Sony is expanding its HDV product line for professionals with the HVR-V1U HDV compact camcorder which has true progressive capture capability at 24P, and employs three built-in Sony ClearVid CMOS sensors to provide greater sensitivity, higher resolution, less noise and a wider dynamic range.
This professional camcorder allows simultaneous or
"hybrid" recording on an additional hard drive (model HVR-DR60), not included in the basic package, and to the camcorder's own videotape.Unlike interlaced scan image interpolated "progressive image" camera systems, the HVR-V1U captures progressive images at 24P, 30P or 60P natively with three ClearVid CMOS sensors, while retaining full resolution of 1080 HDV. Shots using the progressive scan feature can be played back on any Sony professional CAMCORDER OR VTR HDV, and can be easily edited using non-linear editing systems.
The new ClearVid CMOS sensors combined with Sony's Enhanced Image Processing (EIP) technology deliver increased sensitivity and resolution. EIP technology achieves greater dynamic range by using a unique algorithm that separates image data into texture patterns and brightness components. The technology allows the camera sensor to produce natural, rich tones for images in bright and dark areas. EIP technology also enables the high-speed processing required for capturing high-definition video and motionless images at extremely high levels of gradation and image reproduction.
The combination of ClearVid CMOS sensors and EIP technologies also has the effect of a feature called
"smooth slow rec. (recording) " Thanks to the signal processing speed of the VCR, video images can be captured at very high speeds, up to 240 frames per second, allowing the recording of very fast movements with precise details without creating artifacts or signal degradation.The new hard drive is a 1.8-inch drive with a capacity of 60 GB and offers up to 4.5 hours of recording time in HDV or DVCAM/DV mode. The unit offers a
"shock absorber" Built-in that automatically protects the unit from forces up to 3 Gs. When the sensor detects that the unit was dropped, it immediately turns off and retracts the head in order to prevent media damage.The new hard disk recording unit also has cached recording, or buffer memory, which allows up to 14 seconds of video and audio signals to be stored temporarily and continuously in memory while the camera is in stand-by mode. When the operator presses the record button this content is captured and the recording continues in real time.
The camera comes with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with F2.8 20x optical zoom on the telephoto end for increased light sensitivity. A digital extender also allows you to extend the focal length of the telephoto approximately 1.5 times for a maximum conversion of 1100mm to 35mm.
Additionally, the HVR-V1U includes a timecode function with TC link to synchronize timecodes, two XLR microphone inputs for independent sound recording, the ability to adjust the settings of multiple cameras for simultaneous operations using MemoryStick Duo media and a 3.5-inch Clear Photo LCD plus viewfinder.
