Sony Announces Two New High-End DVD Cams

Las Vegas, CES, January 4, 2006 - Today, Sony unveiled two new high-end DVD camcorders: the DCR-DVD405, which will replace the popular DVD403, and a new, top-of-the-line DVD camcorder, the DCR-DVD505. Both models have an improved, sleeker design and the DVD405 includes a larger CCD and higher resolution still image capture.

 
The DVD405 replaces the DVD403, an extremely popular camcorder that did much to popularize the DVD format for camcorders: in our review, we said that it was “our favorite DVD camcorder yet, one that we certainly recommend for point and shoot users”. We’ll be taking a closer look at the new camcorder soon, but it will no doubt be a strong player in the market if it is as good as the DVD403.

 

The DVD405, retailing at around $900, features a 3.3 megapixel (3310K gross pixels, 2048K effective pixels) Advanced HAD 1/3-inch CCD with a Primary Color Filter. It can capture stills up to 3 megapixels: a resolution of 2016 x 1512 pixels. Stills in 16:9 aspect ratio will also be available, with a maximum resolution of 2016 x 1134. The DVD405 can achieve zooms of up to 10x optical and 120x digital. The ports will include a hot accessory shoe and a MemoryStick Duo slot (media stick not included). The camcorder does not have a microphone in jack.

 

With a sleek, silver design, the DVD405 distinguishes itself from the new next model down, the DCR-DVD305 (Review, Specs, $498), with a larger CCD (1/3-inch versus 1/5.5-inch), a larger, 30mm Carl-Zeiss lens (over the DVD305’s 25mm lens), a built-in flash, and a Super NightShot mode. It also takes a larger maximum still (2016 x 1512 versus 1152 x 864). Both models take 16:9 stills, with the DVD305 reaching a maximum of 1152 x 648. The DVD305 has a larger zoom however (12x/800x). The improvements on the DVD405 from the DVD403 are relatively minor, though: this is more of a tweak to a successful model than a major revision. The new styling for the camcorder makes it sleeker and less bulky.

 

The DVD505, which will sell for approximately $1100, features a 2000K (1910K effective) Advanced HAD 1/3-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor, an entirely different sensor from the rest of the DVD lineup. Like the 403, it will use the Primary Color Filter for improved color performance. The ClearVID CMOS sensor, in accord with the new enhanced image processor, delivers wider dynamic range and higher processing speed than a conventional CCD.

 

 

Unlike traditional CCDs, the pixels on the CMOS sensor are tilted on a 45-degree angle. The ClearVID CMOS will also increase the number of recorded green pixels to increase resolution because the human eye is most sensitive to green.  CMOS technology is also more integrated into the processing system, making it more energy efficient. The zoom ratio will remain the same as the DVD405 – 10x optical and 120x digital.

 

The DVD505’s improvements over the DVD405 are numerous. It will shoot stills up to 4 megapixels, measuring 2304 x 1728, and 2304 x 1296 in 16:9 aspect ratio. In order to capture 4 megapixel stills with a CMOS sensor containing only 2000K pixels, Sony claims that the combination of the alignment of the ClearVID CMOS sensor and the new image processing circuitry allows them to capture images “with the same quality as one captured by a 4MP imager”, but we’ll see when we test it. Camcorders that interpolate the pixels (that is, they create the pixels by deciding what they should look like) typically produce lower quality images than ones with a properly sized image sensor.

 

The DVD505 also includes “Dual Record Capability,” a new feature that allows for simultaneous recording of video and still images: the camcorder can capture a 3 megapixel still image to the MemoryStick while recording video. Previous designs typically restricted still capture to the resolution of the video when doing simultaneous recording. Four megapixel stills are not possible in video mode, Sony claims, because the camcorder uses those extra pixels for electronic image stabilization. Were the DVD505 to use optical image stabilization, it might have been possible to utilize the entire CMOS sensor for still capture. Currently, no Sony consumer camcorders except the HDR-FX1 include optical stabilization.

 

The DVD505 also features Smooth Slow Recording at a frame rate of 240 fps. This allows users to record at four times the normal, 60 fps rate, creating a detailed picture for fast moving objects. This is an interlaced image, and not progressive scan. This feature does not capture more data than it would at 60 fps; rather it simply slows the action down for a convincing slow motion look. Smooth Slow Record can only be initiated in 3-second intervals, making 3 seconds of real-time video playback in 12 seconds.

 

	CCD Size/Pixels	Optical/Digital zoom	LCD Screen Size/Pixel count	Still Image Resolution	New Features
DCR-DVD403	1/3-inch HAD /3310K	10x/120x	2.7 inches/123K	2016 x 1512
DCR-DVD405	1/3-inch HAD/3310K	10x/120x	2.7 inches/123K	2016 x 1512	Improved Design
DCR-DVD505	1/3-inch ClearVID/2000K	10x/120x	3.5 inches/211K	2304 x 1728	Dual record, Slow smooth recording

 

The DVD505 also sports a large widescreen, 3.5-inch LCD screen with 211K pixels. This is the same size LCD found on the prosumer HDR-FX1, which sells for over $2000 more. Sony has not included an LCD screen this large on a consumer camcorder in recent years, other than last year's DCR-PC55 (Specs, $549.99).

 

Both camcorders feature Carl-Zeiss lenses and Sony’s new Dolby Digital 5.1 channel Surround Sound recording. Both are 5.1 channel Center Microphone-Ready. The Center Microphone capability allows for interaction between the built-in 4 channel mic and an attached or wireless mic. The wireless microphone is a new add-on which Sony is selling that works only with the Advanced Accessory Shoe. The mid-priced model of this year’s DVD line, the DCR-DVD305, will ship with an additional, external microphone to take advantage of this feature.

 

Although it won’t give you Hollywood style surround sound, the option to record Dolby Digital on all of these camcorders has proved to be a popular one. With more people investing in surround sound home theater setups, the ability to record home movies in surround sound can add a new element to home movies.

 

The DVD405 and DVD505 can accept mics to their accessory shoe, though Sony will continue to use their proprietary accessory shoe size, rather than the more widely accepted larger size. Wireless mics which take advantage of the 5.1 channel Surround Sound will also be available for purchase for both models. Using Bluetooth technology, they will broadcast a signal up to 100 feet.

 

The DVD405 and DVD505 offer analog to digital conversion. This feature is different from analog to digital pass-through in that it can transfer older, analog footage directly to a DVD. As the camcorders have no FireWire, the data cannot be transferred on to a computer for further editing.

 

Both camcorders will accept DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc formats. They will also feature Super SteadyShot electronic stabilization, 123K color viewfinders, and non-solarizing SwivelScreen touch screen LCDs with 3D menus.

 

The DCR-DVD405 will be available in February for around $900. The DCR-DVD505 will be available in March for approximately $1100.