Sony HDR-UX1 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Sep 29, 2006 1:00 AM
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fAudio (7.0)
At this camcorder’s price point, we expect decent audio options, and the HDR-UX1 delivers with both a front-mounted stereo mini microphone jack, and a headphone jack at the camcorder’s right rear. We've been incredibly disappointed as of late with Sony (and others) for their audio options. However, the same great features found on the HDR-HC1, then lost on the HDR-HC3, are back. These jacks will enable you to use virtually any self-powered microphone, offering a much wider range of audio recording options. There is no audio level control, however, for either the built-in mic or an external mic. This certainly cuts down on the level of audio control you are given. It does not offer an audio dubbing feature, either.
In addition to the great jacks, the HDR-UX1 includes Sony’s proprietary Active Interface Shoe, a hot shoe that is compatible with a wide range of Sony accessories, including video lights and shotgun microphones.
The mic input is up front on the right side (left), and the headphone jack is towards the back right (right)
The onboard mic is a four-channel omni-directional microphone that can record sound optimized for Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound systems. While this means sound recorded with the onboard mic will fill out a surround sound system’s channels, you’re still only recording sound with a low-quality on-camera mic. When using a Sony wireless mic connected via the Active Interface Shoe, sound recorded through that mic is assigned to the center front channel. It’s a thoughtful added feature, but will only work when using a Sony wireless microphone.
We must reiterate how pleased we are that a mic input and headphone jacks come included on the HDR-UX1. Thank you, Sony.
VCR Mode (9.5)
The Sony HDR-UX1 has a strong set of VCR controls. To get to the playback function, tap the Play button icon in the lower left corner of the screen. For some reason, the playback mode does not contain all of the playback functions – more on that later. When in playback mode, each clip is represented by a thumbnail, 12 to a page. You can play a clip by tapping the thumb. The clip fills up the screen, and VCR control icons appear on-screen as well. You also get controls for volume and clip info (indicates stabilization on/off, auto/manual exposure, shutter speed, white balance, aperture, and gain.
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The more advanced playback options are located in the Home menu, but you can’t be in playback mode to see it. For that, you have to be in the video or still menu. The options here include creating and editing playlists (only VR-formatted discs can create these, not Video-formatted discs). Finalizing, unfinalizing, formatting, and getting Disc Info are all found here, as well. Also, the Home menu contains output settings. Why these options are not found in the playback mode (at least in addition to the video mode) remains a mystery.
Getting the video out to your TV is replete with options. There is are signal outputs in the form of AV, component, and HDMI. In the camcorder’s menu, you also need to select exactly what kind of TV you have. In Home menu > Select Devices > TV connect, you can choose High Definition or 16:9 / 4:3 TV. Then (this is beautiful), you are presented with options for which type of output you are using, complete with graphical illustrations of HDMI, Component, S-Video, or AV – perfect for the newbies that have no idea what phrases like “HDMI” or “S-Video” means.
Some VCR options in the Home Menu
You can also choose, in another menu page (Home menu > Settings > Output Settings), whether you want the menus and icons to appear on the TV, and whether you want the component to output 1080i or 60i.
There are a lot of options here. This is due, in part, to the fact that HD video has added a further layer of complication to our lives. We need all of the options so we can get our camcorders to talk to our TVs and computers effectively. Perhaps in the future, many of these options will be unnecessary as settings can be detected automatically. For now, Sony seems to have done an admirable job streamlining the process.
Ports (9.0)
The HDR-UX1 hosts a decent complement of ports, including an HDMI out, which is vital for an HDV camcorder. By contrast, the Canon HV10 surprisingly lacks an HDMI terminal – a feature we believe will become a standard offering on HDV camcorders. In addition, there are A/V and component video outputs behind the same unique sliding port cover on the lower left side of the body. A USB 2.0 port and MemoryStick Duo slot are located in the LCD cavity. A headphone jack is on the camcorder’s rear right side, and an external microphone jack is located below the lens. The HDR-UX1 also features Sony’s proprietary Active Interface Shoe, compatible with optional Sony accessories. The DC-in port is located on the rear left side of the camcorder behind a small plastic port cover.
Ports? What ports? The UX1 helps hide your unmentionables (left). Right, the Sony Advanced Accessory Shoe.
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