This produces a clearer and smoother digital HD picture with 1440 x 1080 dots (compared with conventional DV’s 720 x 480 dots) when viewed on a HD-ready TV set.

 

: Sony’s first High Definition Video (HDV) camcorder, the HDR-FX1, is due to go on sale inAustralia in November with a price tag that is expected to be below $7000.

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The FX1 Handycam camcorder records and plays back HDV with 1080i resolution, the highest and the most widely used high definition specification for HDTV broadcast. This produces a clearer and smoother digital HD picture with 1440 x 1080 dots (compared with conventional DV’s 720 x 480 dots) when viewed on a HD-ready TV set. Sony’s advanced HD Codec Engine image processor efficiently compresses the huge stream of digital data while maintaining optimal HD quality. Sony has developed a special one-megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor with a 3 CCD Camera System that separately processes red, blue and green and light from the camera’s lens. This combines with the high-capacity 14-bit A/D converter to produce sharper, richer and more true-to-life images. New semiconductor technology enables 16:9 ratio playback of videos and a 1.12 megapixel stills.
The HDR-FX1 features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom lens with an equivalent focal length of 32.5-390mm in 35mm format plus Super Steady Shot optical image stabiliser and a non-perpetual zoom ring. Its 3.5-inch wide hybrid LCD monitor is bright enough for outdoor use and ideal for checking wide angle shots in digital HD. The EVF is larger than normal and has a large eyecup to prevent stray light from compromising the user’s view.
All the expected video functions are included, such as a high-quality microphone with direct sound adjustment and wind noise minimisation, a full range of connectivity options, including Component and S-Video input/output and iLINK connectors. Recording and playback are available for both the HV1080i and original DVSP/DVLP formats, with the HDV/DV switch selecting between them. Users can also convert HDV clips into SDV clips for viewing on a standard TV. Various settings can be pre-determined through the use of Picture Profile and users can also adjust skin tone detail and Auto White Balance sensitivity manually. Six memory slots are provided so setting values can be stored and copied. The HDR-FX1 also supports Cinematone Gamma and Cinematone Gamma for reproducing movie-like video quality.
The FX1 camcorder will be available in November for about $7000. For further information on Sony’s Handycam range, contact Sony Australia on 1300 720 071 or visit www.sonystyle.com.au