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Sony Professional
HVR-A1U CMOS High Definition Camcorder with 10x
Optical Zoom
The HVR-A1U is a compact and lightweight
handy-type camcorder, ideal for shooting
environments that require mobility. Its size,
combined with its long battery life (up to 80
minutes of high-definition recording with the
included battery), make it easy to get the shots you
need, when you need them.
HDV 1080i
The HDV 1080i specification features 1080 effective
interlaced scanning lines and 1,440 horizontal
pixels. Interlaced pictures, which have been common
to TV broadcasts from the beginning, alternately
display odd and even numbered lines between each
screen refresh. The HVR-A1U can also record at the
HDV 720p specification, which features 720 effective
progressive scanning lines and 1,280 horizontal
pixels. Progressive scanning fills both odd and even
numbered lines with each refresh, providing a
flicker-free picture.
Not yet ready for
HD? The HVR-A1U can convert material from 1080i down
to 480i and output this digital video signal through
its i.LINK interface or as analog signals through
component, composite, or S-video connectors. When
down-converting these signals, the aspect ratio
displayed can be converted from 16:9 to 4:3, and
display modes can be selected from squeeze,
letterbox or edge crop.
1/3-inch
Type, 2.97-megapixel CMOS sensor
The HVR-A1U incorporates one 1/3-inch type primary
color CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)
2.97-megapixel sensor with a formatted for a 4:3
aspect ratio. The advantage of a CMOS sensor over
CCD is it's ability to process a large volume of
picture data at a very small size, which makes it
possible for a camera this size to capture HD video.
The trade off for this kind of chip over CCD,
however, is a small loss in picture uniformity and
dynamic range.
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Keep an eye on audio levels on the
LCD monitor
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Audio
The HVR-A1U adopts the MPEG-2 compression format,
which uses 8-bit digital component recording with a
sampling rate of 4:2:0. The camera uses MPEG-1 Audio
Layer II audio compression format, allowing for
two-channel recording with a sampling frequency of
48 kHz/16-bit. It features a built-in stereo
microphone, as well as two XLR audio input
connectors for use with professional-grade
microphones or external audio sources. Each input
level for CH1 and CH2 can be independently adjusted
using two audio level dials on the camera body and
viewed with an audio level meter on the LCD monitor.
Carl Zeiss
Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens
The HVR-A1U is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar
T* high definition lens with a 10x zoom function. It
has the same optical coating as is used on all of
the Carl Zeiss prime lenses, which produces sharp,
high-contrast images with virtually no chromatic
aberration.
In order to
facilitate zoom control and recording operation
during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever
has been added to the camera body. There's also a
zoom/focus ring located on the lens body that allows
for fine adjustments in zoom position. Furthermore,
the supplied wireless Remote Commander unit can be
used for external control.
Large,
16:9 widescreen color viewfinder and LCD monitor
View your subject through the built-in viewfinder,
the swing-out LCD display, or both. The HVR-A1U
features a 0.44-inch type color LCD viewfinder and a
2.7-inch color LCD monitor, both in a 16:9 aspect
ratio. You'll save battery time by using just one,
but you may want to use one for adjusting focus and
the other for monitoring audio levels. When
eschewing auto focus for the fine-tuning manual
focus, you can double the magnification at the
center of the screen, making it easier to confirm
focus settings during manual focusing. Also, the
camera's "peaking" function can provide sharp
outlines on the monitor to help with manual focus.
Electronic
Super SteadyShot system
Sony's electronic Super SteadyShot System helps
remove the slight hand jitter and vibration that is
often the bane of video production--especially
during telephoto shots. It does this by trimming off
edges of the frame on the fly to counteract
movement.
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Tele Macro picks up details on
subjects from a distance
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Tele Macro
It may seem like a contradiction in terms, but the
Tele Macro function allows you to capture a macro
image from a distance, which is useful for shooting
small moving objects. Additionally, this function
puts your subject in proper focus while leaving the
background out of focus.
The
Hollywood look
The HVR-A1U has features that can make your videos
look more like they were shot on film. Cinematone
Gamma allows operators to quickly setup and load a
gamma curve with similar contrast characteristics to
a film gamma curve. The Cineframe feature allows
movement to be reproduced at 24 frames per
second--the speed of film--as opposed to video's 30
frames per second standard.
No new
tape stock
The HVR-A1U is compatible with conventional DV tape
stock, but Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster
PHDVM-63DM tape, with its dual layer of magnetic
material, which delivers higher RF output, lower
noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts
compared to regular DV tape.
