Topics include:
- Lens options
- Tips for setting exposure accurately
- Operating the Memory Recording Unit
- Suggested Picture Profile settings
- Suggested focusing techniques
- Recommended settings for the Assign Buttons
- Suggestions for time-code settings
- Warnings about some features and settings to avoid
- Suggested Shutter Speeds for various recording modes
- Taking Digital Photos
- Focus Marking
- Examples and demonstrations of different lens options
- Recording slow-motion
- Getting a perfect white balance
Comparisons of various shooting modes
- Managing Camera Profiles
- Post-Production Overview
- Understanding the Menus
- Audio settings
- Cache Recording
- Loop Recording
Review by Shawn Lam in
EventDV magazine:
When I get a new piece of equipment, I try to see how far I can get before reading the manual. Some might argue that I am exhibiting typical male behavior, and my wife might be inclined to agree.
I justify my behavior by explaining that I am simply testing the user friendliness of the design. After all, the sign of a good design is an item whose function is intuitive and doesn’t require a manual for the user to operate it at a basic level.
When I first got my Sony HVR-Z7U, I was a bit embarrassed because I could not initially locate the "on" button. When I finally powered on my video camera and figured out how to switch it off from the factory default setting of everything auto, I found the Z7 easy to use at a basic level. But as a professional video producer, I need to consistently operate at a professional level. This requires a complete understanding of the equipment I use and how it interacts with the environments in which I work.
In order to advance beyond a basic level of understanding, I pulled out the user manual and read it cover to cover. It gave me further insight into the operation of the camera, but I still had a lot to learn.
Although host Doug Jensen is a member of Sony’s Independent Certified Experts team and is often hired to teach or shoot for Sony, he assures the viewer that Sony had no part in the production of the training DVD. He freely shares his personal opinions on the Z7U, be they good or bad. At the start of the training DVD, he urges viewers to take notes and to watch the 3-hour DVD set again (with its comprehensive 20 chapters) a month after their initial viewing. I followed this advice and added an additional page of notes to the four I took when I first viewed the DVD from my laptop, while waiting for a delayed connecting flight in Toronto.
Jensen is a great instructor. He has a way of explaining complicated technical items in a manner that is easy to understand, and he emphasizes what he feels is relevant to the learner.
The DVDs move at a comfortable pace and are full of beautiful outdoor shots. To show the difference changes in settings make, Jensen shows the same shot with onscreen titles indicating the camera’s settings as they change.
One of the reasons I enjoy Jensen’s teaching style so much is that he is not afraid to share his opinions—especially on the importance of learning how to operate the Z7 manually, saying, "If you want to shoot great video, it is imperative that you understand how to control all these features manually."
His advice on the auto control is to "forget it even exists." He later explains that in auto mode, a video camera sees the world as a medium shade of gray, so naturally, it will often get the exposure wrong.
Jensen challenges the learner to strive to be more professional by using the camera in full manual mode. Then he proceeds to show you how to use the camera’s features as well, such as the push auto button for focus and the zebra stripes for exposure, so you can easily outperform the camera’s auto settings.
Jensen makes frequent comparisons with the HVR-Z1U, which is a benefit to both current Z1 users who are considering an upgrade and those in the market for a new or used HDV camcorder. I appreciate his explanations of format choice, especially the difference between the 30p and 30p interlace scan modes, specifically as it relates to workflow compatibility.
That said, I didn’t completely agree with his advice that you should always shoot in HDV, regardless of delivery format, as it ignores workflow and capture issues. Departing from his earlier advice on auto settings, Jensen also states that the auto-focus actually works quite well, but the video clip he shows of a cyclist approaching the camera suffers from focus-jogging, the telltale sign of an auto-focus that doesn’t quite get it right, despite the fact the cyclist was at the center of the frame.
As a Z7 owner, I was interested to hear his opinion on the interchangeable lens and agree with his assessment that the 12x optical zoom is adequate but the zoom is a bit slow.
Opinions on technical details aside (and the fact Jensen didn’t have an S270 with which to adequately compare the camcorder-style Z7U and the shoulder mount S270, including their differentiating features), I learned more from Jensen’s DVDs than I thought I would.
Before watching Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U, I was completely oblivious to the camera’s hybrid focus modes, was unaware that the status check button has a more detailed audio level display than the small display on the LCD, and felt that although brief, the Picture Profiles section gave me an overview of this most advanced of the Z7U’s 100-plus menu settings.
My lasting impression on the training I received is that it has positively changed the way I film, which is very high praise.
