Tech Shout!

Sony has just introduced three new additions to its high-definition (HD) camcorder line, which include the flash-based HDR-CX7, the hard disk-based HDR-SR7 and HDR-SR5 camcorders. All these three models record full HD 1080 (MPEG-4) with Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound, and each of them has a Carl Zeiss 10x optical-zoom lens as well as optical image stabilization.

According to Sony, the new HDR-CX7 camcorder is the world’s smallest and lightest AVCHD high-definition camcorder. This sony camcorder which weighs just 15 ounces (including battery), is able to record nearly three hours of full HD 1080 video on an 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo media card.

The Sony HDR-SR7 AVCHD high-definition camcorder has a built-in 60GB hard disk drive and can thus record more than 22 hours of full HD 1080 video.

The Sony HDR-SR5 camcorder, on the other hand has a 40GB built-in Hard disk drive, and can hold up to 15 hours of recorded media.

Both the Sony HDR-SR7 and the HDR-SR5 camcorders offer Sony’s HDD Smart Protection system which safeguards against data loss as well as easy connection to PCs via USB.

The HDR-CX7 and HDR-SR7 camcorders utilize Sony’s 3-megapixel sensor for full HD 1080 video and 6-megapixel digital still photos. They are also equipped with Super SteadyShot(R) optical image stabilization to produce smooth video results, as well as virtually blur-free photos. The HDR-SR5 camcorder integrates a 2-megapixel sensor for full HD 1080 video and produces a 4-megapixel photo.

The newly unveiled sony HDD camcorders feature enhanced functions for easy browsing and searching. Besides, these camcorders each have a high-resolution, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen.

The Sony HDR-CX7, HDR-SR5, and HDR-SR7 camcorders incorporate Sony’s ClearVid CMOS sensor technology offering a new level of clarity. These camcorder models are able to deliver the advantages of high resolution, high sensitivity with low noise and smear-free pictures all because of the Enhanced Imaging Processor technology.

With Sony’s x.v.Color technology, based on the new international xvYCC color standard, the new camcorders reproduce a much wider data range of colors than the conventional sRGB standard. When connected to a compatible HDTV via the camcorders’ HDMI(TM) outputs, home videos sparkle with vivid, natural- looking results.

According to Linda Vuolo, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics, “ Camcorder users are quickly embracing non-linear camcorder formats such as hard disk drive and flash media, because they make it easy for anyone to view and access footage quickly.”

“Our models offer the added advantages of superior high-definition picture quality. With the wildest range of consumer high-def models, we can satisfy the needs of virtually everyone,” Vuolo added.

The new Sony HDR-CX7, HDR-SR5, and the HDR-SR7 camcorders will begin shipping in June 2007 for a price of $1200, $1100 and $1400 respectively.