Sony digital handycam - New Line Also Includes Mega-Pixel Imager and MPEG Movie

Sony, innovator of the popular Digital8 format, continues pioneering the category with today's introduction of its 2001 Digital8 Sony digital Handycam camcorder line which emphasizes style, performance features and affordability.

The new Digital8 camcorder models from Sony offer up to 500 lines of resolution and the same outstanding sound quality as a compact disc. With a suggested selling price as low as $600, consumers can enjoy high-quality digital video and audio in combination with Sony's advanced Worry-Free Recording™ features, such as SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization and the Super NightShot™ O Lux recording system.

To further augment the new year's Sony Digital8 products, the step-up models a feature 30 percent smaller chassis with a design that fits the hand comfortably.

"As the popularity of PC-based video editing continues to grow, more and more consumers are transitioning from analog to digital video," said Allan Jason, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics. "That's just who Sony had in mind with the introduction of the 2001 Digital8 line."

For example, five of the Sony Handycam camcorders let consumers play back any analog-recorded or Hi8/8mm tape. All models record digital video onto inexpensive standard Hi8/8mm tape and connect to a PC via an i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) interface for digital video editing*.

Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder Suggested Pricing and Availability

• DCR-TRV130 has SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization, 25X optical/560X digital zoom and 2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display. It will be available in February for about $600.
• DCR-TRV230 has a smaller chassis, analog inputs, SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization, 25X optical/700X digital zoom and a 2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display. It will be available in February for about $700.
• DCR-TRV330 has all of the above features and includes Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick media. It will be available in February for about $800.
• DCR-TRV530 has all of the above features and a 3.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display. It will be available in February for about $900.
• DCR-TRV730 adds a mega-pixel CCD imager,18X optical/500X digital zoom, 2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display and MPEG movie mode with Memory Stick media capability. It will be available in March for about $1,000.
• DCR-TRV830 also has a mega-pixel CCD imager and MPEG movie mode with Memory Stick media capability as well as a 3.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display and a portable color printer. It will be available in April for about $1,300.

Faster, Easier Digital Still Imaging on a Sony Handycam Camcorder

All Digital Handycam camcorders with Digital Still Memory Mode are supplied with a 4 MB Memory Stick® media, allowing users to instantly capture still pictures or capture a still image from their videotape. These pictures can be transferred to select printers, desktop or notebook PCs, or other digital devices.

To augment the digital still capability, Handycam camcorders with Memory Stick media incorporate a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. With the supplied USB cable, the new Digital8 camcorders can transport images to a compatible PC faster than camcorders with only a serial interface.

Additionally, Sony supplies MGI PhotoSuite® and MGI VideoWave® software to facilitate the transfer of digital still images from the camcorder to a PC. With this software, camcorder users can perform a variety of imaging enhancements, including color alteration, drawing and more.

Worry-Free Recording and Performance Camcorder Features

A number of advancements in the new line complement Sony's convenient "Worry-Free" features, including:

Digital Program Edit -- 20-segment assemble editing without the need for a PC or a professional studio. This allows for a convenient, uncomplicated way to assemble up to 20 scenes automatically.

i.LINK® Digital Video Interface -- i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) DV interface allows for high speed bi-directional igital communication between any two devices equipped with IEEE 1394 DV interface, including digital camcorders, digital VTRs and PCs*.

InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ System -- All Sony Handycam camcorders conveniently indicate the remaining minutes of battery life on the LCD or viewfinder display, allowing users to keep an accurate and constant reading of remaining battery power.

Super LaserLink® Wireless Transmission system -- Uses infrared light to make a wireless playback connection from the camcorder to the optional receiver and your television up to 26 feet away.

Super NightShot™ O Lux Recording system -- Automatic slow-shutter control delivers brighter, smoother video for shoot-in-the-dark videotaping

These two Sony Digital8 Handycam camcorder models offer three different ways to record MPEG video. First, a convenient MPEG conversion feature allows consumers to select up to 60 seconds of recorded videotape and convert it to an MPEG movie. This provides consumers with the luxury to shoot non-stop video and decide on the best parts to later convert to an MPEG movie and share withfamily and friends.

Second, consumers can shoot an MPEG movie "on location" when the moment is just right. Finally, through the DCR-TRV730 and the Sony DCR-TRV830 Audio/Video inputs, video can be imported from an external source - such as a VHS deck, Video Walkman® VCR or analog camcorder -- and converted to an MPEG movie and saved to the supplied Memory Stick media for easy transfer to a PC or other Memory Stick-enabled device.

In addition to MPEG Movie, these two units offer mega-pixel imagers, enhancing both digital still and video picture quality. The mega-pixel CCD imager delivers 520 lines of horizontal resolution, offering optimal digital video and more true-to-life color clarity. It also delivers 1152 x 864 pixels still image resolution -- great for printing or attaching images to e-mail.

Portable Printing Studio

With its supplied portable color printer (PVP-MSH), the DCR-TRV830 Handycam camcorder creates prints on the spot, like an instant camera. Still images from a videotape or Memory Stick media can be printed anywhere. Standard prints are 3 ½" x 2" and are ideal for wallets, tabletop frames or distributing to friends and family. Print media options include standard-sized stickers (3 ½" x 2"), which are great for creating picture postcards, or multi-picture stickers that have nine stickers on one sheet. These stamp-sized stickers can be used for labeling children's books and toys with a personalized photo, putting pictures on business cards, giving as keepsakes, or decorating packages. Twenty standard paper sheets, 10 of each type sticker sheet and two ink ribbons are packaged with the DCR-TRV830 digital camcorder.

The PVP-MSH portable printer is also available as an optional accessory that attaches to the intelligent accessory shoe on the new Sony DCR-TRV330, DCR-TRV530 and DCR-TRV730 camcorders. Consumers can now transform their Digital8 Handycam camcorders into a self-contained printing studio. The printer will be available as an accessory in April for about $250.

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