Sun, Surf and the Zx1

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Posted on: July 3, 2009

Posted in: Technology, The Video Blogger's Toolkit, Video

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Sun, Surf and the Zx1

I’m back in San Francisco from a few weeks away in New York City. One of my favorite things to do when I get back from a long trip is to take my bike for a ride to the Golden Gate Bridge. I figured this would be a perfect time to test the Kodak Zx1 I got in New York to record some new video for my blog. It’s been interesting getting use to filming in HD and HD60 mode. The HD version makes the aspect ratio different from the standard Flip I’ve been using. That means I don’t always get my face in frame! It’s not a big deal, but it is something I will need to get use to if I’m going to keep using it! I really like the form factor of this camera and I love the color. It’s easy to keep in my bag and feels pretty sturdy. Plus I love that it’s pink! You can actually choose from a range of colors.

The Kodak Zx1 records in 3 modes VGA, HD and HD60. You can also take pictures. One thing I noticed, while using an HD camera is that HD video shows imperfections and is less forgiving than a standard Flip video which is what I’ve been using for most of the videos on my site. That means that when I have a bad camera movement, it’s more obvious. It also means that when I roll out of the house and go for a bike ride…. you get a clearer picture of me. That’s not always so pleasant! That being said, the picture quality is nice. I love the shots of the bay and the bridge. The colors are nice and the picture quality is good though the image stabilization could be better.

Video is stored on an SD card and it runs off rechargeable Kodak AA batteries. The camera comes with a charger (but no SD card so you have to buy one of those in addition to buying the camera). Uploading the video is done with a firewire cable that comes with the Zx1. I use Final Cut Express to edit my video and that is a bit of a challenge because the media is HDV and since Final Cut doesn’t recognize this format, I had to convert all the files to DV to introduce them to Final Cut. That was time consuming and a challenge to figure out. Now that I’ve done it once it will be less time consuming in the future, but in all honesty, I really, really, really, really wish that my files imported without having to convert them all.

My friend David used the Kodak Zx1 to record while riding his scooter around town. This is a great test of it in action. I thought the audio quality wasn’t half bad for being on the road and moving up to 45 mi/hr.

Last, here’s the episode of unboxing featuring the Kodak Zx1!

  • Thanks Sukhjit for the review and the example vid. This will help in my selection between the Zx1 and a Flip. You are is the best for this topic, thanks, very thanks for you...
  • watches
  • Just an update on my earlier comment. I picked up a Kodak Zx1 thanks to you and this video :)

    Going to put it inside my motorcycle helmet and do some vlogging with it while I drive around Victoria.

    Should be fun!
  • Thanks Sukhjit for the review and the example vid. This will help in my selection between the Zx1 and a Flip. Question though, doesn't the current version of FCE support HDV import?
  • The latest version of FCE is friendly with HD video but not with HDV. I used MPEGx to convert my files to DV. Then when I exported the finished product, it was .MOV. Needless to say, I think the image quality suffered after all the conversions and compression. I'm still finding the right work flow. Will keep you posted on what I discover. --sukhjit
  • bill750cc
    I am also using Zx1 and Final Cut Ex. Same issues. I shot a 40 min. sunset and render time was 16 hours. I tried going from Zx1 to GL2 via the Av cable, no good. I borrowed a breakout box like this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I7YP06/ref=asc_df_...
    it worked but the quality is degraded. I will try a keep trying. I am taking the camera to Greece soon and dont want 400 hours of rendering when i get home. Let me know if you find a better work flow and I will do the same.
    Bill
  • Great feedback Bill! I'm still trying to comprehend a 16 hour render! That sounds like torture. I'm not familiar with using a breakout box, but I may have to look into it. I just did another video edit from the Zx1 and it wasn't too bad. (you can see it here: http://www.sukhjit.me/post/im-calling-this-twit...) I used MPEG Streamclip to convert the .mov files to DV50. FCE had no problem with that... the file was already on my drive, so that saved me time. The overall process this time was easier. I'll keep you posted thought and I hope you'll let me know how things are working for you too! It would be nice to solve the workflow before your Greece, right!?