Although I have always been able to get great images from my video cameras, I now have a greater understanding of, and have begun to use more frequently, the more advanced camera features in my productions, including the smooth slow record, skin tone detail, and shot transition features. As video cameras become more complicated and powerful in their role as an imaging tool, camera operators have to work increasingly harder in order to master their art. Most of the cameras we use in our work today have functions that are beyond understanding through good design alone. As a result, training DVDs like Vortex Media’s Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270, and the mastery they teach, are well-positioned to become standard items you purchase with every new video camera, along with a protection filter, a camera case, and a head cleaning tape.
Read the Full Review
Other Customer Comments:
"I received my copy yesterday and absolutely agree with everything you've written. BUY IT. BUY IT. Did you hear me? BUY IT!
This DVD will suit everyone. From those who don't even own the camera and want to gain a good insight to it's capabilities before making the investment. To those who own the camera, familiar with most of the features, but confused by some of them and need things clearly and professionally explained in an unbiased fashion. It's probably one of the most professionally produced training DVD's I've ever viewed. Doug is a natural presenter and his completely unbiased approach is a breath of fresh air in an industry with it's fair share of know-alls.
I love his wry smile when explaining that you should be using this camera in manual. You can tell he wants to scream "If you use AUTO you are a STUPID MONKEY!!" - but he doesn't. And the "Don't mess with the settings - Not broken, don't fix it" message is great reinforcement of common sense principles. There are a couple of things I would have loved to hear him explain in more detail, but as he says, the camera has a steep learning curve and the purpose of the DVD is to get you up and running quickly, so that you can then experiment with fine tuning confidently by yourself.
Mastering the essential 4 manual exposure functions (gain, iris, shutter and white balance) is absolutely key to making the most of this camera - and these principles are covered in huge depth. Forget the manual, every Z7 owner should buy and watch this DVD, period."
John Knight, Christchurch, New Zealand
DV Info Net
"Vortex Media did it again! This is one of the most complete training DVD’s I have ever seen. 3 hours with a personal professional teacher. Everything is covered from start to finish. I said it with the PMW-EX1 DVD-set that I own, and now I will say it again; this DVD must be in your toolkit like other important equipment you can’t without for shooting great HD footage. Some users on this forum have been writing that this 2DVD-set must be included with the camera instead of Sony’s user manual. Well, they absolutely right for 100%. With this 2 DVD-set the original user manual is almost becoming superfluous.
What I really enjoy is that Douglas Jensen is doing the presentation by itself. You can feel that Douglas knows what he is talking about, and loves it to teach to others. All the information you get is from a very experienced and professional cameraman. The presentation is kept very simple and straight to the point like all other training DVD’s from Vortex Media that I own . But that doesn’t mean it’s getting boring. No way!
I also liked that they not only tested the stock lens that is supplied with the camera, but also some other 1/2” and 2/3” professional lenses. Now you already can see how a real wide angle and real telephoto lens is behaving on the camera without having one of these lenses.
The chapter about the memory recording unit for shooting tapeless is another favorite of mine, because you can’t find anything about it in Sony’s general user manual. As I said before; this DVD covers it all! Not only the pros, but also the cons of the camera are mentioned in this 2DVD-set. And it is always good to know what the minor points are from your tools.
In this 3 hours of training you will learn more about the camera then when you are looking through the user manual for a whole week. Not speaking of all the tips and tricks you will get that are not mentioned in the user manual.
Because I am living in Europe, I tested this 2DVD-set on 4 different PAL standalone DVD-players. On all four of them they worked flawless. It looked very good on my 40” LCD television. And believe me, I’m very critical about picture quality. Most European customers who have bought a recent DVD or Blu-ray Disc player, don’t have to be afraid that these NTSC DVD’s aren’t going to work on their DVD and TV set.
It’s a pleasure to watch this well documented 2DVD-set about the HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270 professional HDV camcorders. It’s another well done masterpiece by Vortex Media!"
Ivan Snoeckx, Belgium
"Very easy to understand. Cover a lot features. Professionals gives an easy explanations. Really Great. I recommend "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270" training DVD. Buy it guys. I ordered a few weaks ago and I've watched it several times already . . . it's awesome."
