Definition Camcorder Revie

Today, the move to consumer high-definition video shuttled from a slow crawl to a fast pace with Sony's simultaneous worldwide introduction of the first 3 CCD consumer HDV camcorder, the HDR-FX1. The new HDR-FX1 utilizes the 1080 lines horizontal resolution / 60 interlaced frames per second frame rate for the HDV specification, which records to standard MiniDV tapes. The HDV spec was agreed upon as a standard by Sony, JVC, Canon, and Sharp for new high-definition consumer camcorders last year. Along with the announcement of the new Sony HDV camcorder comes support from major video editing software companies including Apple and Adobe.

"The HDR-FX1 is what we will consider to be the benchmark in video technology available for consumers and prosumers alike," said Linda Vuolo, Product Manager for Sony Camcorders US, as she announced the world's first HDV 3 CCD camcorder.

Although the HDR-FX1 is technically the first HDV camcorder, the HDV specification is based on a compression standard first introduced in a JVC camcorder HDV specification . That camcorder from JVC was the first consumer HD camcorder, the GR-HD1. The GR-HD1 also had a companion camcorder, the JY-HD10U, based on the same technology in JVC's professional line. "JVC is proud of our leadership in helping to launch the HDV format with the introduction of our GR-HD1 18 months ago. We welcome Sony’s decision to join us in supporting the format," said Dave Owen, General Manager of Video at JVC in reaction to the Sony announcement.

The key distinction between the JVC HD camcorders and the Sony HDR-FX1 is their shooting mode. The JVC camcorders shoot 720 lines of resolution at a rate of 30 progressive frames per second, while the Sony shoots 1080 lines of resolution at 60 interlaced frames per second. The two rates contain nearly identical amounts of information; however, one offers the benefits of progressive scan, and one a higher resolution picture. Both camcorders compress the information into an MPEG2 signal and save it on standard MiniDV tapes. Like the JVC, the HDR-FX1 is capable of recording a standard DV signal as well as an HDV signal.

The Sony HDR-FX1 from the back

Sony spokeswoman Rosemary Flynn, speaking of the new format, notes that "Being a supporter and one of the initiators of the original format [HDV], and recognizing that there is both 720 and 1080 with in the HDV format, we thought there was a demand for a 1080i product in the market. 720P certainly has its benefits, but we believe that there was a need or an interest in creating a 1080i model with a higher resolution."

The HDR-FX1 includes three 1/3-inch 16:9 1.12 Megapixel gross CCDs. Each CCD measures 960 x 1080 pixels. The inclusion of three large CCDs is a major difference between the Sony and JVC's first entry - and will likely allow the HDR-FX1 to be taken very seriously by the industry. The pixels on the CCD are not square, but oblong, which allows them to shoot 16:9 aspect ratio video. The HDR-FX1 also includes a 12x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, a 3.5-inch LCD screen, a zoom ring, focus ring, iris / aperture ring, as well as buttons for manual control of most picture functions.

One of the most groundbreaking features of the new HDR-FX1 is its price. With an MSRP of $3,700, the camcorder will likely sell for around $3,300 - $3,500 once it hits the streets. When Sony introduced the first MiniDV, the DCR-VX1000, camcorder in 1995, its introductory price was $4,000. Adjusted for inflation, the DCR-VX1000 would cost around $4,750 today. While some may jump at the $3,700 price tag, Sony is effectively releasing it for about $1,000 less than when they introduced the first MiniDV camcorder, an event of arguably equal signifigance. Sony is effectively offering users the jump to HDV from their highest consumer MiniDV camcorder for about $1,000, a jump from the popular professional DSR-PD170 for only about $200-$300. At this price tag, the HDR-FX1 will compete with the professional rather than the consumer models from other manufacturers, including the Canon XL2 and the Panasonic AG-DVX100. It appears, however, that Sony is not likely to have the same problems competing in the low-end professional market that JVC's first consumer HD camcorder had.

A Sony rep shows off the FireWire port on the right side

It is likely that the 1/3 in. CCDs of the HDR-FX1 will improve one of the greatest problems with JVC's first entry into the HD consumer market: low light performance. JVC rated the HDR-FX1 at a very high minimum illumination of 35 lux, and even admitted in interviews that the camcorder had problems in low light. Sony has rated the HDR-FX1 at a very low minimum illumination of 3 lux, and Sony Product Information Manager Kevin Brinkman stated, "Based on our lab testing, we believe that the FX1 low light performance will be between the DCR-HC1000 and the DCR-VX2100." If the HDR-FX1 does deliver low light performance between the DCR-HC1000 and DSR-PD170, it will be some of the best on the market, as those camcorders are among the highest rated for low light performance on CamcorderInfo.com.