    I also wanted to thank you for leaving a comment! Means a lot to me that you'd take the time! Talk to you again --sukhjit
  • bill750cc
    Thanks for the MPEG Streamclip tip. That works great. No worries about my greece trip now. In fact i may get another SDHC card or two. I can also get back to a project, 30 sunsets in 30 minutes, a 1 minute time lapse of  30 sunsetss,  i started when i got the camera, , and not worry about hundreds of hours of render time.
    Thanks Again
    Bill



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  • xluck
    Love San Francisco! I'm having lots of fun with my new flip cam. Mine is an hd one but i don't know yet if you can turn the hd back to sd if you want?? Just curious if it's only hd or it's a setting.

    Would like to try your kodak one sometime. There did seem to be some strange problems importing some of the flip footage that was .mp4 into both premiere pro and imovie. not sure if that is always the case or if I just had a wierd corrupt file.

    That location under the bridge is one of my favorites in sf. I used to run there when I was training for the big sur half marathon. those were the days! I would not endeavor to run all the way there now- but biking sounds fun (if a bit scary with traffic). Maybe I'll rent a bike and go with you sometime. :-) -Mary Ann
  • Ray Shaw
    Awesome review on the Zx1, I also have Final Cut Express. I'm exploring options for a new cam.
  • Ray! Thanks for leaving a comment here! I always love to know when people stop by! Feel free to ask questions about the camera if you have em. I'm still testing it out and am happy to share information. I did have to convert the files to .dv before they would work in FCE. I don't know if that was the best way to do it... but it is the way it worked out for me. Anyway... nice to see you here and hope you'll visit and comment on my blog again! =) --sukhjit
  • Ray Shaw
    Hello again Sukhjit ! The like the chroma in your videos. Did you use the Flip Cam for "Tweet Up" and "Punjabi Mela"? ...the music tracks on your vids are cool, just purchased a Tigerstyle song.
  • Hello Ray! Sorry for the late reply, I was hoping to send you a video reply, but they seem to be broken still... in any case wanted to answer your questions. Tweetup was shot with my basic flip cam... I think the one I have is the standard first gen even. Punjabi Mela I shot with a traditional consumer grade camera by Panasonic. It's the 2nd version of their 3CCD cam. Back when I got it it was the first of it's kind to be of 3 chip, very small size and consumer grade. Boy, how things have changed!

    The music tracks are all bhangra! Glad you enjoyed. Punjabil Mela I cut to a song called Mela by Sukshinder Shinda from an awesome album called Living the Dream. If you like that bhangra stuff, you should definitely check out my blip stream! It's 99% bhangra!

    Thanks again for coming by and leaving a comment! --sukhjit
  • Sukhjit - That new Kodak looks pretty cool... How does your editing software handle the bigger file sizes with the HD footage?? Also, more importantly - the glasses are definitely you. Digging those!! B
  • It makes my day to see a comment from you @pogobrian! So, I edit with final cut express and I had to do some problem solving to to import the HD files in a format that would work. I'm still working on the correct workflow for using this media.. so I'll keep you posted on the ease of use. I also did a straight upload to youtube that uploaded quickly and easily despite the larger file size. I'll try it out and give you some more info =). Aaaaand! Thanks for the compliment on my new glasses. I'm glad I got them. They were an $8 purchase from the Coney Island Flea Market! Greatest $8 purchase of my trip to NY! I hope all is well with you. Please let me know when you'll be in SF again! --sukhjit
  • chaeseco
    YAY! New video! =) The quality seems alright. I was hoping for more color separation.

    The more you shoot around San Fransisco, the more I get to see how pretty the area is... one day I'll come and visit and see for myself.

    I would never thought of SF as a place to surf. Especially at the base of the bay bridge. But what do I know, I'm from the East coast. =)
  • @chaeseco Video message for you AND I think you should come visit SF soon! http://video.seesmic.com/videos/WUpG3FUEdi
  • She's a rock star!

    The video looks decent from that little camera :)

    Cant imagine surfing next to the rocks like those guys are doing. I'm going to head down to a popular surf spot here in Victoria tomorrow and see if I can get some good shots.
  • @DavidHowell my video comments are not working right now, so I'm sending you the link to make sure you see the video response I left you! http://video.seesmic.com/videos/94NLiKhC4H
  • Looks pretty good! Nice colors and detail in the scene. Even after you become familiar with the camera, I think framing yourself in 16x9 is just trickier to do than in 4x3, but it does look nice.

