CMOS doesn't have anything to do with the editing/output side of the camera; it's related to the type of sensor the camera uses to capture the visual information transmitted by the lens, and converting it from analog/visual pictures to digital 1's and 0's.
There isn't a CCD (the alternative to CMOS) version of the HC series camcorders, they're all CMOS. In the future, all camcorders will probably be CMOS, a derivative of CMOS, or a future format.
CMOS has lots of advantages; this is why the RED camera uses CMOS. It also has drawbacks. It can be a noisier system, depending on lots of variants, but the bottom line is that CCD technology has gone about as far as it can go, while CMOS is just getting started (Been around for a long time, but just now coming into the useful realm for professional work).

Vegas 5 will require that you convert the HDV files to another format such as CineForm or other HDI format, as Vegas 5 doesn't edit native .m2t files. Vegas 6/7 will. You'll see a huge performance difference in Vegas 7 over Vegas 6 for native m2t file management, or you can continue to use the HDI files.

Spot, what do you recommend I upgrade to? HDR FX1 or HDR FX7? I know HDR FX1 has the capacity to shoot video on HD and DV. I want to upgrade to one of those I just don't know which one to choose. I have vegas 5 and eventually I want to upgrade to vegas 7 I just want to get the camera first. Low funds.

Thanks Marco

All HDV camcorders can shoot DV and HDV, FWIW.
The FX1 is better in low light, slightly. The FX7 seems to be a very nice cam, haven't got much experience with it directly. We've got four V1's, which isn't oodles different than the FX7, outside of 24p and audio features. Can't say enough good about the V1. Low light is the biggest challenge for the cams, and as mentioned, the FX1 does slightly better in low light, but the FX7 has super DSP and is pretty impressive.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one, frankly.

The FX1 is a nice camera to use with excellent capabilities. It's now an "old" model so good deals should be available for new stock. We see many new HDV cameras being released and I wonder what capability improvements we'll see in the next year or two? That is an argument, perhaps, for buying a used FX1 and waiting a little. On the other hand, the FX7 has 20x zoom (vs 12x) and a more conveniently located iris control and is a little smaller. However I would now buy the more professional versions because the extra facilities of V1 vs FX7 (or Z1 vs FX1) aren't just salad dressings (wasn't obvious when I bought my FX1, and anyway I was taking the cheap option because I wasn't sure video would be a satisfactory alternative to film). Now I know the computing facilities cost more than the cameras anyway!

So if funds are limited and you can find a good used FX1, I think you'll be happy with your camera.

Hey Spot, do you happen to know of a chart somewhere that compares the features of the V1 vs. FX7? Something like this Z1 vs. FX1 chart at hdvinfo.net. (http://www.hdvinfo.net/articles/sonyhdrfx1/compare.php)

I've searched all over the net and can't anything that specifically lists the differences between the two cams.

Except for the reduced low light capabilities of the V1 vs. the legendary PD170, I really like my V1.

Adam Wilt just reviewed the V1 and gave it 4.5 stars out of 5.
http://www.dv.com/reviews/reviews_item.php?articleId=196602843

John

You mean like This one? :-)

Now how the heck did I miss that? The VASST site was the first place I looked!

Truth be told, it's not public on the VASST site. We were asked to keep that off the web until the V1 released, and then we sorta forgot to publish it until you just mentioned it. Google will turn it up, if you're willing to sift through a bunch of pages, but that's no fun.

Do both versions have live exposure histogram and simultaneous display of peaking/zebra?

FX7 doesn't have histo, but has live peaking/zebra. V1 offers all three.
Peaking can become irritating but it's incredibly useful, so I've assigned it to a button. Handy feature.

So Spot, I will be purchasing the HDR FX1 on BH this week. So if I shoot DV for now on that camera I will be able to edit on Vegas 5 for now till I upgrade to Vegas 7 is that correct?

Thanks Again Marco

Correct.

The FX1 has a "downconvert" function which will convert HDV "on the fly" from tape to 16x9 widescreen standard-def DV and output this via Firewire. You can go ahead and start shooting HDV and output widescreen SD DV into Vegas v5. You'll have your original HDV footage on tape if you want to edit it later in HD in Vegas v7.

John

Yes, I believe it makes a lot of sense to shoot only HDV, then downconvert into DV if that's what you need. HDV is just so much sharper you won't believe it. Only downside is tape dropouts; any glitch will kill image + audio for 1/2 second! If it's important stuff, use an HDV-certified miniDV tape (~$10-15).

I have an FX1 and just bought a little HC3 a few months ago. I'm sold on HDV.

Marco, for a project we're working on now, all of the stunt segments of the tapes were captured as HDV to tape, and DV to DV rack or DR60. The vid you can see on
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=657 was done from the DV captures saving a ton of time and CPU horsepower in the field (battery powered system).
If you're happy with DV, you'll be ecstatic with HDV downconverted to DV. And when you're ready, you can step up to Vegas 7 and perhaps a faster computer and be using HDV as your timeline source, which is even better still.

[edit to add; dropout doesn't necessarily mean 15 frames, either. With the same sports project mentioned above, I had a few dropouts on one of the small hand cams due to heli pressure hitting it and probably gankin' the tape mechanism. Flash dropouts in a couple places was all I had.
p.s. what happened to posting html links??

Quite correct that a HDV drop-out involves 15 frames, but I haven't had one to date. I do use the HDV tapes, but others have reported that DV tapes are fine. I think too much is made of the drop-out issue.

Thanks everyone for your help. Now The Wedding I will be shooting soon will be on FX1. I will shoot in HDV then convert to DV on Vegas5. The process seems easy.

1. shoot in HDV
2. dowload through firewire to PC
3. Edit on Vegas5
4. Render in DV to Mpeg2
5. Finish on DVDA

Is That correct?

Thanks again Marco (MAC)

Other than your step four potentially being confusing; you'll render your timeline that is made up of mostly DV, to the MPEG 2 Widescreen template, you'll be great to go.

Hey Spot,

Great article!! and video clip. You get all the great jobs!
Before seeing this article, I had watched a HD show about Brice and Zion Canyons in Utah and thought it would be a great place for you to shoot, (right in your own backyard).