The HDR-FX1's Real Time HD Codec Engine

According to Sony, the company has designed a new "Real Time HD Codec Engine" for encoding and decoding the HDV signal on the HDR-FX1. "Our own real-time MPEG encode/decode system has been sized and perfected to use a low amount of energy but still deliver the compression and high resolution capability that is expected by this kind of high performing model. By using our real time HD codec engine, Sony has made it possible to record and playback clear HD images at the same bitrate that the DV format is using currently in today's personal-use camcorders," said Linda Vuolo.

Along with the announcement of the HDR-FX1, Apple Computer is announcing support for the HDV spec with their popular video editing program, Final Cut. "Native HDV support in future releases of Final Cut will enable our customers to create high quality HD content with affordable HDV cameras, including Sony's much anticipated HDR-FX1 camcorder," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's Vice President of Applications Marketing.

Adobe has also stated that they will be releasing an HDV plug-in for their popular Premiere editing system later this year. "The Sony HDR-FX1 is a milestone product, bringing HD-quality video at resolutions of up to 1080i at a price that will encourage widespread adoption of HDV across the industry. In keeping with our commitment to lead the HD revolution, Adobe plans to release a HDV Plug-in for Adobe® Premiere® Pro later this year," said Steve Saylor, Vice President, Digital Imaging and Video, Adobe Systems, Inc.

Avid, Canopus, Ulead and Pinnacle also announced support for HDV. Editing support has been a big issue for HDV in the past, with third party companies supplying solutions for Final Cut and Adobe Premiere.

Consumers have been waiting for the HDR-FX1 since March 2004, when a prototype of the camcorder was first displayed by Sony at the CeBIT technology show in Hanover, Germany. Sony followed in April, displaying the prototype of the HDR-FX1 at the National Association of Broadcasters annual convention in Las Vegas. Little information about the HDR-FX1 was available at those two shows; however, the version announced today does look very similar to the prototypes shown at CeBIT and NAB.

The biggest thing which camcorder enthusiasts will find missing from the HDR-FX1 is the option to shoot true progressive scan video, especially at the 24 frames per second rate which independent filmmakers seek out. When asked what Sony expects of market reception, Rosemary Flynn said "Obviously, Sony is a supporter of the HDV format, and we're bringing a camcorder to market, so we do believe there is a demand. People looking to shoot video in Hi-Definition and getting the benefits of what hi-def can give you, certainly are going to go for this camcorder; people who are looking for a 24P model are going to go for 24P."

While the camcorder does include a "faked" 24 frames progressive scan and 30 frames progressive scan mode called CineFrame 24 and 30, it does not offer true progressive scan filming. In February 2002, Panasonic introduced the first 24 frames progressive scan camcorder which recorded to MiniDV tape, the AG-DVX100. The camcorder came to market in October of 2003. The AG-DVX100 has been a major competitor for Sony's DSR-PD170. The 24 frames progressive scan feature in the DVX100 was so popular that it was the major addition to Canon's XL2, which was introduced in July of this year.

The market is now clearly divided between Canon and Panasonic with their 24P camcorders and Sony and JVC with their HDV camcorders. While Canon is a member of the HDV consortium, Panasonic did not join the group and has expressed dislike for the HDV format. While the Panasonic 24P camcorder sells for around $3,500, and the Canon XL2 is hitting streets right now for just under $5,000, they will be the clear competitors for the HDR-FX1. As Flynn put it bluntly, users now have a clear choice between HDV and 24P. At the same time, Sony has thrown much support behind 24P, and Sony officials stress that the lack of a 24P option in the HDR-FX1 is not symbolic of the company's greater direction.

Although the camcorder does not include a 24P function, Sony is not totally ignoring those in the independent filmmaking community who want a "film look" out of their camcorder. The HDR-FX1 includes a Cinematone Gamma feature which, according to Sony, creates a professional-looking film-like feel for the video by improving skin tone capabilites and better 3-D depth of field.

The HDR-FX1 includes a 3.5 in. 16:9 aspect ratio diagonal high resolution LCD screen, featuring 250,000 pixels. The LCD features Sony's hybrid technology for best viewing in bright light. The LCD on the HDR-FX1 has been positioned towards the front of the handle, a unique position that breaks away from the typical left-side positioning. The LCD screen unfolds to reveal the HDR-FX1's VCR controls. The HDR-FX1 also includes a high resolution color viewfinder, also featuring 250,000 pixels.

