Sony Introduces High Definition to DVD AVCHD Camcorder HDR-UX1

July 18, 2006 - Today at a press conference in New York, Sony announced the release of the first camcorders to use the AVCHD format. The HDR-UX1 is the first camcorder to record high definition to a standard DVD disc under the AVCHD format while the HDR-SR1 is a hard disc drive camcorder. The HDR-UX1 is clearly aimed at both high-end consumers and prosumers as it includes features that set it apart from most previous DVD camcorders. It will be released in September for an MSRP of approximately $1400.

AVCHD, launched just three months ago, is a high definition format applicable for 8cm DVD, flash memory cards, and hard disk drive media. 

Sony is the first out of the gate to in the race to implement the new format in consumer electronic devices. In May of this year the AVCHD format was announced as a joint venture between Panasonic and Sony. Panasonic told CamcorderInfo.com that they plan to release an AVCHD-compatible camcorder by late 2006 or early 2007. Sony remained silent until today, though rumors developed that a camcorder announcement was imminent.

The high definition HDR-UX1 works according to the same principles of conventional standard definition DVD camcorders, but records both to conventional single layer 8cm DVDs and new Dual Layer Discs.  These Dual Layer Disks were will capture up to 1 hour of HD footage. Previously, DVD camcorders were limited to single layer discs with a max recording time of 30 minutes of standard definition video. 

The HDR-UX1 wields a 1/3" ClearVID CMOD sensor, the same imager found on the DCR-DVD505. This chip packs 2.1 gross megapixels (1.43 effective MP in 16:9 and 1.08 effective MP in 4:3). The camcorder features adjustments usually found only on Sony’s prosumer models, including a multi-function ring (controlling focus, exposure, AE shift, and white balance shift). The HDR-UX1 also has a headphone jack and microphone jack, and zebra stripes which can be set to 70 or 100.  The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens has a maximum aperture of 1.8, and a focal range of 5.1 - 51 mm.  The lens has an optical zoom of 10x, and the digital zoom maxes out at a modest 80x.

While the AVCHD standard has a ceiling of 24 Mbps, the HDR-UX1 will be limited to a maximum 12 Mbps bit rate.

In an indication that Sony hopes the HDR-UX1 will also appeal to high-end consumers with home theatre systems, it supports Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, and an HDMI port.  The widescreen LCD display measures 3.5” and functions as the camcorder’s touch screen interface for menu navigation and manual control adjustments.

The HDR-UX1 includes a built in flash for taking stills of up to 4.0 Megapixels, and the camcorder can take stills while recording video at an impressive 2.3 Megapixels. Stills are recorded to Sony's MemoryStick Duo or PRO Duo cards, which are not expected to be included. Stills cannot be saved to DVD.

Sony is determined to make sure that new AVCHD camcorders fit into the larger market. The HDR-UX1 camcorder will be compatible with Blu-Ray players, including the PlayStation 3 and PCs with proper specs.  The HDR-UX1 will be available in September for $1,400.