Tell me what you think. My camera for my budget.

WickedWeb wrote:Found another one that caught my interest for under 4,000. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357486-REG/Sony_HVRZ1U_HVR_Z1U_1_3_3_CCD_HDV.html#features

I did not see XLR or fire wire mentioned though.

under "General" at the specs tab:
"Firewire: 4-Pin (x1 Input, x2 Output)"
"Mic Audio: XLR (x2 Input)"

Most cams have firewire (1394) but you do have to keep an eye out for XLR inputs. I have worked with the Sony HDR-FX1 many times and it doesn't offer XLR inputs...which I found strange...

Looks like a nice cam, I would get some better batteries and a shotgun though as the two complaints are battery and sound.

jup, the FX1 dousn't have some of the pro features the Z1 has, like the XLR imputs.
The differances are mentioned in this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmoYMSWbulw.

Ok now were getting somewhere. It seems the Z1U has some age to it already but still standing as a good 1st choice. Thanks for the specs there. I was reading the features tab and thought the specs were the same or just missed it after a big lack of sleep. I only seen in the review where one person even mentioned the exporting to an editor process and they said they found the instructions difficult. My being computer savvy hopefully that is not the case for me. This is looking like a pretty good camera for the long haul.. I think I like this one pretty well after being well informed. As well I think I recall one of the (Daves or Davids) mention it before. If you guys think there is something else of competitive nature with this cam let me know. It will be another month to month and a half before I order one.

yea capturing the media to your computer isn't hard, for HD video you need lots of storage space but it's all the same...use the time code of the tape to mark in and out points with your software, capture, tag, and set a save location.

with MiniDV tapes you capture in real time which is slow at first but once you learn to "batch capture" it can get quick.

The cam is controlled by the computer with the software....only a firewire links to the desktop or laptop.

Well I got 750GB of storage and 4 GB or RAM on an iMac heading my way. I should be set. Well I am buying the computer in full but I am going to see about getting the Z1U on payments. I have the credit for it so should be good. Just depends on if they try to rob me or not on interest. I am going to play on youtube with some tutorials around the net like video copilot and get good at different types of media. Eventually I would like to be able to do weddings, local commercial services, and one day my own indie length or full length film. I hope you guys are around to watch me grow and I hope to see you guys progress in your own aspirations as well. Thanks for all the help so far.

I also want to do some of my own stuff with my own music and things. I play a little guitar. Can anyone vouch for Garage Bands features or capability by Apple?

If you want to use Garage Band it would be wise to invest $200 in an audio interface such as the PreSonus Inspire 1394. They sell as most online music stores and even the small music shop around my area has one.

I've never used GB myself though...but I've worked on macs in the past.

Thanks I will look into that.

go over some of my youtube videos. I plan on releasing a new DVD soon which I expect to be around 1 hour long and goes over how to start a home studio....what gear to look into, software, digital recorders vs computers, mic choices.

I just have been putting thoughts out for the past few days...I still have to type up a script and storyboard it all.
It will be well worth the low price I plan to sell it at.

Look forward to seeing that information.

On a 2nd note I was investing in all this with a big tax return I got and well first and foremost I planned for home renovations being the most important. I got the estimate back on that today and well it came to much more than I expected so I am out of the water on kicking this up any time soon.. I can still get the new imac soon but the price on the camera will simply have to wait I guess. I can not finance the camera at BH because I am not an established business and even if I was I would have to be established atleast 2 years first. I get a loan for it but man I hate to do that. I just paid off a bunch of money I owed and do not want to get back in the same boat again. If only I could get a government grant for starting a business.

Well its been a while since I started this thread but I thought I would post back and mentioned my plan has failed. Things come up in life and I was never able to afford all the equipment to start doing good video. Not sure when my day will ever come. So for now I am just another video watcher.. Somebody has to give views on youtube. I guess that will be me.

WickedWeb wrote:Found another one that caught my interest for under 4,000. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357486-REG/Sony_HVRZ1U_HVR_Z1U_1_3_3_CCD_HDV.html#features

I did not see XLR or fire wire mentioned though.

Nice cam and yes it does have the firewire and XLR connections....as well as the following:

HD/SD Component: 3 RCA (x1 Output)
Firewire: 4-Pin (x1 Input, x2 Output)
S-Video: 4-Pin (x1 Input, x2 Output)
Composite Video: RCA (x1 Input, x2 Output)
Mic Audio: XLR (x2 Input)
Audio: RCA (x2 Output)
Headphone: Stereo Mini (x1)
LANC Control: Mini (x1)