Sony HDR-SR1 AVCHD 4MP 30GB High-Definition Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
It's the industry's first AVCHD camcorder that records high-definition to a hard disk drive. Record in high-definition and standard definition. 2.1 ClearVid CMOS Sensor requires less power than traditional CCD imagers, supplying longer battery performance.
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Sony HDR-SR1 Highlights
2.1-megapixel (gross) ClearVid CMOS sensor 1/3-inch ClearVID CMOS Sensor with 1990K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 1080 lines of horizontal resolution for HD; 530 lines of horizontal resolution for SD) and still image performance. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still (3980K) photography performance.
10x optical/80x digital zoomThe optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating for increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.
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3.5-inch wide (16:9) touch-panel Hybrid Clear Photo LCD Plus Display (211K pixels) The 3.5-inch wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high resolution 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.
Smooth slow recording By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight.
Enjoy 5.1-channel surround sound through the built-in microphone Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording The HDR-SR1 will record in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound with a built-in microphone. By recording in 5.1-channel surround sound, you can now experience your home movies with active sounds coming from all directions. Enjoy your personal home movies the way you experienced them while recording.
Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo media Capture still images up to 2304x1728 (4:3) resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.
Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system An advanced version of Sony's SteadyShot system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.
On-screen zoom and record buttons For additional control of the camcorder, the HDR-SR1 features Zoom and Record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.
Transfer images quickly and easily through the USB 2.0 interface USB 2.0 interface The USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your hard disk drive Handycam camcorder to the computer for fast transfer of video and still images to your computer for editing. The camcorder can also be used as an external storage and/or playback device.
One-touch wide-angle shooting Easily switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button.
Progressive shutter system A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.
Active interface shoe Provides a location directly on the camcorder to which one may add optional accessories while providing power and twoway communication with those accessories.
Super NightShot Infrared SystemWith Sony's NightShot Infrared System you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 20 feet away using the built-in infrared system.
Dual record While recording video in high-definition (HD), you have the ability to capture a 2.3-megapixel (16:9) still image directly to Memory Stick Duo Media. While recording in standard definition you have the ability to capture a 1.7-megapixel (4:3) still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media.
Easy PC backup Easily back up your footage (HD or SD) to your PC using the supplied software. The footage will be stored on your PCs hard drive for archiving purposes and viewing at a later time; the footage is stored by date for easy playback. In addition, only new footage is tranferred to your PC each time you backup your footage.
Additional Features- One-touch DVD burn
- Manual focus
- Program AE (Auto Exposure) modes
- Picture effects
- Fader effects
- InfoLithium battery with AccuPower
- Meter system
- Battery information
- Easy Handycam button
- Multi-language menu
- Tele Macro function
Power adapter/in-camera charger (AC-L15), InfoLithium rechargeable battery (NP-FM50) Remote Commander remote control (RMT-835), component video cable, A/V cable (stereo), application CD-ROM with driver, USB cable
Note: Additional software may be required for use with Apple computers.
Boasting a generous 3.5" Wide 16:9 Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD screen and multiple connectivity options, you'll have complete control from capture to cut. For the first time ever, you can record high-definition video directly to a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) with the HDR-SR1 Handycam(R) camcorder.
In addition, the dual HD/SD format allows you to record in standard definition as well. You will also be able to freeze time in flawless detail with a 4.0 Megapixel still capture feature to the HDD or Memory Stick(R) Duo Media.
Easy transfer of all images to PC Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick(R) Duo Media for still images up to 2304x1728 (4 - 3) resolution Super SteadyShot(R) Image Stabilization System / Super NightShot(R) mode On Screen Zoom and Record using LCD touchpanel Progressive Shutter System Active Interface Shoe provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication USB 2.0 Interface provides an easy way to connect your Hard Disk Handycam(R) camcorder to the computer for fast trasfer of video and still images to your computer for archiving and/or editing
Video Format(s) Supported - AVCHD (HD), MPEG2-PS (SD) and JPEG Unit Measurements - 3 1/14 x 3 4/13 x 6 1/2 (78 x 84 x 165mm) / Unit Weighs 1 lb 9 ounces Supplied Accessories - Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC-L15); InfoLithium(R) Rechargeable Battery (NP-FM50); Remote Commander(R) Remote Control (RMT-835); Component Video Cable; A/V Cable (Stereo); Application CD-ROM w/ Driver; USB Cable
Excellent Camcorder, Can be used with a Mac - Reviewer: Libertyd by having to swap tapes.This camcorder uses a new file format (AVCHD) which is based on current popular standards. AVCHD is simply a streaming version of H.264 video with Dolby 5.1 surround sound audio.
When producing an HDD camcorder, Sony had to decide between using the current standard and making a new one. Since the current standard is MPEG-2 video and stereo audio (eg: HDV) at a constant bitrate of 25mbps, the AVCHD format provides a number of features: 1) Better audio, with 5.1 channels recorded by the camcorder. 2)
Better video as AVC is H.264-- a modern codec that privides much higher quality data for a given bitrate than the ancient MPEG-2 video that HDV is based on. 3) Much more flexibility-- to be HDV compatible would have meant recording constantly at 25mbps, and this is too fast for the CDR version (the HDR-UX1) and is unnecessary. 15Mbps H.264 should provide better quality video than MPEG-2 at 25Mbps!
The downside of moving into the future in this way is that current editing software does not yet support the new format. Thus, either you use Sony's supplied software on windows, or you wait until your software company produces an update that supports the format.
AVCHD is the next generation in consumer video and I expect it will be widely supported. I am betting good money (eg: I bought an SR1) that Apple will release updates to Final Cut and iMovie this January that support AVCHD.
However, if you are happy shooting in SD for now, you can get a workflow that works on the mac. The SR1 shoots SD in MPEG-2 format, and while iMovie doesn't yet support Dolby 5.1 sound, it can be easily converted.
All that's necessary to work with an edit SR1 video (in SD mode only) on a Mac right now is the Apple $20 MPEG-2 decoder add on to quicktime (from the Apple site, but included with Final Cut and DVD Studio Pro) and a conversion application to make use of it. I found StreamClip to be a great (Free) solution from Squared 5... their website is at www squared5 dot com.
Additionally the picture taking mode saves data to the hard drive, so this camera really is the one solution for all my imaging needs. 30G will store a lot of pictures!
If you want to work with HD right now, you need to go with the Sony Windows software, or go buy an HDV camcorder. But if you're willing to use it in SD mode now, you can get a workflow going on the Mac with the SR1. And I really expect full HD support for this camcorder will be in the next revision of the software.
Don't bash a product because it uses a new spec that the software doesn't yet support! The products have only been on the market a week or two. Apple and Adobe and everyone else will surely support these cameras.
And when they do, these will be the solution that can't be beat!
I bought an M71 battery and spent 4 hours driving around shooting video-- at the end of it, only had 5GB of video and still had batterylife left... this camera is nice to the batteries, and the hard drive is so big that in SD mode, you can get 27 hours of footage at the highest bitrate! Its nice to not be limited by having to swap tapes.
Great Camera all around, fully featured and image quality is great, though if you do a lot of night shooting you probably want a three-chip camera.
