Sony Turns Up the Volume on Its Camcorders For 2006
January 04 2006 - 8:20PM
PR Newswire (US)
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (CES Booth #14200) --
Sony is taking the lead in bringing the focus on audio performance
to the camcorder market with its new 2006 Handycam(R) models.
Leading the pack are two high-end DVD models and Sony's first hard
disk drive camcorder. All models feature built-in Dolby Digital 5.1
channel surround sound and a unique center-channel microphone
capability. "Nothing preserves memories better than moving images
with sound," said Linda Vuolo, director for camcorder products at
Sony Electronics. "We are offering new enhancements to both audio
and video performance in our 2006 product line." Hearing Is
Believing Now when you record your child's lead performance in
cinematic surround sound, you can be sure that his or her voice
will stand out clearly in the troupe. The new DCR-DVD505 and
DCR-DVD405 DVD Handycam models support an optional wireless
microphone that can be clipped to your subject while shooting. The
microphone then amplifies the center channel sound in the
camcorder's Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound system. Thanks
to Bluetooth technology, voices and sounds can be recorded
wirelessly at distances up to 100 feet. In addition to audio
enhancements, Sony is bringing new ClearVID(R) CMOS sensor
technology to the DCR-DVD505 model. The layout of this new sensor
is engineered to increase the number of recorded green pixels in
order to boost image resolution and better enable the human eye to
distinguish precise detail. Combined with Sony's Enhanced Imaging
Processor(R), ClearVID CMOS technology offers a host of user
benefits. For instance, the camcorder not only records stunning
video but also four-megapixel still images. Its Dual Record
function allows users to shoot video and capture a three-megapixel
still image simultaneously. Other benefits from the CMOS technology
include the smooth slow record function that allows you to view
scenes in slow motion. Three seconds of video are played back in 12
seconds -- ideal for analyzing your golf swing or tennis back-hand.
The DCR-DVD505 model stands out from the camcorder crowd thanks to
its two-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor, compact body design, and
wide 3.5" touch panel SwivelScreen(TM) LCD with Clear Photo Plus(R)
technology for brighter images with high-contrast that are easy to
view in virtually any environment. In total, Sony is introducing
five new DVD Handycam camcorders. Across the DVD line, you find
Carl Zeiss optics for exceptional video quality, improved menu
functions and access controls for greater ease of use, and enhanced
digital still functionality. Most models record digital still
images in ratios of 4:3 and 16:9, perfect for slide shows on
widescreen TVs. A Memory Stick Duo(TM) slot has been incorporated
into select models so that images can be transferred easily from
DVD disks to memory cards and vice versa. And with higher still
image capability on these new models, PictBridge technology has
been integrated for seamless PC-free printing. Handycam Family
Grows With Three-Megapixel Hard Disk Drive Camcorder The latest
addition to the Handycam camcorder line is the hard disk
drive-based DCR-SR100 model. It offers long record times and
seamless PC connectivity. Unlike other camcorders in its class, the
DCR-SR100 unit features built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound
and supports Sony's new optional center-channel Bluetooth
microphone for a cinematic sound experience. The model also sports
a three-megapixel Advanced HAD(TM) CCD imager and Carl Zeiss
Vario-Sonnar T* lens for excellent image clarity and color
resolution. It records on a 30GB hard disk drive, which eliminates
the need for tapes or discs. You can record up to seven hours of
DVD movie-quality video or more than 21 hours in long play mode.
Users will also enjoy the camcorder's three-megapixel still capture
in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, built-in flash, and wide 2.7-inch
SwivelScreen LCD display. For additional reliability, the DCR-SR100
model has a sophisticated back-up protection. The camcorder has
physical shock absorbers to protect the hard disk drive. It
incorporates G-sensor(TM) shock protection which safeguards
internal mechanisms to help prevent data loss. Sony is also adding
in-box PC applications to back up your video memories on DVD. For
example, a DVD burn button on the model transfers video to a PC and
automatically creates a DVD, with the entire process taking about
30 minutes for a full hour of high-resolution video. It also comes
with DVD authoring software to edit footage. High Quality Video On
Any Budget On the digital tape front, four new MiniDV models aim to
please cost-conscious video enthusiasts with prices beginning at
about $350. All the MiniDV models deliver a powerful combination of
precise image detail and vivid color reproduction thanks to Carl
Zeiss optics and Sony's high-resolution CCD imaging technology.
