Sony Unveils World's First HDV 1080i Consumer Camcorder

[Gregg Lengling]

New Handycam Model Brings High-Definition Quality to Personal Content

    SAN DIEGO, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony, the worldwide camcorder market
leader, today took another leap forward with the introduction of the world's
first HDV 1080i camcorder.  The HDR-FX1 Handycam(R) camcorder records and
plays back high definition video with 1080 interlaced lines of
resolution -- the highest resolution (1440 pixels x 1080 lines) of any
consumer camcorder available.
    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040907/LATU053)
    "With U.S. sales of HDTV sets exploding, along with the availability of
high-definition programming, the expectation of having personal content in HD
is growing rapidly," said Linda Vuolo, director for camcorder products for
Sony Electronics.  "The introduction of the HDV-FX1 has been timed and
targeted to meet this desire."
    The camcorder's best-in-class video resolution is enhanced by Sony's new
three-chip, one-megapixel Super HAD(TM) CCDs.  The new 1080i HD CCDs have
several improvements, including an on-chip micro-lens on top of the CCD sensor
that increases the light focusing rate for focusing on the fly.  There is also
a newly developed 16:9 aspect mode for recording in widescreen.  By giving
each lens its own megapixel imager, the camcorder captures the intense detail
and color that expert videographers and HD lovers appreciate.  Each of the
camcorder's three 1/3-inch, 16:9 CCDs utilize Carl Zeiss(R) Vario-Sonnar(R)
T* optics, minimizing warping while maximizing sharpness and contrast.
    All of this imaging power -- together with the 14-bit A/D converter that
processes four times more digital information than converters used in
traditional television cameras -- produces sharper, richer and more
true-to-life images.

    HD Quality in a Small Package
    Sony developed an advanced HD codec engine for the new camcorder, which
efficiently compresses massive digital data while maintaining optimal HD
quality.  Engineered to reduce energy consumption, this powerful digital
signal processor fits perfectly inside the camcorder's streamlined body.
The HDR-FX1 camcorder employs the same MPEG2 compression scheme that is used
for digital broadcasts and for DVD discs, so it can record on easy-to-find DV
tapes.

    Control of Sound and Vision
    To meet the demands of the experienced user, the camcorder has a shooting
range from 32.5mm to 390mm, a 12x optical zoom and a multitude of zoom control
mechanisms, including a non-perpetual zoom ring that allows for
professional-like control.  Users also have the option to switch between the
zoom ring, the two zoom levers as well as a variable zoom control on the
handle for greater shooting flexibility.
    To capture even the smallest detail with clarity, the new HDR-FX1 model
offers increased focusing control with expanded focus and peaking functions.
In the expanded focus mode, the camera's LCD image is magnified up to four
times its original size without any loss of resolution.  The peaking function
emphasizes the outline of objects creating clear contrast and clarity in a
scene.
    The 3.5" SwivelScreen(TM) hybrid LCD offers 250,000 pixels -- the highest
resolution of any consumer camcorder LCD -- for accurate viewing under bright
lighting conditions.  The LCD is conveniently located towards the front of the
unit and is on the same eyelevel as the color viewfinder with the same pixel
resolution.
    The camcorder also features a wide-range stereo microphone for superior
audio quality.  Because of its unique body design and well-placed microphone,
wind noise is minimized so videographers can capture the sound they want, not
the noise they don't.  Additionally, sound adjustments that typically are made
via a menu are now adjustable through an external audio level switch.

    Custom Features for a Film-Like Feel and Smooth Transitions
    With the HDR-FX1 Handycam camcorder, the budding hobbyist as well as the
seasoned videographer can make their video look like a professionally-shot
film.  The Cinematone Gamma(TM) and Cineframe(TM) functions enable high
quality picture processing to create video with the warmth, softness and
richness similar to a big screen movie.
    Smooth, seamless, shot transitions are achieved using the Shot
Transition(TM) function.  With settings to control focus, zoom, iris, gain,
shutter and white balance, focus can gradually be shifted from the front of
the screen to a deeper subject, or vice versa, enabling an effortless
transition in depth of field.
    For creativity and control, the HDR-FX1 camcorder allows users to define
their own default settings through the Picture Profile(TM) function.  This
function offers six different profiles that can be customized and taken
advantage of, depending on the scene.  Scenes may include a setting for
filming sunsets, another for filming people, and another for recording in
black and white.  And for ultimate control, the iris, gain, white balance,
shutter speed and focus can also be adjusted manually.

    Additional features include:

     *  InfoLithium(R) Battery with AccuPower(TM) System - The battery can be
        charged at any time as the rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries minimize
        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(R) 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 HDR-FX1 camcorder will be available in November for about $3,700.

    Media Optimized for HDV Recordings
    To complement the high-definition recording capabilities of the new
HDR-FX1 camcorder, Sony is also introducing new HD DVC videotape, optimized to
meet the demanding requirements of 1080i high-definition recording and
playback.
    Sony HD DVC media utilizes a new, second-generation Advanced Metal
Evaporated (AME II) technology, as well as improved quality control processes.
The result is an improved drop-out rate, which translates into significantly
higher reliability and audio/video stability, as well as a lower
carrier-to-noise ratio for lower error rates, greater output and less noise
during recording.
    Sony HD DVC tape will be offered in the 63-minute professional tape
length, which allows three minutes for recording tests.  The tape will be
available next month for about $18 per cassette.

    For further information, please contact: Rosemary Flynn of Sony
Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-7763, rosemary.flynn@am.sony.com; or Alexandra
Laurelli of Ruder Finn/Switzer, +1-415-249-6760,
laurellia@ruderfinnswitzer.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.



SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.
Web Site: http://www.sony.com/news