HEAD TO HEAD
JVC
GR-SZ1 vs PANASONIC NV-S85
INTRO
The VHS-C format is making a comeback with
some very impressive machines, especially at the top end of the market. We've
been comapring two of the latest high-band palmcorders from JVC and Panasonic
COPY
At first glance the similarities between the
JVC SZ1 and Panasonic S85 seem to outnumber the differences. They're both Super
VHS-C palmcorders with stereo hi-fi sound systems, program auto-exposure,
electronic image stabilisers low light sensitivty of 1 lux, size and weight are
within a few millimetres and grams of each other, and both machines have a
range of digital effects.
Look a little closer, though, and there are
some significant differences. First the price, the the SZ1 is the more
expensive of the two, selling for just under £1500, whilst the S85 is some £300
cheaper, at £1200. The price disparity can largely be attritubuted to two
high-profile features on the SZ1: it has a colour viewfinder; and a
multi-function lens. We'll still not convinced about the need for colour
viewfinders, they're simply not good enough to replace mono viewfinders in
critical applications like manual focusing and exposure control. The lens, on
the other hand, is definitely worth having. In normal operation it's a
switchable 8x or 11x zoom; removing the front element changes it into a 0.6x
wideangle lens, and fitting a short extention tube into the front of the
machine turns the lens into a powerful microscope with a magnification of 188x
(on a 21-inch TV screen).
The S85's secondary facilities are not quite
so elaborate, though they're no less useful for that. They include an
assortment of interesting digital effects which ease scene transitions by
mixing or wiping to and from a frozen image. Panasonic have also come up with a
neat way to conserve battery power on the S85. An infra-red sensor on the
viewfinder detects whether or not the machine is being held in the shooting
position (it can be disabled for tripod operation), if it decides the machine
is not being used it shuts down the autofocus systems and viewfinder. Typically
this can extend running time by between five and ten minutes.
EDITING FACILITIES
Although both machines have advanced editing
capabilities they differ widely in scope and method of operation. The SZ1 uses
JVCs RAE or rando m assemble edit system, effectively it comes with its own
8-scene edit controller which also operates the record-pause function of a VCR.
The S85 is more conventional, it is fitted with Panasonics standard 5-pin or
RMC edit terminal, so it can be connected to a range of external editing
controllers; it also has a VITC timecode generator, for enhanced accuracy (with
suitable controllers). Uniquely the S85 can also read timecodes, though it's of
limited use as far as we can see.
The SZ1's RAE system is ingeniously simple.
The handset, which stores the control codes for the destination VCR, connects
to the SZ1 by a single lead. The camcorder's AV output plugs into the VCRs AV
input. Once the handset has been programmed with the appropriate control code
(most makes of VCR are included) the system is ready for use. Edit points are
set using the in/out button on the handset, and shown on the camcorder's
viewfinder display. Press the edit start button and the two machines get on
with the job of transferring the selected segments. The RAE system uses the
camcorders tape counter as a reference, so accuracy is not that wonderful. In
practice if you get to within a second or so (+/- 25 frames) of the edit points
you're doing quite well. Edit accurtacy on the S85 is potentially much higher,
though a lot depends on the type of controller used, and the characteristics of
the VCR. It's certainly possible to consistently get cuts to within +/- 5
frames.
Other important post-production features
common to both machines include audio dub and insert edt, though they have been
included as standard on the S85, in order to use them on the SZ1 it's necessary
to purchase an optional remote control handset, costing a further £52, this
seems extraordinary mean in view of the cost of the machine. Ironically a new
remote handset, which can access these features is now supplied as standard
with their latest VHS-C palmcorder.
