Two new Disc/Disk-based Sony HD Camcorders
Weybridge, 19th July 2006 - Sony continues to define the future of the Camcorder with the launch of two new High Definition models and a new standard for HD video recording. AVCHD was developed to provide a way of recording 1080i HD video to various media, including DVD and hard disk.
Both the launch of the camcorders and the creation of AVCHD demonstrate Sony’s commitment to HD and its pivotal role in this rapidly developing sector.
While there are key similarities between the two models, there is also an essential difference, which allows users to choose the one which suits them best.
The HDR-UX1E is unique: the first ever HD camcorder to record to an 8cm DVD, literally archiving as you film, using an inexpensive, durable medium.
The HDR-SR1E also employs the new AVCHD format for HD recording, but captures the AV stream to an internal 30GB hard disk rather than 8cm DVD.
The new Camcorders reflect two emerging trends.
The first is the gathering momentum behind HD as the world begins to move towards HDTV as the next mainstream TV standard.
The second is the rise of the disc-based/disk-based camcorder offering near instant access to any part of any recording.
In addition to the speed and convenience of random access disc/disk data storage, these latest Camcorders use the AVCHD format for outstanding quality results.
AVCHD combines the hugely efficient MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video codec and 5.1 channel Dolby Digital audio system to give you the true benefits of HD: 16:9 widescreen, multichannel digital audio and resolutions up to 1080i.
Discs recorded in AVCHD will be playable on selected devices with AVCHD support, including PC DVD drives, Blu-ray Disc™ player/recorders from Sony & AVCHD supporting CE manufacturers.
HDR-UX1E AVCHD cam
(click for larger image)The HDR-UX1E: 1080i HD video direct to DVD with AVCHD
Multiple recording modes
The HDR-UX1E is as versatile as it is easy to use. The first choice it gives you is the vital one of whether to record in HD or SD (Standard Definition) mode.
When you select HD, the AVCHD format lets you pick between four picture quality options. These range from a 5Mbps Long Play option to the new super-high quality AVCHD 12M (HQ+) setting. This HDR-UX1E trademark feature captures HD video at 12Mbps, giving you astonishing levels of detail and colour.
DVD+R DL compatible for longer recording
Of course the higher the quality setting, the larger the amount of data to be stored, which is why the HDR-UX1E supports the DVD+R DL(Double Layer), as well as DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW. Using DVD+R DL discs, the camera can record around 60 minutes of HD video in 5Mbps mode, 45minutes in the default 7Mbps mode, and 27 minutes of top-quality 12Mbps HQ+ mode.
Multiple playback options
When it comes to watching what you have recorded, the HDR-UX1E offers numerous possibilities.
You can connect directly to an HD-ready TV via the camera’s HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port or component jack, or to a PC via standard USB 2.0.
Alternatively, the disc itself can be placed in a PC DVD drive and viewed using the AVCHD disc playback software bundled with the camcorder.
The disc can also be played on AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray drive, PLAYSTATION®3 from Sony Computer Entertainment and a stand-alone Blu-ray player/recorder.
[Playback requires AVCHD support. AVCHD playback is not supported by MPEG-2-only stand-alone DVD players]
HDR-UX1E hard disk AVCHD cam
(click for larger image)The HDR-SR1E: 30GB integrated hard disk for extra-long recording time of 1080i HD - Super-long Recording time and multiple modes
Like its sister product, the HDR-SR1E is switchable between HD and SD modes, so you can always choose which you want. It also offers multiple HD recording options, all with highly extended recording times thanks to the integrated 30GB hard disk.
These include a 5Mbps Long Play mode of a full 11 hours, the default 7Mbps setting of 8 hours and 30min, 9Mbps setting which yields 7 hours and a special new super-quality ‘XP’ mode.
This involves a 15Mbps bit-rate, and achieves outstanding results in terms of detail, clarity and colour. Better still, the hard disk can hold up to 4 hours of XP-quality HD video.
One Touch Disc Burn for easy DVD creation
Software bundled with the HDR-SR1E makes backing your video up on PC extremely simple, but it goes further than that. A special function lets you create finished discs of your recordings with a single press of a button on the camera.
With the software installed on a PC and the camcorder connected via USB, the One Touch Disc Burn does exactly what it says. If you have been filming in SD, content will be transferred to the PC and automatically burned as a DVD; if in HD, content will be burned using AVCHD to create a AVCHD disc instead.
