Sony is again raising eyebrows with the introduction of its latest Mini DV Handycam camcorder. For people who love to record and enjoy high-quality video, Sony has loaded the DCR-PC1000 ($1300) with powerful features and the Handycam Station, a tabletop cradle that charges the camcorder and connects it conveniently to a TV or PC.

The DCR-PC1000 is also Sony's first consumer camcorder to feature 3-chip CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor technology with an enhanced imaging processor. CMOS sensors deliver wide dynamic range for high picture quality with better lighting details on video and still images. They also require less power, providing more efficient operation.

Pitched at enthusiasts, the DCR-PC1000's cinematic mode lends a 24 frame, film-like effect to recordings while the new imaging technology adds clarity and detail, claims Sony. The model also has a 2.7-inch wide hybrid SwivelScreen touchpanel LCD screen, which lets you switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.

The Sony DCR-PC1000 also sports 'something old'. The unit has returned to a rear-loading tape. As such, the battery now fits inside the camcorder. The upside is that the camcorder is better balanced. The downside? If you have previous Sony camcorder batteries, they are no longer compatible so you cannot use them.

Key technical features of the unit include up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution, 10x optical zoom (120x digital zoom), Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens, progressive shutter system, analogue-to-digital conversion with pass-through (convert and/or record any analogue NTSC video source to digital video via the analogue inputs), and SteadyShot Picture Stabilisation System (uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera 'shake' without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilisation systems).

Similar to a mobile phone or PDA cradle, the accompanying Handycam Station charges the camcorder and connects it to a TV or PC, while keeping the camcorder easily accessible and ready to record. The Handycam Station offers all the necessary inputs, including S-Video and an audio/video terminal for connecting the unit to a TV, as well as a USB port and an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) digital interface for connection to a compatible PC.

BIOS, Nov 25, 05 | Print | Send | Comments (0) | Posted In Camcorder