Sony HVR-Z7U camcorder and Sony HVR-M25U compatibility
by Richard Marshall
on
May 20, 2008 at 12:37:47 am
I just purchased a Sony HVR-Z7U. I also have a Sony HVR-V1U. We used both cameras as part of a five camera shoot, the other cameras were EX1s. I shot 1080i 24p on both cameras to match the footage from the EX1s. My 24p footage to HDV tape on the V1U plays back fine on my HVR-M25U deck for digitizing to FCP. The 1080i 24p tapes that were shot on the new Z7U won't play on the deck. I get a message on screen that reads "change to correct tape format". Does anyone out there know what this means or if there is a fix? Is the M25U not compatible with the new Z7U? Both cameras were set up the same for shooting. I'm trying to decide whether I keep the Z7U or if I'm going to have problems with the compatibility of the two cameras and the deck. Thanks for any reply or ideas.
Re: Sony HVR-Z7U camcorder and Sony HVR-M25U compatibility by Michael Palmer on May 20, 2008 at 4:09:11 am
I believe all Sony HDV records to tape as 60i like the V1u. I haven't heard of a change so I'm stumped. I would call Sony. I would hope Sony hasn't made a change and if the new line of HDV decks (M25a) have it would be good for those of us with the original units to be upgraded. The new decks M15a, M25a and M35 can detect multiple frame rate and with most updated EDL's they can remove any pulldown on capture.
Re: Sony HVR-Z7U camcorder and Sony HVR-M25U compatibility by Mark Shepherd on May 20, 2008 at 3:56:29 pm
I have tried in vain to playback a tape that I shot at NAB using the Sony Z7U shooting @ 24p. I tried at first to play it back on my Z1 and then I tried to play it back on a Sony V1U camera. In both instances the screen prompt said to "change formats" Does the Sony Z7 shoot 24P differently than the Sony V1U ? I believe it does....
Re: Sony HVR-Z7U camcorder and Sony HVR-M25U compatibility by Richard Marshall on May 20, 2008 at 6:48:26 pm
Thanks to all for your input. I have discovered that while shooting on the F7Z in true progressive mode, it is not compatible with the M25 deck. Only the new, more expensive Sony M35 will play true 24p progressive. The M25 deck does play interlaced 60i24p (3/2 pulldown) which is the 24p option on the Sony Z1U, V1U cameras. While shooting with the F7U the 24p has to be set to 60i24p with pulldown opposed to the true progressive 24p. The work around is using the camera to capture from but not the best solution. The other is shoot to compact disk on the included memory recording unit, which works quite well, but not always viable in a long format documentary situation unless you have a number of large high speed compact disks, which run about $300 ea., and another body to download files. The reason I opted for the F7U over the EX1 was to have the option of shooting to tape or disk. It is a terrific camera to shoot with. A big improvement over my V1U. I wish I would have known about the incompatibility of the camera and deck with 24p before my last shoot.
