Sony's new under $2000 Hi-Def HDV cam

[BJ_M]

May 16, 2005 —Sony today announced the world's smallest and lightest high definition consumer camcorder with full HD resolution based on HDV 1080i.

The ultra-compact HDR-HC1 Handycam® camcorder fits comfortably in your hand, while delivering high-definition picture quality and lighting detail on both video and digital still images.

This camcorder's introduction is in response to the growing demand for HDTV. With more broadcasters transmitting high-definition content, the demand for HD has been steadily increasing. In fact, the Consumer Electronics Association estimates that nearly 15 million HDTV sets will be in US households by the end of 2005.

"As HDTV becomes more pervasive in American households, it is a natural progression to want to create personal content in high definition," said Linda Vuolo, director for camcorder products at Sony Electronics. "This introduction is a key step in bringing high-definition video recording to a broad cross-section of consumers. For about $2,000, there is now an easy-to-use solution."

Powerful and Compact

High definition recording requires fast image processing speeds to ensure a clear, detailed picture, with virtually no loss of picture data. The new HDR-HC1 model features Sony's CMOS imaging sensor technology, designed to deliver faster image processing speeds for richer colors, more vivid detail, and significantly less glare from reflected light.

Weighing only about 1-1/2 pounds, the model packs in a Carl Zeiss ® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens, which further enhances image clarity and richness, even when shooting in low light.

The combination of the unit's CMOS imaging sensor and Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor technology enables it to capture moving and still images with smoother movements and clearer pictures.

These combined technologies also play a key role in this little wonder's compact body design. Because the CMOS sensor consumes less power, the camcorder can be powered with a smaller battery like the model's supplied InfoLithium® M battery, which delivers about 90 minutes of continuous recording (depending on recording mode). Sony also designed a circuitry board layout that conforms to the size of the lens and body.

"We've creatively merged technology and design to achieve the ultimate in miniaturization for this product," Vuolo noted. "The result is not just an elegant-looking product, but also a full-featured HD camcorder that is easy to handle and enjoy."

High Definition Has Never Been Easier

For quick framing and easy image sharing, the camcorder has a 2.7-inch wide hybrid, touch-panel LCD screen to access menu options. You can switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios (in DV mode) to see exactly how your content will be viewed on television. Other convenient features include fully automatic controls, a built-in microphone for audio quality, an intelligent pop-up flash, and Super SteadyShot® image stabilization.

The camcorder also captures 2.8-megapixel digital still images, which can be stored directly on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media for transfer to PCs and other devices. It is one of few camcorders, in fact, the only HD one, that allows you to record high-definition video and take a 1-megapixel digital still image at the same time.

A Camcorder Bragging Rights

The HDR-HC1 offers a full complement of manual controls, including a 10X optical and 120X digital zoom, zoom ring, zebra pattern, and spot focus. White balance, shutter speed and focus can all be adjusted manually.

The Cinematic mode allows you to record video with a film-like appearance, while the Shot Transition™ feature allows you to go even further in creating interesting cinematic effects.

You can also record your own high definition video in total darkness with Sony's Super NightShot® Plus Infrared System, which adds the greatest amount of range and detail to your images in low- to no-light conditions.

Additional features include:

*

InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower™ System - Lithium-Ion batteries minimize the life shortening "memory effect" and can be charged at any time. Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter conveniently indicates the remaining minutes of battery life on the LCD or viewfinder display, so you can keep an accurate and constant reading of remaining battery power.

*

i.LINK® Digital Video Interface - The i.LINK (IEEE 1394) DV interface enables high speed, bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two devices equipped with a compatible i.LINK DV interface, including camcorders, professional digital video recorders, and PCs.

*

PictBridge™ Compatibility - Printing one or many images is easy with the HDR-HC1 Handycam camcorder, which is PictBridge compatible. Connect the camcorder to a PictBridge-enabled printer, such as Sony's new PictureStation™ DPP-FP50, and printing is as simple as pressing the print button.

The HDR-HC1 Handycam camcorder will be available in July. Optional accessories will include a full line of accessories, including custom cases, lights, lenses, microphones, Stamina® batteries, chargers and cables.

[BJ_M]

[Ironballs]

Roll on HQ Midget clown porn

[Sillyname]

Looks like the DCR-HC1000.

I wonder if all the manual controls are in the touch screen, also.

It's not a 3-chipper. It's low light capabilities are gonna blow. You'll have to live in an ivory palace to get a good shot.

[handyguy]

What's it record on? Besides, how you gonna show it on a hdtv if we don't have any hdtv players? You could put it on a dvd but do we have hd dvds?

[Cornucopia]

It records on standard miniDV tape, as do all HDV format cameras.

You can watch it on Standard Def TV's now, and on HiDef TV's once you've bought one. (It also works fine as a std DV cam)

You play it through the camera, or if you have a HTPC, from hard drive to monitor (WMP, etc plays HD MPEG file). Once HDDVD/BD controversy is sorted out, you'll be able to put it on hidef DVD.

