The HVR-Z1P is unique in its ability to record HDV and DVCAM™ images at 60i, 50i, 30, 25 or 24 frames per second—in either SD or HD. Switchable 60/50 capability is an advantage for anyone who needs to satisfy clients in both 60i/50i and NTSC/PAL HD and SD applications.

The Colour Correction function allows users to adjust the colour of a target object without affecting the colour of other objects. This feature can be used to create special effects, for example, showing the colour of a red apple only on B&W picture. Up to two colours can be selected as target colours and each can be controlled in terms of colour phase, colour phase width and colour gain as well as skin colour.

The DVCAM and DV formats are supported by the HVR Series to offer full backward compatibility with the standard definition DV world. Users can also select 16:9 and 4:3 modes both for DVCAM and DV operation.

Timecode/Userbit Preset function allows any time to be selected as a starting timecode. Also, "DF" or "NDF," "Rec Run" or "Free Run" and "Regenerate" or "Preset" can be selected for the timecode operation.

The HVR-Z1P has six assign buttons. Functions such as "AE Override," "White Balance Shift for Outdoor," "Hyper Gain," and "All Scan Mode" are also featured on the assignable menu. "Back Light," "Spot Light" and "Rec Review" are also on the assignable menu.

The user can operate the viewfinder in colour or in black-and-white.

The camcorder's LCD panel and viewfinder can be operated simultaneously. "LCD panel" or "VF turn on" can be selected through the "VF Power" menu. If "Auto" is selected, the viewfinder will turn on only when the LCD panel is closed, and if "On" is selected, both LCD panel and Viewfinder will be operating.

"All Scan Mode" is similar to the "Under Scan Mode" of other camcorders. This feature is useful when checking image quality for Web applications. However, unlike the "Under Scan Mode" the HV blanking area is not displayed.

While in the Auto Iris mode, AE can be shifted by using Iris dial. This allows the user to adjust Iris easily (or Gain if Gain is set to Auto).

Black Stretch function raises only the black portion of an image to broaden dynamic range.

The HVR-Z1P offers several features useful for videographers who also need to output 4:3 images. The converted SD output (i.LINK® Output, S-Video Output or Composite Output) can be connected to compatible SD devices. If the monitor is 4:3, "Letter Box" can be selected and if the monitor is 16:9, "Squeeze" can be selected.

Unique to the HVR-Z1P is the "Edge Crop" mode. This mode is ideal for 16:9 shooting and unlike "Letter Box" or "Squeeze," "Edge Crop" can provide a normal picture that will fill a 4:3 screen. For supporting this function, a viewfinder/LCD panel 4:3 safety marker is added by selection in the Marker Select Menu.

Setup level can be selected between 0% and 7.5% when the camcorder is operated in SD mode. This function is available only in NTSC mode.

Auto Focus Assist function allows the user to control the focus while in auto focus mode. This function is very useful for "touching up" the focus if needed.

External devices such as VTRs or HDD recorders can be controlled via i.LINK. "Rec Control Mode" menu and "Stand-by Command" menu are in the "External Rec Control" menu. "Rec Control Mode" menu can control "Synchronous" or "Relay." "Synchronous" starts the recording process in both the external device and the camcorder. And "Relay" starts the external device when the camcorder is stopped. "Stand-by Command" menu can be selected as "Rec Pause" or "Stop." "Rec Pause" can trigger to the external device when Rec Pause button is pushed.

When the white balance is selected in "Outdoor" mode, it can be shifted (-7~0-+7) either through the menu or Assign Button. This feature allows the user to adjust the white balance with fixed color temperature.

Hyper gain (more than 18 dB) enables image acquisition in extreme low-light conditions, even less than 3 lux.

Display mode can be selected if the "Display" function is assigned. In the "All Display Off" mode, only mode status on the LCD panel or viewfinder is shown.

Zoom display type can be selected by "Bar" or "Number." When "Number" is selected, it will be displayed from "0" to "99" following the zoom position. This is useful for remembering the zoom position with an actual number.

