Sony's Latest Three-CCD MiniDV Camcorder Announced
July 13, 2004
San Diego, CA - Sony has unveiled a new three-CCD camcorder featuring its three-chip, one-megapixel progressive scan CCD technology and state-of-the-art optics. Each Advanced HAD CCD imager is dedicated to a primary color, the company reports, separating light passing through the lens into individual color components for noticeably sharper images and colors.
At less than two pounds, the super-compact DCR-HC1000 MiniDV Handycam camcorder incorporaates high-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T optics for improved sharpness, resolution and contrast.
The camcorder's new grip swivels forward a full 90 degrees. It allows your hand to be placed near the buttons, so you can gracefully control the camcorder with one hand from even the most awkward positions and angles. In addition, a stop/start record button on the LCD frame offers greater recording flexibility in challenging shooting situations.
The camera has optional manual controls, including a 12X optical and 150X digital zoom, zoom ring, zebra pattern, spotlight compensation and spot focus. And with the LCD's touch-panel menu system with bit-map technology, tough to adjust manual operations such as color level and shutter speed can be modified with precision.
The new camcorder also offers audio recording flexibility with PCM Digital Stereo Audio in 12 and 16-bit audio modes. The 16-bit mode offers high quality stereo sound, while the 12-bit Audio Dub mode records digital video in two stereo tracks for the simple addition of background music or voice-over to the video.
Additionally, the DCR-HC1000 features Sony's super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system to keep the image steady. The advanced optical stabilization system controls higher ranges of shakes and vibration frequencies, resulting in a greater level of smoothness.
The camcorder offers the dual functionality of capturing digital still images of up to 1152 X 864 resolution. JPEG images are stored directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards for transfer to PCs and other devices.
Other features include:
-2.5" Precision SwivelScreen Hybrid LCD Display - The LCD provides excellent viewing clarity with 211,000 pixels. The hybrid system allows for increased visibility in challenging lighting situations such as bright sunlight.
-InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower System - Charge the battery at any time as the rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect." Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter conveniently indicates the remaining minutes of battery life on the LCD or viewfinder display, allowing users to keep an accurate and constant reading of remaining battery power.
-i.LINK Digital Video Interface - The i.LINK (IEEE 1394) DV interface is a high speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two devices equipped with a compatible i.LINK DV interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs and PCs.
The new DCR-HC1000 model is expected to be available in August at approximately $1,700.
For more information, visit
www.sony.com
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