Sony HDR FX1 Camcorder Review
Presenting the world's first consumer 1080i high-definition camcorder: the Sony HDR FX1 Handycam. A revolution in form and function, the HDR-FX1 allows you to play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1,440 x 1,080 for professional-quality video with vivid colors and striking detail. It even offers the ability to switch to standard DV recording and playback as the situation warrants. The HDR-FX1 features the Real-Time HD Codec Engine, which offers professional-level MPEG-2 video compression, and a 14-bit HD DXP (digital extended processor) for increased processing speed. Images are captured on a three-chip advanced HAD CCD system that provides increased detail and improved video performance without the color bleeding found in other systems. Optical capabilities include a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom and Super SteadyShot image stabilization. The Sony HDR FX1 offers an unprecedented amount of control to the user, including manual zoom, focus, and iris control. Picture Profile allows the user to create a number of preset video modes for a variety of shooting settings. Composing shots is easier than ever with the 3.5-inch precision hybrid SwivelScreen LCD display and the extra-large electronic viewfinder. Sony HDR FX1: 3 1/3-Inch 16:9 Advanced HAD CCD Imagers with 1,120K Pixels Gross Advanced HAD (hole accumulation diode) CCD imagers with 1,120K effective video pixels provide excellent detail and clarity with exceptional video performance. Using a three-chip advanced HAD CCD system and dichroic prism to separate chromatic information, colors are extremely accurate, and bleeding and smearing are greatly reduced. Sony HDR FX1: Advanced HAD CCD Technology Enhanced CCD design allows more light to reach the imager, which reduces video noise to improve the signal-to-noise ratio by up to 6 db (2x better than a standard CCD). Particularly effective when shooting in dark situations. Sony HDR FX1: HDV Recording Format From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony’s HDR-FX1 camcorder is the world’s first HDV1080i consumer-level camcorder and player. Now you can record all your memories in true high-definition video. Sony HDRFX1: Switchable HDV/DV Recording The HDR-FX1 is capable of recording and playing back both high-definition and standard-definition video recorded on standard MiniDV cassettes. Sony HDR-FX1: Real-Time HD Codec Engine Sony developed a real-time MPEG encoding/decoding system with reduced energy consumption and a compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. Provides efficient MPEG-2 compression and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that high-definition video can be recorded on the same cassettes as are used for MiniDV recording. 12x Optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens From the authority in lens technology, the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens provides a high quality 12x optical zoom which maintains image clarity and color while reducing glare and flare. 3.5-Inch Wide Precision Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD Display (250K Pixels) Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 250,000-pixel LCD display makes images sharp and detailed during playback or when monitoring recording. The hybrid reflective-transmissive LCD screen provides accurate viewing in sunlight or bright light, virtually eliminating the washout common with traditional LCD screens. Super SteadyShot Optical Stabilization System An advanced form of Sony’s SteadyShot Image Stabilization system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video, as occurs in some digital stabilization systems. Analog/Digital Conversion with Pass-Through Convert or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital handycam directly into a PC via the i.LINK2 interface--in real time, for easy PC editing of your analog footage. Manual Zoom and Manual Focus Ring Dual independent zoom and focus rings provide precise and detailed control over the amount of zoom and the overall focus of the image with just a turn. Fast, intuitive framing when zooming and finely detailed focusing is easy with the natural feel of the rings. Expanded Focus Indicator The camera's LCD image is magnified, temporarily, up to four times its original size without any loss of distortion. This allows the user more finite control while focusing the camera for greater detail and clarity. Picture Profile Allows the user to put manual adjustments for a scene (color, sharpness, white balance, etc.) into any one of six presets, so they can be called up at the touch of a button. Useful when shooting under the same conditions repeatedly, as options do not have to be reset each time. Settings for various shooting conditions are offered as defaults. Sony HDR FX1: CineFrame Recording Provides the option of recording video at either 30 frames per second or the filmlike 24 fps. Sony HDR FX1: Assignable Buttons Three buttons on the exterior of the camcorder are user-assignable, so they can be set to the options most commonly used for ease of recording. i.LINK2 DV Interface (IEEE1394) High-speed, bidirectional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with IEEE1394 interfaces, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs. Sony HDR FX1: MPEG-1 Audio Layer II The HDR-FX1 records audio in MPEG-1 Audio Layer II while recording in HDV format. This provides outstanding sound quality even when compressed. In the standard DV format, audio is recorded in either 12- or 16-bit PCM digital stereo for audio quality that rivals that of a CD. Manual Iris Control By turning the iris dial on the side of the camera, the user can manually adjust the amount of light entering the lens. The iris is adjustable from f1.6 to f11, in 24 steps. Sony HDR FX1: Shot Transition Allows for smooth automatic scene transition. Settings for focus, zoom, iris, gain, shutter, and white balance can be attached to the A/B button and a smooth transition will take place at the set time. This function enables focus to gradually shift from foreground to background or vice versa, thus enabling a smooth change in depth of field. What's in the Box The HDR-FX1 camcorder, an AC-L15 power adapter/in-camera charger, an NP-F570 InfoLithium rechargeable battery, a RMT-831 Remote Commander wireless remote control, a AA battery, a lens hood, a lens cap, a multi A/V cable, a component video cable, a cleaning cassette, a shoe adapter, a large eye cup, and a shoulder strap.
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