Subject: [TRV900] Canon ZR-1000
From: Carroll Lam (cassie at dakotacom net)
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 14:07:40 -0700

I just took delivery of the new Canon ZR-1000 lanc controllers.  I ran a 
few tests with my PD-100a and here are the results.

First the controller is larger than the former ZR-100 controller.  This one 
is about 4.5 inches long by 2 inches wide by about 1.5 inches high.  Not 
unwieldy large but really to large to mount on the upper spar of my 
Steadicam JR as I could with my ZR-100.  It has a metal bracket on the 
bottom for mounting on a tripod arm rather than the double-sided "hook & 
loop" strap of the ZR-100.  The lanc cable is about 12 inches long.

It has the following controls:  a large cross-wise rocker switch for zoom 
control; a Zoom Speed control knob; a large red "start/stop" button; a pair 
("F" and "N") of focus buttons; a pair ("+" and "-") of Rec Search buttons; 
an On Screen button; and a Standby button.

The Zoom Speed knob has six positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and V.  With it set 
to "V" zoom speed is proportional to rocker switch depression.  Unlike the 
PD-100a zoom switch, it is fairly easy to zoom at minimum speed with the 
ZR's rocker switch.  The other positions set fixed zoom speeds.  The 
approximate max/min zoom times for each setting are:

	1	27 secs
	2	20 secs
	3	12 secs
	4	  8 secs
	5	  6 secs

Minimum zoom time with the rocker switch held completely down is the same 
as the PD-100a control: about 2-3 secs.  Max time with the is about the 
same as position 1: about 27 secs.

The Start button puts the camcorder into/out of record mode when the 
camcorder is in Standby mode.

If the camcorder is set to Manual focus the focus buttons will adjust the 
focus.

The Rec Search buttons, if held down, will move the forward or back  while 
the camcorder is in the Standby mode.

The On Screen button will toggle the "Display" items on and off the display.

Finally, the Standby button, if held down for 2 secs will power the 
camcorder down when it is in the Standby mode.  Pressing the Standby button 
again (or the Photo button on the camcorder) will "wake" the camcorder up.

I bought my ZR-1000 directly from Canon for ~$279, but www.videosmith.com 
has them for $225.

Carroll Lam