Video and television technology, as well as viewer preferences, are moving from standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD) - just like black and white television moved to color in the past. HD has almost twice the number of scanning lines available than SD. This means you can see much sharper detail and finer image quality when your work is viewed on a HD display monitor. The HVR-HD1000U adopts the HDV format for HD recording. The HDV format allows you to shoot approximate 63minutes of HD video on a miniDV cassette tape*1. There are two standards of HDV format. One is HDV720p and the other is HDV1080i, which has 1,080 scanning lines and is used by most broadcasters already using HD. Sony has adopted the HDV1080i standard for all its HDV products. *2
HDV Recording |
DV Recording |
| *1 | When the PHDVM-63DM miniDV cassette tape is used. The PHDVM-63DV is recommended for the HDV recording mode. The recording data rate of HDV1080i format is almost the same as that of DV format. |
| *2 | This brochure refers to the HDV1080i specification as the HDV format. |
The optional external HVR-DR60 Hard Disk Recording Unit gives you a hybrid operation, where video and audio is recorded simultaneously to hard disk drive (HDD) and tape. The HDV or DV images are recorded as movie files in the HDD for quick nonlinear editing, enabling the operator to archive the source tape as soon as the shoot is finished. |
HVR-DR60 |
The HVR-HD1000U offers benefits for SD productions, as well as HD. It is easy to use HDV recordings for your current DV editing work. The HVR-HD1000U has a down-conversion feature that outputs converted DV signals through the i.LINK connector*3 to your current DV non-linear editing system, while retaining a HD master on the tape for future use. Furthermore, the HVR-HD1000U offers a DV recording mode (4:3 or 16:9*4), which can provide a recording time of approximately 120 minutes in LP mode.*5
Squeeze |
Edge Crop |
Letter Box*6 |
| *3 | i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connector. Not all products with an i.LINK connector will necessarily communicate with each other. For information on compatibility, operating conditions, and proper connection, please refer to the documentation supplied with any device with an i.LINK connector. For information on devices that include an i.LINK connection, please contact your nearest Sony office. |
| *4 | queezed recording. |
| *5 | When a DVM80PRL standard miniDV cassette tape is used. If you record in LP mode, pictures may appear mosaic-like or sound may be interrupted when you play back the tape on other camcorders or VCRs. |
| *6 | Letter box mode is not available from the i.LINK connector. |
The next generation of Sony imaging sensor, the ClearVid CMOS Sensor used in the HVR-HD1000U camcorder, is quite unique and different from current CMOS technology. The ClearVid CMOS Sensor uses a unique pixel layout rotated 45 degrees to provide high resolution and high sensitivity. This pixel layout technology is also used in higher end professional camcorders. The ClearVid CMOS Sensor, coupled with an Enhanced Imaging Processor™ (EIP), generates stunning images. Moreover, thanks to the CMOS technology, bright objects do not cause vertical smear.
ClearVid CMOS Sensor |
CCD |
The HVR-HD1000U camcorder can adapt to a wide range of shooting situations and features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonner T* lens with 10x optical zoom, as featured on higher end professional HDV camcorders. The T* lens coating suppresses unwanted reflections and faithfully reproduces colors for professional-looking results. |
with T* coating 
without T* coating |
The Super SteadyShot (Optical) feature of the HVR-HD1000U is an image stabilizer using an active optical lens method that functions without any deterioration in image quality. The lens itself shifts vertically and horizontally to compensate for the polarized light axis in real time.
The HVR-HD1000U camcorder uses standard infoLITHIUM L series batteries, like the DSR-PD170, HVR-Z1U, and HVR-V1U. With the NP-F970, a maximum operating time of approximate 10 hours can be achieved thanks to the power management system and low power consumption of the ClearVid CMOS Sensor. |
NP-F970 (optional) |
The Smooth Slow Rec function of the HVR-HD1000U camcorder enables slow-motion playback by capturing images at four times faster than the normal field rate (240 fields/s). In this mode, quad-speed images are captured for three seconds, stored in the built-in buffer memory, and then recorded to tape (in either HDV DV format) as slow-motion pictures lasting 12 seconds.*7
| *7 | When using this function, the resolution of the camera image is decreased. Sounds can not be recorded while shooting in this mode. |
The Super NightShot function of the HVR-HD1000U camcorder uses a built-in infrared light emitter that allows you to record an object in zero lux light levels. It also enables night-time monitoring and surveillance.
OFF |
ON |
