Adding to its line-up of HDV products, which now includes three separate models, Sony has introduced a new HDV format camcorder with 24p capture capability. The HVR-V1U camcorder includes a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 20x optical zoom and F2.8 at the telephoto end. Acquiring images in HDV at 24p offers video shooters a “film-look” effect at low cost.
The new camcorder acquires images with three 1/4in ClearVid CMOS Sensor chips in tandem with Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor (EIP) technology, to provide greater sensitivity, higher resolution, lower noise and a wider dynamic range, according to the company.
The HVR-V1U also enables hybrid, or simultaneous, recording to both an optional hard disk recording unit (model HVR-DR60) and MiniDV videotape cassette. Sony’s 6mm HDV DigitalMaster videotape cassettes provide 63 minutes of record time.
The HVR-V1U’s CMOS sensors natively capture progressive images at 24p, 30p or 60p, while outputting images at 1080i HDV or 480 SD resolutions. It also features anti-shock technology to protect against dropping the camera or exposure to extreme vibration. Footage shot using the progressive scan feature can be played back on any of Sony’s HDV professional camcorders and VTRs, and edited with compatible non-linear editing systems.
The camcorder’s EIP technology enables the high-speed processing required for capturing high-quality HD video and still images at high levels of gradation.
The new hard-disk recording unit is a 1.8in drive with a 60GB capacity and offers up to 4.5 hours of recording time in either the HDV or DVCAM/DV mode. It also has a cache recording function, allowing up to 14 seconds of video and audio signals to be continuously buffered in the memory while the camera is in stand-by mode. When the operator begins recording, the content is captured and recording continues in real time.
Representing one of its most successful formats ever, Sony said that it had shipped 91,000 units of professional HDV products worldwide since introducing it in January 2005.
The HVR-V1U camcorder and HVR-DR60 hard-disk recording unit are expected to be available in December.
For more information, visit www.sony.com.