THE RIGHT EXPOSURE
Exposure control is an important feature on
these two machines, in addition to full auto modes both machines have manual
iris's; of the two the one on the S85 is a slightly more effective as exposure
values are clearly shown in the viewfinder display, the SZ1 makes do with a
simple bargraph. Operationally the SZ1's iris is a little easier to use, the
control on the S85 is awkwardly placed and the same thumbwheel is also used to
vary the shutter speed. The program AE system on the SZ1 is the more
comprehensive of the two, with no less than eight shooting modes; these include
the obligatory portrait and sports options, settings for front and back-lit
scenes, slow-speed shutter, twilight mode, strobe and classic film effect, the
latter giving the recording the characteristic jerky appearance of old silent
movies. In addition there is a cineam mode, with black bars superimposed at the
toip and bottom of the screen, and a16:9 squeeze mode, which electronically
compresses the picture so that when it is replayed on a widescreen TV it fill s
the whole screen area.
The S85 has only three preset modes, for
sports, portrtait and low-light shots but these are supplemented by the
assortment of digital effects that in addition to wipe and mix include strobe,
digital gain-up and digital zoom, a feature also fitted to the SZ1. The
eletcronic zoom on the S85 extends the optical zoom from 10x to 20x whilst the
one on the SZ1 doubles the 8x and 11x optical zoom to 16x and 22x
respectively.
CONTROLS AND HANDLING
There's not a lot to choose between the two
machines, maybe Panasonic have put just a tad more emphasis on style, as
opposed to ergonomics, making some of the controls awkward to use, but both
machines have easy to use manual focussing systems, and feel comformatble to
use. Once you've got used to it the sideways zoom lever on the S85 feels more
precise and responsive than a rocker; the only real gripe with the SZ1 is the
bank of secondary controls which is situated beneath the viewfinder module, and
the rather fiddly power on/mode selector knob. The image stabilisers work
satisfactorily it's a moot point whether they're needed or not as with all-up
weights of over a kilogramme they effectively damp out most sorts of
involountary hand movement.
PERFORMANCE
There is almost nothing to choose between the
two machines when it comes to resolution, both samples managed to get to within
a whisker of the 400-line banchmark for S-VHS equipment. There was, however, a
small but noticeable difference in nosie levels and colour accuracy, with the
SZ1 couming out on top in both counts. Panasonic have put a lot of work into
digital processing circuitry at the front end of the machine, and it seems to
have paid off, resulting in unusually vivid colours and a clean, sharp picture.
JVC certainly have nothing to be ashamed about, the SZ1 picture alsohas lower
than average noise levels but we did note some slight colour spillage on our
test sample, on saturated reds, which cost it a few points.
Sound quality in both cases was very good,
with the stereo hi-fi soundtrack sproducing a clean, sharp sound, though
neithjer machine produces much of a soundstage when recording through the
built-in microphones.
THE VERDICT
It's clear JVC and Panasonic have targetted
slightly different sectors of the market, though both manufacturers assume that
potential owners want, and are prepared to pay for top picture and sound
quality. We suspect the SZ1 owner is more likely to be enthusiastic family
user, someone who wants to make professional-looking home movies, but doesn't
necessarily want to get involved too deeply in the technical side of things. We
can also see a lot of interest in this machine in schools and commercial
organisations where its most impressive microscope facility can be put to good
use. The S85, on the other hand, is pitched at the enthusiast and maybe
overlaps the semi-pro market with its high-performance editing capabilities.
It's a more businesslike, less gadget-oriented machine, and the lower price is
another major plus point in its favour, though the gap would be narrowed
somwhat if an edit controller is brought into the equation.
