Audio Video News

Just in time for back-to-school home video projects, Sony has slashed prices on two of their new HD camcorders by $200. The models are the HDR-UX20 and the HDR-UX10, both are high def digital video cameras with still capabilities.

This sale drops the $999.99 HDR-UX20 down to $799.99 and the HDR-UX10 will drop from $799.99 down to $599.99. Not too shabby.

Both cameras feature a 2.3 MP ClearVid™ CMOS sensor, BIONZ ™ image processor, 1920 x 1080 video, 4 MP still image capture, Face Detection technology for video, Hybrid Plus recording, 8GB internal memory, built-in zoom mic. The main difference between the models is that the HDR-UX20 has a built-in 8GB flash memory.

Keep reading for the features from Sony.

The ultimate in home video flexibility. The HDR-UX20 delivers Hybrid Plus recording technology, giving you the option to record images to DVD media, 8GB internal flash memory, or removable Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. The ClearVid™ CMOS sensor (with Exmor™ technology) and BIONZ™ image processor capture Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution for amazingly sharp picture detail, as well as 4 megapixel still photos. For better results, Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization helps reduce blur while Face Detection helps people look their best in every video and photo. And the built-in zoom microphone with Dolby® Digital 5.1 channel recording lets you capture realistic surround sound even when you?re far away from your subject.

Note: Most camcorders will not fit in ACC-FH50A case when the large (NP-FH100) battery is attached to camcorder.

1920x1080 Recording

Record stunning, incredibly detailed video footage in the clarity of 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution.

Face Detection for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos

Made possible by the BIONZ™ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image.

2.3 Megapixel ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor (with Exmor™ Technology) and BIONZ™ Image Processor

Sony's newly designed CMOS image sensor with delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 2.3 megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 4 megapixel still images -- all with prolonged battery life. Exmor™ technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony BIONZ™ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.

BIONZ™ Image Processor

The advanced Sony BIONZ™ Image Processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that improves camera response time, screens out noise before RAW data conversion, handles Dynamic Range Optimization processing, and prolongs battery life.

Exmor™ Imaging Sensor

Exmor™ technology captures video and still photo images with high resolution, high sensitivity, and exceptional detail. Advanced on-sensor A/D conversion yields rich tonal reproduction with high signal-to-noise ratio.

Hybrid Plus Recording to DVD, Internal Flash Memory, or Memory Stick® Media

Hybrid Plus recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility for transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to your choice of DVD media, an internal 8GB flash memory drive, or removable Memory Stick Duo™ media or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately). You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video or still images from Memory Stick media or built in flash memory media to DVD -- without using a PC. Images recorded or transferred to DVD media can then be played directly in most DVD Players (SD), computers, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and even PlayStation® 3 video game consoles to share your memories with friends and family.

Dual Record

While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture still images directly to Memory Stick Duo™ media (sold separately).

15X Optical / 180X Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

2.7" Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ Display (211K Pixels)

The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with improved resolution (211K pixels). The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

DVD Format Video Recording

The DVD recording format, in both MPEG2 (SD) and AVCHD™ format, delivers digital picture and sound quality comparable to that of MiniDV and High Definition, but on DVD. Playback of these DVDs couldn't be simpler (depending upon the playback device used). After finalizing the disc in the camcorder, the disc can play back in most DVD Players (SD), computers, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and even PlayStation® 3 video game consoles.

DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer) Compatible

Compatibility with a variety of DVD formats allows the ease-of-use and simplicity found in DVD media. With DVD+RW media there is no need to finalize the disc (minimum recording required); simply remove the finalized disc and insert the media into a compatible DVD or Blu-ray Disc™ Player.

Built-in zoom microphone with 5.1ch recording

Featuring Dolby® Ditigal 5.1 Creator, the built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera's zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.

Dolby® Digital 5.1ch Recording

Record in Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound with the camcorder's built-in microphone. Recording in 5.1 channel surround sound allows you to experience your home movies with active sounds coming from all directions, so you can enjoy your personal home movies the way you experienced them while recording.

Quick On

Missing an important scene can be frustrating, especially if the reason is because your camcorder is turned off. With the Quick On feature, the touch of a single button places that camcorder in Sleep mode. Another push instantly wakes the camcorder, so you'll always be ready to capture special moments.

Dynamic Range Optimizer

Powered by the exclusive Sony's BIONZ™ high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization preserves image data in bright highlights, such as suppressing "whiteout" in skies. When shooting in backlit settings, D-Range Optimization reveals more detail in shadows, preventing "blackout." As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene.

Easy Handycam Button

Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.

Switchable HD/SD Format Recording

Record and play back both High Definition (HD)4 and Standard Definition (SD) video.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T Lens

Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T coating further reduces unwanted glare and flare for increased contrast and color.

Active Interface Shoe

Sony's proprietary hot shoe makes it easy to use Intelligent Accessories, such as external lights and microphones, by providing power and on/off capability directly from the camcorder.

HDMI™ Connection with BRAVIA® Sync™ (CEC) Technology

HDMI™ connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single cable. With BRAVIA® Sync™ (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA TV remote.

USB 2.0 Interface

The USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing. -Leslie Shapiro

Sony