Hi, I'm an up and coming camera op/editor who's been fortunate to have a years free access to some great kit through a business scheme that I can't be bothered to go into now, but anyway heres the situation: My year is almost up for this free kit malarky and I need to buy my own kit!

All I can afford is a smaller cam akin to the PD170 but I figure these are on there way out with all these HDV cams coming from all directions. What I need to know is which one to get?

My main query is the difference between the Sony FX1 and the Z1. Is it sensible to buy an X1 for professional use - I'd love a Z1, but I can't really afford it.

One main difference that I've noticed is the lack of XLR connection - how can I get by this problem if I do plump for the X1 and will I be severely decreasing my sound quality?

I like the sound of the new JVC HDV model too with its interchangeable lenses, but I'm worried by its lack of firewire output (or have I misheard this rumour), as well as its price still being a bit out of my range.

Please help me out as I need to come to a decision soon before I lose my kit and my jobs dry up!

I use an FX1 quite happily, in HDV mode the recording system is exactly the same, so there is no real benefit unless you really need SD in DVCAM, the optics etc are the same on each camera, I added a beachtek XLR breakout box (cost around £170) and now have 2 xlr mic/line inputs (though no phantom power)

There are a couple of other nice things on the z1, like the b/w EVF, guideframes for both 16:9 & 4:3 (so you can check that if your 16:9 footage is panned and scanned that it'll play back on a 4:3 tv) & manual timecode, other than that it is operationally and functionally the same as the FX1.

The sonys use the 1080 system the JVC uses the 720 system, interchangable lenses are a boon, but if you are struggling to buy a z1 then you ain't gonna be able to afford the jvc let alone any decent lenses.

For editing you really must go down the mac route, my top end windows PC running Premiere Pro 1.5.1 really struggles with HDV, my relatively basic mac mini handles it no bother at all (although a power mac or imacG5 would be better, I run my capture deck though an external Lacie drive as a) the mac minis hard drive is pretty slow and b) it only has one firewire so I ahve to daisly chain)

Thanks a lot, you've been a great help. I might just go for the FX1 after all! Its time to push my credit card to the limit!

[807]

before parting with cash - try a Panasonic DVX100A - ABSOLUTELY SUPERB !!!!! - A real 'cameraman's camera' - check www.dvxuser.com

but with crap anamorphic adaptor as opposed to true 16:9 and it's SD not HD...

DVX200 looks better, although it's 720p rather than 1080i, look over there cat, isn't that some pigeons I see?

[807]

Roy - yes , sorry , DVX100A is SD .
You say HVX is 720p. But it's also 1080i as well , isn't it ? I'm sure it can do both - ( I've stopped reading about it because I can't afford one yet ! ) I fancy it's 4:2:2 sampling for green-screen - maybe next year after I win the pools !