Sony HVR-Z1U Camcorder User Manual


 
4
3CCD Camera System with 1080i HD CCDs
The HVR-Z1U incorporates three 1/3-inch type 1080i HD CCDs,
each with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a total pixel number of 1.12 M
(1,012 x 1,111), and an effective pixel
number of 1.07 M (972 x 1,100).
The combined 3CCD system achieves a
resolution of 1,440 x 1,080 by adopting
the precise spatial offset technology
and interlace scanning system.
14-bit HD DXP
The HVR-Z1U incorporates a high-integrity 14-bit HD DXP
(Digital eXtended Processor), which features a 14-bit A/D
converter and advanced camera processing. This 14-bit HD
DXP can process the high-quality images captured by the
1080i HD CCDs with greater precision than conventional
10-bit A/D LSIs. In particular, this higher bit resolution allows
the contrast to be reproduced more faithfully in mid-tone
areas of the picture. The 14-bit HD DXP also enables highly
sophisticated image controls, such as Cinematone Gamma
TM
,
and Color Correction functions.
Optical 12x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*
Zoom Lens
The HVR-Z1U is equipped with a new Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar
®
T*
high definition lens with a 12x zoom function. Its fully
coated glass is the same as used on Carl Zeiss prime lenses,
producing sharp, high-contrast images, with virtually no
chromatic aberration. This lens is designed with a wide
viewing angle, and a focal length ranging from 32.5 mm to
390 mm in 16:9 mode
2
, and from 40 mm to 480 mm in
4:3 mode
2
, thanks to a large filter diameter of 72 mm.
2 These values are calculated to be equivalent to the 35 mm film.
Optical Super SteadyShot System
The HVR-Z1U employs the Super SteadyShot
®
system,
whereby horizontal and vertical movements can be detected
independently by the sensors. The prism system located
behind the lens adjusts and optically compensates for
unsteady camera handling, and a choice of SteadyShot
function types – “HARD”, “STANDARD”, “SOFT” or
“WIDE CONV”
3
– can easily be selected.
3 Select “HARD” to activate the SteadyShot functionality with stronger
effect than “STANDARD”.
Select “SOFT” to activate the SteadyShot functionality with softer effect
than “STANDARD”.
Select “WIDE CONV” for the most effective SteadyShot functionality when
the optional VCL-HG0872 wide conversion lens is attached.
HDV 1080i Specification
1
The HDV 1080i specification for the HDV format features
1080 effective scanning lines (interlace scanning system) and
1,440 horizontal pixels. It adopts the MPEG-2 compression
format (MP@H-14 for video), which uses 8-bit digital
component recording with a sampling rate of 4:2:0. MPEG-1
Audio Layer II is used as the audio compression format,
allowing for two-channel recording with a sampling frequency
of 48 kHz/16-bit. The HDV 1080i specification provides high
picture quality that can be used for HDTV program production.
1 The HDV format also defines the HDV 720p specification, which features 720
effective scanning lines (progressive scanning system) and 1,280 horizontal pixels.
Compatible with Existing and
New DV Video Cassette Tape
To realize the full potential of HDV, DVCAM and DV formats,
professionals choose Sony DigitalMaster tape. While the HDV
format can accept conventional DV tape, only DigitalMaster
tape has a dual layer of magnetic material. The result? Higher
RF output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer
dropouts compared to DV tape! Exactly the performance that
professionals require.
A New Addition to the HD Format that
Broadens the Scope of HD Program Production
New Technologies to Capture High-resolution
Images of 1,440 (H) x 1,080 (V)
HDV FORMAT CAMERA FEATURES
Direction of tape travel
10 μm
Sub Code sector
MPEG-2 PES sector
(Video + Audio + Search + AUX)
ITI sector
Direction
of head motion
6.35 mm
(1/4 inch)
ITI: Insert and Track Information
PES: Packetized Elementary Stream
Track Pattern of the HDV 1080i Specification