Sony Japan Replaces DCR-TRV950 with 3 CCD DCR-HC1000, Pushes Price Barrier

by Robin Liss
Published on May 10, 2004 12:00 AM



Sony Japan today announced the release of a new 3 CCD midrange camcorder, the DCR-HC1000, replacing the two year old DCR-TRV950. It appears Sony is attempting to compete in the low price range 3 CCD camcorder arena, which Panasonic had dominated until now. The new camcorder is debuting in Japan at a relatively low price of around $1,550, the camcorder it is replacing currently sells for $1,999.

Sony U.S. Camcorder Spokeswoman Rosemary Flynn stated in response to the Japanese announcement ''We have no information at this time on a U.S. introduction.''

In 2003 Panasonic introduced the PV-DV953, the first 3 CCD camcorder under US $2,000, which now sells for around US $1,250. This year Panasonic followed up with sub US $1,000 and sub US $700 3 CCD camcorders, the PV-GS200 and PV-GS120 respectively. The DCR-TRV950 is currently Sony US' lowest priced 3 CCD camcorder, and it appears it will now be replaced with the DCR-HC1000 at a $400 to $500 price drop. In 2002 when the DCR-TRV950 was introduced, it was selling for US$2,299. The introductory price of a camcorder doesn't usually last very long, and for comparisons sake, the new DCR-HC1000 is being introduced in Japan at the same price as Panasonic's PV-DV953.

3 CCD camcorders dedicate one imaging sensor to red, green and blue, where 1 CCD camcorders have to do triple the work. The result is that 3 CCD camcorders produce much richer, vibrant and accurate colors. All professional camcorders include 3 CCDs. The DCR-HC1000 includes 3 1/4.7 in. 1,070K pixel CCDs, with 690K effective pixels for video. Those are the same CCDs as the DCR-TRV950 includes.

The DCR-HC1000 includes a 12 x optical zoom and a 2.5 in. hybrid touch screen LCD, capable of the automatic control functions including spot metering and spot focus. The DCR-HC1000 also includes a color viewfinder, and a T Star lens, which includes a ''special'' coating which Sony reserves for it's highest end camcorders including the DCR-PC330 and the DCR-HC85.

The DCR-HC1000 includes an interesting body shape which separates the record portion of the camcorder and the lens barrel portion, very similar to Sharp's current line of low end MiniDV camcorders. The two body portions are able to rotate 90 degrees according to the Sony Japan web site. Bob Pleyer, Product Manager for Sharp camcorders responded to the similarity between Sharp's products and Sony's new Japanese model by saying ''By copying us it's the sincerest form of a complement to us, as our idea that we have progressed over the past several years has been adopted by another company.''

It appears the still performance of the new mid range camcorder is going to be quite disappointing. The camcorder produces stills at a maximum resolution of one Megapixel, which is 1,152 x 864 pixels - that's the same resolution as Sony's $600 camcorder. Panasonic's 3 CCD low end camcorders implement a pixel shifting technology, which combines the pixel count of each of the individual 3 CCDs, giving their $700 3 CCD model still resolution of a slightly higher 1.2 megapixels or 1,280 x 960. Panasonic's $1,000 3 CCD camcorder produces 2.3 Mexapixel stills at a 1,760 x 1,320 resolution. Sony's $1,399 camcorder, the DCR-PC330 includes 3 Megapixel stills. The Sony Japan marketing materials stressed the still capability of the camcorder, and the camcorder includes a pop-up flash. It really seems that Sony Japan is conscious of their still shortcomings with this new camcorder.

The DCR-TRV950 replaced the DCR-TRV900, both camcorders have a reputation of outstanding manual control. The DCR-HC1000 seems to continue and improve upon this legacy of manual control. The camcorder includes a manual focus ring, which now also with the switch of a button can function as a zoom ring. The camcorder includes manual shutter speed control, manual gain control, manual exposure, and manual audio level settings. In addition, the DCR-HC1000 includes zebra patterns for displaying overexposed areas and the ability to show a color bar pattern.

The DCR-HC1000 includes a dedicated microphone in jack, a dedicated headphone jack, USB jack, Firewire jack as well as a Control-L / Lanc port. The Sony Japan press release lists the camcorder at 176,000 yen, which is equivalent to around $1,548.75. The camcorder will be available in Japan on July 10th.