The HVR-DR60 measures just 79(W)x44(H)x100(L)mm in size, and only 227g in weight (excluding battery). Using the supplied shoe adapter, the unit can be mounted on the cold shoe of the camcorder. Also, by use of the optional blacket VCT-1BP, it can be mounted on the rear of the camcorder, where it will not affect the mobility of the compact camcorder.

Three advanced technologies are used to ensure the reliable recording performance of the HVR-DR60.

1. Rubber shock absorbers hold the HDD unit in place, preventing external shock being transmitted when the HVR-DR60 chassis is subject to impact.
   
   
2. A 3G sensor detects gravitational acceleration in three dimensions, so however the HVR-DR60 may be oriented, the sensor can detect if it has been dropped – in which case power to the HDD is shut off and the recording heads are retracted from the disk platters, pausing read/write operations. This protects the HDD from being damaged when the unit is accidentally dropped and subject to strong impact.
   
   
3. The third feature is a buffer memory, capable of storing approximately 14 seconds of video and audio footage. Recordings are made by first writing the data to the buffer, and then writing the buffer data to the disk platters. Consequently, if the 3G sensor temporarily interrupts disk writes, video footage is not lost.

Thanks to such advanced technologies, the HVR-DR60 will continue to work even when dropped from as high as 100cm.

The HVR-DR60 can be used with existing HDV/DVCAM camcorders equipped with an i.LINK interface such as the HVR-Z1U, HVR-A1U and DSR-PD170. However, use with the HVR-V1U offers unique features only available in this combination.

On the LCD and VF of the HVR-V1U, you can easily check the operational status of the HVR-DR60 (connection, rec status, battery level, remaining recording time, recording folder name, etc.). This keeps you aware of both the camcorder and hard drive status without taking your eyes away from what you’re shooting. To trigger recording of the HVR-DR60, most HDV camcorders require a tape to be loaded. However, this is not the case with the HVR-V1U. The HVR-V1U sends the same rec start/stop trigger that controls its tape transport to the HVR-DR60. This feature offers operators the choice of tapeless operation or hybrid operation.

Via a simple i.LINK connection, the HVR-DR60 Hard Disk Recording Unit developed by Sony allows recording of HDV1080i stream from an HDV camcorder, or DV stream from a DVCAM camcorder. The 1.8-inch internal HDD offers a large capacity of 60GB, which translates into an impressive approx.270 minutes (4.5 hours) for both HDV and DVCAM recordings.
The HDV1080i stream is recorded as native HDV files (.M2T), while DVCAM or DV stream is recorded as DV-AVI(type1) or RAW DV files.

When connected to a PC, the HVR-DR60 is recognized as a standard external drive, so you can immediately access and edit the recorded footage just as any typical video file. This saves the time previously required for digitizing material from the tape to PC – time that could otherwise be spent for more creative and productive editing tasks.

A leading manufacturer of nonlinear editing software has announced its intentions to support the HVR-DR60. Additionally, via the i.LINK connector, the HVR-DR60 can output an HDV or DV stream.

*

During playback, interruptions in video may appear between recordings. These interruptions do not occur after the recordings are copied to an i.LINK compatible nonlinear editor system via the i.LINK connection, and the recordings can be correctly edited. For information on compatible nonlinear editors, please contact your nearest Sony office or authorized dealer.

Using the hybrid recording function, in which video and audio material is recorded simultaneously to the hard disk and tape, you can be assured that you won’t lose an important shot. In the rare case that either the tape device or hard disk fails, you will always have a backup.

The hybrid function also facilitates archiving operations of your all-important source footage – which in most cases do not allow for reshoots. After a shoot, immediately archive your source tape and use the HVR-DR60 material as your work footage. Unlike camcorders using low-capacity recording media, there is no need to invest the time and effort in copying the original data to a separate high-capacity medium. Just reformat the HVR-DR60 and you are ready to go on your next assignment.

The last thing you want to worry about on location is using different types of batteries. With the HVR-DR60 you can use the same infoLICHIUM™ L Series batteries that are used for the HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U and DSR-PD170 camcorders. Using the smallest capacity NP-F570 battery, the HVR-DR60 operating time is approx.5.5 hours (330 minutes), and with a high-capacity NP-F970 unit, this increases to approx.18 hours (1080 minutes). Long operating hours are possible with the batteries that Sony HDV users already have at hand.