Video Equipment Reviews (page 2)

Configuring the Edit Suite to your equipment is easy, thanks to a thorough "calculation and configuration" section in the manual. For my test, I first performed 10 edits with a source tape striped with RC time code. Using the Edit Suite's EDL as a reference, I could track the accuracy of the Edit Suite's edits.

Initially, I found that my record deck was lagging by 12 frames when performing an edit. In order to compensate for the lag time, I simply followed the instructions in the manual, going to the Edit Suite's menu section and choosing configuration. After tweaking the numbers a bit, I had the Edit Suite triggering edits with true frame accuracy within ten minutes. Amazingly, performing edits without time code was almost as accurate. The Edit Suite performed edits within about four frames using only the real time counter. Using the infrared wand to control the record VCR worked very well.

I successfully configured the Edit Suite with three different record VCRs and six different source VCRs. The Edit Suite assumes that you are using the MX-1 mixer, so you will have to enter the configuration window and disable this switch if you don't have the MX-1.

About the only gripe I had with this unit was the on-board LCD. A larger LCD is certainly preferable to the tiny one supplied with this system. The small size of the Edit Suite's LCD hampers the ability to look ahead at your EDL.

Overall, the Edit Suite edit controller performed very well. The unit's ability to work with many VCRs is a very big plus. From simple to the complex editing, this system offers great editing functionality. As a stand-alone controller, Edit Suite offers simple editing options for the beginning videomaker. Connected to a mixer and titler, it becomes a truly advanced editing system. This is one sweet edit controller.

Videonics Edit Suite Edit Controller

• Control protocol
  Control-L, Panasonic 5-pin (Control M), RS-232, RS-422, GPI, infrared
• Time code support
  Vertical interval time code (x5), RC Time Code (x5), LTC
• Edit decision list (EDL)
  Capable of up to 250 edit segments
• Control outputs
  8-pin mini DIN connector (x5), GPI (x2)
• Display
  40-character LCD
• Computer interface
  CMX 3400-compatible file export, computer interface data import/export feature
• Other features
  Four-source A/B/C/D-roll editing; sequential, random, or cuts only assembly; jog shuttle wheel; auto-build EDL and auto assemble; edit preview and review
• Dimensions
  12 (width) by 3.9 (height) by 9.5 (depth) inches
• Weight
  4 pounds

GR-SZ9u S-VHS-C Camcorder
JVC
41 Slater Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
($1799)

With the introduction of the GR-SZ9u, JVC adds a little more to its already feature-packed GR-SZ line. For serious video production, this little camera offers lots of extras.

The GR-SZ9u offers a high-resolution 1/3-inch sensor boasting 570,000 pixels. As you might guess, resulting image quality is very nice. Providing 400 lines of horizontal resolution and great detail is a challenge that the GR-SZ9u handles easily.

The GR-SZ9u has a strong digital zoom, with both 20x and 100x modes. Resolution loss is minimal up to 15x, thanks to the high-res CCD. Don't expect the greatest resolution from the 100x digital zoom mode. Remember--this isn't a telescope.

JVC offers a fast f/1.2 lens that has excellent low-light sensitivity. In moderate lighting, the GR- SZ9u records images with no visible noise.

A zoom lever located perpendicular to the lens axis controls a 10x lens with two zoom speeds. Both zoom speeds are easy to select and hold. The GR-SZ9u also has a built-in lens cover, a nice feature.

Also included with this camcorder is a tele-macro feature that allows you to fill the screen with a 4x5 centimeters subject from a distance of approximately 50 centimeters. This is a nice function, but the lens may go out of focus easily depending on your zoom position.

Iris and focus are the only manual image controls on the GR-SZ9u. You can adjust the iris by pressing the exposure + or - buttons while shooting. Unfortunately, this is only a "relative" manual iris control. The auto-iris continues to function, with the manual setting acting only as an offset.

You control manual focus with a small knurled knob on the front of the camcorder. This knob is easy to use and very responsive. An inset button found in the middle of the knob selects auto or manual focus.

For beginners, full-auto will get you up and shooting right away. More advanced shooters will tap into an extensive menu system that controls most of the camcorder's functions. The menu is very complex, but with a little practice I found it easy to navigate.

The GR-SZ9u offers a total of 14 in-camera effects. These include three classic film modes, sepia, sports, twilight, three cinema modes, monotone, video echo and three strobes. The JVC also offers 17 different fades, wipes and dissolves. In addition, two Auto Select modes automatically generate fades or wipes whenever you start or stop recording. These are excellent tools for giving your shots added variety. Dissolves freeze the last frame from the previous scenes, simulating an A/B-roll dissolve.

For the advanced users, a Variable Preset mode allows you to select which five transitions and effects you need access to while shooting. All of this can be rather confusing if you don't get your feet wet and practice. Having these options available is no great advantage if you don't know how to integrate them into your video footage.

Another effect that the GR-SZ9u offers is Snap Shot. This function freezes the image you are recording and creates a white photographic border. It even animates a shutter closing and opening over your video, while at the same time adding the shutter click of a still camera onto your audio tracks.

White balance modes include continuous auto, manual hold, sunny outdoor, cloudy outdoor and halogen. This camcorder uses an automatic color temperature system which senses the color temperature of the ambient lighting for automatic white balance adjustment. If an object being recorded is near shades of the same color, or when predominantly brown or red objects are being recorded outdoors, use the camcorder's preset filters for white balance adjustment. This camcorder can also memorize three "personal" white balance settings.

Picture control is a nice feature with the GR-SZ9u. It provides adjustments for color level, tint and sharpness. Having control over these functions offers great flexibility when recording to tape. You can fine tune images for the desired effect without having any actual lens filters in place.

The video quality of the GR-SZ9u is exceptional. Color reproduction was especially impressive, as were resolution and noise performance.

The LCD color viewfinder was good, with adequate resolution for consistent manual focus. I found the diopter adjust to be way too sticky and difficult to train for my eye.

The JVC's manual controls are within reach and easily operated. I was particularly comfortable holding and operating the GR-SZ9u thanks to its design and construction. JVC has added a new coating that feels tough and provides a better grip than the slick finish found on most camcorders.

Like its predecessor--the GR-SZ7--the GR-SZ9u has a shifty autofocus. Excessive hunting caused me to shut it off and use manual focus instead. I found JVC's Electronic Image Stabilization system (EIS) to be effective, providing good compensation for larger camcorder movements.

Audio performance was very good. JVC added a headphone jack with the GR-SZ9u, which will allow you to monitor the unit's stereo recording quality. Good move, JVC.

Unfortunately, the GR-SZ9u has no VCR mode; this unit cannot record from line inputs. This isn't a big deal unless you plan to use the unit as a record deck in your editing projects. When it comes to shuttling tape, the GR-SZ9u is painfully slow. It takes nearly 8 minutes to wind from one end of a 30- minute tape to the other.

I found the JVC's digital effects and transitions to be amazing. The GR-SZ9u offers quite an extensive digital arsenal, especially considering its size and price. Yet in spite of its professional features, the JVC is still a good point-and-shoot camcorder for beginners.

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