More
camera features
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·Assign button
-- get quick access to a variety of settings |
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·Time Code
Preset -- fill in any timecode starting
value |
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·Shot
Transition -- creates smooth automatic
transitions between scenes |
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·Color Bar --
Two types |
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·Status Check
-- displays camera setting menus for audio,
output signal, assign button and exposure
lever functions and hours meter on the LCD
monitor |
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·Zebra --
displays a striped pattern in the LCD
monitor and viewfinder across highlight
areas, helping manual exposure settings |
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·Quick REC --
shortens the record interval from stop mode. |
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·Personal Menu
-- allows operators to customize the setting
menu |
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·Battery Info
-- displays the attached battery's current
charge level and its current remaining
recording time on the LCD monitor |
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·Histogram
Indicator -- allows you to easily evaluate
the brightness of your scene |
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·Super Night
Shot -- allows operators to capture images
in black and white using a built-in infrared
light |
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·Skin Tone
Detail -- reduces detailed signal for skin
color, smoothening the reproduction of human
skin |
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·Black Stretch
-- allows more contrast to be seen in dark
parts of the picture without affecting
mid-tones |
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·Backlight
Compensation -- produces natural tones for
both light and dark areas of backlit subject |
What's in
the box
HVR-A1U camera, AC-L15 AC adaptor, power code,
NP-FM50 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack, lens
hood with lens cover, RMT-831 wireless Remote
Commander unit, A/V connecting cable with S video,
component video cable, USB cable, Memory Stick Duo
(16 MB), Memory Stick Duo adaptor, ECM-NV1 monaural
electret condenser microphone, XLR audio adaptor,
shoulder strap, and operating instructions.
Technical Details
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Lens:
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T zoom lens
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Focal length:
f = 5.1 to 51 mm, f = 40 to 400 mm in
16:9 mode and 49.3 to 493 mm in 4:3 mode
(full scan mode on), f = 41 to 480 mm in
16:9 mode and 50 to 590 mm in 4:3 mode
(full scan mode off), f = 40 to 400 mm
in 16:9 mode and 37 to 370 mm in 4:3
mode (still picture mode)
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Aperture:
f/1.8 to f/2.1
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Optical zoom:
10x
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Filter diameter:
37 millimeters
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Focus:
Auto, manual, spot focus (touch panel
control)
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Minimum illumination:
7 lux at 18db, normal shutter
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Exposure:
Auto, Manual
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Recording time:
Max. 60 minutes with HDV, 40 minutes in
DVCAM, and 60 minutes in DV (SP)
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Imaging device:
1-chip, 1/3-inch type primary color CMOS
sensor
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Picture elements:
Approximately 2,969,000 pixels (total)
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Shutter speed:
1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/90, 1/100,
1/125, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500,
1/725, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/2000, 1/3000,
1/4000, 1/6000, 1/10000 seconds
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Minimum illumination:
7 lx with F1.8
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Recording format:
1080/60i, 480/60i
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Play out/down conversion
format:
1080/60i, 480/60i, 480/60P
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Audio/Video input/output:
A/V Out jack, 10-pin connector
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Component video output:
Component Out jack
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HDV/DV input/output:
i.LINK interface (IEEE 1394, 4-pin
connector S100)
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XLR audio input:
Two XLR 3-pin female
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Headphone:
Stereo minijack
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Mic:
Minijack
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LANC:
Stereo mini-minijack
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USB:
Mini-B
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LCD viewfinder:
0.44-inch type, approximately 252,000
(1120 x 225) pixels , hybrid type, 16:9
aspect ratio
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LCD monitor:
2.7-inch type, approximately 123,200
(560 x 220) pixels, hybrid type, 16:9
aspect ratio
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Microphone:
Stereo type, noise reduction on/off
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Speaker:
Built-in dynamic, 16 millimeters
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Power requirements:
DC 7.2 V (battery pack), DC 8.4 V (AC
adaptor)
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Power consumption:
HDV: Approximately 5.6 W (recording mode
with LCD viewfinder on), DVCAM/DV:
Approximately 5.1 W (recording mode with
LCD viewfinder on)
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Operating temperature:
32 to 104 degrees F
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Picture elements:
Total pixels: approximately 2.97M pixels
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SD video signal system:
NTSC
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Scanning system:
1080.60i
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Connectors:
S-Video, A/V, Component Output, XLR IN
(x2), i.LINK, LANC, Headphone stereo
mini
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Width:
3.5 inches
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Height:
4.1 inches
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Depth:
12.38 inches
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Weight:
1 pound 7 ounces
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Warranty:
1 year
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In the box:
Sony HVR-A1U, AC-L15 AC adaptor, power
code, NP-FM50 InfoLithium rechargeable
battery pack, lens hood with lens cover,
RMT-831 wireless Remote Commander unit,
A/V connecting cable with S video,
component video cable, USB cable, Memory
Stick Duo (16 MB), Memory Stick Duo
adaptor, ECM-NV1 monaural electret
condenser microphone, XLR audio adaptor,
shoulder strap, operating instructions
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