Not all the pieces of the puzzle are in place (economically), but it's still workable.

What I really like about this is the pressure on cam makers to bring down the prices!

Scott

[Soopafresh]

Nice. Standard definition video will soon be as quaint as Visicalc

[raffie]

Am I correct in understanding it records HD on a standard miniDV tape, but in MPEG instead of DV?
Because that would suck if you want to edit anything.

[EvilWizardGlick]

Cool. Better pirated cam new releases. 8)

[Cornucopia]

Am I correct in understanding it records HD on a standard miniDV tape, but in MPEG instead of DV?
Because that would suck if you want to edit anything.

Edit programs will have to adapt to be able to include editing LongGOP Mpeg2 (most already have plugins, won't be long before they're native).
I assume it's Closed-GOP.

Yes, you'll have recompression artifact generation. But, remember you image is HD to start with, as well as being 25 Mbps bitrate, which should alleviate some of your fears. It's a trade-off for consumers. Otherwise, you'd be stuck with HD bitrates of ~100 Mbps and max tape lengths of ~12 minutes. Of course, you can always move up to HDCAM! $$$$

What I DON'T like is the mp2 audio (2ch, 48kHz, ~384kbps). If they were gonna squeeze the audio to fit more video, couldn't they have at least given us 5.1?

Scott

[BJ_M]

Am I correct in understanding it records HD on a standard miniDV tape, but in MPEG instead of DV?
Because that would suck if you want to edit anything.

all top NLE apps edit HDV just fine , vegas works really well with this as one example ..


Vegas uses a proxy (cineform) in which you can transfer the tape as HDV (mpeg) or as lossless compressed avi (cineform) to edit on (or transfer both)

I can point you to samples to download if you want to see the quality - looks great in most cases ....

[canadateck]

I can point you to samples to download if you want to see the quality - looks great in most cases ....

I wouldnt mind seeing some.If you dont mind,

[BJ_M]

http://www.absolutedigi.com/hdrpictures.htm

http://www.stevengotz.com/hdv.htm

http://www.vasst.com/HDV/hdvportal.htm
look under "Image comparisions"

[cbkilner]

Looks like the DCR-HC1000.

I wonder if all the manual controls are in the touch screen, also.

It's not a 3-chipper. It's low light capabilities are gonna blow. You'll have to live in an ivory palace to get a good shot.

About the only thing it shares with the HC1000 is the black finish and the focus button. The HC1000 is top loading with a split lens/tape section design. It has a 4:3 aspect 2.5" LCD and uses touchcreen control for most funtions. It uses internal batteries and has optical SteadyShot.

The HC1 is a smaller, one-piece, bottom-loader. It has a 16:9 aspect 2.7" LCD. The focus ring can be used to control zoom and it has real buttons for exposure control, but also has the touch screen spot-focus and spot-exposure. It uses the more common M-series batteries and has electronic Steadyshot.

The single CMOS sensor allegedly achieves latitude similar to 3CCD systems by processing texture and luminance separately. Sony's 1-chip HC90 has a CCD of the same size (1/3") and pixel density (3M) and produces good color and low-light results (close to the 1/6"-1/4.5" 3-chippers).

The low-light might be the weak spot though because the HC1 is rated by Sony at 7-lux like the crappy HC42 (not 5 lux like the HC90 and HC1000). However, Sony's image-processing algorithms for CMOS noise reduction might save it's low-light ability.

[raffie]

http://www.absolutedigi.com/hdrpictures.htm

http://www.stevengotz.com/hdv.htm

http://www.vasst.com/HDV/hdvportal.htm
look under "Image comparisions"

Thanks for those links. Can't argue that the image quality is amazing. But having edited mpegs in the past I know what a bitch it can be to get precise cuts (not shure but i guess closed GOP mpegs may resolve this issue).

Funny to see that my 2.4 Ghz processor and 768MB of RAM don't cut it to play 1280 x 720P video. I guess HDV will be something for my next PC...

[edDV]

...

But having edited mpegs in the past I know what a bitch it can be to get precise cuts (not shure but i guess closed GOP mpegs may resolve this issue).

Funny to see that my 2.4 Ghz processor and 768MB of RAM don't cut it to play 1280 x 720P video. I guess HDV will be something for my next PC...

HDV is a different animal and supports frame accurate editing.

http://www.expandore.com/product/Sony/Proav/model/HDV/QNA.htm
http://www.vasst.com/HDV/hdv-FAQ.htm
http://www.videostudio.co.uk/HDV_FAQ.htm

Panasonic is giving Sony and the HDV community fits introducing a full DVCPRO HD camcoder (AG-HVX200) for below $6K. But it records to expensive P2 RAM cards, not DV tape (except in 480i DV format)

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-Announces-AG-HVX200-HD-Flash-Media-Camcorder-with.htm