Hitachi DZ-HV565E: Test for pro HD application

(View this in HD)
Shot on a Hitachi DZ-HV565E camcorder (Argos UK £117) and graded in Apple Color. Audio is unedited.

Workflow:
Original 1080p/30fps converted to ProRes 1080P/25fps before editing. After editing exported to 720P for YouTube HD.

Observations:
You cannot disable autofocus. When about 50%+ of the frame is in fast motion the focus hunts (visible in this footage).

Conclusion:
Camera is ideal for Dogme95 projects, Bourne/Gladiator style fight sequences, video diaries and documentation but not a great deal more. Although its been amazingly well programmed (and looks superb projected in HD) getting reliable controlled results would require: ND filters (to control the frame rate) and a manual focus button... (to prevent the focus hunting).

See my "Memories of Summer" video as another example.

UPDATE: I have now sold this camera on and will be getting the Sanyo Xacti CG10 to replace it. While it doesn't offer 1080P it does offer full manual control and is generally more refined. Worth a look.

DZ-HV564E

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Hitachi
• DZ-HV565E
• HV565E
• DZ-HV564E
• HV564E
• sample
• footage
• example
• video
• graded
• apple
• color
• dogme
• focus
• test
• pro
• hd
• 1080
• argos
• camera
• camcorder
• professional

[ifeskate]

what did you use to convert the files

[1accon]

@ifeskate Apple Compressor

[joejourneys]

great video and quality, this test made me run out to get one and am ever so pleased with it. Can I ask if you shoot with a tripod? Can you recommend one?

[1accon]

Yes, the camera prefers elements moving inside the frame rather than the whole frame moving about so a tripod is recommended. I used a Manfrotto 055 which is overkill for such a light camera. Any monopod, tripod or Gorillapod is going to let you maximise the HD ability of this camera.

[ImHollieWood]

What did you use to edit it because i heard you can't use this camcorder with Windows Movie Maker :(

Thats the only thing holding me back from getting it :P

[1accon]

I used Final Cut but you could use Windows Movie Maker if you convert the MP4 files that come out of the camera to a less complex format that WMM can understand.

Which format would probably depend on how powerful your computer is. There are many free converters available for Windows.

At the end of the day editing 1080P requires a lot of computer power and disk space. I recommend you either shrink your 1080P footage to 720P during conversion or just shoot in 720P.

YouTube HD is 720P anyway!

[KetanM2]

worth the £117 at argos.

[pawelantas]

Espectacular!!!

[upernoe]

does this work with windows movie maker

[Aphexas]

finally some one understands what is filming all about (or ... U Just do it my type) ;)

Love it !

[bulldozerHW]

i got this camera but the problem is the sound it always has a slight hissing noise even when its quiet

any help

[JohnThorne89]

hello!

could you tell me what video software u use to combine your video clips and still get HD format when you save your movie? does that make sence lol. i need a programme to edit videos wich isnt too expensive and allows me to save my video in HD

[JohnThorne89]

Optical zoom 5x Digital zoom 4x

[3deryk]

im about to buy this camcorder and your video helped me a lot! thx for uploading it. and i gotta say that is a nice video to watch with all those rivers, roads etc.

[TomboFry]

People say it works, some people don't. The people who say it works says it's way too dark to see anything if you're inside (using as webcam), so this isn't the best thing to use for a webcam.

[HyperColours]

I just can't believe how good the colour and resolution is from this camera! I think I will have to buy one now!

What is the zoom or focal length? also how does it cope with bright exposures? what is the F stop and manual controls like to operate?

Very nice footage as well.