Need opinions about sony HDR-HC1...

[yceltikci]

Dear all,

I've been mining about Sony's new HD camcorder HDR-HC1.

I've read a lot of articles, reviews. But none of them included underwater issues.
Is there anybody who uses this cam?
What brand manufactures housing?
What about color quality underwater?
What about working at low light conditions? (wrecks, caverns, etc.)
How can you compare HC1 vs. FX1? (comparison lists show hc1 is no worse than FX1)

Best regards,
Yener

 

[peterbkk]

Yener,

I guess that the reason you don't have a lot of replies to your question is that not many underwater videotographers are using the HC1 yet. It is still quite new. They only started appearing in some electronics shops here in the last couple of weeks.

I am interested in the HC1 too but have not yet made the investment, given that it means a new housing and a new set of video editing software for the HD quality. Plus, until the HD DVD war is over, there is not much equipment out there to play the results. I might wait until early next year to see how the dust settles...

In the meantime, check out L&M's housing for the HC1 (http://www.uwimaging.com/news/hc1_release.htm). Given my great results with the L&M Mako, I will definitely be looking at another L&M when I move to HD.

Regards
Peter

 

[Mike Veitch]

There is a long thread about it here: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8386&view=getnewpost

 

[yceltikci]

Thanx a lot buddies...

Peterbkk, I think Adobe Premiere Pro supports HD video editing. And I agree with your opinion about L&M housings. I don't have one but had a chance to use it. I really liked it. It was a Stingray II w/TRV950... Great results...

Thanx a lot again.
Yener

 

[howard4113]

I'm looking at HD too. I saw one of these at Best Buy last night for $1999. I was not impressed by the video quality.

 

[peterbkk]

I'm looking at HD too. I saw one of these at Best Buy last night for $1999. I was not impressed by the video quality.

Can you elaborate on this a bit. What was it about the video quality that did not impress you?

I played with one last weekend - just running the image straight into a HD TV. When we switched to the SD camera, you could really see the improvement in quality of HD.

Of course we should have recorded some tape to see how the compressiom effects quality.

Regards
Peter

 

[nshon]

Can you elaborate on this a bit. What was it about the video quality that did not impress you?

I played with one last weekend - just running the image straight into a HD TV. When we switched to the SD camera, you could really see the improvement in quality of HD.

Of course we should have recorded some tape to see how the compressiom effects quality.

Regards
Peter

The Sony showroom I went to (in Taipei, Taiwan) lined up the HC1 against a HC-8x camcorder, showing both outputs on similar LCD (HD compatible of course) TVs and the difference was amazing.

Nearly made me buy the HC1 on the spot.

If anyone has experience with it underwater, please kindly share your thoughts! I'm thinking about using it with the Ikelite casing.

 

[jellitot]

I've dived an FX1 and the quality is great (http://www.jellitot.com/Videos.htm). Housing was too heavy though so going for an HC1 very soon as the resolution is the same. Now tied in to HDV. Lose some pro features (so what if you're underwater?)

Looking at Amphibico and Bluefin housings - Amphibico will be sub $2000 (£1400) they say. Expect to buy early in the new year.

 

[yceltikci]

Do not decide before checking HVR-A1E (or A1U ntsc). this cam is incredible. just slightly expensive than HC1 but it is definitely in the professional line. check also ocean images housings. one is compatible with both hc1 & a1e.. here are the links

http://www.sonybiz.net/odw/profvideo (select hdv then HVR-A1E)
http://www.oceanimagesinc.com/products/housings/hc_1/hc_series_housings.htm

I definetely made my mind and will buy one next year...

regards
yener

 

[drbill]

Not sure where I read this, but one review suggested some problems filming with the HC1 in low light conditions topside. This concerned me since my establishing and other long shots underwater are done without benefits of lights (since I can't afford a bank powerful enough to light things up at a distance!).

Hopefully someone will post some real world results soon so we can see.