Peaking colour and level can be selected. Colour can be selected from "White," "Red" and "Yellow," and "Level" can be selected from "High," "Middle" and "Low."

Expand focus can be changed to normal with two selections: "Auto Off" and "Manual Off." In addition to the "Auto Off" mode provided on the HDV consumer camcorder, "Manual Off" mode is added for the HVR-Z1P. When "Manual Off" is selected, the expanded focus will change to normal when the Expand Focus button is pushed again.

"Safety Zone" and "4:3 Marker" are added in the Marker menu, in addition to the "Centre Marker" on the HDV consumer camcorder. "Safety zone" displays the inner area of the screen and "4:3 Marker" displays the 4:3 area in order to define picture width when the shot is used both for 16:9 and 4:3 display. All markers can be displayed simultaneously.

Date and Time can be recorded on the tape, useful for applications such as surveillance or legal documentation where time and date notation need to be permanently shown on the image.

Two XLR connectors are provided and a built-in stereo microphone is standard. Mic Phantom power is supplied via XLR connectors.

Each channel of audio record level can be controlled independently. Two audio record level volume controls are at the back of the camcorder, compared with one volume control on the consumer camcorder.

Various modes are available for audio monitoring, such as Ch1 and Ch2, Ch1 only, Ch2 only and Ch1+Ch2 (Mixed).

Wind noise reduction can be selected independently for the built-in stereo microphones also on either XLR input. The sensitivity of the internal stereo microphone can be selected as "Normal" and "High." XLRs can be selected as independent channels (XLR1 to Ch1 and XLR2 to Ch2) or monaural (XLR1 to Ch1+Ch2). XLR also has a setting of "AGC Link" On and Off, and it can select linked AGC for XLR1 and XLR2. Each XLR input allows the selection of input level as Mic or Line, as well as Trim level in order to adjust input to the audio circuit and prevent overload (-18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12dB can be selected).

32 KHz and 48 KHz can be selected when the Rec Mode is set to either DVCAM or DV SP. When HDV is selected, audio is always 48 KHz and it is compressed with MPEG1 Layer2.

Audio Lock mode or Unlock mode can be selected when the Rec mode is set to DV SP. When HDV is selected, Audio is unlocked. When DVCAM is selected, audio is locked.

Audio Limiter On and Off can be selected. With the HDV consumer camcorder, the audio limiter is always on.

Mic noise reduction can be selected On or Off. When it is On, a reversed wave of mechanical noise is generated and cancels the mechanical noise.

Wind Noise Reduction is available for internal microphones, and also independently for each XLR input.

The built-in standard stereo microphone allows users to select "Internal Mic" or External Mic with XLR.

Internal stereo mic sensitivity can be selected as "Normal" or "High." "Normal" is commonly used for professional applications. Only the "High" level is supported for the HDV consumer camcorder.

The HVR-Z1P offers several options for "cine-like" shooting in three modes: 30 frames, 25 frames and 24 frames.

Two types of CinemaTone™ Gamma can be selected both for 50i and 60i in HDV, DVCAM and DV.

This sets the delay time for the start of Shot Transition™. Shot Transition™ can be started simply by pushing the start button. The start timer has a selectable 5-, 10- or 20-second delay to prevent camcorder movement during shots.

Skin tone level can be selected as "High," "Middle" and "Low," in addition to the skin tone Type. Skin tone level can change the "Detail" level of skin tone.

"480i," "480p/480i" or "1080i/480i" can be selected as the analog component output. "480p/480i" is also available with the HVR series.

Smooth Start and Smooth Stop are provided on the handle zoom, to enable manual zooming for professionals.

Audio output can be selected as "1Vrms" or "2Vrms." "2Vrms" is usually used as the professional output level.

"Lock mode" or "Unlock mode" can be selected as the output of the i.LINK when it is down-converted to a DV stream.

Two types of colour bars are provided. Colour bar menu can be assigned on the assign button and selected colour bar can be displayed when the assign button is pushed.

Hours Meter for Operation, Drum Run, Tape Run and Threading time are provided.