They feature top-side tape loading so it's effortless to replace
tapes while shooting from a tripod, and wide LCD screens on select
models to address the growing demand for 16:9 video. The high-end
MiniDV models, the DCR-HC96 and DCR-HC46, are supplied with
Handycam Station(TM) cradle, a tabletop cradle that charges the
camcorders and connects them conveniently to a PC or television.
The top-of-the-line DCR-HC96 model offers advanced performance with
its three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD imager and Carl Zeiss
Vario-Sonnar T* lens to capture vivid video and three-megapixel
still images in both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. The camcorder is
equipped with a wide 2.7-inch Hybrid SwivelScreen Touch Panel LCD
screen, built-in flash, an intelligent accessory shoe, and Memory
Stick Duo media slot. Sony's new DVD camcorder models: --
DCR-DVD105 provides the benefits of recording video directly to
-R/-RW/+RW DVD media. 680K-pixel Advanced HAD(TM) CCD, Carl Zeiss
Vario-Tessar(R) lens, 2.5-inch hybrid SwivelScreen(TM) touch panel
LCD, and color viewfinder. Available in February for about $500. --
DCR-DVD205 includes the above-mentioned features and adds a
one-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, one-megapixel digital still images,
2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD, and digital
still image capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. Available in
February for about $600. -- DCR-DVD305 has the above-mentioned
features and adds Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound capability.
Supplied with a Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound
microphone, USB 2.0, and Memory Stick Duo media slot. Available in
February for about $700. -- DCR-DVD405 features the above and adds
built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and supports an optional
Bluetooth microphone for enhanced center channel sound.
Three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, three-megapixel digital stills,
built-in flash, and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens. Available in
February for about $900. -- DCR-DVD505 has the above-mentioned
capability and adds a two-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor,
four-megapixel digital stills, a 3.5-inch wide (16:9) touch panel
SwivelScreen LCD, a dual record function to capture video and
three-megapixel stills simultaneously, and smooth slow record
function for slow motion video. Available in March for about
$1,100. Sony's new Hard Disk Drive camcorder: -- DCR-SR100 has 30GB
hard disk drive storage and built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
sound. Supports an optional Bluetooth microphone for enhanced
center channel sound. Three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD,
three-megapixel, digital still capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect
ratios, built-in flash, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, 2.7-inch
wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD, and supplied DVD burning
software. Available in May for about $1,100. Sony's new MiniDV
camcorder models: -- DCR-HC26 features a 680K-pixel Advanced
HAD(TM) CCD, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 2.5-inch hybrid
SwivelScreen touch panel LCD, and color viewfinder. Available in
February for only about $350. -- DCR-HC36 has the above capability
and adds a Memory Stick Duo media slot and supplied remote.
Available in February for about $400. -- DCR-HC46 includes the
above-mentioned features and adds a one-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD,
one-megapixel stills, 2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen
LCD, and supplied Handycam Station cradle. Available in February
for about $500. -- DCR-HC96 offers the above plus a three-megapixel
Advanced HAD CCD, three-megapixel stills, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar
T* Lens, digital still image capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios,
and built-in flash. Available in February for about $800. All
models will be available online at Sonystyle.com/newcamcorders, at
Sony Style retail stores (http://www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at
authorized dealers nationwide. Editor's Notes: Sony's new hard disk
drive Handycam camcorder is compatible with the following PC
operating systems: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 Professional, XP
Home, and XP Professional. Not all devices with a USB 2.0 connector
will communicate with each other due to chipset variations. For
additional information about Sony products, your readers can call
toll-free at (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony's web site at:
http://www.sonystyle.com/. Press releases and digital images are
available for the media at Sony Electronics' news and information
web site at: http://www.sony.com/news. DATASOURCE: Sony Electronics
Inc. CONTACT: Yolanda Hunt-Boes of Sony Electronics Inc.,
+1-858-942-4174, ; or Erin Patterson of Burson-Marsteller,
+1-310-309-6663, Web site: http://www.sony.com/news
http://www.sonystyle.com/retail http://www.sonystyle.com/
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