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The Sony HVR-V1U is a small but powerful cinema-style HDV camcorder, with 3 CMOS sensors that pack quite a punch. The camera also provides 24p, 30p and 60i recording capabilities, plus added cinegamma and color features. With the cost down over $1,000 from its debut price of around $5,000 (USD) just six months ago, the V1u is a bargain for its excellent film-like images and professional controls.
I first got my hands on a HVR-V1U back in October 2006 while we were shooting my film, ?9:04 AM.? Our crew shot a music video, and I spent some time just playing with the prototype, checking out the controls, etc. I was impressed! It was another seven months before I was able to use it again, but this time in a real-world setting. The best way for me to test a camera is to put it through its paces, and a real production is the way to go for me. My first unofficial test was working on an industrial, shooting with a JVC HD100 (upgraded) with its 1280x720 aspect ratio. We put the camera into 30p and my friend and V1U owner shot on the HD100 (we set it to look more like video). I set the V1U to 30p and matched up the settings as close as possible to the JVC.
I was very impressed with how the V1u held up against the HD100, which has perhaps the most film-like image when calibrated properly, of all the sub-$10,000 cameras, in my, and others?, opinions. The V1U also has a very film-like image, and the flexibility and power of the control options is wonderful.
With three ¼-inch CMOS chips, the V1U allows for less smear of very bright images. For example, with a CCD-based camera, if a shot has a bright light or a reflection of the sun, you?d see a halo effect and also a ?star? effect. With CMOS, this isn?t a problem, and there is no halo or star effect. Another benefit is the low-power consumption CMOS sensors tend to have. The battery, an F970, is an amazing battery from Sony, lasts at least an extra 30-45 minutes, but can change with such factors as the LCD being open, amount of time the camera is on, running, etc. One issue with ¼-inch chips is that the lux rating drops from an already low three on the Z1 and FX1 to a four on the V1U and FX7. This means you?ll need to add a little more light; and don?t be afraid to use the gain. Like the Z1, Sony uses excellent technology that keeps the image clean at gain settings up to around +9 or +12. I recommend going no higher than +6, just in case. Not too many sub-$10,000 HD, HDV or DV cameras have this capability.
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| The Sony HVR V1U |
Another issue with smaller sensors is depth of field; to get shallow depth of field (short focus), a longer lens (like a telephoto) and larger sensors are recommended. Fortunately, Sony added a 20x Zeiss zoom lens, and I?ve had no issues pushing in to the end of the lens (zoom all the way in), opening my iris and getting short focus. I just had to pull the camera back just a little more, compared to other similar cameras and shorter zoom ranges. For more on a film look with DV and HD/HDV cameras, please see my article here.
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