Juan M Garcia - B&H customer review
"I had purchased a training DVD by someone else... But this DVD is completely diffrent.. I have always used auto settings on this camera and I was very unhappy with the quality of results... being a novice in the game of videography I didn't know much about manual setting, exposure, ND filters.. But when i got this DVD i was blown away by how much I have learned. and now I understand why my footage looked terrible in auto mode... All I can say is WOW!!! Get this DVD if you want to learn how to get the most out of this camera. He takes you through everything step by step with examples. You will be amazed specially if your a newbie!"
Eddie - B&H customer review
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About the Instructor:
Doug Jensen is the owner of Vortex Media, a cameraman, producer, director, editor, consultant and trainer with over 25 years of video production and post-production experience. Jensen combines his extensive production experience with his teaching skills to bring a wide-ranging, real-world perspective to his independent DVD workshops and live seminars.
As a member of Sony's Independent Certified Experts (I.C.E.) team he has taught high-definition XDCAM classes for Sony at NAB, Japan, Hollywood, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
In the summer of 2007 Sony hired him to shoot demo footage with a pre-production EX1 camcorder, and to operate the camera during field tests conducted by Discovery Communications.
In recent years he has directed, and co-produced several popular training DVDs and books including: "Vortex Media's PDW-700 & PDW-F800 Field Guide", "Mastering the Sony PMW-EX1", "HandsOnHDV: A Complete Guide to the Z1U and FX1," "A Guide to Shooting with the Sony XDCAM HD F350/F330 Camcorders," and "How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews." Jensen owns several cameras, including a Sony PDW-F800, Sony PMW-EX1, Sony PMW-EX1R, Sony PMW-EX3, Sony PDW-F350 XDCAM HD, Sony HVR-Z7U, Sony HVR-Z1U HDV camcorder, and an Ikegami HL59 Betacam. His credits and clients include: NBC News, ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, CNN, PBS, BBC, NHK, EBU, TNT, Discovery, ESPN, E!, A&E, HGTV, WGBH, Food Network, NASCAR Images, MLB Productions, Travel Channel, History Channel, Sundance Channel, and NBA Entertainment.
Review by Ian Campbell:
"My three top recommendations regarding the new Vortex Media "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270" training DVD are -- 1. BUY IT . . . 2. BUY IT . . . 3. BUY IT! I ordered it at the Vortex website last Friday and I've watched it twice already . . . it's awesome.
This new training DVD from Vortex is top-notch from start to finish. It's not the first training DVD to reach the market for the Sony HVR-Z7U, but it is the best by a long mile. I now own two different Z7U training DVDs and this is the one the offers the goods – it fully covers all of the core features and settings. This certainly isn't the case with my other Z7U training disc.
In a perfect world, Sony would be including Jensen’s disc with every camera shipped since the training and tips go way beyond what the manual conveys – thus making it the perfect companion for the Z7U.
After watching "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270"it is apparent that Doug Jensen has spent a lot of long hours with the camera. A great deal of time and effort goes into how he supports his training – utilizing lots of quality footage shot with the Z7U. The first disc I bought, prior to buying Jensen’s, barely has any sample footage shot with the camera.
I'm not sure if the presenter on that other video really has the full grasp of what the Z7U is all about or knows how to effectively demonstrate its feature set. Just one example of how Jensen effectively uses Z7U footage is in his side-by-side comparison of what the camera’s default image looks like, out-of-the-box, compared to several picture profile examples. I really like that Doug Jensen shares some of his favorite settings.
He is cautious about his suggestions, reminding the viewer that picture profiles and other setting choices all boil down to the subjective nature of personal preference. Right from the start of the DVD I knew that Jensen was on the right track. In chapter two Doug takes us on a tour of the camera. Every time he shows or mentions something which will be explained in detail in later chapters, there is a graphic which appears on screen indicating which chapter to navigate to in order to get the full story of that detail instantly. Very nice indeed.
I have a few other Vortex titles – and have come to rely on them all. This is the first camera training DVD that I’ve seen where Doug Jensen hosts. The others I own are written by Jensen, but are fronted by professional hosts. It’s an added bonus to have the author of the material step forward and share his knowledge on-camera directly with us. This is a nice touch. I mentioned earlier that Jensen has spent appreciable time with the camera. After doing some shooting and then determining what the Z7U has to offer, he goes about his work. First, he makes great choices in how he presents his training. He has the rare talent of making difficult things seems simple. He works from a well crafted script - which serves the training well – since in three hours he covers more than I would expect one could.
