I have been looking all over the web to find reviews and info on the new Sony HVR-HD1000U. I was wondering about the mic inputs. Does it have any XLR or does it have just 1/4" or mini plug mic inputs? I am getting ready to put together a proposal for my company to get at least 1 (or possibly 2) cameras and this looks to be a good choice. Please continue to update us on how things are going with this new Sony as a lot of us are chomping at the bit for more info. Thanks.

Does the hd1000u have the capablity to use as a studio type camera with lanc control (?) for handle mounted remote control of zoom and/or focus? I may be using these for some 'studio' applications also.

I have a lanc controller hooked into mine and it works very well.

i got it 3 weeks ago and go straight shot a wedding ceremonies...oh me gosh! the low light is so bad.. (everything in auto except shutter 1/50) need color correction in the editing process.. better bring at least 100w light hooked up in a wedding ceremonies.. outdoor is good.
i would say a NOT THAT GOOD backup camera guys.

Hello Greg,
10X for your great review.
i have a Q for you:
1. can i record in SD mode or just HDV and then downconversion to SD?
2. if i'll capture the tapes with the i.Link can i only take it squeez or crop?
3. if i want to film 4:3 from the bigining can i?

you can record in either sd or hdv. In either 16x9 or 4x3 (in sd mode). I believe you have the option of either squeeze or crop. But if you are doing 4x3 then just capture in 4x3.

I myself would capture everything in HDV and then bring it into a 4x3 timeline so that i have more data and can do a lot more with it.

10X for the fast replay!
i'm a wedding photografer in israel, and here we use ag-dvc200 (panasonic) or dvx-100.
with the dvc200 we don't have any problems to film in low light dance floor with on camera video light , we have a vert clean pic with no grain.
also the camera is handeling good with the changing colors in the dance floor.
will the hd1000 wile handle this good? do you think i'll have pretty much the same quality? from your expirience the hd1000 with a good on camera video light will give a good non-grain pic?

Unfortunately I dont have enough experiance with this camera in low light to give you an honest answer. Im sure that the DVX-100 will give better results having the 3ccd image sensors. As well as usually HDV needs more light anyways.

Anyways let me know what you find out as I would be interested in your findings.

Hello Greg,
i really wanna buy this camcoder but i must know before if the pic is grain with it.
can you try record with it in a dance floor with a video light on it?
if you can try to do it and post some video here you will solve a lot's of Q to a lit of ppl...

Sorry, but as of now i have no time to go out shooting specific shots to determine if people should or shouldn't buy this camera. All I know is that I like it and for what I need it works perfectly. As I do shoot things with this camera as well as with my other cams I will continue to post them here on vimeo as well as on my other sites.

Hopefully as others purchase this cam they will post their work as well and you can find the shots that you need. Come this summer when i start shooting weddings again I will post my results.

Asaf & Greg,

I shot a few reception/dancing videos last year under low light conditions with my Sony HC3 and a camcorder-mounted 20 watt NRG light. The results were great with no grainy footage. The HVR-HD1000U camcorder has been described as comparable to the HC7 in here and elsewhere so I would assume you'd get similar or better results as compared to my HC3. Check out the specs on all 3 camcorders with these links:

camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-HC3-Camcorder-Review/SpecsRatings.htm

camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-HC7-Camcorder-Review/Specs-and-Ratings.htm

camcorderinfo.com/specs/Sony/HVR-HD1000U.htm

I plan to buy the HVR-HD1000U before the 2008 wedding season. I don't expect great results without my NRG light under low-light conditions while shooting a bridal procession. I've never been allowed to shoot any part of a wedding with my light.

great insight about the camera.. thanks.

Hi Tom,
can you post some video from the HC3?
i work in weddings with 40W video led light , will you think that i'll have good pic with the hd1000?

I just checked back in here. I still have the footage on my editing system. Which format(s) do you want me to upload: AVI, mpg or both?

which ever is better quality. Id like mpg if possible. But either would be great.

Thanks

Does it shoot 24P or any type of "Film Like" mode?

not that im aware of. Definitely cant do 24P.

Hi Greg,
Thx for d HD1000U video posted. I am confused to buy which camcorder. I am about to start videography for wedding & event. Due to budget constraint, considering either HVR-HD1000 or VX2100. Pls advise!

Have u ever heard of this website globalmediapro.com. This company seem to be the cheapest ever priced for the camcorders,etc.

Thx 4 ur reply.
Gigi

the vx2100 will give you better low light results, but you are then stuck in the standard def world. I know that around here (ottawa, ontario, canada) we are getting more and more people requesting HD. So if that is the case then the HD1000 would be the only available choice. I quite like the camera and for me ill just add light if I need it.

As for the website 'globemediapro.com' i cant say as ive never dealt nor heard of them.

Hello all,

As I am new in this biz, is any1 want to give some tips of how to get customers? I am in Malaysia, dont worry there is no competition.

thx

Hi Greg,
Any idea how the miniDV is transfer to the computer?thx

You transfer the footage via firewire. As long as your editor can handle HDV you should have no problems

Hi Greg

Thx for the reply.

Hi Greg,

Do you have any idea what battery models can fit HD1000 besides the one that is supplied NP-F570?

Thx

how does the video look on TV?

Im glad you enjoyed the info. Where on the website was my link. Always like to see where my vids are being played. Anyways i havent had a chance to shoot a wedding with this camera as of yet, but ill definitely give it a shot as main camera, with my HV20 as a secondary. Ill definitely be using an extra light for the reception but we will see how it goes. Used it the other night to shoot a band in a club and it was really dark. Only one spotlight. And i was quite surprised with the quality. So i have a fairly good feeling about how it will hold up.

I have a HC7 (what the HD1000U is based off of) and need an opinion: This or the Z1U?

No comparison - The HD1000 is a sub $2000 camera compared to a $5000 camera. Single Cmos compared to 3. Very limited manual control compared to complete manual control. If you can afford the Z1U then get that one for sure. The bonus of the HD1000 is the shoulder mount. I Use it along with an HV20 but i mostly do web stuff so i can get by, plus i always use a light, or at least when possible.

Hi Greg!!!
You have a answer for my questions?
vimeo.com/forums/topic:6271

I've tried a couple of mics I borrowed from a friend and neither of them work. Can someone tell me what mics will work so i don't buy the wrong one.


thanks

Great review, Would you recommend this one? I'm thinking on buying one but I'm not sure this cam is really up to the task..