Multiple playback options
You can connect directly to an HD-ready TV via the camera’s HDMI port or component jack, or to a PC via standard USB 2.0. When you want to view the contents of an AVCHD disc created by One Touch Disc Burn, the options are the same as with the HDR-UX1E your choice of AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray drive, PLAYSTATION®3 from Sony Computer Entertainment or a stand-alone Blu-ray player/recorder
HDD Smart Protection System
To ensure your recordings are safe, the hard disk itself is multiply protected by the Sony HDD Smart Protection System. As you would expect, the first layer of defence against accident consists of specially designed physical shock absorbers, but there is much more.
The 3G sensor can detect the sudden acceleration of a fall and Camcorder can instantly auto-park its heads, preventing them or the platters from being damaged by the impact. Better still, if you are filming at the time the camera will buffer the video stream until the drive is stable and operational again before writing the stored data to disk. Nothing will be lost.
Shared highlights
ClearVid CMOS Sensor
The HDR-UX1E and the HDR-SR1E have several stand-out features in common, starting with the new and unique Sony ClearVid CMOS Sensor. By taking full advantage of the way the human eye really perceives colour and detail, the ClearVid CMOS Sensor achieves exceptionally high resolution and high sensitivity. Its performance, even in reduced lighting, puts both camcorders in a class of their own. The ClearVid CMOS Sensor offers many other benefits. In particular, you get a wider dynamic range, so detail in the shade on a bright sunny day is preserved, not lost in darkness. The technology also delivers a smearless picture where highlights don’t flare and run from field to field.
4 megapixel still image recording
When you want a top quality still photograph, these camcorders will deliver. They are equipped with the Sony Enhanced Imaging Processor, proprietary silicon which applies newly developed signal processing algorithms to the 2 megapixel output from the ClearVid CMOS sensor, resulting in outstandingly crisp and detailed 4 megapixel stills.
3.5-inch Clear Photo LCD plus
In order to shoot great video, you need to see as the camcorder sees, which is why the HDR-UX1E and HDR-SR1E have Clear Photo LCD plus screens. Boasting a 3.5-inch diagonal, these are the largest camcorder screens on the market, an instant advantage in real-world usage.
With a colour range approximately 1.6 times greater than previous screens, Clear Photo LCD plus can also reproduce more vivid reds, lusher, richer greens and deeper blues. To complete the effect, the screen’s contrast range is also boosted by a factor of 1.6, meaning black really appears black, shadows are crisper, and colours are more saturated, natural and defined. The life like image helps you consciously and unconsciously to make the right decisions as you record, yielding ever-better results.
Assignable Ring feature
Finally, there’s the Assignable Ring. Essential functions like focus, exposure, AE shift or white balance shift can be assigned to the control ring using the camcorder menu. Whenever you want to make a manual adjustment, a touch of a button on the side of the lens activates the ring and you have complete control.
A full range of high-quality accessories is available for both camcorders from Sony, including the new LCS-HCF soft carrying case. Worked in real leather, the case is an exact fit for either camcorder, providing protection without unnecessary bulk. The case features useful pouch storage for accessories such as a spare battery, and an inner pocket for 8cm DVD media. It is supplied with a comfortable, Sony-branded shoulder strap.
AVCHD: The new format for HD Camcorders
AVCHD is an entirely new high definition digital video camera recording format jointly developed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co and Sony Corporation and. Ltd. The AVCHD format allows for recording and playback of HD images using a variety of media including 8cm DVD, hard disk and memory cards(SD Memory Card and Memory Stick). Both 1080i and 720p signals are supported.
AVCHD employs highly efficient codecs in order to manage the large amounts of AV data involved in HD signal processing. The video stream is handled by the MPEG-4/H.264 codec, which is more than twice as efficient as the standard MPEG-2 system used for DVD-quality video. The audio stream is managed either by Dolby Digital or Linear PCM. When Dolby Digital is used, a 5.1 spatialised recording can be created.
AVCHD Supporting Companies (Company names in alphabetical order)
Consumer Electronics Manufacturers
Canon Inc.
Pioneer Corporation
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd
Sharp Corporation
Non-liner Editing Software Suppliers [software supporting AVCHD]
Adobe Systems Incorporated [Adobe Production Studio]
CyberLink Corporation [PowerDVD, PowerDirector]
InterVideo, Inc. [WinDVD]
Nero AG [Nero 7 Premium (Nero 7 Ultra Edition)]
Sonic Solutions [Easy Media Creator 9]
Sony Media Software [Vegas 7.0]
Ulead Systems, Inc. [Video Studio, DVD MovieWriter]
About Sony
Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the World´s Leading Consumer Brands. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 54.96 billion (yen 7,475 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 and it employs approximately 158,500 people worldwide.
In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.61 billion (yen 1,715 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 136 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.22 billion (yen 1,118 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com.
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