Some skilled trainers are overly verbose, making things way more complex than they actually are and in the process end up taking time away from the training. One stand out moment is how quickly and perfectly Jensen explains time code. A nice addition to the disc is seeing Jensen attach a Fujinon accessory lens to the Z7U camera body. In fact, Jensen includes valuable footage which he’s shot with the Z7U using a couple of non-Zeiss lenses. The comparison of these lenses against the stock Zeiss lens is wonderful. This demo will have you drooling if you’ve been waiting for an HDV camera that allows for the creative freedom of lens choices and options. Sweet. He is quick, however, to inform that the use of a non-Zeiss lens means giving up the use of “shot transition” and other camera functions.
It’s important to note that as he extols the virtues of certain “cool” features, he’s also taken the time to uncover any side-effects that may occur from their use. As fair warning to shooters recording with the compact flash recording unit, Jensen demonstrates how when hitting the “stop” button you may not be recording all the video you thought you just shot. His workaround is perfect and simple – don’t be “trigger happy”.
I should mention that the disc is beautiful looking. It’s a straight forward, clean, and well shot presentation which includes lots of stunning footage examples he’s shot with his Z7U. I find I trust the advice more from someone like Jensen who knows how to produce, shoot and edit great training support material compared to those who offer marginally acceptable training DVD’s. In other words, when this project is presented as professionally as it is, it lends credence to the credentials of the trainer.
There are lots of invaluable tips that the author shares which I wouldn’t have likely stumbled upon on my own. The “Focus” chapter alone gives me added insight into the focusing capabilities the Z7U has with what Jensen terms “hybrid focusing”.
And now that a new Z7U training DVD by Jensen does say it all so nicely in a beautifully organized fashion, I want to share the differences from my perspective between the first video I bought and Jensen’s Z7U DVD set. The two offerings are night and day in terms of quality of training, accuracy of information and presentation. Jensen’s disc is far and away the true contender.
I want to support the Jensen effort for two reasons. First, for me a new camera kind of exists in a void until it’s properly understood. Jensen’s material really helps in this department. And the other reason I write this review is that I hope that Jensen and others of his caliber continue to support the next generation of cameras with training materials. Without the sales and our support we likely won’t have these tools made available in the future – especially when the market for these titles is relatively small.
If you are looking for a tool to help demystify the Z7U and its daunting feature set, I highly recommend "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270". Not only have I learned a lot about the camera and its settings . . . I also find this DVD helps me re-examine the ways I shoot and gives me the confidence to rely more on manual settings and not worry about playing it safe in the “auto” world.
A couple of minor criticisms: I wish there had been a little more information about some of the gamma settings and color settings such X.V. It would have been interesting to learn a little more about things I am still hoping to better understand. But as Jensen says in the DVD, there isn’t time to get into all the settings. If I had my way, the DVD would have a running time of nine hours long, or so. I’m, however, pretty happy with what is offered at running time of 3 hours.
The Vortex Media website has a fair bit of information about this new DVD. The text I read there states that the cost of the $90.00 disc set should repay itself many times over. That's true. Believe me; if you are professional shooter who is serious about getting the most from your HVR-Z7U -- I have no doubt that "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270"is one unbeatable bargain.
So, if my above ramblings about the new Z7U DVD sound like a sponsored endorsement – they aren’t. I’m happy to personally endorse something I value which already contributes to my better shooting and my improved understanding of my Z7U. "
Ian Campbell, Toronto, Canada
Other Customer Comments:
Very Helpful. Great for all levels.
By dantheman Verified Purchaser from Los Angeles, CA on 9/11/2008
Pros: Well Written, Informative, Easy To Follow
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Very helpful. I like that even though everyone's opinions vary, he gives you his opinion on everything and even gives specific tricks and settings he uses.
This is a great DVD!
By Deanster from Hollywood, CA on 9/4/2008
Pros: Easy To Follow, Informative
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
This is a great DVD if your wanting to get up to speed on the Sony Z7U. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to learn more about this camera. All tutorial DVD's should be produced this way!
"I was skeptical of buying this DVD, my main concern was that I would not learn anything that I could not figure out in about 10 minutes hands on with the Z7U. Boy was I wrong. Not only does this DVD give you a fast track start to operating the Z7U, it also provides insight and answers to many of my questions. For the price, this DVD is essential for nearly everyone except perhaps highly advanced professionals."
Patrick M - B&H customer review
"This is a very useful training video which teaches you how to use this high definition professional camcorder. Practically every aspect is gone over which can get you up and going very fast. It would have been helpful for me for the video to have spent a little longer time in post production, but then again, this video is about the camcorder. All in all, a great video."
Tamerlane - B&H customer review
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