SPEC BOX 1
SPECIFICATIONS
JVC GR-SZ1
S-VHS-C/VHS-C £1500
OPTICS
Lens f/1.8, 6.4-52mm (8x zoom)
f/1.8, 6.8 - 71mm (11x zoom)
f/1.8, 4mm (ultra wide)
f/15.0, focusing distance =
92+/-2mm
Zoom 8x, 11x (optical) 22x electronic
Filter diameter 46mm
Pick-up device 0.3in CCD (470 k pixel)
Min. illum. (lux) 1 (slow shutter)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec. time 90 mins (LP mode)
IR remote control yes (see text)
Edit terminal yes (see
test)
MAIN FACILITIES
Auto Focus? yes
Manual focus? yes
Auto exposure? yes
Manual iris? yes
Programmed AE? yes (8-mode)
Auto white balance yes
Manual white balance? yes
Power zoom yes
Manual zoom? no
Backlight compensation no
Insert edit? yes
(see text)
Audio Dub? yes
(see text)
Character generator? no
Digital Superimposer? no
Image stabiliser? yes
Video light? no
Battery refresh? no
Accessory shoe? no
Record review yes
Fader? yes/black
Digital effects yes
Digital zoom? yes
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
time/date/age recording, snapshot recording,
16: squeeze mode, cinema mode, RAE editing, multi-function lens
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder 0.7in colour LCD
Sportsfinder eyepiece? no
Viewfinder info. deck mode and status, low battery, tape count,
fader, focus mode, tape end, time/date/age, head clog, zoom position, edit
screen
AUDIO
Stereo? yes
Audio dub? yes
Wind noise filter? no
Mic socket? yes
Headphone socket? no
Microphone single-point stereo
GENERAL
Sockets video and audio out (phono), ext.
mic., S-Video out (4-pin mini DIN)
Size (mm) 127 x 122 x 214
Weight 1.2kg (inc. tape and battery)
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
Batteries, (nicad and lithium), straps, AC
charger/power supply, cassette adaptor, AV lead, remote control, microscope
attachment, lens holder
video light? no
remote control? yes
cassette adaptor? yes
RF Converter? no
SCART adaptor? no
PERFORMANCE
Resolution >380-lines (S-Video), >240-lines
(composite VHS-C)
Colour fidelity good
Picture stability good
Colour bleed slight (red)
White balance average
Exposure very good
Autofocus average
Audio performance good
Insert edit see text
Playback thru adaptor very good
VC RATINGS
Value for money 6
Ease of use 8
Performance 8
Features 8
SPEC BOX 2
SPECIFICATIONS
Make/model
Panasonic NV-S85
Recording format S-VHS-C/VHS-C
Guide price £1,200
OPTICS
Lens f1.6, 6-60mm
Zoom x10 optical, 20x electronic
Filter diameter 37mm
Pick-up device 0.3in CCD
Min. illum. (lux) 1 (gain up
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec. time 45mins (LP mode)
IR remote control ? no
Edit terminal? yes, 5/11pin RMC
MAIN FACILITIES
Auto Focus? yes
Manual focus? yes
Auto exposure? yes
Manual iris? yes
Programmed AE? yes (3-mode)
Auto white balance yes
Manual white balance? yes
Power zoom yes
Manual zoom? no
Backlight compensation no
Insert edit? no
Audio Dub? yes
Character generator? no
Digital Superimposer? no
Image stabiliser? yes
Video light? no
Battery refresh? no
Accessory shoe? no
Record review yes
Fader? yes/black
Digital effects yes
Digital zoom? yes
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
time/date recording, record review, VITC/data
read and write, digital wipe, mix and gain-up
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder 0.7in monochrome
Sportsfinder eyepiece? no
Viewfinder info. deck mode and status, low battery, tape count,
fader, focus mode, tape end, time/date, dew, AE preset mode, digital effects,
VITC data, shutter speed, stabiliser, iris value, AE compensation, gain
AUDIO
Stereo? yes
Audio dub? yes
Wind noise filter? no
Mic socket? yes
Headphone socket? yes
Microphone single-point stereo
GENERAL
Sockets video and audio out (phono), ext.
mic., headphones (minijack), DC power in, S-Video out (4-pin mini DIN). 5/11pin
'new edit' terminal
Size (mm) 112 x 117 x 216
Weight 1.1kg (inc. tape and battery)
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
Batteries, (nicad and lithium), straps, AC
charger/power supply, cassette adaptor, AV lead
video light? no
remote control? no
cassette adaptor? yes
RF Converter? no
SCART adaptor? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution 380-lines (S-Video), 340-lines (composite)
Colour fidelity very good
Picture stability very good
Colour bleed none
White balance very good
Exposure very good
Autofocus average
Audio performance good
Insert edit N/A
Playback thru adaptor very good
VC RATINGS
Value for money 8
Ease of use 9
Performance 9
Features 9
---end---
R.Maybury 1994 1101
| 
