Sony Replaces 3CCD DCR-VX2000 with DCR-VX2100, Improves Low Light Performance

by News Editor

Published on Oct 6, 2003 12:00 AM
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Sony has announced a replacement for the highly popular three CCD DCR-VX2000, the DCR-VX2100. The DCR-VX2100 is a prosumer camcorder aimed at serious hobbyist and professional videographers. It's predecessor, the DCR-VX2000 had an outstanding reputation for video quality and and reliability. The DCR-VX2100's biggest upgrade is increasing the low light performance which is coupled by many small, mostly aesthetic upgrades. Sony's being smart in 'not messing with a good thing.'

Sony is saying that the DCR-VX2100 is more of an upgrade or a refresh than a full blow replacement for the DCR-VX2000 - most likely in an effort to lower expectations on the camcorder. It appears however that Sony improved on a good thing and made the right move by not making any major changes to the VX2000. Development of the DCR-VX2100 seemed to be largely based on input from existing DCR-VX2000 users. In an interview, Linda Vuolo, Director of Camcorder Products and Digital Imaging Accessories for Sony Electronics said "We listened to our users and refreshed the model based on their input. The refresh was based on how the users were using the product while making it easier for them to use and better addressing the way that they use the product."

It does seem like Sony listened to the users in many regards when deciding what to change on the camcorder. The major upgrade is increasing the low light performance of the DCR-VX2100 over the DCR-VX2000. According to Sony, the LUX rating of the VX2100 is a 1, whereas it was a 2 on the DCR-VX2000. Low light ratings by manufacturer's are quite unreliable, however the DCR-VX2000 is known for it's outstanding low light performance. It's considered one of the high points of the camcorder. Sony provided us with an example low light performance still from the DCR-VX2100 and the company stated that the shot was filmed at a LUX rating of one.

The zoom on the DCR-VX2100 remains at 12x, controlled by a large zoom rocker, and the camcorder still includes a manual focus and a manual zoom ring. All the same manual controls, including the ND filter button on the side are on the DCR-VX2100 as were on the DCR-VX2000. The technical specifications of each CCD have stayed the same with 380K gross pixels and 340K effective pixels for video. Each CCD is 1/3 in. in size. Yoshi Nishimura, Camcorder Product Manager for Sony stated "The CCD specifications are the same, the only difference is that we improved the sensitivity of the CCD itself. The improvement was made by improving the process in making the CCD... Since we've been making the CCD for more than a couple of years, the CCD factory was able to improve the sensitivity so that we can change our low light capability from 2 lux to 1 lux."

Sony made many aesthetic changes to the DCR-VX2100. The handle along the top of the DCR-VX2100 is slightly larger and now includes a small zoom button with variable speed zooms. They've also included an option to turn the zoom button on the top handle on or off, so users don't accidentally bump it. In a move that follows the lead of Panasonic and the AG-DVX100, Sony has increased the size of the eye cup, as well as changed the viewfinder so more area is effectively visible (.22 in. vs. 28.2 in.). Sony has also included a built in lens hood. The lens hood has two flaps which are opened or closed via a switch.

Still performance is certainly not a priority on the DCR-VX2100. The camcorder shoots stills at 640 x 480 pixel resolution, the same as the DCR-TRV22, Sony's lowest end MiniDV camcorder which takes digital stills (and that one's priced at $600). Sony clearly understands that users in this group do not care about their camcorder's still performance ""We try to address the features that we felt were most important to the customer who was really using this camcorder, and we addressed those as our first priority. With the feedback that we got, having higher still resolution for this user was not high on the list." said Rosemary Flynn, spokesman for Sony Camcorders.

The DCR-VX2100 is following in the steps of two incredibly successful camcorders. As Linda Vuolo explained, "The DCR-VX2100 is the next step in our prosumer product line, following on the successful VX1000 that came out in 1996 and the VX2000 that came out in May of 2000." The DCR-VX1000 set the standard for MiniDV camcorders and was considered the best MiniDV camcorder during it's entire reign. The VX2000 significantly improved upon the VX1000 creating very high expectations for the DCR-VX2100.

Sony is sure to draw fire from some consumers for not including high definition video (HD) on the VX2100 - however it may be better off without the HD technology. JVC already has a sub $4,000 HD model, and during the summer Sony, along with Canon and Sharp came to an agreement with JVC to use similar technology in their future HD consumer camcorders. About a year ago, Panasonic brought to market the AG-DVX100, the first camcorder to shoot 24 frames progressive video. Many users were hoping that Sony would include either HD or 24 frames progressive scan or both on the DCR-VX2100. When asked about progressive scan and HD technologies, Linda Vuolo said "With the advent of HD technology really moving into consumer's homes there's really a lot of attention to new technologies some of which are really coming to the forefront, and others that our consumers are still trying to understand their applications. With progressive scan and HD technology being two of those were continuing to determine how to best integrate them into our products."

However the general belief is that the HD technology is not quite there for a quality sub $5,000 HD camcorder. The JVC GR-HD1 has been far from a success - many customers are disappointed with it's performance, especially under low light. "The GR-HD1 has been a disappointment. The technology isn't there to make a quality HD camcorder in the $3000 price range. Sony made the right decision not to include HD on the VX2100." According to a an industry analyst. A Japanese Engineer who works in the video industry, in reference to why Sony didn't put HD into their camcorder commented about the VX2100 off the record. The engineer emphasized that it would be unrealistic to look to Sony to put HD technology into a $3000 price range camcorder at this point "As for Sony next model, if you mean next to VX2000, it seems to be difficult to have a HD technology in this year, even [for] Sony. So I think, there seems no particular reason why not [to] upgrade [the VX2000] in this year." Emphasizing why he believes it's not a bad move to not upgrade to HD in the VX2100.

One area where Sony may come under fire is pricing on the model. The DCR-VX2100 is priced at $3,000, the same as the DCR-VX2000. Sony is 'spinning' this as a better camcorder for the same price, however many users would expect Sony to drop the price because of the HD and 24 frames progressive which are on competitors models and not on the VX2100. It seems however that Sony will quickly adjust the price of the model if the market demands it. The DCR-VX2100 will hit stores in December, and we will see new models from other manufacturers introduced both in January at the Consumer Electronics Show and in April at the National Association of Broadcasters, those new models will likely force Sony to reduce the price on the DCR-VX2100. Considering this is a camcorder with a likely lifespan of at least a year, maybe more I think we will see it sold at a lower price fairly soon into it's lifetime. This pricing is most aimed at capturing the early adopters, with a price reduction after a few months of it's introduction.

The DCR-VX2000 had a professional equivalent, the DSR-PD150 which recorded to DVCAM tapes and included XLR inputs. Sony Europe announced the replacement of the DSR-PD150P (the European version of the DSR-PD150), the DSR-PD170P at the International Broadcasters Conference in September. Sony Camcorder Spokesperson Rosemary Flynn stated "At this time the US has no official information on the NTSC version." in regards to an NSTC (US) version of the DSR-PD170. However, because the DCR-VX2100 is effectively the same camcorder as a would be DSR-PD170, and the European version of the camcorder has already been announced, we can very confidently speculate that a DSR-PD170 will hit the US market within the next month or two.

The Sony DCR-VX2100 will be available in December for $3,000.