    I wonder if it's worth dealing with all the conversion and space issues of HD. Maybe the Kodak will be reserved for particularly scenic occasions! I've been experimenting with HD too: http://vimeo.com/4857299
  • You are totally right, 16x9 makes it harder to frame yourself when shooting. It's just something I'm going to have to get use to. I'm also still figuring out the right work flow for working with HD files. I had some major problem solving this time around... but I'm excited to do some more vlogging. I missed it while I was traveling. =) Nice to get a note from you Andy. I liked the video you linked to. --sukhjit
  • Picture quality is not too shabby. I'm wondering what the mic quality of the Zx1 would be like for capturing concerts. I know my P&S digicam is horrible, as the bass just overwhelms.
  • I posted this video on YouTube as an example of how the Zx1 performs in a loud concert situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4YSZWvlWFo This was at Basement Bhangra at SOB's in NYC. What do you think? First of all the picture quality is different than I imagined, but that is probably due to 2 things, 1) low light 2) my upload speed... anyway.. you still get an idea of the quality. Thanks for the comment Jay! I really appreciate that you came to my site and left a note!
  • Trisha
    Hey woman! I really like the quality of the new HD video cam! Looks good. Happy 4th of July weekend!
  • Trisha! Thanks a million for the comment. I am so happy to hear that you like the video. I agree the quality is nice especially for landscape shots. I'm still getting use to using it for filming myself! Sounds silly, I'm sure.. but it's a big part of the way I video blog. Anyway, it's awesome that you left a comment. I really appreciate it. Hope all is well with you and your family. Any exciting plans for the 4th? -sukhjit
  • Trisha
    The gear we use to made our media *must* be easy to manage (esp if we are the subjects being shot!) with intuitively designed UIs! I totally agree with you. Otherwise it's like a tote bag that's really cute & just the right size, but 1 strap keeps falling off your shoulder. You wanna use it but wont b/c it doesn't function properly. That said, hope you get used to the new cam cuz the quality of the image looks great!
  • Trisha! Left you a video message! You have to go here thought to see it. http://video.seesmic.com/videos/znEY6LNc3L
  • ChazFrench
    I only played with the Zx1 for a minute or two while you were here, but I liked it, I'd have fun with one.
  • CHAZ! So very nice to see a comment from you. Yeah, remember how I couldn't figure out how to delete files on it! Thanks for figuring that out for me. I have to say, this camera is a little bit more Sukhjit proof than the Flip. The Flip has less features, but I think that's what makes it so easy. --sukhjit

    PS got your text mesg! SO excited about your news. =)
  • ChazFrench
    I especially liked that little extra step involved to delete, it's a nice way to be sure.

    And I'll share more on that news as soon as I can. I expect to be able to make the "Big Announcement" to everyone within a week.
  • Chaz! My video comments are still broken, but I tried to leave you a message with my nephews. Just in case you don't see it on seesmic.. here's the link http://video.seesmic.com/videos/xcr7HnKX0E

    Can't wait till you announce your big news. =)
  • sorry about the problem, we're looking into it, but it's also a day off week end so doing our best
  • Thanks Loic! Hey, it's an American holiday!! Does that count for you?! JK. Thanks for your attention this morning. Hope it gets fixed soon. =)
  • well, as you know we have a few team members based in America
  • hey, not sure why but seesmic appears to be eating my video comments, i just noticed that at least 2 others i left on your page never showed up but they showed up on seesmic, very strange. Any who, love the video, the kodak seems to be working well for you, also i love the music in the background, sounds like a Dr. Dre mixed with bhangra, its awesome.
  • Hey Eric. I'm trying to get video comments fixed. Both Seesmic and Disqus have sent me a message.

    Yea, I love that music track. It's from @tigerstylemusic. Great DJ's out of Glasgow.
  • sharmaG
    The Background song is cool!
  • Glad you like the music! It's a couple Punjabi guys from Glasgow @tigerstylemusic
  • sharmaG
    The Camera quality is really good!
  • It's so beautiful. East coast or west, Bombay or Goa, I just love the ocean. Thanks for the video, Sukhjit, the new camera looks good. Hope you enjoyed your time in New York and that I get to meet you next time.
  • I know! I want to meet you too! I was in NYC for so long, but still didn't get to see more than half of the people I'm friends with via social media. I have hopes to be in NYC much much much more often. We will meet IRL then!
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