Viewfinder	LCD
Lens Ring	Gain dial

As a camcorder costing over $3,000, the HDR-FX1's main audience will almost certainly be very high-end consumers and professionals who seek the highest levels of manual control. The HDR-FX1 includes more manual control and "real button" control than any other Sony consumer camcorder in recent history, including the DCR-VX2100. On the lens barrel, the HDR-FX1 features a "non-perpetual" zoom ring that includes markings to indicate the magnification of the lens. In front of the zoom ring is a ring which controls focus. On the front, to the left of the lens, is a smaller metal dial dedicated to controlling the iris. The HDR-FX1 also includes button controls for shutter speed, white balance, and gain. The camcorder offers manual gain levels of 0 dB, 3 dB, 6 dB, 12 dB and 18 dB. The HDR-FDX1 has a shutter speed range of 1/4th of a second to 1/10,000 of a second and an aperture range of f/1.6 to f/11. The camcorder lets you set the aperture at 24 levels between the minimum and maximum and gives you on-screen aperture ratings. The HDR-FX1 also includes manual audio level control and two built-in Neutral Density filters that stop the lens down by 1/6th or 1/32nd.

ND Selector and auto focus control	Gain and white balance preset buttons and controls
Manual control access buttons located on the bottom left of the HDR-FX1

"Sony recognizes that the FX1 is important to the videographer and enthusiast market, and we felt that we wanted this camcorder to have lots of manual features that would be totally adjustable," Rosemary Flynn said of the high level of manual control on the HDR-FX1.

Sony has included three different methods of controlling the zoom on the HDR-FX1. The first is the zoom ring mentioned above. They have also included a rocker switch on the right handle, which was explained as very similar to that of the DSR-PD170. The HDR-FX1 also features a zoom rocker, which can be set to constant or variable zoom speeds, on the top camcorder handle.

Side handle zoom lever	Zoom ring and selector
Top handle zoom lever	Control dial

The HDR-FX1 also offers a new level of customization which hasn't been seen previously on a Sony consumer camcorder. The HDR-FX1 includes three custom preset buttons that can be assigned a variety of camcorder functions. The camcorder carries over the custom preset menu options of the DCR-HC1000 and also allows the user to create custom menus. There are preset gain settings that can be assigned to a button on the camcorder, and a new "Picture Profile" feature that allows the user to store six different camera settings in the memory. The HDR-FX1 can smoothly transition between different picture profiles to create smooth effects such as a rack focus.

The concentration on "real button" control is somewhat of a turn-around for Sony. Recent camcorders have placed virtually all functionality into touch-screen LCDs, including their prosumer DCR-HC1000. "There are various reasons we did not go with touch screen; one of them, of course, being the body design of the camcorder. The LCD is, of course, located in the front of the eye level viewfinder and a touch screen would have been challenging to interact with," said Flynn.

Sony is also introducing accessories with the HDR-FX1. The VCT-FXA shoulder brace attaches to the HDR-FX1 to make it a shoulder-mountable camcorder. The VCL-HG0872 wide-conversion lens will attach to the HDR-FX1's 72 mm filter mount to give it 0.8x magnification. Sony is also introducing a hard carrying case, a soft carrying case, and HDV tapes.

The form factor of the Sony HDR-FX1 is very similar to that of the DCR-VX2100, Sony's highest-end MiniDV camcorder. The body shapes are similar, with the HDR-FX1 weighing 4 lbs 10 oz, and the DCR-VX2100 weighing slightly less at 3 lbs 8 oz. The camcorder is also very similar to the DSR-PD170, the professional version of the DCR-VX2100.

Since the introduction of their first MiniDV camcorder in 1995, Sony has a history of introducing professional versions in their broadcast line of their highest end consumer camcorders. The consumer DCR-VX1000 has the broadcast DSR-PD100, the DCR-VX2000 has the broadcast DSR-PD150, and recently the DCR-TRV950 and the DCR-VX2100 have the DSR-PDX10 and the DSR-PD170, respectively. Although not much information is available, it appears that Sony Broadcast is planning to introduce a higher-end version of the HDR-FX1. According to Sony consumer, that camcorder will be available in the 1st quarter of 2005 for under $7,000. Further details are not available. However, considering the timing of this release, it seems likely that Sony will display at least a prototype of their first professional HDV camcorder at the International Broadcasters Conference being held later this week in Amsterdam.

On Wednesday, Sony is holding a press event to give journalists a first look at the HDR-FX1. CamcorderInfo.com will be reporting from the event with more pictures, information, and first impressions of the new camcorder.

The Sony HDR-FX1 will be available in November for under $3,700.