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General discussion

HVR Z1 tape footage - inexpensive options for deck to upload

Mar 5, 2011 11:41AM PST

I have a bunch of HD tapes shot with a Sony HVR Z1 and do not have access to the camera. I need to upload the footage to a hard drive and I can rent a deck for $200 a day and would need it for at least 2 days. Instead of a $400 cost, I a looking for an inexpensive option of using an older camera as a deck and want to know what camera would be compatible with the HD Z1 tapes?

I have been looking at Sony's consumer HVR -HC series of cameras (HC 3, 5,7,9) since the shoot HD and capture it on tape. Would an older one of these work for a deck ? Any other options ?


Thanks,

Discussion is locked

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HVR Z1 tape footage - inexpensive options for deck to upload
Mar 5, 2011 12:01PM PST

Hi per above, I meant to say I was looking at Sony's H "D" R (HDR) HC series of cameras...

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The HDR-HC series
Mar 6, 2011 11:33AM PST

should work fine - assuming you shot in "standard HDV mode". I shoot with the consumer version of the Z1 (HDR-FX1) and use a HDR-HC1 for transfer (and shooting as a second camcorder).

The Z1 has some additional shooting options the FX1 does not have - but if you stay in the DV/HDV defaults, then you should be fine.

I have used Z1 HDV form a friends Z1 in my HC1 and it imported fine to Final Cut...

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The HDR-HC series
Mar 6, 2011 1:15PM PST

Hi thanks for the info.

I'm now tracking a few HDR-HCs right now on ebay.

take care,

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as well,
Mar 6, 2011 9:53PM PST

standard definition DV mode (either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio) should be ok assuming SP mode. LP *might* work, but I would not depend on it. The HDR-HC series *cannot* deal with the DVCAM format (but the HVR-A1 can). I have not tried Cineframe 24.

Since the Z1 is a miniDV tape camcorder, your computer must have a working firewire port and firewire cable connecting to the DV port of the camcorder. USB anywhere won't work.

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hopefully Sp and have firewire - thanks
Mar 6, 2011 11:11PM PST

Thanks for the reply. I assume they are all shot in SP as quality was most important for my videographer. We do not have any DVCAM format tapes.

I do have firewire on a Dell XPS 435t i7.

Thanks again

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If shot in plain, default, HDV,
Mar 7, 2011 1:38AM PST

then no worries - there is no "LP option" available in HDV mode.